If you are interested in online gambling and fancy giving it a go, it’s essential that you spend time learning the ropes. It has undoubtedly become incredibly popular over the last few years, and it offers something to do from home without leaving your sofa at a time when we have been locked down. The biggest tip is to accept that you are new and find the best games for beginners to help you get to grips with the way the system works. Here are some other great top tips for beginners who have just found their way into online gambling.
- Find the Right Casino for You
A quick Google search will reveal that there are literally hundreds of online casinos to choose from. It is worth spending some time getting to know what is on offer to best suit your needs. For example, some have mobile apps that work better on iOS devices or offer sites that are best used on a PC. It’s worth having a look at the reviews to see what other users think of the casino, and it is really important that you can find the regulatory information that they are legally bound to display. In the UK, the Gambling Commission licences casinos and this registration information should clearly be displayed on the website and is usually found at the very bottom of each page. If you cannot see this information, you should take that as a warning. Some sites are very geared up towards poker; others have bingo, while some have table games and slots. So again, it really does depend on what you want to play. Have a look at how you collect any winnings and how you make any deposits.
- Laws in Your Country
It is vital that you abide by any online gambling laws in your country. In the UK, we tend to allow gambling as long as the player is over 18, but in some other countries, including parts of the US, you need to be 21. You also need to understand whether your country counts any winnings as a taxable income or not.
- Start Small
It makes sense to start small; you will find that most casinos have some free games that give you the chance to get to know how their software works. There are many different software houses, including Playtech, Evolution, and NextGen, and you will probably find, like most people, you prefer games made by one of these in particular. The free play allows you to experiment and have a look around before you actually start spending any money. When you decide it’s time to gamble, keep your wages small, to begin with. Many games are simple games of chance, and you cannot affect the outcome. The most common example of this is the slot machines. They work as a random number generator, and whether you win or not is simply an algorithm that is not within your control or based on skill. Other games require a little more thought, and it is worth learning the rules with small bets before you start to bet big.
- Welcome Offers
Another thing worth looking into is welcome offers; most casinos offer new players an incentive for spending money on their site. Sometimes this is a matched bet system where when you deposit £10, they give you £10 of free play other times, it can be in the form of free spins or other online promotions. These do vary depending on the time of year, the website you are looking at, and many other factors, so it’s always worth shopping around before deciding where to play. Remember, though, no matter how attractive the welcome offer seems, do not be tempted to play there unless you have checked out all the regulatory information and are confident that they are licenced and regulated in your country.
- Set Limits
Gambling can quickly become addictive, and many people do not realise that it has happened to them until they have a problem. It is always dangerous to think that your next game will be the one you win, even if you have been on a very bad losing streak and can’t really afford to play on. It is better to set yourself a spending limit and never go above this. On top of that, websites should be offering player limitations within your account that you can turn on yourself when you feel that things are starting to slide. Most online casinos will also include links to various organisations that are free to use and can offer help if you are feeling addicted and struggling to control your gambling habit. They are worth their weight in gold and certainly somewhere you should be turning if you do find that you aren’t developing a gambling problem.