Online casinos are becoming a more significant staple in the gambling world by the day. Each year, tens of thousands of gamblers begin to make their entrance into the community of online casinos.
A growing number of these online casino gamblers are first-timers that have never stepped foot into a land-based casino. So, online casinos must be welcoming and easy to navigate.
Whether you’re a complete casino newbie or a hardened casino veteran, it’s essential that you check some necessary boxes when choosing an online gambling spot. Below are nine must-have features for any online casino.
1 – The Enticing Welcome Bonus
Welcome bonuses have become a de facto perk of the online casino world. These matching deposit gifts are a fantastic way for online casinos to draw in new clients.
The fact that every online casino on the planet offers these enticing “free money” bonuses is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s great for players because you are able to instantly increase your bankroll. On the other, it makes picking the best online casino more difficult.
A Word to the Wise:
The most lucrative deposit bonus does not necessarily translate to the best casino. In fact, if an online casino seems stingy when it comes to a bonus, they’re likely worth a much closer look.
As you begin shopping for an online casino, you’ll notice that many bonuses offer up to 300% of your initial deposit in free cash. Others will match you dollar for dollar up to a set limit.
However, you need to carefully examine all terms and conditions of any such offer. All of the online casino bonuses will come with stringent wagering requirements.
The casino will make you wager a specified amount of money in the casino before you’re able to make a withdrawal on any funds that were added as a bonus. If you haven’t met the terms of the bonus, you won’t have access to any winnings either.
The deposit bonuses are a great way to add to your bankroll but pay attention to the fine print.
2 – A Vast Catalog of Games
Any online casino worth joining will have an incredibly vast selection of games.
First of all, a massive choice of beautiful games will help keep things fresh. Casino sessions can be long and sometimes grueling.
It’ll be a much more enjoyable experience if you can keep them fresh. Sometimes, that means changing things up and trying a new game.
You won’t necessarily want 500 slots to choose from. Sure, that’s enough to keep the hardcore slot enthusiast entertained, but what about the table game players? You are going to want a find a casino that has a great selection of all casino games.
Next, it’s essential that you have plenty of games with a range of available denominations. Not everyone has a bankroll that can support playing blackjack for $50 per hand.
So, you’ll need a large selection of low-limit and high-limit games. This will ensure a healthy mix of customers for the casino. The more customers in an online casino, the better your end result will be as a consumer.
Lastly, look for a casino with an array of live dealer games. It doesn’t matter how much you love the idea of not dealing with people; you’re going to find yourself longing for human interaction at some point.
3 – A Solid Security Protocol
Suffice to say, the online community is fraught with potential threats. So, you need to take your online security seriously.
More importantly, you need to find an online casino that places your online security near the top of its priorities. You’re going to be submitting important online details to the casino. This information could be harmful if stolen.
Your private details and banking information will be stored in the casino’s database. Nobody wants to deal with identity theft. Look for an online casino that has the proper SSL certification and places emphasis on protecting customers.
4 – 24/7 Live Customer Service
The customer service experience that online casinos provide is often overlooked. This may seem like a non-essential area for you in the courtship. Even in the honeymoon phase, you’ll probably give little thought to an online casino’s customer service.
However, the second an issue pops up, you’re not going to care about anything but getting a person on the phone or on live chat to resolve the problem. Fortunately, there are ways to try out the customer service department before giving the casino one cent.
Try calling the toll-free customer service number. Were you greeted by the welcoming presence of a live human or a bot? Were you placed on a 40-minute hold listening to ABBA’s Greatest Hits, or was your call answered promptly?
I can tell you from experience that 15 minutes can seem like hours when your money is suddenly nowhere to be found or a withdrawal hasn’t been posted.
Having a human answer your queries and address concerns 24/7 can separate a good online casino from a grand online casino. Chances are that you’ll never need customer service. But if you do, time will be of the essence.
5 – The Appropriate Gaming Licenses
Even though most online casinos are entirely legitimate operations, there are those that are looking to make a quick buck by simply taking your money.
Many gamblers get so caught up in the frenzy of exciting games and fantastic deposit bonuses that they ignore the need to ensure a casino holds all proper licenses.
Look for the appropriate credentials before ever giving an online casino any personal information. All legitimate casinos will clearly display this information for potential and existing customers alike.
If you’re in doubt, simply look up the jurisdiction and holding company online. This step should paint a fairly complete picture as to the legitimacy of the site.
6 – Options for Your Bankroll
How your gambling bankroll is treated in an online casino should be of paramount importance to most. Obviously, the option to play games for a range of denominations is essential.
Still, having penny slots and high-roller tables isn’t the only way your bankroll may be impacted.
The way funds are transferred and currencies available are also crucial to the experience you’ll have.
Cryptocurrency is becoming an ever-growing part of how online transactions are completed. Many of the most reputable sites will allow you to make deposits and withdrawals using this blockchain technology.
The withdrawal process is perhaps one of the most significant factors that go unnoticed by the average online casino gambler.
You shouldn’t have to wait weeks to get your winnings or even your remaining bankroll. Could you imagine gambling at a Las Vegas casino and when you leave the table, the casino tells you a check is in the mail?
You would probably fly off the handle and vow to never return. You should expect to wait a few business days for the funds to deposit.
Again, doing a minimum amount of online research should paint a decent picture of how other customers react to the withdrawal policies.
Do yourself a favor and read over the casino’s withdrawal policies carefully before you settle on an online casino.
7 – A Great Reputation
By this point in the search for the right online casino, you should have some top contenders.
Now, it’s time to see how they’re viewed in the gambling community. I’ve found searching for reviews can be immensely helpful to the process.
It’s essential to see how customers are reacting to a site’s policies and gaming experience. Still, many of these are bought by casino sites.
Instead, look to the well-established and respected gambling sites for reviews on online casinos. What you find may encourage you to take the next step forward or to bail in favor of a more reputable online casino.
8 – Responsible Gaming Promotion
Problem gambling has lost a lot of the stigma once attached to the issue. Look for an online casino that takes a forward-leaning approach to problem gambling.
Find a site that offers deposit limits, predetermined breaks after so many hours at the games, and even a temporary or permanent self-exclusion option.
Gambling addiction is a severe concern for legitimate casino operators. And while it’s not something every gambler must face, those who may have dangerous gambling habits should have the proper tools.
9 – A Rewarding Loyalty Program
Any online casino that deserves your business will have a solid loyalty program. You can’t expect free meals or rooms from an online casino.
However, you should expect a rewarding online casino loyalty program that may include free spins, bonuses, and cashback. Look for these programs when shopping different online casinos and make it your first priority to sign up and immediately begin earning freebies.
They often don’t seem like much to begin, but every little bit will add up in time and help extend your gambling bankroll.
Conclusion
Picking an online casino should be a fun and exciting process. Make sure to find these nine must-have features for any online casino site before you make your first deposit.
Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens has been researching and writing topics involving the gambling industry for well over a decade now and is considered an expert on all things casino and sports betting. Michael has been writing for GamblingSites.org since early 2016. …

