How Online Casinos Work – Online Gambling Explained

Join us as we explore what online gambling truly is, explain how to get started, and introduce you to the basics of gameplay at South Africa’s best online casinos. Let’s begin.

Online vs Traditional Gambling

Firstly, you should know that there are some key differences between online gambling and traditional casino gambling in brick-and-mortar, land-based venues. Online gambling has been made to be simpler, more efficient, and open to more people. However, that alone is not one of its key selling points. Below, you’ll find a table where the key differences between the two types of gambling options are highlighted.

Online Casino Basics

As you can see from above, online casinos naturally have many advantages over land-based venues, with their counterparts excelling in just a few areas. The ability to access online casinos from anywhere, at any time that suits you, and play a broader array of games with seemingly no limit are all highlights of choosing to play at casinos.

To play at an online casino, you’ll typically need to first make sure that South Africans can join the site. After that, you’re going to want to grab an account with a payment method accepted at the site. With these two steps complete, you can start to play at an online casino. The sign-up process is a lot simpler than it might sound. Let’s walk you through that next.

Just like their land-based counterparts, online casino games give you a chance to win real money. There is no such thing as a guaranteed way to win, although you deploy strategies in some games to boost your chances. Online casino games come in all sorts of shapes or forms – from slots to table games, instant win titles to video poker and live dealer casino games. Here’s what you need to know:

Software Providers

Casino games are developed by software providers. Each has their own specialities and hallmarks. Evolution Gaming, for instance, focuses on live dealer games, while Microgaming produces slots for the most part, including epic jackpot slots. The number of software providers featuring at South African casinos can vary from a handful up to twenty or thirty, perhaps more. The general rule here is that you want to play at a site with thousands of games and many different types of games represented.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Unless they are being run by a human dealer over a live video stream (live dealer games), casino games are run by RNGs (random number generators). These are algorithms that ensure that each spin, roll, or deal is totally random. RNGs cannot be hacked and cannot be cheated. There is no way to predict what the outcome of the next turn will be, ensuring fairness for both the player and the casino. 

Multiplayer

There are some games where multiplayer options come into the mix. While RNG table games are played against an AI dealer, live dealer casino games will feature a human dealer and sometimes other human players. Poker tournaments and games are the most common games to feature multiplayer rules where you are competing against other members of the casino. However, some slots have community jackpots, where each player works as part of a larger team to land progressive jackpot wins that are then shared amongst other bettors.

Playing Slots in an Online Casino

Slot machines are the most prevalent and common games you will find in online casinos, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes – from jackpot slots to mobile, 3D, MegaWays, book and classic slots (fruit machines). Irrespective of the type of game you play, most slots work in largely the same way, like so:

A slot contains reels (which spin and contain the symbols) and paylines, which are pathways that run across the reels. You’ll spin the reels on each turn, and symbols will show up on those reels. In most games, you’ll win if you land three or more identical symbols on one or more of these paylines running across the reels. The number of reels and paylines will vary. Each symbol has its own prize, too, with some more valuable than others.

At the same time, video slots also come with other features. These may include wilds (substitute symbols), scatters (symbols that count wherever they land), and bonus rounds. Bonus rounds can include free spins, click, and win bonuses and more. Some slots also feature progressive jackpot prizes – uncapped prizes that rise with each bet. 

The general procedure for playing online slots is like this:

• Load the slot
• Using the wager buttons to place your bet
• The reels will spin, and they will stop spinning with symbols appearing
• If three or more (on a payline) are identical, you’ll land a win
• That win is based on the amount wagered x value of the winning combo of symbols

Of course, some slots break that mould, but generally, that’s what you can expect to see in your average nickel-and-dime online slot.

Unlike land-based casinos, online slots won’t see you lose your seat if you get up to do something else or take a break. Moreover, there are many more of them. A typical land-based casino might have a few hundred or thousand slots, but many will be the same game. An online casino has thousands of slots, and every single title is different.

Mobile casinos enable players to bet anywhere and at any time. However, there are two types of mobile casinos out there. The first is no different to playing at an online casino. Here, you’ll use the web browser on your phone or tablet to access the website. There, you can sign in and play as you would if you were on your computer. The casino must be developed in HTML5 to play at these types of mobile casinos.

The second type of mobile casino requires you to download an casino app. These are specialised sites optimised for mobile gameplay. They may feature more snug, better fitting and easily navigable menus and designs, with games specifically designed for gaming on the go. However, apps need frequent security updates and take up space on phones.

There is a market for both forms of mobile gambling. Indeed, some South African casinos may offer you either option or both.

How Do Online Gambling Payouts Work?

Assuming you land a win on a slot or another casino game, the prize will be added to your current balance. This is often displayed on the screen. When you are done playing a game, you can exit it. The balance will remain in your account. To withdraw it, you’ll need to head over to the cashier or banking page.

Once there, you can select the payment method you wish to use to withdraw your winnings. Again, enter your banking details to confirm the transaction. You’ll need to make sure that your withdrawal is within the limits set by the site and payment provider. Furthermore, you may need to provide identity verification through a KYC process to complete the transaction. Withdrawals can take anything from a few hours up to seven days to clear, depending on the payment method selected and the casino in question.

Online Gambling Advantages and Disadvantages?

As touched on earlier, there are perks to playing at online casinos and a few disadvantages. Some of the main advantages to playing at online casinos include the ability to play anywhere and at any time, to not have to wait to play games, and to land a larger array of games to choose from. You can also access support, claim more bonuses and promos and shop around. Your expenses will also be less than visiting a land-based venue.

However, we should also highlight the disadvantages. There are some online casinos out there that are spurious and aren’t to be trusted. Furthermore, some dodgy casinos rig their games, and these aren’t as common in land-based venues. Finally, many online casinos lack some of the pizazz and atmosphere you’d get from playing in a brick-and-mortar casino.

The Legality of Online Gambling?

Of course, you should only gamble when it is safe to do so. Technically, online gambling in South Africa is illegal except for national lottery, sports betting, and horse racing betting websites. However, despite online casino games being outlawed in 2010, there have been no reported prosecutions in the country for online gambling (when playing at offshore casinos). These are casinos based outside of South Africa. If you intend to gamble online, we’d recommend ensuring that you’re playing at a site that is licensed and regulated outside the country. Online sportsbooks and land-based casinos (when licensed in the country) are fully legal in South Africa, though.

Is Online Gambling Safe?

Assuming you play at a casino that is licensed and regulated, betting online is perfectly safe. There are always going to be a few dodgy sites out there that you’ll want to avoid. However, choosing a casino that has its games RNG-certified, that is audited, offers responsible gambling tools, and is licensed and regulated by reputable bodies will ensure safe and fair gambling opportunities for South Africans.