Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos

Beginner’s Guide to Online Casinos

So, you’re keen on exploring all that the online casino world can offer? Firstly, CasinoPlay would like to welcome you with open arms to an entertainment industry that is growing by the day. Secondly, are you prepared?

While the games are – mostly – quick to understand and play, you do need to understand how the industry works if you want to have an online casino experience that is fun and not fraught with frustration, disappointment and anger.

CasinoPlay is a group of like-minded people who are dedicated to making sure online casino fans have a trusted portal where they can find any information they need about the online casino industry. We are experts but more than that, we are passionate players. Where others play golf or watch soccer or do needlepoint, we review, research and analyse the games, the casinos and the latest developments in online gambling.

Welcome to CasinoPlay and the world of online gambling. Here is what you need to know to get started

A casino is a casino is a casino, right? How different can one casino be from another? All they do is exchange money for chips, offer games, and then exchange chips for money.

Well, no. No story goes, “Once upon a time, everything was simple, everything was the same, and everyone was happy. The end.”

Every casino – both brick and mortar and online – is unique. Yes, there are similarities, both legislative and game based, but there’s no way to summarise all casinos with just a few simple sentences.

Luckily for you, we have taken the time and effort to really get into the foundations of online gambling: what makes it tick, how it works, what players can expect, and so much more. Here, we offer you all the in-depth guides to online casinos and gambling you’ll need. And we take that promise seriously, which is why we are constantly working to add more guides that cover every aspect of the online casino experience.

In this series of guides, you will find information about jackpots, variance and volatility, online casinos, casino bonuses, withdrawals and deposits, and more.

Why should you use guides?

Casino guides like these can really help enhance your online casino experience. For example, jackpot guides don’t just tell you what a jackpot is; they explain the various types of jackpot, how they work, how to play to win, where to find games with different jackpots, and even who the game developers are.

Casino bonus guides are another super useful way to figure out which online casinos will work best for you. We don’t only look at the types of bonus offered, but explain how they work, the hidden pitfalls to look out for, and ways to make the most of your wagering requirements.

You’ll find enough information here to keep you busy longer than a great game of poker, so dig in, and come out the other side a little more knowledgeable. And if there’s anything you’d like to learn more about that you don’t find here on CasinoPlay, let us know. Happy reading!

We all know what casinos are from movies or from actually visiting a land-based (brick and mortar) casino. Rows of slot machines. Tables full of punters playing roulette or cards. Flashing lights and alarms and sirens and the sound of coins hitting the coin trays. And people. Lots and lots of people.

Online casinos are the tech age equivalents of these scenes. They offer all the same games and the same excitement but without the crowds of people. And without the unnecessary distraction that you often find in land-based casinos like fast food joints, cinemas, kiddies game arcades, parking lots and extra costs.

You get to play all your favourite games in the comfort of your own home. With the rise of mobile casinos, you can even play while you’re waiting at the airport or sitting in a boring conference or in your hotel room on a business trip.

We spend our time scouring the ‘Net to bring you the most popular trusted and licensed online casinos that welcome South African players. Our Top 5 online casinos (which are updated regularly) are:

Play.co.za

Gbets

Hollywood Bets

10Bet

Betfred

Online games are all the games that an online casino offers. Slots, blackjack, poker, roulette, keno, baccarat, craps, spin and win, lotto – these are just some of the games you can expect to find at an online casino.

Technology has even brought the live, human, person-to-person aspect of playing in a land-based casino to online casinos with Live Dealer games where you play against real, live dealers via web cam technology.

Online casino games are what drive online casinos and there are a huge number of software companies that are dedicated to developing and releasing new games for you to enjoy. Some of these companies, like Microgaming, NetEnt, Play‘n GO, Yggdrasil, Bally, Evolution Gaming, Wazdan, Real Time Gaming and more are multi-billion-dollar companies and the backbone of any successful online casino.

Real Money gaming is exactly what it sounds like: gambling at an online casino for real money. There are online casinos that allow you to play for fun and there are apps on most App Stores that will let you download a roulette or blackjack or slots game that you can play without betting real money but most online players prefer to play for real – it gives a more thrilling edge to know that you are potentially winning or losing real, actual money that you have worked for.

Please don’t do this! Fun and success in the online casino world comes from research. Research different online casinos, research different online casino games, be prepared before you begin playing.

Here are some tips for aspiring online casino players:

  • Read reviews (like the CasinoPlay online casino reviews here) on different online casinos to see what other players are saying about the online casino.
  • Check that the online casino is licensed. Online casinos must be licensed in at least one of various licensing territories around the world. These territories include Malta, Gibraltar, UK, Canada, Curacao and others.
  • Make sure the online casino offers banking methods that you know and are comfortable with for depositing and withdrawing money. Read about withdrawals and deposits here.
  • Have a look at the different games on offer. The more games from trusted games developers, the better your online casino experience will be. Some online casinos, like Thunderbolt Casino, are dedicated to one specific games provider. This is good because they concentrate on offering trusted games from a trusted developer but not so good if you want a variety of games from different developers. Generally speaking, more than 300 games is a good sign that the online casino is serious about offering players a thrilling time.
  • Make sure you can play using South African Rands (ZAR). Playing in foreign currency like Euros or Dollars or Pounds is not only a pain, it can become VERY expensive when you have to convert from ZAR and pay forex fees.
  • Check out the bonuses on offer. Online casinos offer great welcome and loyalty bonuses for players new and returning. BUT, always check the terms and conditions and the wagering requirements before you start playing with the bonus money or free spins. Read more about bonuses and wagering requirements here.

At CasinoPlay we continually explore the world of online casinos to bring you the latest news and reviews on the industry, new online casinos and new online casino games.

Check in with us regularly, sign up to receive our regular newsletter and remember: online casinos and online gaming is all about FUN – and making some cash every now and then.

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