As an expert iGaming reviewer, there are six key factors I look for when selecting a casino. These are the variety of games, bonuses, payment methods, safety and security, customer support, and user feedback. I know that a casino that performs across all of these is top quality and will be enjoyed by a range of players.
That may seem like a lot of things to think about, so let me walk you through exactly what I look for in a casino.
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Games, Games, and More Games!
One of the first things I look at is the variety of games on offer. A casino should include all the classic favourites, like roulette, blackjack, and craps. These should be balanced with innovative options, like interactive slots, live poker, or virtual reality baccarat. If a casino offers a wide range of games, I know there’s an option for everyone.
I always keep an eye out for one of my favourites, progressive jackpot slots, where the prize grows alongside the number of spins. A casino will also score highly if it’s offering more niche games, like mines, keno, or pachinko. Exclusive games are even better!
A Bonus Bonanza
My eye is often drawn straight to the bonuses on offer at a casino. They’re the best part! There are many bonus variations, each appealing to different players, so it’s important that there’s a variety. I also want to see bonuses that are available to those on a budget, with no or low deposit options.
The terms and conditions of each bonus should also be clear and straightforward. If a bonus isn’t available for certain payment methods, like cryptocurrency or e-wallets, that should be obvious.
Wagering requirements, including how many times you have to playthrough bonus funds before you withdraw them, should be reasonable. To me, this means being around 45x, with 60x being my absolute maximum. Anything more than that starts to raise eyebrows!
What are the Different Types of Bonuses?
Here’s a rundown of some of the bonuses I keep an eye out for.
Welcome Bonus: The perfect bonus for starting out, welcome bonuses are rewards for signing up to a casino. They can be free spins or deposit matches that help you stretch your budget.
No Deposit or Low Deposit Bonuses: Great for those on a tight budget, these bonuses are available for no or low deposit amounts.
Seasonal Bonuses: These bonuses are only available to mark special events, like Christmas or St Patrick’s Day.
Match Deposits: When the casino matches the amount you deposit at either 50%, 100%, or 200%.
Reload Bonuses: When you’re running low on one bonus, these bonuses are activated by your next deposit. They can be free spins or deposit matches.
Cashback Bonuses: These bonuses return a percentage of the money you’ve lost over a certain period.
Referral Bonuses: You can scoop up these benefits when you recommend a new customer to a casino.
VIP or High Roller Bonuses: Reward high spending or loyal customers with additional bonuses.
Crypto Coins or Digital Dollars? Payment Methods
Everyone has a preference when it comes to ways to pay at a casino. That’s why I make sure there’s a range of options available. Whether it’s bank transfers and cards or e-wallets and cryptocurrency, I’m after an array of methods. It should also be clear which options are available at each casino, so I award big marks if they’re mentioned in the casino’s toplist.
I also consider the terms and conditions that come with each payment method. That means checking the minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts, as well as any fees. I evaluate transaction times by looking at how long a withdrawal takes to reach my account. A leading casino will have a range of fast and low-cost payment methods.
Which Payment Methods do I Lookout For?
Cryptocurrency has become my go-to for casino payments. It boasts fast transaction speeds, low fees, and impressive conversion rates. I hope to see popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. In terms of e-wallets, I look out for PayPal, Apple Pay, Neteller, and Skrill. A range of these ensures everyone can pay using their preferred way.
Staying Safe and Secure
I’ll only recommend casinos that take player safety and security seriously. One of the first things I check is the range of responsible gambling tools on offer. A casino that genuinely values its players should have an assortment of tools and educational resources.
Here are some examples of responsible gambling tools I look for.
Limits: Whether it’s deposit, loss, or time, there should be some form of limit available at a casino. These help players control their time and spending on iGaming platforms.
Breaks: Players can take short periods away from a casino to help them manage their activity.
Reminders: These appear to remind players how long they’ve been gambling and ask whether they’d like to take a break.
Self-exclusion: Similar to a break but longer, these prevent players from using a casino for a set time.
What Security Features do I Consider?
It’s important that any site you share personal or payment information with is secure. When it comes to casinos, I look for ones that are firewall-protected with high levels of encryption. Having these security methods in place means any information I input into the casino will be carefully protected.
I also check for a reputable licence, like that from the UK Gambling Commission, as these casinos are held to high standards of player safety and security.
The Customer Comes First—Customer Support
It’s important to me to know that if a player encounters a problem on an iGaming platform, they’ll receive helpful and efficient customer support. For a casino to rate highly against my standards, they have to provide a number of options. Casinos that only offer a helpline open for a few hours a day simply don’t cut it!
Which Customer Support Methods do I Want to See?
Live chats are usually open 24/7, so I like to see them on offer at a casino. They also mean players can get a prompt answer to their query. If a site doesn’t offer live chats, I want to see other options, like a round-the-clock helpline or social media contact. Players should always have access to help, no matter the hour.
Email rates the lowest on my list of support methods. Getting a reply using email is usually a slow process, and inboxes aren’t constantly monitored.
Read the Reviews! User Feedback
Arguably, one of the most important considerations when selecting a casino is user feedback. I may be an expert, but I can’t test all aspects of a casino at once, so gathering the thoughts of other players is vital. It also means I can get the views of a range of individuals, rather than just someone who knows her way around a casino!
How do I Find User Feedback?
Independent review sites like Trustpilot are ideal places to find user feedback. For every casino I review, I make sure to check what other players have to say. If I see a problem that is repeatedly mentioned, such as customer service being slow, this will factor into my rating. Of course, I also make sure to test out each casino myself by setting up an account, playing, and making a withdrawal.
Quick Tip
💡If you can’t find any reviews for a casino on platforms like Trustpilot, check out Reddit. It’s a great place to get the honest feedback of real players!
What do I Consider When Selecting a Casino?
In this article, I’ve covered six of the most important factors I consider when selecting a casino: the games, bonuses, payment methods, safety and security, customer support, and user feedback.
A casino that includes a variety of options in terms of games, payment methods, and bonuses is one I know a range of players will enjoy. I consider safety and security, customer support, and user feedback to make sure I’m only recommending casinos where players will have the best experience.
Overall, I make sure to combine the fun of bonuses and games with the practicality of safety and customer service, so I select only the highest quality casinos.
Miona Ludoski is an expert in all things casinos. She has been writing casino reviews since 2022. In her spare time, Miona likes to keep on top of the latest developments in the industry by reading insider news. If she’s not keeping up to date with trends, you can catch her spinning some of her favourite slot games.
