So, you want to do some the mystical christ, and you’re ready to choose a casino. There are several things to think about during the process of selecting an online gambling hall. Some of these things might be more important to you than others, so the answer won’t be the same for everyone.
What types of games do you want to play? Slots? Poker? Table games? Or do you want to place wagers on horse racing, greyhound racing, or jai alai? Some online casinos focus on one type of game, and others have a variety of offerings. There are other variables, too. For instance, if you’re interested in horse racing, some gambling portals allow betting at just a few tracks, others offer wagering at dozens and dozens of tracks. So, decide what you want to do, and be sure that the casino or casinos you are considering offer what you are after.
If you’re a resident of the United States, then be warned. In October 2006, an internet gambling bill was passed by the United States congress making it illegal for US banks and credit card companies to make payment to foreign online gambling sites. To this day, some non-US online casinos no longer accept US players. Many casinos have adopted other ways (usually third party online payment methods) to transfer funds from and to its US players, but there are a few who have decided not to “gamble” on US players. So, keep an eye out for this restriction when you’re looking for a casino.
How much do you want to place on account to get started? Some casinos have a very low minimum deposit, say around $20. Others require much larger initial deposits, so look closely at what the casinos are expecting from you before you make a decision.
The online casino business is very competitive. You, the prospective online gambler, are a commodity and the casinos will fight for your business. So, you’ll see a lot of the online gambling halls offering small to large deposit bonuses. Sometimes it might be an initial 10% bonus. Other times it might be a set amount of money, such as “up to $750.” The “up to” part means it depends upon how much you are depositing. Often it’s some kind of graduated matching plan. If you decide to accept a bonus like this, be sure to look at the terms and conditions. To accept a $200 bonus, for example, you might be required to wager $5000 or more before you are allowed to withdraw a penny of any account balance. This gives the casino a fine opportunity to win back the bonus PLUS any of your own money that was deposited. So, look at this and think about it carefully.
Most casinos do not charge a fee for accepting your deposit, but a few do, so be sure to look at the fine print.
Look at the offered methods of deposit and withdrawal. Even casinos that accept a credit card payment for your deposit may limit withdrawals to various processing outfits such as Moneybookers, Click2Pay, or QuickCash. Some casinos are willing to mail a check to you. Another option sometimes offered is FedEx Express. And there are other methods, too. Often, each option has its own fee, and some methods cost more than others. Seldom is a withdrawal a free thing for the player.
Also watch out for casinos that suddenly get security conscious when you’re trying to withdraw funds. Some don’t care who you are when they’re accepting your deposit, but when you go to withdraw funds, they ask for proof that you are who you say you are, and that proof may include personal information typically considered risky to share with just anyone. Furthermore, there may be other cash-in requirements and/or limitations, and it would be best to be aware of these things before you make any deposits.