Best Practices and Tips for iGaming in the UK
Most of us have probably placed an accumulator on the football at least once, or played bingo with friends at a local hall, or perhaps roulette at a high street casino. But where it used to take place mostly in physical land-based establishments, the majority of punters are now placing their bets online.
At least 27.9% of all consumers have gambled online, and growth rates are projected to reach 4.05% for 2024-2028, exceeding £4 billion for the first time in 2021. To summarise those numbers succinctly: online gambling is becoming the go-to option for games of chance, it’s here to stay, and it’s only going to get bigger.
If you’re someone who is used to your local Aspers or Grosvenor and have never tried online gambling, these best practices and tips will help you get the most out of your experience.
Read Reviews of Casinos
When you book a holiday, you read countless experiences on Facebook groups or TripAdvisor. When you buy a new dress, a television, or anything else, it’s reviews on Reddit or Trustpilot.
So why not apply the same logic to online casinos? There are so many choices, it can be overwhelming. To a new player, every website looks similar, it’s difficult to tell what’s legit, the operators to avoid, and what constitutes a good deal.
To help you along the way, we recommend reading expert reviews of online casinos at CasinoSherlock where they dwindle the thousands of choices on Google down to a manageable, curated selection, all chosen based on both a data and experience-led marking system, ensuring you get vetted operators that will give you a professional and fun casino journey.
Check That Government License
Every casino that is legally allowed to operate will have a government license. You should never deposit your money with an establishment that does not have this. It doesn’t matter that the website looks professional, has great deals, or a particular game you’re interested in.
And no, don’t trust the pretty logo or graphic at the bottom of the website that ‘proves’ it has a license. Anyone can use Photoshop to add something to the footer, pretending to be 100% above board and legit.
Instead, check the government license on an official third-party website. For the UK, it’s the Gambling Commission. Every country will have an equivalent, so always check before playing.
Ease of Deposits and Withdrawals
We can sometimes be an impatient lot as Northerners, which is why it’s important to pick a casino that makes it easy to both deposit and withdraw your money.
Ideally, you want to pick a casino that’s designed for British customers. This will mean your bank cards and transfers will work quickly and without issue, as the deposit will take place within the same country. You also want to check that withdrawals are guaranteed within a quick turnaround time.
On Casino Sherlock (mentioned earlier in this article), for instance, you can find a range of 1-hour withdrawal sites. However, waiting up to 24 hours is within the normal range, too. The last thing you want, however, is to wait weeks until you get that jackpot deposited into your bank account!
Customer Service
When it comes to online casinos, or any online purchases for that matter, customer service tends to be ignored as an important factor in decision-making.
Ideally, you don’t want to have much contact with CS representatives. Everything should run smoothly, and with most of the top online casinos, there will be very few issues.
However, you still want to know that customer service is there just in case. It’s like during an emergency, you don’t need 999 until you do. You want the comfort of knowing that if you have an issue with a deposit, withdrawal, or anything else, someone is there to help you.
Focus on Fun, Not Winnings
Our last tip is a little more philosophical and introspective, rather than a specific quality or thing to look for in a casino. To get the most out of gambling, you have to change your mindset, thinking of playing as a form of entertainment first and foremost (because that’s exactly what it is!).
Don’t focus on the money, or how much you think you can or will win. Yes, you can win a big jackpot or bonus, one that will put a huge smile on your face, but it’s not guaranteed.
When you gamble, stop, and take time to think. Just remember, once the fun is over, it’s time to clock out. The casino will always be there, with a load of exciting games, waiting for you tomorrow.