Getting Started with Online Gambling

The first thing you should check before sitting in front of your computer and launching online casino software is whether or not online gambling is legal in your area or country. Contact your local authorities first if you’re not sure.

Before downloading any online casino or deciding to play their Non Download/Flash version, do some research and ask yourself the following questions: Is it a newly opened casino or an old one? What is the company owning and running them? Where are they licensed? What are the rules and the different banking policies (deposits and withdrawals)? What is the policy concerning the use of bonuses? Can I contact someone if I need help? It’s a proof of good business practice.

Whichever type of casino you find yourself playing, you will almost certainly be given the option of playing for free or for real money. Play for free and get a feel for the casino games before diving into the deep end. You may have to set up an ‘account’ to play for real (don’t worry, they can’t debit your card or anything if you don’t give them the details); this is ‘normal’ and has more to do with the software than anything else. When you decide to play for real, you may need to open another account. Again, this is normal and separates your free plays from your paying plays at the casino. Ensure you log in to the correct account each time you come back and play. Some casinos even offer you a free no deposit bonus to try out the Play for Real version, so you may want to look out for them.

Most online casinos today – if not all – give out huge bonuses to new and existing players. It’s not rare to see casinos giving out free bonus money of more than R1,000. The reason why online casinos can offer bonuses like this is simply because they have a much lower overhead cost. Less staff, less equipment, etc. It is very important that you read the terms and conditions mentioned on the website or included in your email offer since these bonuses are always subject to certain playing conditions before you can actually cash out. If you are unsure of the terminology used on the website, contact their support and ask for a clearer explanation of the rules, providing a few examples.

It’s a very good idea to check first how the casino customer support works and how it handles problems before you sign up and deposit your money. Are they efficient, knowledgeable & helpful? When and how will they be available? You should be able to reach them by phone and email if the casino has live chat support offered, so much better. Do they provide a toll-free number to contact them? The casino’s website should have all this information. Most support centres do operate 24/7/365.

Our PlayCasino team has reviewed a number of online casinos, and we have compiled a complete South African Online Casino directory. All the information in the reviews is there to help you, so we suggest that you read the reviews for some pointers to help you decide which casino to join. Online casino gambling is here to stay — it’s fun, always available, and you have more of a chance of winning than you do at a land-based casino. Good Luck and remember, Winners Know When To Stop.