If you are new to the world of online casinos, then getting started isn’t always straightforward. Even the act of choosing the right platform can be tough – and settling on the wrong one can mean you lose even before you have begun.
So, our experts at Profitsquad have put together this guide for beginners, which is perfect for anyone looking to get started. Here’s everything you need to know!
Table of Contents
Why Do People Like To Gamble?
Well, it’s fun and for some, is all about the thrill. Then there’s the option to play thousands of high-quality games with various themes depending on your mood and taste. And we dare not forget the allure of winning real money which is definitely a driving force for most!
Introduction: The Facts and Numbers
When you start playing in a real money online casino, it’s important you understand the facts and maths of how it works before playing:
- The RTP: The Return to Player is a percentage given to all games and it indicates approximately how much money played on the game will be returned to the player in wins. So, for example. If a game has a 96% RTP then for every $1,000 played on the game, it will pay out approximately $960 in winnings.
- The House Edge: This is the advantage that the casino has over the player. So, if a casino game has a 96% RTP, it effectively has a 4% house edge. When playing table games, often the house edge depends on the type of bet you place, so make sure you read up on the bet types and house edges before playing.
- Volatility: volatility is a term used to assess the risk of losing a bet.
Slots games are either low, medium, or high volatility:
a. Low volatility: Lots of smaller wins
b. High volatility: Less frequent wins but much larger
c. Medium volatility: Somewhere between the two. - Hit rate: Sometimes a game will advertise its hit rate. This is how often you expect to hit a win. If a game has a 25% hit rate, then you will expect to hit a win from one in every four spins.
- Wagering requirements: If you claim a bonus, you will need to fulfil the wagering requirement before withdrawing the wins.
Example
If you claim a $200 bonus with a 30-times wagering requirement then you will need to play $200 x 30 = $6,000 before you can withdraw the bonus money or wins.
Online Casinos Vs. Land-Based Casinos
It used to be that to enjoy the casino experience, you would have to dress up in your best clothes and try to make your way to the nearest casino (which could be miles away). Although this could be a great experience, it isn’t convenient – and would be considered an occasional treat by most.
As technology has evolved, so has gambling which is vastly available online. You can access all your favorite casino games from wherever you want, whenever you want, without having to leave the sofa.
However, there are pros and cons attached to each option, which we will look at now.
| Online Casinos | Land Based Casinos |
Convenience | More convenient: Play anywhere and anytime | you can only access it when you can leave your home and when it is open |
Games | Access to thousands of online slot games and casino games | The game selection is more limited due to limited space |
Privacy | Complete privacy – no one can see you. | No privacy as you will be mixing with people in a public space |
Experience | Even with live casinos, it doesn’t offer a real immersive casino experience. You don’t get to enjoy the excitement of travel and new experiences. If you play in your house, you may still be distracted by your daily life going on | It offers a real, exciting, and authentic casino immersion Chance to visit places such as Vegas, Macau, and Monte Carlo Escape from daily life. You can get away from your home for a few hours and forget |
Security | The risk of cybercrime as you are putting your personal and bank details online | Because you don’t need to put details online, there is no risk of online fraud. |
Withdrawals | Long withdrawal times, especially for bank transfers. Can take days or even a week. | You can get your winnings straight away. |
Live games | Simulated game results mean that you must be fully confident that the RNG is fair | The game is played with real cards by a professional dealer, so you can be sure the results are random. |
Miscellaneous costs | More cost effective, you don’t have any of the costs associated with going out for the evening | You also must consider paying for petrol and parking (or public transport), babysitters, food, drinks and more. |
So how can you get started playing online? You would need to have a reliable internet connection, a laptop, phone, or tables to connect to the operator of your choosing. Then create an account at the platform, deposit money into it using one of the casino’s accepted payment methods and start play.
Note that winnings would be added to your account where you can either withdraw or use them for another round.
Note!
It doesn’t matter if you play online or at a land-based casino, the house always has the edge, so you should quit while you’re ahead.
Types Of Online Casino Games
As mentioned above, there are different types of games to choose from, depending on your tastes and preferences. So, if you are looking to get started, here are some you might want to try out:
Slots
The most popular type of casino game is the slot machine. Platforms often have literally thousands to choose from. The reason that these are so popular is because of the varieties available, which means that there’s something for everyone to enjoy, no matter your taste.
You can enjoy traditional 3-reel fruit machines or the latest, hi-tech video slots with lots of bonus features, even more reels with some having thousands of paylines to land the wins. Whether you like Ancient Egypt or Greek Mythology, Space Travel or Pop Culture, there are games for everyone.
Progressive Jackpots
One of the best and most popular types of online slot games is the progressive slot – where the prize keeps on getting bigger and bigger. The more players that join, the bigger the jackpot gets until one lucky player hits the right combination and has the chance to win millions!
Note!
Some machines require you to place a minimum bet size to qualify for the jackpot win, so check the rules out before you play!
Blackjack
If you want to try out a table game rather than a slot, then another popular choice is blackjack, also known as 21 or Pontoon which is easy to learn.
One of the reasons for its popularity is that it has a very low house edge, which means even more chances of winning.
There are different types of blackjack games to choose from, so chances are high that you will find one you like.
By learning a basic blackjack strategy, the house edge drops from around 1% to around 0.5%, which is one of the best out there!
Roulette
You are sure to have heard of this fan favorite table game played at most sites and is not only exciting but requires practically zero skill and you can make your bets as risky as you like, making it great for even the most risk-averse gambler.
Roulette is pretty straightforward. You place a wager on where you think the ball will land, the dealer rolls a ball around the Roulette wheel, and it will drop into a numbered and colored slot. You can bet on whether the number will be odd or even, black, or red, bet on groups of numbers or even up the ante and bet on the exact number you think it will be.
There are different types of roulette games as well, such as Lightning Roulette, Speed Roulette, Golden Ball, and more!
Online Video Poker
This game mixes skill with strategy, perfect for the player who wants to test themselves against other players or the computer itself – as you have some control over how successful you are. The aim of the game is to get the best hand and beat your opponents.
There are different types of poker like: 5-Card Poker, Texas Hold’em Caribbean Stud Poker and more.
Baccarat
Baccarat is loved by players across the world, particularly in Asia – and especially by the highest rollers. However, it’s great even for beginners since you simply need to decide whether to bet on the banker’s hand, player’s hand, or a tie. Choose the right hand and you win.
Craps
Baccarat is loved by players across the world, particularly in Asia – and especially by the highest rollers. However, it’s great even for beginners since you simply need to decide whether to bet on the banker’s hand, player’s hand, or a tie. Choose the right hand and you win.
What Are The Odds? - House Edge & Volatility
Game | House Edge | Volatility |
Blackjack | 0.5% with basic strategy | Low (depending on bet) |
Craps | 1.4% upwards | Low (depending on bet) |
European Roulette | 2.70% | Low (depending on bet) |
American Roulette | 5.26% | Low – Med |
Video Poker | 1% | Depending on game |
Baccarat | 1.01% to 1.24% | Low |
Slot Games | Usually between 2% to 6% | Low, Med or High depending on the game |
Game Software Providers
Online gambling sites don’t usually supply their own games (although some may have in-house exclusive games). They get them from expert software providers. And while most players don’t look at the companies that create these games, there are some that are well-known due to their creations which are considered to be of high quality with the best bonus features. The best sites generally offer games from top developers in the industry, some of which include:
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- Yggdrasil
- Play’n Go
- Playtech
- Pragmatic Play
- Evolution Gaming
- Red Tiger
- NYX
- Inspired Gaming
Learning Game Rules And Basic Strategies
Most new players are a little nervous when they start off, especially when it comes to table games such as baccarat and blackjack – because these involve more than just pressing spin. And for those players we would recommend starting off with easy table games such as roulette and sticking with the simple bets such as red and black etc.
You will then get a feel for how to place your wager on a casino table as you become more confident, before moving to other games. Our advice would be to:
- Take some time to learn the game rules before you start playing and making bigger money bets. Look for online tutorials and guides.
- Try the games in free-play mode first to practice what you know and get to grips with the rules and strategies. Most online casinos offer free play mode which is perfect for this.
- Start with small wagers. Try out tables with low minimum bets and get comfortable playing for real money.
You should also remember that it’s OK to take a break – and it’s highly recommended. If you do start to improve and see some wins, it’s easy to get carried away and start placing bigger bets.
Expert Tip
Set yourself a time limit and step away when you are getting money involved. Don’t expect to be a blackjack champion that keeps winning. Enjoy your wins and don’t worry about losses - they happen to even the best!
Although you can win money playing online casino games, the wins aren’t guaranteed so don’t rely on them to pay the bills!
Choosing The Best Online Casino
If you have decided that online casinos are the way to go, then you need to pick the right site. There are some excellent sites out there – and some that are either not as good or should be outrightly avoided! So, keep these tips in mind.
License: Make sure it is licensed. This information can usually be found at the very bottom of the site’s page. If it does not have this information, then chances are that it is not regulated so do not play there as this is illegal and your data might be at risk.
Bonuses and Promotions: Look for casinos with the best bonuses and offers. Those that offer a generous welcome bonus (with fair terms and conditions), as well as ongoing promotions such as free spins, VIP programs, Loyalty Programs, tournaments, cashback offers, reload bonuses etc.
Security: Seek sites that use high-end SSL encryption technology to protect your data (which can be seen by a padlock icon on the URL bar). It should also have been tested for third parties to ensure that the games on the site are completely fair and that the Random Number Generator is trustworthy – look in the site for logos such as eCOGRA or iTechLabs.
User experience: Check out the different payment options available, the withdrawal times and withdrawal limits as well as any fees you could incur. See if they have 24-hour customer support via live chat, vast selection of games and providers, how easy it is to navigate and that it offers a fully optimized mobile site and/or a dedicated mobile casino app.
Ensuring you are not playing at a blacklisted casino is essential. Here are the things you need to look out for:
- If you can’t find any information on casino licenses at the platform
- Look for an ‘About Us’ section. All good casinos will be transparent about who they are and their owners. If a casino won’t offer this type of information, then it’s likely that they have something to hide.
- Read fellow player reviews. If people have had bad experiences at a casino, you will usually be able to find out online. Search the casino to see what real players say about it. This is the best way to get real information.
- Look at its design. If it looks outdated and has a long loading time or lots of lag, then this suggests that there are issues with the technology used. Not only does this mean a poor experience, but it could also mean below-par security.
- Alternatively, go through our list of blacklisted casinos
Choosing A Good Bonus
You should always look to see whether your casino offers value for money. So, as well as looking at games and design, you need to take a good look at the quality and quantity of the bonuses and promotions on offer.
Any good and trustworthy casino site will offer a fair and generous welcome offer. However, all these will come with terms and conditions that you need to understand before claiming. Here are the main types of bonuses to look out for:
- Deposit match welcome bonus or package: This is often a 100% (sometimes more or less) match of your first deposit. So, if your first deposit is $100, you will get another $100 in bonus funds. There is usually a cap on the amount you can claim, and the offer might be valid for your first one, two or three deposits.
- No deposit bonus: This is a bonus you get just for signing up, you don’t need to deposit to claim it.
- Free spins: You could be offered a certain number of free spins to play on selected games.
Remember, before claiming, look for terms such as wagering requirements, minimum deposits, maximum bets, time limits etc and understand them fully before claiming.
Expert Tip
Check out the wagering requirements. The lower the better. If a bonus has wagering requirements over 40 times your deposit then you should reconsider whether you claim it.
Online Casino Laws
Before you register at any platform, you need to know the gambling rules and regulations where you live. The laws are different in each state. And though online gambling in the US is starting to become a lot more widespread, there are still many states where it is not yet allowed and some states where the rules are very gray.
Not all licensed casinos are regulated in all areas. Do your research before playing and make sure that the casino is regulated in the region where you are living.
These are the US states where online casinos are currently legal:
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- West Virginia
These are the states where we expect it to launch in the near future:
US State | Possible Launch Date |
Arizona | New Bill is expected towards the end of 2022 or early 2023 |
Illinois | Online gambling sites set to launch by late 2023 |
Indiana | Expected to launch sometime in 2023 |
Massachusetts | Expected to launch online gambling within the next 2 years |
North Carolina | Moving towards the legalization of online casinos in the next few years |
Profitsquad's Experts Tips
Here are the main things to consider when starting your online casino journey:
- The casino always has the house edge. No matter what game you choose, the operator always has the advantage. So, in the long run, the house wins, and you lose. The house edge ensures that they will always get back more money than their players overall.
- Look at the RTP of a game before playing. This will tell you how much of a house advantage the casino has. The higher the RTP% (Return to Player), the better chance you have of winning back more of your money.
- Games are run via a Random Number Generator (RNG), so each outcome is entirely separate from the other, and this means that you will never be ‘due a win’. Your chance of winning is the same no matter how many times you play.
- Games are all about luck. No matter how much you practice and strategize, you need luck on your side. There are ways to give you a better chance of getting a profit, but it should never be relied on.
- Only bet with money you can afford to lose. This is not a way to make an income and you should never think that eventually, you will hit a win. You need to set aside a budget that is entirely separate from the money you need for day-to-day living. When you have eaten through this budget, don’t chase your losses with other funds. Gambling means you can win and lose, so hope to win but be prepared to lose and NEVER play with money you can’t afford to lose.
- Remember, a winning streak never lasts, so set yourself a win limit then, if you do manage to hit that, take your money, and run!
FAQs
You would need to be 21 and older.
Go to your chosen website and click on ‘Register’ or ‘Sign Up’. You then need to follow their instructions, make your deposit, claim your bonus, and get playing.
There are slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, jackpot, craps and more. Make sure you check out the different gaming catalogs for the casinos you are interested in to ensure you choose a site with the best options.
This depends on your taste; online casinos are more convenient but land-based are more social. Some players like to enjoy both.
Yes, not only is it a thrilling and entertaining way to spend your time, but it’s also easy to learn. That means that even if you are new to the online casino industry, pretty much all the games have been designed to be simple to understand and allow you to get playing and winning straight away.
No, gambling shouldn’t be relied on to earn money and pay your bills. Nor should you use bill money to play. If you do choose to enjoy online casino games, then set aside a budget that is separate from the money you need to live on.
