Have you ever listened with envy as a friend recalled a big win they had spinning the online slot reels?
Perhaps you've seen a generous online casino sign-up offer advertised on TV recently.
Maybe a particular online casino is the exclusive home of a brand new video pokie that has piqued your interest.
Whether you're new to online gambling or have been playing for years, this step-by-step guide will help take your first steps into the fast-paced world of casino gaming. Who knows what great prizes await those who dip their toes into this fun leisure pursuit for the first time!
Before you go ahead and open a new online casino account, though, there are some things all players should consider.
Shop Around
First of all, we recommend shopping around to find an online casino that suits your tastes and preferences. It might be that you're looking to recapture the thrill of traditional casino games like roulette or blackjack, or hoping to land the next big slot jackpot in a game such as Mega Moolah.
Keep in mind the games you find on offer at one online casino may not always be available at the next site you visit. What's more, titles from certain game providers may only be found at a small selection of online casinos. This is particularly true in the case of newer, up-and-coming game studios who have yet to fully establish themselves in the ultra-competitive online pokie market.
The online casino industry is a competitive one, and some countries have more than their fair share of sites. If you're planning on playing from home instead of traveling abroad with your laptop in tow (or not), make sure that your chosen online casino offers full services where you live!
Is it Regulated?
Then there is the extremely important issue of regulation. The best online casinos operating out of Malta will have all received full accreditation from the state's iGaming regulatory body - the MGA. Online casinos with full MGA approval are bound by tight protocols put in place to safeguard players' wellbeing and to ensure their safety and protection at all times.
The MGA mandates that all online casino operators possess entirely separate accounts for holding customer funds and those of their own, ensuring player balances are protected at all times.
Welcome Bonuses
Whether an online casino offers a Welcome Bonus of any sort is also worth considering. Nowadays most sites tempt players through attractive welcome offers that typically top up your opening deposit with a fixed percentage, up to a maximum amount. Don't be surprised to find a load of Free Spins thrown in on top to sweeten the deal, too.
Payment Methods
Spend some time researching the payments offered by online casinos you are looking at. Is it possible to pay using debit/credit cards or bank transfer? And what's the average withdrawal time? All this and more should be considered before signing up to a particular site and parting with your hard earned cash.
Increasingly, online casinos are offering players the option to make payments using cryptocurrency - digital tokens that can be traded like stocks. If you have some spare crypto stored away - this may be another option.
Sign-up Process
Having done your research and identified the online casino for you, it's time to jump in and open your account.
Signing up typically takes no more than 4-5 minutes to complete on average.
Get started by hitting the 'Register' button you see on screen. It's likely to be displayed prominently in order to catch your attention.
Provide Your Info
Next, fill out the form providing all the required information, similar to how you'd open an account at many online websites that require registration.
The online casino will request basic personal information covering your name, surname, address and contact details, along with information specific to your online casino account - including username and password.
Note that providing all the above information is a requirement of law if you wish to gamble for real money at a licensed online casino.
Once you've given all the necessary information, click the next button to finish your application process. If all the fields have been filled in correctly, you'll receive a message notifying you that your registration was successful.
Know that some online casinos add in one final verification step before your account can be opened. Where this is a requirement of registration, you'll usually be asked to input a code sent to you via SMS, or complete verification by clicking on a link emailed to you.
Verify Your Account
To abide by licensing regulations, all modern day online casinos will require additional documentation from you in order to verify your account. These KYC measures prove to the casino that you are who you say you are, while helping in their efforts to combat money-laundering and fraud.
You'll likely be asked to submit electronic documentation that matches the address you gave upon sign-up, as well as identification that helps verify your full name, age and payment channels.
If you transact above specific thresholds, the online casino may also solicit additional documentation to evidence the source of your original funds.
Typically, ID is accepted in the form of passports, driving licenses or other government-issued ID, while utility bills and credit/debit card/bank/e-wallet statements are considered permissible for verifying payments and residence. Note that until your account is fully verified, you may find your playing privileges restricted and in some cases, revoked entirely.
After your account has been given the green flag, you can go ahead and play your favourite games with total peace of mind at a leading online casino.
One last thing to bear in mind: before placing your very first real money deposit with an online casino, check out whether they offer a welcome bonus. Such offers are only eligible on a player's initial deposit, so make sure you don't miss out.