The first requirement of any transaction is to know whom you are dealing with. Therefore if an online casino does not disclose who owns and operates it and where they are located then that casino should be avoided. Credible online casinos provide this information upfront in the section “About Us”.

It is impossible for new players to perform a detailed and complete evaluation of an online casino. They neither have the knowledge nor the time to do so. But the licensor of the casino is required to perform this analysis before granting the license. Hence if the licensor is from a credible jurisdiction then new players can be assured that the casino is safe. Similarly a credible software provider and auditor add value to the casino. Credible jurisdictions are Kahnawake, Antigua and Malta. Credible software providers are Microgaming, Playtech, Cryptologic, Real Time Gaming and Vegas Technology. Credible auditors are eCOGRA and Technical Systems Testing. The best casinos will post the monthly reports from the auditors containing the payout percentages.

Online casinos provide anything from 60 to over 300 casino games. Unless a complete games list is provided a new player may have to scroll through many games to locate the one he wants to try. The games list should not only link to a preview of the game but also to the games rules because new players need to understand the options available to them. The software features are as important as the games rules. Players should know how to use Auto Play or access Help or transaction histories. Good online casinos provide this information in detail. Similarly it is important for new players to understand deposit and withdrawal options. Good online casinos explain all these in detail including countries and currencies applicable, maximum and minimum limits and information on times and costs. The best online casinos provide links to the financial service providers to enable customers to register with them from within the casino.

Bonuses are an important factor in choosing an online casino. Normally casinos display the maximum limit of the welcome bonus in bold but this is not the only criterion. Players should check the percent of the deposit, whether the bonus is sticky or not and understand clearly what the wagering requirements are. A good FAQs section eliminates the need for contacting customer support and it is one of the features that a new player should look for. Also live chat support is the simplest and fastest way to access customer support and new players should avoid online casinos that do not offer this option.

Top 10 things beginners should look for

• Owner’s name and address
• Name of licensor
• Name of software provider
• Name of auditor and their monthly reports
• Complete games list with previews
• Games rules and procedures
• Good bonuses and promotions with terms clearly explained
• Complete listing of payment options with terms clearly explained
• Comprehensive FAQs section
• Live chat support