Best Online Casinos: Free Play and Playing for Real Money

There are several benefits that these platforms provide over the traditional brick and mortar site which gives them a superior edge. Aside from the ultimate convenience of having access to a plethora of games at any all times, they also found that every corner of the World Wide Web offers players a more diverse range of games to choose from. The keen participant also gets more bang for their buck — players normally acquire cash back by means of a generous sign in bonus which can offer anything from free cash to free spins and thereafter, they should find that the rewards and promotions continue to flow. These promotions will not only offer to improve the overall gaming experience, but will also provide the player with additional ways in which they can win. Players will find more titles in this sector than any other, accompanied by splendid graphics, sounds and fast playing action. They will be greeted by a collection of every type of slots game which can range anywhere from a single payline classic slot to the likes of a 50 payline video slot. And for those players who favor table games, they are greeted by everything from Baccarat to Craps to Red Dog to Blackjack. There are also many casino poker games for the poker player, and every other conceivable casino game in between.

The world of gambling has been impacted exponentially by the evolution of the online casino. Players now have instant accession to a niche that offers a broad range of games, fantastic rewards and highs, all of which are bound by a stringent regulatory framework within the United Kingdom. This ensures that players will have a safe and fair experience with legal casino operators that implement best practices in order to combat problem gambling.

Choosing an Online Casino

Licensing and Regulation in England

An online casino’s licensing and compliance with regulation are the bedrock of its trustworthiness. In England, the main body responsible for regulating gambling activities, including those of online casinos, is the Gambling Commission. A licence from this authority indicates that a casino adheres to strict guidelines designed to ensure security, fairness and responsible gambling. To see if a casino holds a valid licence, check the bottom of their homepage for their licence number and then cross-check it on the Gambling Commission’s official site.

RTP and Fairness of Games

The Return to Player (RTP) percentage is a fundamental metric that reveals the average amount that a player can expect to receive back in the long-term, compared to the amount wagered. A higher RTP equates to a potentially lower house edge, so it’s imperative that these percentages aren’t just lip service. Reputable online casinos have their games regularly audited by independent testing agencies such as eCOGRA or iTech Labs to ensure their fairness and transparency. They typically show their game RTPs and certification badges in the footer of their site, which is the clearest way to see if they are fair or otherwise.

Payment Methods: Deposits and Withdrawals

It’s important that an online casino offers a range of secure and flexible payment methods, for both deposits and withdrawals. Common options at England casinos include credit and debit cards, e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, bank transfers, and – in some cases – cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Check a casino’s payment terms for any transaction limits, processing times and associated fees to make sure that they permit a method that’s suitable for you.

Customer Support: Importance and What to Look For

Should you encounter any issues or have a question, it’s crucial that a casino’s customer support is effective, in order to tentatively resolve your query or problem. The best online casinos in England offer a range of support channels, including live chat, email and phone, with their availability on a 24/7 basis being a significant additional plus. Test a casino’s support team’s responsiveness and helpfulness before you commit to ensure that they offer timely and informative assistance.

Types of Online Casino Games

There’s a game to suit every preference — or skill level — at online casinos, with a vast array to choose from. Classic slots, live dealer games, and everything in between ensure that there is no shortage of games — regardless of a player’s personal preferences. Here’s a quick rundown of the different layers of games you might find at your favorite new online casino:

• Slots: Slots are among the most popular of all casino games thanks to their simplicity, diverse themes, and potential for big payouts. Anything goes, from classic 3-reel slots to modern 5-reel video slots brimming with additional features such as free spins, wild symbols, and bonus rounds. With such a broad theme, developers can get creative with their game design; you can find slots themed around ancient civilizations or mythologies, or movies and TV shows, ensuring that the sheer variety of slots will never let the game grow stale.
• Table Games: Practically all online casinos host table games, which feature a mix of strategy, skill, and chance. Blackjack’s unique blend of strategy and chance makes it a particularly rewarding game for anyone willing to pit their wits against the dealer. Roulette offers a combination of betting options, from simple red/black bets to more eccentric wagers that involve a sizeable amount of betting strategy. Baccarat, once a game largely limited to the elite, is today one of the most widely played games of all, largely thanks to its simplicity and speed. Other table games include craps, poker variants like Texas Hold’em, and plenty more, each with their own set of rules, strategic intricacies, and appealing gameplay.
• Live Dealer Games: Live dealer games dissolve the boundary between land-based and online casinos, offering real time play with a real life dealer streamed live. Avid casino goers will appreciate that this format allows for an even more social and immersive game, with players able to interact with the dealer and sometimes other players. Among the most popular live dealer games online are blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and various poker variants, celebrated for their authentic feel and ability to transport players directly into the glitz and glamor of a glamorous world-renowned casino resort.
• Specialty games: Beyond the better-known categories, online casinos also host specialty games that offer something different from the standard casino fare. Bingo has taken to the internet like a duck to water, with seemingly innumerable versions of the game available for instant play, right alongside a huge number of pattern choices that will enable extremely personalized gameplay. Scratch cards offer instant joy, as players reveal matching symbols to walk away with great prizes. Other specialty games may include keno, virtual sports, and a few different variations of arcade-style games, all of which also offer a really different form of entertainment.

Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions

Online casinos use a wide variety of bonuses and promotions to attract new players and keep existing ones engaged and offer additional opportunities to win. These incentives not only help to build and maintain a great gaming experience, while also providing players with the ability to win more money. Understanding how these bonuses work is the key to unlocking these website instant play casino happy hour goodies and if you’re planning on making a living playing games online, then it’s important to understand how to take full advantage of a casino’s offerings.

• Welcome Bonuses: Welcome bonuses are incentives that are offered to new players who sign up and make their first deposit at an online casino. These bonuses typically will match a percentage of the deposit amount, effectively doubling or even tripling the player’s initial bankroll. For instance, a 100% welcome bonus on a €100 deposit would give the player an additional €100, bringing their total up to €200. This makes welcome bonuses a fantastic way to explore a new casino’s offerings without having to risk too much of your own hard-earned cash.
• No Deposit Bonuses Vs. Deposit Match Bonuses: In addition to welcome bonuses, many online casinos offer no deposit bonuses, which, as the name implies, are bonuses given to new players without requiring them to make a deposit. Instead, the player gets a small amount of money or a few free spins to get started with, which makes this type of bonus perfect for those who simply want to try out a variety of games. Finally, deposit match bonuses require that the player make a deposit, and then the casino matches that deposit for a certain percentage. These bonuses are usually larger than no deposit bonuses and can significantly increase the player’s bankroll.
• Free Spins, Loyalty Programs, and VIP Rewards: Many online casinos offer free spins, which can be included as part of welcome packages or offered as standalone promotions. Free spins give players the chance to spin the reels in their favorite slot games without using their own money. If their spins result in a win, they win real money. Free spins give players an excellent opportunity to win real money without any risk, and they are usually awarded on a specific slot game, as determined by the online casino. A loyalty program is designed to reward players for their regular play at an online casino. Players are awarded points for each deposit they make and each game they play. The points can be exchanged for bonuses, free spins, and various other prizes in the online casino’s store. Many of the best casino bonuses mentioned above are specifically designed for high rollers and regular players. VIP rewards offer players exclusive bonuses, personalized customer service, and a large number of perks that are not available to regular players. The more you deposit and play, the higher your VIP level, meaning that you can expect to receive even better bonuses and to have a dedicated support team at your disposal.

Wagering Requirements and Tips on Choosing the Best Bonuses

A wagering requirement is the amount a player must bet in order to be able to withdraw money to their account from their casino bonus. The wagering requirement is set by the casino in order to prevent players from abusing the bonus. If the wagering requirement is not met, the player will not be able to withdraw any winnings generated from the bonus from their account. The best online casino bonuses require that players wager the bonus amount a specific number of times, usually between 30-50 times.

The games that a bonus can be used on should be carefully considered before accepting the offer. Many times, online casinos offer a bonus to be played on multiple games, which is a benefit to players as they can determine if they prefer one game over the other before depositing their money. It is also necessary to read the terms and conditions of the offer to see if any games are restricted and if a bonus is allowed to be used in conjunction with another.

Casinos offer the best bonuses and promotions around – the first step is knowing how to select the best offers. The best casino bonuses give players a large amount of extra cash or free spins in order to increase their chances of winning. Gaming at an online casino is a unique experience as there are so many options, players should take the time to understand the different types of bonuses and what they can give them. Armed with this information the players can then select the best offers for their playing style and get ready to profit.

Strategies for Online Casino Games

Gaming can be both rewarding and resourceful. How you play online casino games can dictate your success and the sort of experience you’re likely to have. Good bankroll management is essential. Decide on how much you’re prepared to put into gaming and stick to it, and don’t chase losses – never bet on money that you can’t afford to lose. You can even put deposit limits in your casino account to help manage it. Let’s uncover the top strategies and tips to help maximize success when playing at an online casino. First things first, these are some basic strategies for some popular games:

• Slots: Slots are luck based, but you can increase your chances by playing games with the highest Return to Player (RTP) rates. Also look at the volatility of the game – low volatility slots will pay out more often, but in smaller amounts, while you may not win as often with high volatility slots, but that will come with much larger potential wins.
• Blackjack: Learn basic blackjack strategy. If you know when to hit, stand, double down, or split, based on your hand and the dealer’s exposed card, you can cut the house edge to virtually zero.
• Roulette: Roulette is mostly luck, but it can help to manage your bets. Betting on outside chances gives you the best chance of winning and pays out more often.
• Baccarat: In baccarat, your best bet is to bet on the banker’s hand. This bet has the best chance of winning. Avoid tie bets.

Understanding Volatility and Betting Patterns

• Volatility: Understand the volatility of the game you’re playing to tailor your expectations and strategy. High volatility games may require more patience and a larger bankroll to pull in one big win, with less frequent payouts along the way.
• Betting Patterns: You might want to try different betting patterns to see what works best. There’s no betting pattern that can beat the house edge, so choose the one you like most and that you can afford.

Safety and Responsible Gambling

The safety of your personal and financial data is a big concern when you gamble online. A reputable online casino will use the latest security measures in place to protect its players. This should include the standard SSL encryption which makes sure that any data sent between you and the casino is encrypted and safe from prying eyes. You should also check to make sure the casino is licensed and regulated by fair gaming authorities. A casino regulated by the UK Gambling Commission would be one of the best choices. They have to adhere to very strict data protection and privacy regulations. Before you sign with an online casino, it’s always a good idea to do a little more research. In addition to checking licensing information, you need to make sure that the casino displays security information. Top casinos will also partner with responsible gambling organizations and have self-assessment tools to help you keep control of your gambling.

Gambling can be addictive and can seriously ruin lives. If you think you are having trouble controlling your gambling then you should find help immediately. There are many national helplines and organizations dedicated to helping with problem gambling. The UK supports GamCare and Gambleaware, both these websites provide a ton of information and allows you to get the help you need. There are also online forums and places where you can chat to someone for help. The first step is to admit that you have a problem, and if you think that you do, then skip collecting €200 – and go directly to the help you need. Thanks to responsible gambling tools, built into all reputable online casinos, you are able to control your gambling activity immediately. Responsible gambling tools allow the player to control their gambling and casino spend over a certain period of time. This is done in the following ways:

• Self-Exclusions – this will allow you to take a break from gambling with the casino for a specific time
• Deposit limits – This option allows you to limit the amount of money that you are able to deposit into your account within a certain time frame
• Time limits – You can put a limit on the time you spend at the casino, stopping you from playing for a certain amount of time
• Reality checks – These are three friendly popups that relate to the time you have been spending playing. It tells you the time that you have been gambling, for a single session, for a week and for the month. You will be able to keep track of your gambling by making good use of the stats. By using these tools, understanding the risks of the games that you are playing and managing your gambling activities you will be able to gamble for longer and win more. But remember, gambling is entertainment, and not a way to make money. If it’s causing you problems then don’t hesitate to seek help.

Mobile Gaming

In the past decade or two, the mobile revolution took the online gambling industry by storm. The last twenty years have seen an incredible shift from the clunky, slow-loading desktop versions of online casinos to the sleek, quick-loading mobile casino platforms of today. This last ten years has seen smartphones arrive on the scene, with fast internet now available anywhere you go. With the added convenience and accessibility, the world of mobile gaming now makes up a large part of the online casino pie. Online casinos have to shift focus to make sure their mobile offering is just as good if not better than their desktop counterpart.

By the second decade of the 2000’s, with every man and his dog owning a smartphone, online casinos started to pop up. Today it’s an industry that now exists primarily on smartphones. The technology that is available on smartphones and tablets now is revolutionizing the mobile experience to the point where apps are essential for most used websites and services. Online casinos are no different they offer apps that are fitted to the operating system on which it runs, accessing these apps can be lightning fast, plus the player can receive a notification each and every time their favourite casino runs a new promotion.

This is all well and good, but it isn’t for everyone. The next option is browser play. Jump on whatever web browser you have on your phone, and navigate to the URL that the casino provides. Smartphones and tablets are pretty powerful machines now, so playing this way shouldn’t pose a problem. These casino websites are optimized for mobile use, so the playing experience is going to be just as good, fast and seamless as an app anyway.

The next thing you need to know about mobile casinos is the compatibility and what device you’re using. First off, check that your device has a version of the casino app that is compatible. It will be in the fine print. The same rules apply for an online casino app that you’re going to have for your social media chat app. Device specs are important also. Provided your device has a recent operating system and a bit of memory on it, you should be fine. Your mobile casino truly will be the gaming experience that will reflect the amount of money you initially spent on your hardware. A faster processor and a high quality mobile graphics card will mean what only benefit your load times. How do you think the size of the screen plays a part in all of this then. If you usually throw a few quid onto some slot games and live dealers on Pokerstars, it doesn’t matter as much. When you’re putting yourself in the thick of an online poker session, the larger the mobile casino screen, the better!

Glossary of Terms

The multibillion pound world of online casinos is just as fascinating as it is a lot to take in. If you’re new to any online gaming world, the first task is to figure out the terminology before you can start keeping up with the games themselves. Fear not, for here is your glossary of the most common terms in the world of online casinos and gaming:

• RTP: Return To Player, or RTP, is the percentage of all wagering money a slot has that is paid out to the players over time. So, an RTP of 96% would mean for every €100 that was wagered, the slot would pay out €96 in winnings.
• Wagering Requirements: The conditions you have to pass in order to withdrawal any money you won from a bonus. This usually constitutes betting the bonus money a certain amount of so many times before you can withdraw it. So if you had a €100 bonus with 20x wagering requirement you would have to bet €2,000 before you’d be allowed to withdraw the €100.
• Progressive Jackpot: In a progressive jackpot game, a little bit of every player’s bet goes into a pot, that at first starts off large and then just gets larger and larger as more and more players play the game. The jackpot will keep getting bigger until someone finally wins it.
• Live Dealer Games: The same casino games you’re used to playing online except there’s now a real dealer visible via video stream that you can interact with and see live as you’re betting.
• Bankroll: Basically self-explanatory, but it’s just the total amount of money a player has set aside to gamble with.
• Volatility: This is used to describe how risky a casino game is. For low volatility games, you’re going to keep seeing smaller, but much more frequent payouts. High volatility games, naturally, are the exact opposite – you’ll get much bigger payouts, but they’ll happen a lot less frequently.
• No Deposit Bonus: Exactly what you think it is. A bonus you’re given without depositing any money. You’ll generally see this offered to you by casinos trying to get you to play on their site.
• Deposit Match Bonus: When a casino matches any deposit a player makes (with bonus funds) up to a certain value.
• Free Spins: You get to play the slots for free and potentially win real money without losing your own money.
• Self-Exclusion: This responsible gambling tool allows you to exclude yourself from playing in the casino for a set amount of time.
• RNG: Software that generates random results for every spin, roll, or hands doesn’t have a memory like humans do. It has to stay fair and unpredictable.
• Payline: The line where matching symbols must appear for a payout in a slot game. Modern slots can have multiple paylines.
• House Edge: Boils down to gambling mathematics and probability and it is on all casino games including games of luck and games of skill.
• Loyalty Program: Online casinos want to keep you around so they offer things like bonuses, free spins, comp points, and other rewards to keep you coming back.
• Cryptocurrency: A cryptocurrency is digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security. More and more online casinos are accepting BTC and other Cryptocurrencies. Check out trusted Bitcoin Casinos here.

Final Thoughts

The world of online gambling is a fantastic place to be right now and it’s only going to get better. An exceptional gaming experience that combines the best of both worlds with the thrill of the casino and the convenience of digital, all under the careful watch of a framework designed to protect and enhance the player experience. It’s a future that looks very bright indeed, but it’s also imperative that you remember the golden rule of gambling. Please, please make sure you always play responsibly. Play within your budget and know when to stop.

Camille Dubois

Editor & Casino-Expert