New Players Guide to Online Casinos
If you've never played at an online casino then this guide covers all of the steps you need to take to get started. We cover topics including casino software, opening an account, making a deposit, verifying your identity and making your first cash out. If you are also new to the world of gambling then we suggest also checking out our individual casino game guides where you can learn how to play.
Quick Start Guide
If you want to jump right in a get started straight away these are the steps you'll need to take to get started.
Choose an online casino
You have to select a casino before you can start playing so we suggest visiting our online casinos section or the individual casino game pages where we list the best casinos for each game category.
Visit the Casino Website
Once you've selected a casino you'll need to visit the casinos website where you can have a look around and find out more about the casinos
Download or Instant Play?
Most casinos offer two versions with one that you can play instantly in your web browser and one which needs to be downloaded to play. Both have their pros and cons so it's more of a personal choice.
Register an Account
To start playing you will need to register an account. This is done via the website for instant play casinos or via the software for download based casinos. Make sure you enter your correct details as these will be used to pay you your winnings. Entering false details is a bad idea as it can result in your account being closed and winnings voided.
Make a Deposit
To play for real money you're going to need to make a deposit. Visit the casinos banking or cashier section where you can select a payment method and your deposit amount. For more details on deposits and withdrawals see our Casino Banking Options guide.
Claim Your Sign-Up Bonus
On your first deposit you can claim your sign up bonus. At some casinos this bonus is added automatically and and some casinos you have to manually claim the bonus. Detailed instructions can be found on the casinos website. Be sure to read the bonus terms and conditions before you start playing. If you don't want a bonus you can request that the bonus be removed.
Start Playing
Now that you have funds in your account you are ready to play. Open a casino game and you are ready to go. Unlike at land-based casinos your whole account balance is available each time you open a game.
Withdraw Your Winnings
If you get lucky and want to withdraw your winnings then you simply return the casinos banking section and select the withdrawal section. Here you select a withdrawal method and the amount you want to cash out.
Identity Verification
All online casino have strict "Know Your Customer" (KYC) regulations which mean that you will have to verify your identity at some point. This is a simple process and usually requires that you send the following,
- A copy of photo ID (Driving Licence etc.)
- A copy of a recent utility bill
Important Things to Keep in Mind
We cannot stress enough the importance of reading the terms and conditions before you start playing. While most people have become accustomed to simply clicking "I Agree" when it comes to terms and conditions it is important that you take a couple of moments to read through each casinos terms carefully.
At this point we would also like to point out that all forms of gambling are risky and the majority of players will lose money over the long terms. Please gamble responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose.
