Below you will find an overview with frequently asked question per subject;
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GAMBLING
We understand that not everybody is familiar with online gambling. And because of this we understand that you might have a question about playing in online casinos. In order to get you started we have developed an Online Casino F.A.Q. which includes frequently asked questions by online gamblers. Simply browse our F.A.Q. section on top of this page to learn more about important casino subjects like banking, games, casinos and important general rules. Do you have a question which is not included in our current overview? Then contact us and we will write another piece to add to our extensive online casino F.A.Q.
BANKING
After joining an online casino you will need to make a deposit to start playing. But how does this work? And after winning money, how can you withdrawal it? In this section you will find all frequently asked questions regarding banking at online casinos!
”Can I see all my deposits and withdrawals?”
At most online casinos you will be able to see your whole banking history. This means you will see an overview of all the deposits and withdrawals you made. In addition to this some casinos also offer a reality check, which shows how much money you have won or lost during your whole time of playing there. In this way you can get a better understanding of how much money you have spent, and how much money you have won. For more information regarding your history you can always contact the customer support department of the casino where you are playing.
What information can I see?
In most overviews you will see an ID for every transaction or change you made regarding deposits and withdrawals. First off all you can see which payment option you have used to deposit or withdrawal money. Second of all you can see if it was approved, declined or cancelled. Other information you can see in the overview if the time and date and the amount of money. If you can’t find information you are looking for you might want to contact the casino. In some cases it might be possible you will need to contact customer support if you want information from a long time ago.
”How can I make a deposit at an online casino?”
At most online casino you will find a wide variety of payment options to upload money into your account. When you make a payment using for example bank transfer or a e-Wallet like Skrill, Neteller and PayPal the money will be available in your account instantly. When you use for example Cheque, Bank Wire or FastBankTransfer then the process time could be somewhere between 1 and 28 banking days. Want to learn more about depositing and withdrawing money online? Then continue reading on this page!
”How can I withdrawal money from my account?”
When you won money and want to cash out some or all of your winnings then you can request a withdrawal. Once done the casino will transfer the money back to you using on of the selected payment options. When you are a new player at the casino then you might need to verify your account by sending in some information. This process is required by certain organisations in order to prevent for example money laundering. When you finished the verification process then the casino will transfer your money ask quick as possible. In some cases the money will be in your account within 24 hours (e-Wallets).
”What are withdrawal limits?”
After winning a substantial amount of money in an online casino you might want to cash out the total amount. We understand this, but you might encounter problems! Almost all online casinos have withdrawal limits in place which limit you in the amount of money you collect in a certain amount. In addition to that casinos sometimes also limit the amount of withdrawals you can make in a certain amount. In this way casino protect themselves, they need to make sure they don’t need to pay to much money in a short time, otherwise the business will go bust!
Types of withdrawal limits
Most online casinos limit players in multiple ways in order to make sure they don’t cash out to much money in one instance or in a short period of time. At most online casinos and bookmakers you will nowadays find the following withdrawal limits;
- Amount Limit; This is the amount of money a player can cash out in one instance. This amount can be different per payment option. With the amount limit casinos and bookmakers can for example limit a VISA / Mastercard withdrawal to for example €30.000,- per transaction (example is Bet365).
- Time Limit; This is the amount of withdrawals a player can do at an online in a certain amount of time. Some casino might limit you to making 5 withdrawals a week.
- Combination; It is also possible a casino limits both the amount of your withdrawal as the amounts of withdrawals you do.
For most small players these withdrawal limits are no problem, because they simply don’t cash out that much money. If you are a high roller, and play with high stakes, then the chance of hitting a high win is more significant. If you are that type of player we recommend having a look at the withdrawal limits before joining an online casino.
Why do casinos limit players?
Limiting players in their withdrawal behaviours if not very customer friendly, so why do online casinos and bookmakers do this? One of the most important reasons is that casinos will need to have the money to pay players. When the casino is unlucky and a few players win a big prize then they might go bankrupt when they pay them all the full amount. In order to prevent these problems the casino limits players in the amount they can withdrawal in a month. During this month the casino can take advantage of loses of other players in order to raise enough money to pay the next month. Because of this the casino will never have problems paying players, which is better for everyone!
Limits for minimum withdrawals
Online casinos don’t only limit high amounts of cashouts, they also limit very low withdrawals. Most casino will only process withdrawals with a minimum value between €10,- and €25,- . Why? Because processing payments costs the casino a lot of money. They for example need staff to process the payment, and they need to pay the payment processor. In order to prevent that you only withdrawal for example €5,- ten times a day the casino limits the minimum withdrawal and the maximum amount of withdrawals per day.
”Why do I pay withdrawal and deposit fees?”
At some online casinos you might encounter fees for depositing or withdrawing money. These fees may depend on which type of payment you use, and how much you deposit. For some payment options there is a fee of for example 3% which will be added to your total costs. In this case a €100,- deposit will cost you €3,- extra for the payment costs. It is also possible that an online casino ask for a standard fee of for example €2,50 per transaction. When you want to withdrawal money most casino work with a fixed withdrawal fee, for example; each withdrawal costs €2,50. Some casino also ask for a percentage of your withdrawal, for example 2%. When withdrawing a high amount the processing cost can become very high, which is not good.
Our opinion about withdrawals and deposit fees
We think it is not good that online casinos and bookmakers ask for high withdrawal and deposit fees. Why? It just doesn’t feel customer friendly to pay to upload money into your account. On top of this it is just not nice to lose a part of your winnings because you need to pay payment costs. Because of this we recommend everyone to play at casino where they don’t ask for payment fees. Some of my favourite online casinos that don’t ask for payment fees are Videoslots, Redbet and LeoVegas.
Origin of payment fees
Back in the days many online casino asked for fees while depositing or withdrawing money. One of the most important reasons for this is that online payments used to be fairly expensive. In order to compensate all these costs casinos and bookmakers started asking fees for transactions. But nowadays payment get less and less expensive, and that why we think they should be free of charge for customers. One reason we think why some casinos keep them is that they see them as easy cash cows. The make extra money of the fees since people want to cash out anyway!
Changing market
Because of the fact that the market of online casinos becomes more and more competitive we see less and less online casinos ask for payments fees. One of the reasons for this change is that people simply move to different casinos that doesn’t ask for payment fees. In this way many casino feel like they are forced to stop asking for payment fees. Which we think is great! All with all it is better for all players when casinos and bookmakers drop the extra costs for playing.
CASINOS
In this section you will find frequently asked questions about subjects like how does an online casino work, how can I play at an online casino and which online casinos are the best.
”At which online casino should I play?”
While looking at the massive amount of online casinos you might think; ‘’At which online casino should I play?’’. We understand that, and that why we will help you with this question! Below I will explain a few things you need to keep in mind while looking for a new casino to play at. The most important question you will need to ask are if the casino is reliable, if it offers the right games and if they have other unique features which you might like!
Does the casino offer games I like?
You join an online casino to start playing games, and that’s the reason why its essential to have a look at the game portfolio before joining. When you like video slots you might want to make sure they have a decent portfolio. Have a look and see is they offer your favourite games and preferred game providers. Do you enjoy table games or live casino games? Then have a look at the portfolio of (live) dealer games. Do you rather play Video Poker, Bingo or scratch cards? Then you might want to join an online casinos that is specialized in these games. If an online casino doesn’t offer the games you like it useless to join them, so have a good look!
Is the website mobile friendly?
If you enjoy to play casino games on your tablet or smartphone (Android / iPhone) then it’s a good idea to check out if the casinos works good on these devices. Some of the older casinos don’t really work user friendly one mobile devices which is very annoying. The website are slow, games don’t launch or it very hard to make a payment. All these things destroy your playing experience which is not good. If you enjoy to bet on your mobile phone then we can recommend for example Casumo, LeoVegas and Mr Green. Want to learn more? Then click here to read more about the best mobile casinos!
Is the casino reliable and does it offer a good service?
The most important thing about an online casinos is that they need to be reliable and safe. Because of this we always recommend you to have a look at the reliability of the brand. You can for example first;
- Have a look at opinions of others about the casino.
- Read some reviews about the casino, the service and there game portfolio.
- Check if the casino has a proper license like one from the MGA or UKGC.
- Look up test that prove there games are fair and the website is safe to use.
While looking up these things you will get a good overview of how reliable the casino is, and how good the service is. Are your findings positive? Then its no problem to join them! Do you find a lot of negative things? Then we suggest to go on to the next casino!
Does the casino offer unique features you like?
Some online casinos offer a better or more unique service than others. Depending on your preferences you might want to join a casino which offers for example a sportsbook or weekly bonuses. Below I will list a few things which you might like about a casino which you can check if they offer it.
- Does the casino offer a no deposit bonus which let you try out the casino for free.
- Is it possible to place bets on sports in a sportsbook?
- Does the casino offer a welcome bonus which boosts your first deposit.
- Will you be able to enjoy gamification elements which boosts your total experience?
- Are there weekly or monthly bonuses available which you like?
- Is it possible to win generous prizes during promotions and special events?
- Is there a live chat available which lets you contact the support department easily?
- Are wagering requirements and other terms and conditions fair for players?
- Is the casino available in my languages and using my currency?
- Does the casino offer unique games which are not available at other online casinos?
- Is it possible to set responsible gaming setting which protect players?
- Can you lock your deposit which helps you cash out your winnings?
- Is the website fully secured by a state-of-the-art SSL-encryption?
For more information about this subject, please visit our ultimate casino list with recommended online casinos!
Before joining an online casinos it is very important to check if it is safe to use. In this way you can be sure your money and personal information is in safe hands. In order to check if an online casino is safe we have a few important tips which you can use. Below I will explain how you can check if an online casino is safe and reliable in 7 easy steps.
”How can I check if an online casino is safe?”
Step 1. Does the casino get good feedback and reviews?
First off all it is important to check what others say about the casino you are about to join. In order to do this you can check casino reviews of gambling platforms like BestBettingCasinos.com and reviews of players. Does the casino get a lot of negative feedback? Then you should continue looking for a safe and reliable online casino. Does the casino get positive feedback and good reviews? Then you can assume the platform is safe and fair.
Step 2. Does the casino won awards or is it accredited by well-known gambling portals?
When a casino has won (international) awards then it a good indicator the website is safe to use. One other thing you can look for is logo’s of international gambling platforms which maybe approved using the betting and gambling platform. If both are not available then it doesn’t mean they are not reliable but it can be a good indicator.
Step 3. Does the casino sponsor a well-known sports team?
No sports team wants to be sponsored by a rogue or unreliable online casino / bookmaker, and that’s why it’s a good indicator if a brand is safe or not. LeoVegas for example sponsors Brentford FC, Leicester Tigers and Norwich City FC and Dunder sponsors Bristol FC. Other well-known casinos that are partner with or sponsor sports teams are 10Bet, BetVictor and Bet365. If an online casino doesn’t sponsor a popular sports team doesn’t mean they are not safe, but then you should have a look at the other indicator that decide if a platform is safe or unsafe to join.
Step 4. Does the casino hold one or more licenses? And which ones?
Every safe online casino is licensed by one of the available licensing organisations. If the casino is licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) then you will be sure the casino meets the highest standards. These standard have effect on for example how a casino advertises, how they handle your personal information and how they process payments. One other license that is fairly strict is the one from the Maltese government (MGA). This license is perfect for players from all across Europe but for UK players the UKGC license is required. If a casino holds no license or one that is not that strict, one from Curacao for example, then we recommended not joining the casino.
Step 5. Do I recognize games and are they developed by international (tested) gaming companies?
All safe and reliable online casino offer a game collection which is recognizable and supplied by international gaming companies. Why this is important? Casino games from international gaming companies are tested and proven fair. This means you are sure they really pay as much as they claim and the software is not rigged. When a casino offers only games you don’t know then it is very important to check if they are tested by independent testing agencies. If not, we recommend not playing them.
Step 6. Can I pay with well-known (safe) third party solutions?
One other important factor to decide if an online casino is safe is if they offer payment options by well-known third party solutions. All international payment processors like Adyen, Docdata and SecurionPay have strict rules for companies that want to use there software. For rogue or unsafe casino it is as good as impossible to use the payment software. Because of this it is a good indicator you are fine to join a casino that offer well-known payment options like Mastercard, VISA, Neteller and Skrill.
Step 7. Is the website secured by a state of the art SSL-encryption?
Websites that process payments and collect personal information need to have a state of the art SSL-encryption. Why? In this way all information is protected from hackers that might want to misuse it. Before joining a casino you should check if the whole website is protected by a reliable encryption. Is the website not protected? Then get away! Otherwise your information and payments are not safe at all!
”How can I get support at an online casino?”
When you have a question you can’t find in our extensive F.A.Q. section you might want to contact the casino where you are playing at. But how does this work? In general, most online casinos are easy to contact. Especially the larger and more serious online casinos make sure customers are happy and their problems are solved as quickly as possible. Most players prefer to get help through email or a live chat, but some casinos also offer a phone line and or support through social media. Below I will explain how you can easily contact most online casinos, and which options are the best for which situation.
Live Chat Support
When you have a quick and easy question about something you can best open a live chat. After opening a live chat they will probably ask your username and what you question is. Depending on how busy it is a support agent will welcome you to the chat within minutes. After reading your question you will get a direct response or the support agents will look up some things before answering your question. When the live chat is very busy you will most of the time be able to send a question through the chat and a support agent will answer it later. This response will be send to your email address.
Email Support
At most online casinos you will also be able to ask a question by sending an email. This is a good options when you have a more complicated question or a complaint. Why? In this way the casino can take their time to respond and you will have everything collected in one email history. After sending in an email most casinos will notify you that they have received your email in good order. In addition to this most casinos will respond to the email within 24 hours.
Free Phone Support
Do you prefer direct contact with a support agent? Then you might want to call the casino. Not all casinos offer a phone line, but most larger casino do offer free phone support. In some cases this phone line is free, and sometimes you will need to pay additional phone costs. Depending on how busy it is this can be a good, or an annoying way of contacting the casino. At some casinos the phone line is very busy, and because of this you will need to wait for a long time. But some other casinos have plenty of support agents and they only let you wait between a few and ten minutes. In this case a phone line is a perfect way of getting personalized help.
Contact Form
If you have a question which has no hurry you can also use the contact form which most casinos show on their support page. A contact form works very easy and is almost the same as sending an email. You simply fill in your name, email address and a subject. Once done, you can start setting up a message in which you explain your question or problem. When done you can press ‘’Send’’ and you message will be delivered at the support department of the casino. At most online casinos you will get a response within 24 hours.
Call Back Support
At some casinos you will have the option to use the call back feature, which is pretty user friendly. All you have to do is fill in your phone number and a support agent will call you when they have time. Depending on the casino you can sometimes also add a time frame in which you expect the casino to call. In this way you don’t have to wait, but you can still get personal support through a phone line.
F.A.Q. Section
Before contacting the casinos support department you can also try to look up your question in the F.A.Q. section of the casino. Some online casinos offer a very extensive frequently asked questions section with hundreds of questions and their answers. By using the F.A.Q. you can sometimes easily safe yourself some time and stress.
”Why do online casinos restrict people from signing up?”
While trying to access an online casino or trying to sign up an account you might get a message that it’s not possible for people from your country to register and play. But why do online casinos do this? The most important reasons for blocking people is that (online) gambling is not allowed in these countries. Because of this the governments of these countries or anti-gambling organisations force these casinos to block people from registering. Although governments and anti-gambling organisations can force online casinos to ban certain people it is also very hard for them to execute these rules since most gambling companies are based in countries far away which do approve (online) gambling.
Different rules worldwide
Countries around the world all deal with (online) gambling in a different way. In some countries (online) gambling is completely illegal and there are punishments in place for people who do gamble. In other countries betting and gambling is legalized and certain organisation control the market to protect people from the risks of gambling. There are also many countries where (online) gambling is a bit of a grey market, it is not allowed by law but nobody really prosecutes people who do gamble.
Countries where gambling is completely illegal
At the moment there are various countries where gambling and online gambling is completely illegal. Some of the most well known countries are the United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Cambodia, North Korea, Japan, Singapore, Qatar and Cyprus. In some of these countries you can face up to two years in prison for gambling. Because of this it is very risky to gamble online in these countries, especially since government organisations check what people do online. One country that also doesn’t allow playing online casino games is Poland, but they did legalize sports betting. Although gambling rules are very strict for citizens of these countries some do allow tourist to gamble. In North Korea and Cambodia it is for example allowed for tourist to gamble while on a guided tour.
Countries where online gambling is allowed
There are still not a lot, but there are various countries which legalized online gambling. A few examples of these countries are Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Malta and the Isle of Man. In these countries gambling organisation can apply for an online gambling license. If they are approved of getting the license, they can offer games to citizens of that country when complying with other rules like tax scheme, player verifications (KYC) and auditing requirements.
Complicated markets
Besides the countries where it is allowed or illegal there are also a lot of countries where the situation is a bit more complicated. I’m from the Netherlands for example and over here online gambling is officially not allowed, but no organisation prosecutes players. On top of that the Dutch regulator also allowed a lot of casinos for years to accept Dutch players. Although this is the case more recently the regulator started prosecuting operators since they want to start opening the legal market by giving out licenses.
Other complicated markets are for example Portugal, Sweden, and Norway. In these markets it is only allowed to gamble at brands that are owned by the government. Other casinos are not banned, but you are not allowed to play at them. Although the state monopolies are in place for years most of these countries are busy or thinking about legalizing the complete market by giving out licensed to approved operators.
Online gambling in the United States
One place where online gambling is also a bit complicated is the United States of America. In the US online gambling is banned, but legalized on state-level. For people living in for example Nevada and New Jersey gambling or sports betting is legal, but for people from other states it is illegal. Although this is the case we expect more and more states will open the gambling market.
What is going on in the US is also the case in another large gambling market, Germany. In Germany it is allowed in various parts to gamble (online), and operators can apply over there for a license. But this doesn’t mean they can accept all German players (although a lot still do).
Changing markets
The global perspective on legalizing online gambling is constantly changing. While some countries are opening closed markets, others are closing markets where online gambling was legal. In addition to this there are plenty of other countries which are struggling to enforce rules, or to come up with a good plan to protect players from the risks of gambling.
GAMES
Some online casinos offer thousands of different games. But what’s the difference? Why should you play slots? Or why are table games better? And what does a RTP rate or the House Edge mean? In this section you will find frequently asked questions about casino games.
”Are online casino games fair and safe?”
As a new online casino player you might think; ‘’Are online casino games fair and safe?’’. Well, if you play at the right places then we can assure the games are both fair and safe. The reasons for this is that there are strict regulations and supervision over online casinos and their game providers.
Why online casino games are 100% fair
While gambling online you want to be sure the games are fair. Why? This gives you a fair chance to win some money. Although the odds are always in the favour of the casino you can hit a lucky streak and win some decent money. To ensure you are playing fair casino games we recommend playing at one of the available top rated online casinos. These casinos are licensed, regulated and offer games which are tested and approved by independent testing agencies. Because of this you will be sure they pay like the should do, and you enjoy fair winnings. Click this link to have a look at our Top 10 (Safe) Online Casinos!
Is it safe to play online casino games?
In theory there are no safety hazards while gambling online. Although this is the case it is of course important to only give away personal information to online casinos you can trust. As a player you might need to verify your account using personal document, and we only recommend doing this at licensed casinos. In this way you are sure your personal details will be handled safely and with care.
In addition to the safety of your personal details you will also need to keep mind of your personal safety. Gambling addiction and problem can be very serious. Seek help if you think you have a problem with gambling online. Learn more about how to avoid gambling addiction on this page or seek help at trusted organisations like GamCar.org.uk and BeGambleAware.org.
Are there unfair games available on the internet?
Yes, there are online casinos that offer rigged and unfair casino games. In almost any case these are unlicensed rogue casinos that offer pirated games which they have copied. Once done, they alter the RTP (Return to Player) of the game which makes them a lot of money. In order to avoid playing unfair games we strongly recommend playing at trusted and positive reviewed casinos. We have made a list in order to check if an online casino is reliable. Some strong recommendations are;
- Check if the casino has a license. And make sure you check if the license is still valid. This is always possible at the organisation that gives out the license.
- Have a look if the games are tested and licensed. At most reliable casinos you will be able to have a look at the testing documents.
- Check if the casino offers a SSL encryption and safe third party payment solutions.
- Visit review websites and online casino portals to have a look if the casino has a good reputation.
If you want to learn more about how to check if an online casino is safe, please visit this page.
Which organisations test online casino games on fairness?
At the moment there are various companies which test online casinos games including GLI and eCOGRA. GLI (Gaming Laboratories International) is the global leader in gaming and lottery testing. They have almost 30 years of experience in iGaming, lotteries and land-based casino games. Because of this GLI’s work is trusted by regulators around the world including up to 475 different jurisdictions.
One other important testing agency is eCOGRA. This company was established in 2013 and it is based in the United Kingdom. eCOGRA is specialized in the testing and certification of online gaming software and infrastructures. eCOGRA is an approved testing agency with several other online gaming jurisdictions including Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Malta and New Jersey.
”How do live dealer games work?”
One thing we like about the online gambling industry is that it is always improving itself. Every day you will see new games, new type of games and new game features. This keeps gambling online exciting which is good for players who play on a regular basis. One very interesting trend we see the last year is that people like to play live dealer games more and more. But how do live dealer games work? To give you a better understanding we will explain in this post what live dealer games there are available and how Live Casino games work.
”What live dealer games can I play online?”
Just like in the ‘’real’’ casino most online casinos offer a wide range of live dealer games. Some of the most popular games types are Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette. All these games are available on multiple tables with different playing limits (min/max). In addition to these games a lot of online casinos offer variety game like the Money Wheel Game (Live Dream Catcher), Dragon Tiger, Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker, Casino Hold’em Jumbo 7 and Caribbean Stud Poker. While picking a game you will also find different game modes like VIP, Speed and games with special Jackpots.
Which are the best live dealer games?
After joining an online casino that offers live dealer games you will see they maybe offer games by different software suppliers, but which are the best? A few of the most popular live dealer game suppliers are Evolution Gaming, Extreme Live Gaming, NetEnt Live and Playtech. In our opinion Evolution Gaming offers the best games looking at the variety of games, the quality of streams and the complete experience. If you enjoy to play basis live dealer games on your smartphone then NetEnt Live might be a better choice for you. The games by NetEnt are simply known for being the best on smartphones and tables. Do you want something unique? Then you might want have a look at the game portfolio of Extreme Live Gaming. Extreme offers multiple fun games where they combine live dealer games with popular video slots and extra betting options!
Where do live dealer streams come from?
While playing you might think; ‘’Where do these streams come from?’’. Well, this depends. A lot of live dealer games get filmed in special game studios across Europe. The larger game providers have recording studios based in for example London, Malta and Latvia. On top of this you will also be able to play though live streams straight from popular land based casinos in Europe. For example; When you sign up at LeoVegas Casino you will be able to play roulette at Casino International, Grand Casino, St. Vincent Casino and Hippodrome Casino. VIP online players can even play Live VIP Roulette at the Portomaso Casino and Superior Roulette at St. Vincent Casino. While playing through these streams you can even see the real customer in the casino bet on the same table where you are playing. That’s pretty cool right!
The real deal from the comfort of your own home!
Many people love the feeling of land based casinos, and that’s why they rather play in land based casino than online. But what if you can enjoy the real deal from the comfort of your own home? Since a few years many online casino offer live dealer games which pretty much match the experience which you would have in a regular casino. You can pick a game, go and sit on the table and interact with the dealer. All streams are reliable, in HD quality and the dealer will speak to you through a live video connection. On top of this playing live dealer games online has multiple benefits over playing in a land based casino. We would for example recommend playing online because;
- You will easier find a open spot at a table especially since some game offer unlimited seats;
- Online casinos offer generous bonuses on registration and deposit;
- Your privacy is respected since you can play anonymous;
- You won’t have to spend time and money to travel to the casino;
- Online tables are available with lower betting limits;
- The range of games is more complete;
- Switching between games and game types is very easy;
- Cashing out your winnings is safer online;
- You will be able to use more reliable payment options;
Where to play live dealer games online?
If you want to try out live dealer games online then we have multiple recommended casinos. The most interesting and popular options is LeoVegas. At LeoVegas you will find a very wide selection of live dealer games. They offer live dealer games by all major live casino software suppliers and op top of this they offer the ‘’Chambre Séparée’’. In the Chambre Séparée you will find a selection of LeoVegas its own branded live dealer games. If you sign up at LeoVegas today you can start playing with a €10,- casino bonus (No Deposit) and a 100% deposit bonus up to €250,-. Next to LeoVegas there are plenty of other interesting online casinos that offer many live dealer games including 21 Casino, Energy Casino and Casumo. Have a look at the table below for a full overview of recommended online casinos for playing live casino games.
”What are RNGs (Random Number Generators)?”
While gambling online you might come across the term ‘’RNG’’, but what does this mean? RNG stands for Random Number Generator, a complex term which is used by specialized and mathematics. Online casinos and game providers use Random Number Generators to make sure the outcome of casino games is random. How it works? RNG is some sort of computer program that spits out results in a random way. In this way games are fair and nobody can predict the outcome of a spin. All with all Random Number Generating is essential in order to make online gambling fair for everyone.
Pseudo Random Number Generators
If you like to go even deeper, the type of RNGs online casinos use are called pseudo random number generators. This is a special type of RNG which doesn’t require any sort of external input in order to produce a random output. The only thing this type of Random Number Generator needs is an algorithm (which depends in which way the machine pays out) and seed numbers. Seed numbers are random numbers which are produced every millisecond by the RNG. The RNG does this by taking the last two number which it uses in a mathematic operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.) to create a new numerical outcome.
Why RNGs aren’t completely random
Although we say ‘’Random’’ Number Generating the way of generating number isn’t completely random. Why? Because completing mathematic operations aren’t random at all (2 + 3 = always 5). Because of this it is very important the algorithm and the operations of a RNG are secret. To ensure this only a few people know how the algorithm works, and what seed numbers are used.
How do casinos use Random Number Generating
Both online and land based casinos use RNG for their virtual casino games, essentially all games where no dealer is involved. These are not only slots, but also virtual Roulette, Keno and Video Poker games. In order to give you a better understanding of how the concept works we will give you an example of how a casino or a game provider uses RNG to set up games;
- Each symbol which is available in the slot will be assigned with a secret value. In this example we assign values to 12 symbols in a 5-reel video slot.
- After a spin is done the RNG has made a selection of 5 different symbols, which represent 5 different values.
- When these 5 ‘’Random’’ symbols create a winning combination you will be paid.
- During the next spin the RNG will use the previous outcome to create a new selection of five random symbol which might pay or not.
Can I check if an RNG is fair?
In theory you are able to check if a RNG is fair, but it takes a lot of time and patience. There are people who for example lost a lot of money on certain casino games and decide to check if the RNG was fair and reliable. One of these people was Norman Clem, which loved to play crabs at World Wide Wagering. Although he really loved the game he noticed he was losing a lot of money, which is strange since a lot of crap games have a RTP of 97% or more. In order to investigate his losing Norman decides to track his winnings and losings for a whole year.
During the recorded year Norman saved a total of 3200 outcomes, which he should have won around 49% of the times. But Norman didn’t, he only won 856 times of the 3200 rounds, which is only 27%. After seeing this result Norman knew something was not right, and he posted the results online.
After Michael Shackleford, owner of a popular Odds website, saw Norman’s results he decided to perform his own test. After running a few tests Shackleford was sure the craps game by BLR Software was rigged in order to increase the house edge significantly.
Although it is rare a player does testing or finds out about a rigged game there are plenty of independent companies which test the fairness of games. This is good because in this way you are sure the games payout is fair. Because of this we recommend playing at casinos which offer games by third party companies, which the casino cannot affect. In addition to this you can also have a look if a casinos published his test results, this can give you even a better understanding about the fairness of the offered games.
Cheating the casino
Although a Random Number Generator should keep players safe it might also work in the advantage of the player. How? Well one guy named Ronald Harris, which was a computer programmes who worked for the Nevada Gaming Control Board in the 1990s, decided to cheat the casino. How? The programmer was responsible for finding errors and flaws in the software used for digital casino games. And while working the temptation of loads of money grew too big.
What happened? The programmer modified various slot games so they would pay out significant sums of money whenever a specific (secret) sequence was performed and a certain number of coins was inserted. Throughout 1993 and 1995 Harris and his partner stole thousands of dollar from Vegas casinos without being detected. Although his plan was working perfectly, he took his master plan to far …
After winning a lot of money using slots Harris decided to start cheating on Keno games. In order to do this he developed a unique program which calculated the numbers the RNG would select before the round started. Although this sound very clever the casino became suspicious, and the hired investigators in order to check on Harris playing history. After some investigation the casino was sure Harris was cheating and they caught them while redeeming a winning ticket. Harris was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison (he only served 2). Because of Harris his history Harris is not allowed entering any casino anymore.
Summary
- RNG stands for Random Number Generator.
- Using complex computer programs (RNGs) casino games are as random as possible.
- The principles behind RNGs isn’t only used in casinos, but in many different environments which ask for a need or random outcomes.
- Licensed companies check the results of games and the fairness of RNG.
”What does the RTP of a casino game mean?”
At lot of online casinos show the RTP of a casino game, but what does the RTP of a casino game mean? The term RTP is the abbreviation for Return to Player. The Return to Player (rate) gives you an indication how much of the total wagered money the game or machine returns. For example; When you bet a total of €100,000,-, and the machine returns €94,000,-, then the RTP is 100 / 100.000 x 94.000 = 94%. The higher the Return to Player rate, the more you will probably win (get back). When the RTP is very low, you should expect to drain your balance pretty quickly. Game providers calculate and test the RTP of game or machine by letting them spin thousands of times. This is the only way to get a representative view of the return of the machine.
How does a RTP work?
A RTP rate give you a indication of how much money the machine will return on the long run. When you for example play ten €1,- spins while playing on a video slot which has a 93% RTP you don’t have to expect you will get back €10,- x 93% = €9,30. Why? Because the game spreads the return in multiple small and some high prizes. It will for example pay out one player only 83% and the following player 91%. But the next lucky player wins a high prize and enjoys for example a RTP of 143%. The reasons why a lot of casino games pay out like this is to keep things exciting, if the machine pays really regular then you will never be able to win high prizes.
What is a ‘’good’’ RTP?
You might think; ‘’What is a good RTP?’’. Well, this question depends on multiple things. First off all it depends on where you are playing the game. When you play for example slots in a land based casino then a 75% RTP is not bad at all. But when you are playing slots online then the average RTP will be somewhere between 93% and 96%. This makes playing slots online way more interesting then playing slots in a land based casino.
One other important factor is which type of game you are playing. The RTP of table games like Blackjack and Baccarat are in a land based casino way better than the Return to Player rate of slots or fruit machines. For example; European Roulette has a 97,3% RTP while most slot don’t even hit a RTP of 70%.
What does volatility mean?
In addition to the RTP some casinos or game suppliers also give an indication of how volatile a game is, but what does this mean? The volatility of a game gives you a indication of how the game pays out winnings. When a game is not volatile at all then it will pay a lot of low prizes, but not a lot of big wins. When a game is very volatile then it doesn’t pay often, but when it does, it will probably be a big one. While opening a game you can sometimes even choose how volatile you want the game to be. Lately NetEnt even announced they will launch most new games in a regular version and a MAX version which is more volatile.
Online casino games with the lowest casino advantage
If you like to play with the best odds then you should play online table games. Why? These games offer the highest RTP and have the lowest House Edge. Below you will find a list of casino games with the highest return to player rate. Most of these game are table games like Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat, but there is also one NetEnt slot in the list.
- Classic Blackjack by Microgaming; 99,91% RTP
- Blackjack Switch by Playtech; 99,87% RTP
- Blackjack Surrender by Playtech; 99,62% RTP
- Aces & Eights Video Poker by Microgaming; 99,09% RTP
- Baccarat Professional by NetEnt; 98,96% RTP
- Live La Partage Roulette by NetEnt; 98,65% RTP
- Premium French Roulette by Playtech; 98,65% RTP
- Video Roulette by Playtech; 98,65% RTP
- Double Bonus Spin Roulette by IGT; 98,06% RTP
- Blood Suckers Video Slot by NetEnt; 98,00% RTP
Summary
- The RTP of a game tells you how much money it returns to the player on average.
- Some people will also use the words House Edge or Payout percentage for the Return to Player rate (RTP).
- For online slots a 95% RTP is considered good, for slots in land based casinos this is way lower (around 75%).
- Some online table games have a very high RTP (99%+). On these games you will have the best theoretical chance of winning money.
GENERAL
”Can I win real money in an online casino?”
One question so people might have is; ‘’Can I win real money in an online casino?’’. Well, the answer for this question is very simple; Yes! The days of shady online casinos is over, nowadays there are plenty of reliable online casinos where you can gamble for real money. Simply make an online deposit using one of the available payment methods and start playing. While lucky you will be able to win real money and cash it out using for example bank transfer or credit card. If you like to get the feeling for a game first you will also be able to try it out using fake chips. If you like to try out a game for free you can choose to open the ‘’Free Mode’’ or ‘’Play Money Mode’’.
Try out online casino games with free chips
When you have no money in your account or you want to learn how a game works first you can decide to play it using free chips. After launching a casino game you might get a screen like the one below (screenshot) which asks you if you want to play for real money or using play money. If you click ‘’Real money’’ the game will launch in the play mode, which lets you win real money. When you click ‘’Play money’’ you will be able to try out the game using fake chips. Playing with chips has multiple benefits, for example;
- You can learn how a game works without risking any of your real money.
- It is still possible to play your favourite games while your balance hit zero.
- You can check out the bonus rounds in the game which gives your more insights of the chance of winning on the selected slot.
- After hitting a few wins you will have a better understanding of which symbol pay high wins and which symbols are not that good.
- You can develop a strategy which you can use while playing the same game for real money.
When you like to switch between modes you only have to relaunch the game to make the choice again.
Win real money while playing online casino games
After trying out a game for free you can decide to start playing it with real money. If you like to do this you will first need to make a deposit in your account. You can upload money in your account by making a payment using one of the available payment options. Most online casinos offer a wide selection of payment options including bank transfer, iDeal, Mastercard, VISA, Skrill and Neteller. After you made a payment the funds will be in your account instantly, which allow you to play right away. While playing casino games using real money you will enjoy the following benefits;
- You will be able to win real money which you can transfer back to for example your bank account.
- The game will be more exciting since your are betting with real money.
- Some high paying casino games offer big wins of over x 5.000 your bet!
Below I will explain how you can withdrawal real money which you have won while playing online casino games.
How to win and withdrawal real money at an online casino
While playing with real money in an online casino you might get lucky. If you hit a few good bonus rounds you can easily win some nice money. Although winning is fun, cashing out money is even more fun. If you like to withdrawal money you can do a withdrawal request, which allows you to cash out real money. First you will need to fill in how much money you want to cash out, and how the casino can pay you. Most casinos offer multiple withdrawal options including bank, credit card and e-Wallets like Skrill. After making these choices you can continue and let the casino process the payment. Depending on which payment options you have chosen the money will be in your account within a few days most of the times (bank days).
Verify your casino account
In some cases you need to verify your account before the withdrawal can be processed. Casinos need to verify account in order to prevent for example money laundering. The process of verifying your account is simple but can take some time. During the verification process you will need to send in some documents which prove for example your identity, transaction and place of living. After sending in your documents most casinos process them within 24 hours. When done, your account will be fully ready to go and the casino will continue to process your withdrawal.
Tip: Do you want to avoid waiting on your money? Then verify your account before starting playing! In this way you will be sure you can easily withdrawal your money.
”Do I need to download software to play online casino games?”
Downloading software can be annoying and it can take a lot of time, and that’s why all modern online casinos are instant casinos. This means you can play instantly in your browser without downloading any software. One reasons why this is so important is that it is easier and most mobile devices like smartphones and tablets can’t install these software. In some cases it is possible you will need to update or install Adobe Flash Driver, but this is required for certain casino games. When needed, you will get a popup asking you to update or permit access to your Flash Driver.
Download casinos
Although most casinos are instant there are also a few casino that offer a download casino. One if have written about lately is the SlotsMillion Virtual Reality Casino, which needs special software. Why? This special software let you play in 3D and Virtual Reality which adds a whole new experience to gambling online!
One other casino that requires software to play the full collection of games is Pokerstars Casino. At Pokerstars you can play a lot of games instant, but for some you will need the download version.
Why do casinos offer a download casino?
Back in the days games sometimes needed more than a simple browser could achieve, and that’s why people needed to download the casinos software. Downloading and installing this software was easy, and only took a few minutes. Although this is the case it is annoying that you will need to have special software on your computer to play. What is you like to play at multiple casinos? Then you will need to install maybe four or five unique programs to play. That’s not user friendly!
One of the reasons why we think casinos offer a download version is that when you install the software, you are more likely to come back. Every time you see the shortcut you might think; ‘’Maybe I should play again today’’. Because of this I think it is a bit dangerous to install to many download casinos on your computer.
Poker clients
If you like to play Poker on a professional level then it is important to download the Poker client of the casino. Why? Because it offers more features and it is more reliable. By running the safe software on your computer you will have a better connection and a smaller chance of missing out on an important decision. Some of the most popular Poker client are offered by 888, Pokerstars, Full Tilt, Party Poker and Bet365 Poker.
”How do I register at an online casino?”
When you want to start playing at an online casino then you will need to sign up an account. Signing up an account is very easy and most of the times only takes a few minutes. In order to start you will first need to open the website of the casino that you want to join. When done you can open a registration form in which you will need to fill in some personal details. After doing that you can choose a username and a password. When you created your account you will need to activate it most of the times by verifying your email address or phone number. When you verified your account then you will be ready to go! Want to learn more? Then read this post to learn how to sign up at an online casino!
”How old do I need to be to gamble online?”
How old you need to be to gamble online depends on the country you are living. In the United Kingdom and most of Europe you will need to be at least 18 to gamble. In the United States the age restriction on gambling depends per state but most of the times it will be 18 or 21. For some states including for example British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Nova Scotia there is minimum age requirement of 19. In addition to this there are also some states that don’t allow gambling including Hawaii and Utah. If you are not sure if you are allowed to gamble then first check before joining an online casino. If you gamble while it is not allowed then your winnings will be forfeited.
”Which organisations supervise and regulate online casinos?”
At the moment there are various countries that have regulated the online gambling market. The organisations which license online casinos to offer online casino games to it citizens are responsible for supervising the iGaming market. Below I will list the most important organisations that regulate the current online gambling market. If you have a complaint or question you can contact one of the organisations depending on the country where you are located.
United Kingdom (UK Gambling Commission)
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is responsible for licensing and regulating people and businesses that provide gambling in Great Britain including the National Lottery. On the website of the UKGC you will find plenty of information for the public, licensing authorities and gambling businesses. You can contact the UKGC using the following contact details.
Telephone number: 0121 230 6666 (10 am to 4 pm)
Email general: info@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Email for operators; licensing@gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Address
Fourth Floor
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham
B2 4BP
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Many online casinos are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). When you play at an online casino that has a MGA license you are ensured certain quality and safety standards. By licensing and regulating the online gambling market the MGA aims to;
- Keep the iGaming industry free from criminal activities;
- Safeguard the rights of players;
- Protect minors and vulnerable persons;
- Ensures the integrity of games and game devices;
- Promote safe and responsible (online) gambling;
You can contact the MGA by using the following contact details.
Telephone: +356 2546 9000
Email: info@mga@mga.org.mt
Address
Building SCM 02-03, Level 4
SmartCity Malta
Ricasoli SCM1001
Malta
United States of America (USA)
In the United States of America most states have their own agencies which regulate for example state lotteries, (horse) racing and other gambling activities. Please visit this page for a full overview of all the available state gambling agencies in the US.
Australia
In Australia there are central government regulations, state and territory gambling regulations in place. On the website of the Australian government you will find a list of the eight gaming authorities which can provide your with more information about licensing and regulations.
Denmark (Spillemyndigheden)
The Danish Gambling Authority, Spillemyndigheden, is responsible for securing proper and regulated gambling in Denmark. In this way players should be protected against any unfair and illegal gambling. The Spillemyndigheden consist or four units which focus on;
- Policy, Finance, and Analysis;
- Lottery and Monopoly;
- Remote Gambling;
- Slot Machines and Responsible Gambling;
For more information about the Spillemyndigheden, please visit this page.
Email: mail@spillemyndigheden.dk
Telephone: +45 72 38 79 13
Address
Spillemyndigheden
Englandsgade 25
sal – 5000 Odense C.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE STARTING GAMBLING
In our online casino F.A.Q. you will find a lot of information which is nice to know, but isn’t crucial before going for the real deal. On top of this there are also plenty of things that you should really know before depositing and playing with real money. Why? Because bad decisions can cost you money and might have other negative consequences. Below I will list multiple things which are very important to know before you make a first real money deposit somewhere.
- Not all online casinos play by the rules. And that’s why you need to be sure an online casino is safe and reliable before making a first deposit.
- When you start playing in a new online casino you will need to verify your account before making a first withdrawal. This means you will need to provide the casino with documentation that proves your identity and age. This process will take some time which delays your first real money withdrawal.
- When you collect some form of casino bonus you will need to mind strict rules regarding for example wagering and maximum bets. Make sure you read these rules carefully otherwise it can get your balance forfeited.
- Some online casinos might not accept players from your country, which ensures you cannot sign up an account. This has to do with online gambling laws which are in place in your country.
- Sometimes you will not be able to play online casino games from a certain game supplier because of the country your are living in. For example; I am Dutch and in some online casinos I wont be able to play online slots by Play’n Go.
- At many online casinos you will also be able to try out games for free. This is useful to learn how the game works before starting playing with real money.
- Online gambling is based on luck but you can change your odds by choosing game which have a low house edge. For example; Some slots have a Return to Player (RTP) of 97% while some Keno games have RTP’s starting as low as 75%.
- If you like to will be able to play at almost all online casinos without having to download and install any casino software.
- When an online casino has no proper online casino license, for example one of the UKGC or MGA, then you should consider it unsafe.
LIVE CHAT SUPPORT
When you still have an urgent questions after checking our online casino F.A.Q. then you can decide to ask your question through our live chat. When you send in a question one of our online casino experts will have a look at it and provide you with an answer. If you like you can also contact the support department of the casino where you are playing at to ask your question. Most online casinos also offer a F.A.Q. section, email support and a telephone support line. Head over to the support page of your favourite online casinos for more information about the available support options.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ONLINE GAMBLING<strong>?</strong>
Although our online casino F.A.Q. already provides you with a lot of information you might want to learn more about online gambling. In that case you can open the rest of our website which supplies your with a great amount of articles, casino news, (video) tutorials and blogs. In these articles you will be able to learn more about for example certain online casinos, game types, sports betting and many more. Below I will list a few of the most popular articles on BestBettingCasinos.com. Use the search bar to learn more about a specific subject.
