How do you go about choosing an online casino? Gambling, by its very nature, is a risky business, this is what makes it so alluring, but you don’t want any ‘outside’ risks such as fraudulent players, an unfair sorting system and security breaches. Therefore, picking the right online casino is about minimising these outside risks. There are several thousand online casinos, so what exactly should you be looking for?

First impressions count. If the website looks like something a teenager concocted for a school project then avoid it at all costs. But, just because it looks professional, doesn’t mean it’s kosher. If there are broken links this is a telltale sign that the hosts don’t really know what they are doing.

Along with first impressions is reputation. If you have heard of a site before, preferably through personal recommendation, or through a large advertising campaign, then you are usually good to go. If you come across a site by accident or it was listed low down a search page, then you should double check the quality of the site and do some research to see if other online gamblers have used the site. There are plenty of chat rooms out there where users share experiences, knowledge and advice.

Check out the domain name and whether the site has an ‘About Us’ section. If it isn’t a .com or a co.uk then you could be swimming in murky waters. Likewise, if there are no ‘About Us’ or information sections, including the casino’s licence, the site should be avoided. 

The type of software will mean the difference between fair play and the house always winning. The top five companies that run software packages that offer good pay out percentages are Mircogaming, Wagerlogic, Odds On Gaming, Real Time Gaming and Playtech.

Look out for these payout percentages and bonuses. All good online casinos have their payout percentages independently audited every month and the best websites will make the results available to its players. As far as bonuses go, check the terms and conditions thoroughly as all bonuses require some sort of wager and you don’t want to get caught out on your first play.

To make sure you are playing at a casino of the highest quality, look for the eCOGRA logo on the site. This stands for eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. Basically, this means the casino is of the highest possible quality and thus you shouldn’t worry about playing. Along the same vein, if the casino has won any awards then you are onto a winner.