The quality levels of online casinos continue to get better every year. With better technology, transparent processes and tighter regulations, the entire iGaming landscape has changed for the better. There are a few good reasons why a player should look at a few different options before committing to playing at a particular online casino, looking at a range of factors such as the legality of the casino, the way in which it looks after its players, and the security of the financial aspect of the relationship between casino and player. 

The legalisation of online gambling and casinos

In the last few years alone, a few countries have legalised online gambling, completely revolutionising and opening up the iGaming markets in each country. In the Netherlands for example, 2021 saw the opening of legal online casinos where there was previously none, offering Dutch players the chance to play at a casino legally online, rather than requiring a VPN to play at foreign online casinos. In Asia, there was an opening up of the market in the last decade, with both The Philippines and Singapore legalising online gambling in 2016, but there have been some developments, and Colombia in South America joined the party as recently as 2017. 

Improvement of technology

The desire to play online casino games has been there for as long as the internet and technology has allowed. As the technology associated with online gambling platforms has improved, so too has the number of brands and casinos for players to choose from. At first, the innovation of technology improved what was offered in terms of online slots and automated gameplay. Streaming technology and stable internet for most players has helped change the shape of the industry though. Live casino through an online platform offers players the choice to play against other human players (including a chat function to enhance the authentic social aspect of the casino experience), with human dealers on the screen. Gameplay is filmed live on a casino floor inside a studio and streamed directly to the players at home, or wherever they are playing on their phones and computers. It will be interesting to see how virtual reality and augmented reality add to the evolution of what is possible with online casino play.

4 Reasons to play at legal online casinos

Why is it important to seek out online casinos that are fully legal when choosing the right iGaming platform as a player? 

1. Protection of the players

The biggest reason why you should only play at a legal online casino is that you are protected as a player. An online casino must jump through a series of strict, legal hoops, to gain an operating licence, ensuring that all practices on the platform are fair, transparent, and safe for players. It ensures that gameplay is fair and that your bet is not being manipulated in any way. 

1. Dispute resolution

If you have any sort of problem that you wish to dispute with the online casino, you have a right and fair way to do so with a legal casino. To comply with regulations, an online casino must allow the right to complain and have a clear and effective journey for dispute resolution that is easy for players to find on the website. The regulations regarding disputes will differ depending on the country you are playing in. 

1. Responsible gambling

Modern casinos must have a transparency of processes that ensures that responsible gambling is a key tenet of the company. Customer service agents must be fully trained to understand what to look for in players with problematic gambling habits and harmful behaviour. Personal deposit limits and gambling limits must also be in play, with loss guarantees and time-outs all offering different layers of protection that limits the possibility of problem and addictive gambling. 

1. A bonus isn’t always a good thing

One of the best aspects of the proliferation of online casinos in newly regulated countries is that it has meant the standard of casino games has improved. Casino brands must look for new ways in which they can attract new customers. There are some great examples of online casinos that prioritise the players and do not offer any casino bonuses and promotions to entice new and existing players. Instead, these casinos offer games at the highest available RTP, and games that are of the highest quality.

Having gone through the different factors that should be considered when looking for an online casino, you can then make your choice and begin playing. The best online casinos are those that have legitimacy, hold an operating licence for the territory that it is located in, and genuinely look after the interests of the players. It is best to choose an online casino that is committed to transparent processes across the board, a casino that offers great customer service that enhances the safety and happiness of the players. It should also have robust financial processes to deposit money and withdraw winnings, and adheres to the local legislation, is the best choice for any player.