Casinos are one of the most interesting sectors in the gaming world.
On one hand, there’s a historical angle. Games like blackjack and roulette first appeared in Europe hundreds of years ago. In fact, Miguel de Cervantes—the world’s first Western author—first mentioned blackjack in one of his books that dates back to the 16th century.
There’s also a larger-than-life quality to casino gaming thanks to major establishments on the Las Vegas Strip and hit movies like Ocean’s 11. After all, what’s more exciting than a trip to a major casino-resort?
In reality, casino gaming is a lot more standardized and mainstream than many think. Back in the 1990s, virtual casinos set up shop on the internet, introducing millions of players around the world to popular games like poker, slots, baccarat, and more. Today, most players prefer these online platforms for their convenience and accessibility.
But how does the world of virtual casino gaming actually work?
If you’re totally new to the industry—and not just virtual casinos—then it’s a good time to look over casino terms to learn the basics. Every game has its own type of lingo. Even certain variations of games, especially poker, include a unique glossary.
While you can always look up terms while you’re gaming, it’s usually a good idea to get a grasp on the basics beforehand. It leads to fewer questions as you start playing games. And speaking of playing games, let’s get to the fun stuff.
Here’s a breakdown of how casino gaming goes for first-time players.
Setting Up Your Account
Casino games include real money payouts, which means that you need to spend a bit of time setting up your account and even confirming your identity. The goal is for casinos to obtain the necessary information to confirm your account so that they meet local regulations. In other words, this part of the process is designed for your security.
To set up your account, you need to provide personal data, along with proof of an ID. It might take a day or two for the casino to confirm your account. During this time, you can also set up payment methods. You can choose separate methods for depositing and withdrawing from your account.
From there, wait for an email that confirms your account has been set up—then it’s time to start gaming.
Using Bonuses
Online casinos are competitive in the sense that they want to attract new players. Casinos do this by offering bonuses—including welcome deals. When you sign up for a new virtual casino, you’ll most likely be offered a welcome deal; no-deposit bonuses and deposit matches are common.
Regardless of what bonus you’re offered, make sure to read the fine print. Usually, you only have a certain amount of time to use a welcome bonus. Even when you obtain new deals, which might be seasonal or offered when you deposit a certain amount of money, make sure to read the fine print. You need to know about time restraints, play-through requirements, and which games the bonus can be applied to.
Finding Great Games
Lastly, you need to know how to find great games. Most online casinos go to great lengths to advertise their new offers on their homepage, whether sports-themed titles or live blackjack. Aside from shopping around on the website, you can also sign up for a casino’s newsletter. That’s the most reliable way to learn about new deals.
But it might help to know how casino games work. Virtual casinos don’t (usually) develop and produce the games you see online. Instead, they pay a fee to ‘host’ these games from their actual creators. So, if you really want to uncover cutting-edge new games, you can also follow leading casino game developers, including NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and Play’n GO.
