Everything you need to know about online casinos

Online casinos aren’t exactly new on the scene, but their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Players from all walks of life are seeking out the best destinations in search of both entertainment and the possibility of winning some serious cash. Not sure where to start your online casino journey? Let us take you through everything you need to know before you get started.

Why play at an online casino?

If you want to experience the thrills of playing at a casino, there’s nothing stopping you from heading out to your local brick-and-mortar establishment in search of some big wins, but this isn’t always convenient. Whether you just don’t fancy the journey or would simply rather play in your living room, online casino is the more efficient option. Yet, it’s not simply a matter of convenience. Many online casinos provide games collections that feature over 500 different games, with the very best featuring over 1000! These are figures that land-based casinos struggle to match.

With so many options, there’s something for everyone at the top online casinos, whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced pro.

How to play for real money at an online casino

1. Choose where to play
   First things first, you’ll need to decide which online casino you want to play at. There are thousands of options at your disposal these days. Don’t fancy spending hours looking for your ideal casino? We’ve done the legwork for you. Our expert review team has put together an awesome line up of the best licensed online casinos, featuring some of the biggest brands and a few exciting newcomers too.
2. Sign up
   After pinpointing a favourite, you’ll need to sign up to create an account. This is an effortless task which only requires you to provide a few details and some personal information for the casino to verify your account.
3. Deposit & claim your bonus
   The next step is to make your first deposit. Pretty much every online casino offers support for debit and deposits, as well as accepting payments via Neteller and Skrill. Some of the best online casinos accept PayPal deposits, and there are even pay by phone bill casinos, which means there’s something for everyone. Make sure you meet any minimum deposit requirements – you wouldn’t want to miss out on your welcome bonus, it only comes around once! Once you’ve made your deposit, your welcome bonus is usually credited to your account almost immediately.
4. Try free demos
   For the uninitiated, a bit of practice will go a long way in your quest to become a successful casino player. Fortunately, you won’t have to risk your hard earned money while you get the hang of things. The best online casinos offer free demo versions of some of the best titles. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with a game, it’s features and controls. You could even put a gambling strategy to the test – there’s no risk of losing money!
5. Find a game to play
   Once you’re familiar with the games and ready to play, you’ll be able to switch over to a real money game within seconds. Simply head over to your chosen casino’s games collection and pick out a game. Whether you’re a slots fanatic or a table game aficionado, you’re guaranteed hours of fun!

How we compare the best online casino sites

Licensing

You’ll never find a gambling site without a license at Compare.bet. Before any site is considered for our shortlist, we confirm that it’s fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is widely regarded as the best governing body in the world of gambling. It oversees all things gambling in the UK and put simply, ensures that gambling operators play by the rules. This means that any online casino you find here is guaranteed to be trustworthy. Expect fair gameplay, secure payment methods and top of the range software!

Online casino games

An awesome gaming experience comes as standard when you pick a casino featured on our site. We’ve worked hard to filter that long list of online casinos down to the ones that wowed us with their collection of top casino games – featuring a blend of old favourite and the hottest new titles available online.

Slots

Online slots fill out the bulk of the games collection at pretty much every online casino. It’s no surprise either. With dozens of high-quality software providers such as NetEnt and Microgaming constantly pushing the envelope, the calibre of these games is constantly improving. The most popular type of slot is the progressive jackpot variety. These payout lottery-sized wins for stakes starting as low as 25p a spin!

Casino Classics

While slots are arguably the most buzzworthy gaming category, classic casino games are a staple of any good online casino. Table games, such as roulette, craps, baccarat and sic bo are widely available at top casinos – these games of chance can provide hours of fun. If you’re looking to put your skills to the test, popular card games blackjack and poker involve some strategy and might be your best bet if you’ve got some experience under your belt.

Live Dealer Casino

The latest innovation on offer –and our personal favourite– is live dealer casino. If you’re looking for the most realistic, immersive casino experience available online, you’ll want to make sure that you choose an online casino with live dealer tables. You’ll find live versions of popular table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat at the very best casinos. These games bring the realism of a land-based casino directly to your desktop or mobile device by live streaming a live croupier, using real casino equipment. You’ll be able to see and hear all the sights and sounds of a real casino game whenever and wherever you want!

We’ve just scratched the surface here. The top online casinos featured on Compare.bet offer a number of variations for the most popular casino classics, as well as the latest and greatest HD video slots – the collection of games is always getting bigger and better! Have a browse, you’re sure to find a game that you fancy a flutter on.

Loyalty rewards & promotions

While the biggest bonuses are usually designed with new players in mind, loyalty rewards and promotions are made to keep existing players coming back. We’ve picked out casinos that offer fresh, exciting new promotions and regularly give back to loyal players. With jaw-dropping giveaways, rewarding VIP schemes and free spins bonuses on offer, there’s plenty of incentive to keep playing with your chosen casino.

Bonuses

When weighing up your options, you might find that comparing games collections and promotions isn’t enough to filter down your list. Casino bonuses aren’t just great tool used by casino operators to attract players, they’re also an excellent way to make your decision a little easier and kick off your casino gameplay with a bankroll boost.

We’ve scoured the web for the most generous casinos. The operators you’ll find here reward new and existing players with a range of bonus offers, from huge matched deposits to enticing no deposit bonus offers. Here, it’s important not to simply seek out the biggest bonus. Whether you’re after a huge bonus or one with low wagering requirements, opt for the bonus offer that gives you the best chance of getting your hands on your bonus winnings.

Payment Options

Online casinos offer a wide range of different payment gateways but they aren’t all treated equally. Many UK casinos exclude deposits via Neteller or Skrill from all deposit related bonuses – this includes the welcome bonus. Therefore, think about which method you want to use before joining, and make sure that you can get the bonuses if you want them.

Compare & Play

Now that we’ve taken you through the ins and outs, you’re now much better equipped to pick out a top online casino. Check out our carefully curated list for a selection of the very best licensed brands available online today. You can review brands side-by-side to check out their bonuses, variety of games, promotions, banking, and mobile capabilities. Once you’ve found your perfect match, simply sign up, claim your exclusive welcome bonus and play top casino games today!

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