Variety is the spice of life, but an excess of choice can lead to option paralysis. The very success of Canada’s online casino sector, with more and more homegrown and international platforms at which to play, makes it increasingly difficult for newcomers to decide just where to sign up. On the surface, it can seem like most casinos are alike, but old hands know that beneath these superficial similarities there’s a huge range, from excellent to good sites, and a few that really should be avoided. A casino portal Online-casinos.ca suggests to look at the following before registering at an online casino.
1: Licensing
Top of the list is an item that is easy to check and also of critical importance, and that is the licensing at a given online casino. It’s easy to check because this information is usually present at the foot of every single page, although it is worth noting a small number of casinos may make the info harder to find (such as including it in the terms and conditions or an About Us page). Why does licensing matter? Because it determines how a casino is regulated. If it has regulation from a provincial Canadian or leading international authority then this is a positive indicator that the casino is being run fairly and is trustworthy. The absence of any licensing at all is a big warning sign to stay away from a casino.
2: Banking Methods
Another top item to check before registering is that a potentially promising online casino has a preferred banking method available. For most players, being able to use a system which they already have ready access to is simply far more convenient than having to sign up for a new account just to make deposits and withdrawals at a casino. On the same note, double-checking whether a financial option can be used for both deposits and withdrawals is sensible ahead of time (and note that casinos, as a rule, want players to use the same system for both deposits and withdrawals). If a banking method is deposit-only a second financial system will be needed for withdrawals.
3: Bonuses
The good news for players is that welcome bonuses are available at pretty much every online casino, as are recurring promotions that benefit (in order to retain) existing players. The downside is that it is necessary to check the fine print to ensure that such special offers are really all they claim to be. A player should check the expiry date to ensure this does not void a deal, but the main condition to be wary of is the wagering requirement, the total sum in wagers that must be placed prior to withdrawal. A good level is around 30x the value of a promotion, with higher being worse and lower being better. The lower the WR, the faster it can be satisfied and the better the chances of finishing in the black. Another condition worth checking is the withdrawal cap, the upper ceiling on winnings that can be withdrawn from a bonus. There are some special bonuses as well that are wager free where you can withdraw your winnings without any hidden terms and conditions.
4: Mobile Optimization
Unlike the first three points, the importance of mobile optimization varies wildly from irrelevant to essential depending on player preference. Someone who uses a desktop or laptop will neither notice nor care if a site works flawlessly on tablets and smartphones. However, increasing numbers of Canadians are using smartphones, especially younger adults, including for betting purposes. Most online casinos and associated games are fully functional on mobile but this is still important to check to avoid a poorly optimized casino becoming a chore to play at when using a mobile device. In particular, it’s worth checking that all games are available and navigating is nice and easy. Also, while some casinos offer great apps for iOS and Android, many are easy to play instantly via browser without any download required.
5: Games/Software
The bread and butter of an online casino is the selection of games, ranging from the latest in new slots to classic table games that have been around for centuries. The latter have had a fresh injection of excitement in recent years thanks to the creation of live tables that combine the convenience of playing from home with the immediacy of a real casino atmosphere by means of livestreamed dealers and tables. The presence of great games contributed by talented and trusted software developers is critical, because without fun diversions there is no point to joining an online casino at all.
6: Customer Support
Nobody wants something to go wrong when having fun at an online casino, but as with all things involving technology problems can occur at some point. When this happens, the quality of customer service can turn a molehill into a mountain, or so rapidly resolve the problem that it’s immediately forgotten about. Is the customer support accessible on a 24/7 basis, and what channels (telephone, e-mail, live chat) can be used to reach it? In addition, check for a FAQs page that can answer the most common queries. Some casinos even have extensive help sections that can enable a player to resolve their own problems without having to contact customer support at all.
7: Reputation
Many of the most important aspects by which a casino can be judged are easily seen right off the bat, but some can only be discovered by experience. In circumstances when this is a bad experience the least painful way to encounter the bad points of a casino is secondhand. Checking an online casino’s reputation is worthwhile because it allows the hardships others encountered to serve as a warning and enable a player to avoid the same fate, whether that’s a tardy attitude to withdrawals or spectacularly unhelpful customer service. A casino might be prone to downtime or have glitches that are not readily apparent when browsing externally, and might be better or worse at resolving disputes with customers.
8: Ease of Navigation
Online casinos can have thousands of games, and almost all have hundreds, making slick navigation essential to avoid getting swamped by the sheer volume. Many online casinos achieve this easily thanks to use of handy categories and filters, a direct search bar, and generally intuitive navigation. Ironically, the better the design in this area is the less obvious it can be. Ease of navigation is akin to how comfortable a shoe is: best when it’s not even noticed. But if it’s not a great fit, the constant irritation will soon become a major annoyance. If it’s a chore to find a game or getting anywhere seems to take minutes rather than moments, this is a sign of poor design.
9: Extra Betting
By definition, the main course at the banquet of a casino will be slots and table games, but many sites also offer additional diversions for players who like to spread their betting wings. Some casinos offer extra game categories, including bingo, keno, and scratch cards, and many now have a sports section. By presenting this smorgasbord of entertainment under a single virtual roof online casinos make it incredibly convenient for players to both place wagers on their favorite sports and to indulge in casino games at their convenience using a single account.
10: Auditing Affiliation
Last but not least on our little list is something that is optional but always a positive sign when present. Is the casino affiliated with an independent third party auditing firm, such as eCOGRA, that tests to ensure games are run fairly? Because casino games operate on the basis of chance, they employ RNG (random number generator) technology to ensure the randomness of results. By having a third party test to confirm this, an online casino can establish and maintain a reputation for being on the up and up, and having games that are trustworthy.
A discerning eye is sometimes needed to tell the quality of an online casino, and the above 10 factors provide great guidance as to whether a site is one to avoid or join. Checking ahead of time helps reduce the chances of having a bad experience, and improves the odds on having hassle-free and fun gaming.
