New Online Casinos FAQ
Though we have covered wide ranging topics on new online casinos, it is likely that you may have some questions in mind. We are answering some of these below. In case you have questions not covered here please do not hesitate to contact us.
Why Is Licensing Important?
A license issued by a reputed regulatory authority indicates that some credible and capable agency has vetted various aspects of the online casino, including the background of owners, source of financing, input providers and management control, and found them up to required standard. Therefore as a player you would feel comfortable wagering at a licensed casino. Also in the rarest case of a dispute you know that you can take the issue to the licensing authority.
What are the benefits of playing at new casinos?
New casinos bring something new and different to the table, so it alleviates the boredom of doing the same old thing. They employ the latest software technology to create the best possible product in terms of gaming experience. They compete against established brands and therefore offer more attractive terms.
How often do new casinos come online?
There is no set answer, but you would have a few new online casinos launching every month.
Is it important who runs the casino?
This is a very important factor for online casinos, as it is for any line of business. If the owner and operator of the new casino already run several other established brands then you know you are in safe hands. When the owners declare their names upfront, it adds credibility to the venture. On the other hand if this information is not available then the impression is that they have something to hide.
What are payout reports? Where can I find them?
Payout reports give the return to player percentages actually delivered at the new casinos, usually over broad games categories. These are meaningful when they have been audited by independent expert agencies like eCOGRA. You can compare the actual payouts with the theoretical ones and assess the fairness of the games for yourself.
In eCOGRA audited casinos you can access the reports through the eCOGRA button. At other casinos you can check the Fair Gaming or About Us sections.
Do you actually play at these casinos?
Yes. We check out the games, the bonuses, the deposits and withdrawals, customer support and every aspect of a new casino before we endorse it.
Is it safe to play at a new casino – should I not wait to see what people say?
If you wait to see what people say, then the newness would have worn off. But if you are not experienced enough to assess the safety aspect yourself you should not take the risk. We assess new casinos very quickly and you can safely wager at our recommended sites.
What do I do if I have a bad experience? Do I have any recourse?
It is unlikely that you will have a bad experience at new casinos that we recommend. But you have recourse. The best new casinos appoint independent dispute resolution agencies like eCOGRA who act impartially and you can take your case to them. You can also approach the licensing authority. Posting your grievance at online casino forums is another option available.
What is the best way to test new casinos?
Playing in the free or demo mode is the best way to test the games and the software. Then look for free offers like no deposit bonuses, free spins and freeroll tournaments. Make smaller deposits to start with and test out one cycle of withdrawals at least before going big.
Are my personal details safe?
Your personal details, including credit card and banking details, are absolutely safe at the new online casinos we recommend. These casinos use the latest SSL encryption protocols and protection software like firewalls to ensure the safety of information during storage on their servers and during Internet financial transactions. These are exactly the same measures used by major banks for their online operations.
How do I claim a casino bonus?
When claiming a casino bonus you must enter the bonus coupon before you make your deposit at the casino cashier. Otherwise, the bonus will not be automatically credited to your account. If you fail to redeem the bonus coupon, get in touch with the customer support service before you start playing so the representative can manually add the bonus.
What is a Bonus Code?
Each bonus offered at online casinos has a unique alphanumeric set of characters associated with it. This is referred to as a bonus code or bonus coupon. When you enter the code associated with a bonus you want to claim, the casino software can make the right connection and automatically credit the correct bonus.
What is bonus abuse?
Bonus abuse is wrongfully claiming a bonus or violating the bonus terms in an attempt to cheat the new casino. The most common form of bonus abuse is signing up at online casinos using false identities to claim the welcome bonus several times. Other forms of bonus abuse include requesting a withdrawal before meeting the bonus wagering requirements, betting on non-eligible games and wagering with low risk bets like on both red and black in roulette.
Bonus abuse is a serious offence. The minimum penalty is voiding of the bonus money and/or any winnings associated with it. You could even be expelled from the online casino and blacklisted.
Can I cash out the bonus money?
Most bonuses are non-redeemable. Once you meet the wagering requirement you can request a withdrawal for cashing out your winnings. The bonus amount will be removed from the cashable balance before the withdrawal request is processed. However, once in a while you will come across a bonus that can be cashed out with the winnings. Hence it is important to read the bonus terms carefully.
What games should I play with the bonus?
Most new casinos allow you to play almost all games with the bonus but different games contribute to different extents for meeting the wagering requirements. The exact details will vary from casino to casino and will be found in the bonus terms and conditions. Given below are indicative percentages.
- 100% - slots and parlor games
- 25% - casino poker games
- 5% - video poker games
- 2% - blackjack games
- 0% - craps, baccarat, roulette
What are the games with the best and worst house edge?
Generally speaking, the games based on skill have the best house edge (assuming that they are played with optimum strategy), while those based on pure luck have the worst house advantage. The house edges of some of the popular casino games are given below.
- Blackjack 0.5% (will vary slightly depending on exact rules)
- Video Poker 0.5% (will vary slightly depending on exact rules)
- Baccarat 1% (for banker bet)
- European Roulette 2.7%
- Slot machines 5% (this is an average figure)
- American Roulette 5.26%
- Keno 25%
What is the Wagering Requirement?
The purpose of giving a bonus is that you wager at the new casino. The wagering requirement (also referred to as playthrough) is the amount that you need to wager before you can cash out the benefits from the bonus. It is specified as a multiple of the deposit and bonus amount. Suppose a 100% bonus on a deposit of $100 has a wagering requirement of 20 times the deposit and bonus. The bonus amount is $100; the deposit and bonus put together is $200 and the wagering requirement will be 20 times that, which equals $4,000. In the case of a no deposit bonus, the wagering requirement is specified as a multiple of the bonus only.
Do Bonuses Have a Maximum that I can Win and Cash out?
Most bonus offers will have a cap on the amount of winnings that you can cash out. Though the amount varies from offer to offer it will generally be less than 5 times the bonus amount. If the bonus is redeemable then it can be cashed out along with the winnings.
What kind of betting restrictions to bonus rules impose?
The basic objective of wagering requirements is that you play at the new casino for a length of time. The new casino does not want you to wager the full bonus at one go and cash out if you get lucky on the first few bets. So they limit the amount that you can wager at a time. Some common betting restrictions are given below.
- Limiting the maximum bet per spin in online slots
- Limiting the bet amount to a percent of the bonus
What will happen if I try to cash out too early?
If you try to cash out before completing the wagering requirements then most new casinos will remove the bonus and any winnings from that bonus from your bonus balance. The best new casinos will warn you that you have not cleared the bonus and give a chance to cancel your withdrawal request, but do not depend on this happening.