There is no denying that online casinos have become a huge hit. According to the recent demographics, gamblers are visiting online casinos more frequently than ever. The reasons for iGaming’s success are numerous. For example, internet casinos make gambling simpler, more accessible, and much more convenient.
However, it is also true that the iGaming industry is still, relatively up-and-coming. In other words, there are plenty of people who don’t know much about how it works. Yet, newcomers grow each day. That is why we’d like to go over some of the most important things relating to online gambling, that will prepare you for your first time at an internet casino.
Legality
Despite the success of online casinos, many countries have still not hopped aboard the bandwagon. That is why, before visiting an online casino, you have to make sure that it is legal in your country to do so. Obviously, laws change from place to place, but broadly, there are three main categories of legality when it comes to online casinos:
- Legal: strictly legal, in all ways. If a casino has managed to acquire a local license, the establishment can operate within the country.
- Illegal: outright banned. Residents of the country are not allowed to access gambling sites, and online casino operators can’t function within the country’s borders.
- Semi-Legal: finally, we have semi-legality. Some countries allow residents to play at offshore casinos, but do not allow online casinos to operate within the country.
Whether you live in a country where iGaming is legal or semi-legal, you will be able to play online. However, that brings us to the second important factor – licensing. In the next section, we are going to explore licensing, what it is and how it works.
Licensing
For those who don’t know online casinos, as well as sportsbooks, must be able to prove that they are safe and legitimate. The way they do so is by getting a license from a notable gambling organization. So, regardless of if you like betting on national football teams or playing casino games, you have to make sure that you are doing it at a licensed and regulated website.
Licenses are somewhat related to legality. Indeed, plenty of countries do not allow casinos, local or offshore, to operate without being licensed within the country. In order to get a license, the gambling site must allow a commission to review all of its features, and determine whether it is safe, reputable, and legitimate.
The most trustworthy licenses usually come from Europe. Notable examples of respectable organizations include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Association (MGA). For respectable licensing companies outside of Europe, the Curacao Gaming License is probably the most well-known. Caribbean nations in general have a very good reputation when it comes to licensing online casinos.
Different Types of Gambling
Most people think that online casinos are just one thing. However, the truth is that when you visit a gambling site, you might just discover a whole lot more than you were expecting to find. For example, standard online casinos usually just host the classic gambling games you’d expect to find at a land-based establishment. We are talking, slots, roulette, blackjack, etc.
But, there are also poker rooms. As you can probably guess, poker rooms are sites where you can go to play poker. For many, poker is a game distinct from classic gambling, with closer ties to chess than anything else. However, when we are talking about iGaming, online poker rooms are definitely included in the discussion.
Then, we also must discuss bingo and the lottery. Online bingo is becoming a lot more popular, as it awakens a feeling of nostalgia and safety in many people. There is just something about a bingo game that brings to mind images of a quaint town. However, the lottery is a different story. In plenty of countries, online lotteries are banned, and the only entity allowed to run a lotto is the government.
Finally, we would be remised if we did not bring up sports betting. Wagering on sports may just be the most popular form of gambling worldwide. If you have placed money on FIFA matches, the Major League Sports, or even boxing, you’ve participated in the iGaming industry. For that very reason, online sportsbooks often double as casinos, and vice versa.
Different Platforms for Gambling
In this final section we are taking a look at the different gambling platforms available to online players. The most obvious one is the casino website. As you’ve probably guessed by now, a casino website is a site that hosts some of the most popular games in the gambling world. It would include slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, and craps.
However, a casino website is not the only way to get your online gambling fix. There are also mobile casinos. If you own an Android or an iPhone, you have constant access to the internet, wherever you go. It is no wonder then that many online casinos have released apps in the form of an APK file. By using these apps, you can now play slots no matter where you are, or when.
But, if slots are not your thing, then live casinos might just have what you need. As the name suggests, live casinos bring the face-to-face casino experience to your home. A living dealer broadcasts themselves, live, and plays games with an audience interacting from the chat. Live casinos have, recently, gotten a huge boost in popularity, with blackjack being the most popular game.
What Else to Keep in Mind?
Finally, we would also like to encourage you to take any precaution necessary to ensure your safety when gambling online. Look up responsible gambling promoters and find some tips. Go over problem gambling symptoms, and make sure none apply to you, etc.
Beyond that, take the usual measures which you would take when visiting any website. Make sure you use a strong password, anti-virus software, and perhaps even a VPN to protect your IP and data privacy. That way, you will remain safe, while avoiding any potential cybercrimes.