Online casinos have never been more popular, with millions of people playing casino games online each day. Yet if you are considering giving it a try for the first time, you may be a little perplexed by where to begin. Whilst it is true that there are no shortage of internet casinos to choose from, how are you supposed to know which is the best for you? Perhaps you have concerns regarding how safe and fair it is to play online? Maybe you are unsure which game will be a good choice for you? As such, I have decided to create this article specifically for the beginners out there.

I will address the issues most frequently raised by new players and give you a useful guide covering topics you may not have even considered, yet are vital to understand to get you off on the right foot. So, before you pop your online casino cherry, check out this guide to ensure you know everything you need know to get the best possible experience.

TIPS AND ADVICE FOR NEW PLAYERS

So you have decided to play casino games online, that’s a good start. But what next? You’ll need to consider what kind of games you want to play. Will you play on your PC or would you prefer to play on your mobile? How about depositing and withdrawing? In the following paragraphs, you will find all the details you need to get started.

Download Casinos vs Instant Play Flash Casino

Many operators offer a choice between instant play games and a download casino. The web based version uses Flash to provide games which can be instantly launched and played within your browser. The download software on the other hand must be installed on your PC in order to access the games.

Whilst both versions are usually pretty similar, you tend to find a slightly larger game selection on download versions. If you’re a beginner and unsure which is the best option for you, I’d recommend the instant play option. You can quickly and easily get stuck into exploring and playing different games. Plus, there is nothing to stop you downloading the software and trying that out later down the line.

Play Casino Games on the Go

Given how much we use our mobile devices these days, it is probably no surprise that you can play casino games on your mobile phone or tablet. There are some operators, such as LeoVegas, who have embraced mobile gaming and have developed an intuitive, user-friendly mobile casino with a rich selection of mobile friendly games. Others fall a little behind, with a limited range of games. If you are likely to play at online casinos on your mobile device, it is well worth checking how the mobile app shapes up before deciding whether to join.

Mobile casinos are compatible with most iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets. Most are available as a web app, meaning you play directly in the browser of your phone or tablet. Games can be played instantly with no need to download anything. Alternatively, some operators also offer native apps for iOS, which can be downloaded from the Apple store, and/or a native app for Android, which can be downloaded directly from the casino website. For new players, I would advise to use the browser based mobile casino. This is the quickest and simplest way to instantly play games on the go, and saves valuable space on your mobile device.

Making Deposits and Withdrawals

You will find a wide variety of payment methods which can be used to deposit and withdraw at an online casino. As mentioned earlier, financial transactions are safe and secure as they are encrypted. Deposits are processed virtually instantly, and as such, once you make your first deposit, you can start playing real money games straight away. You can use most credit and debit cards to deposit, including Visa, MasterCard and Maestro. Also, some operators also accept e-wallets, such as Skrill, Neteller or PayPal. Other options can include paysafecard and bank transfer.

Whilst deposits are processed instantly, withdrawals take longer, and the timeframe can vary from a few hours to over a week. An identity check is required when you make your first withdrawal. This is a licencing requirement, which protects against money laundering and fraud. Generally speaking, you can provide a copy of your passport or driving licence, along with proof of your address. My advice to beginners is to provide this info to the customer support team soon after joining the casino. As such, your first withdrawal will be processed more swiftly. It is also worth bearing in mind that withdrawals using e-wallets tend to be credited back to you more quickly than with a credit/debit card.

The Best Games for Beginners

Online casinos offer a rich and diverse selection of games. You’ll find slots, roulette, blackjack, video poker, baccarat, scratch cards, arcade games and poker, among many others. There are plenty of innovative variants of the classics, which feature unique rules and special features. You will also find live casino games, where you can play with realer dealers.

If you are new to casino games and not sure where to begin, I would advise playing slots. They generally have the most simple and straightforward of rules which are very easy to pick up. Most online casinos allow you to play their games in demo mode and another top tip is to play for free before you play with real money. This way, you can familiarise yourself with the rules and features of a game, to ensure you are fully prepared to play confidently with real money.