Beginners Guide
All the casinos below offer a great starting point for beginners, just click on the logo to try them out, or read on for more tips.
New to online gambling? Already tentatively dabbled in the internet casino world? Grab a drink take a few moments and devour these words. Clarifying a few ground rules before the fun, excitement and risk commences will ensure a safer and more enjoyable gambling experience. And keep your pulse down.
First things First
Which casino you opt for is key. Unfortunately, this industry is notoriously peppered with scamsters. Great that you're doing your research now and prepping with Casino Pro's Beginners Guide. Reassuringly, all our featured UK Casinos are tried, tested and thoroughly vetted. Your winnings will be promptly paid and your personal details will remain secure. Now, onto what you need to learn.
How do online casinos operate?
What you'd expect from a genuine land casino, is pretty much what you'll find from an online casino. After you've downloaded the casino software (always free) you simply deposit your stake money from a debit card and start playing. Random number generators then determine the outcome of the casino games. Pay outs are usually via bank transfer onto your used card or by cheque. Simple.
What's the Risk?
Follow the Casino Pro advice, stick to the selection of featured casinos and any risk will just be based on how you play! All casinos listed here have been previously used, and are regularly used, by Casino Pro. We know they are reliable, honest and safe. Transactions are secure and winnings guaranteed to be paid out. Also, be reassured that online gambling is legal in the UK and the government is perfectly aware it's going on.
Hone Your Skills
Most online casinos will offer you the chance to play for free' or play for fun'. As an online gambling novice, this is an advisable place to start. Pretend chips equal free study. And, of course, free fun. Only through actually playing will you taste the true flavour of the casino and understand the intricacies of your chosen game. So, whether you're new to the whole internet thing or just dabbling in a different game, practice before the wallet comes out. Don't ever plunge straight in. Always try before you buy.
The Incentives
Most online casinos entice new players with a first deposit bonus. This means they'll top up what you wager with a predetermined sum. Some casinos extend this to regular players with monthly bonuses. This is great, as it minimises your risk whilst obviously lengthening your play. A Match Bonus' or 100% Bonus' simply means the casino will grant you an equal amount of free bonus chips to match your initial deposit. In other words, spend £25 and the casinos will bonus you a further £25. Casinos tend to be generous. But, ensure you fully comprehend the terms and conditions. Don't want you to get caught out. Incidentally, loyalty always tends to be rewarded. Often, regular players are quickly granted loyalty member' status, giving you exclusive access to special promotions and contests. Casino sites love their incentives and will happily dangle golden chips to persuade you to start playing with them. As long as you've validated the casino's policies, grab them with cupped hands.
The Games
When it comes to online gaming, you'll actually find it superior to land based casinos. Pretty much any game you've ever heard of will be available to play at most casinos. The breadth of games is as vast as ever, but the internet has the added excitement of instant win games. Ranging from slot machines to bingo games, these make tantalising fun and are just a flirt with luck rather than skill.
Where's the Pit Boss?
Worried about the fairness of online gambling? No need to fret. It's been declared legal for a reason. Game outcomes are genuinely arbitrary and totally unpredictable. A Random Number Generator does just that. It generates random numbers which are then translated as visible diamonds on a card, row on a slot machine or roulette ball. There is no way of manipulating the outcome and all Casino Pro casinos use this method of tamper proof number generation.
What happens if I lose my Connection?
It can be heart-stopping if a technical error occurs during real play. If the gaming server is lost, a pop up Communication Failure' error message appears. Calm yourself, restart the application and log back in. Servers are built to accommodate these errors. Your state of play at the precise moment of lost connection should have been recorded and be there for you to resume play. Any alteration to game state and you need to contact customer support immediately. The casino will rapidly solve any problems.
Where's the Manager?
Just as per any land casino, you will have permanent access to customer support. Any successful, efficient casino will have a constant support team ready to respond to your queries, 24/7. Or they should anyway. Check it out yourself with a test email or phone call. Helpful, immediate response is reassuring and indicates a positive gaming experience. It obviously varies from site to site though.
Where do you live?
Always double check that the casino you've selected for a real money game is based in the country you reside in. You may not actually be an eligible gambler, or indeed cash winner, if they're based in another country. Just be sure to confirm their legal stance and site policies before you commit to playing. For more legal advice, see our section on **Online Casino Regulation.**
Now, let's get personal
A few words of wisdom from years of painful, inconvenient and sometimes expensive experience. Trust us, the following is crucial:
Write down your log in details
Yes, we know it sounds obvious. But please just do this. Take a pen and paper and keep a record of your user name and password and which casino you've registered with. It's a faff, we know, but it's more time consuming to reset your password and it's very tedious to have to re-register. Just jot it down please. We're only thinking of you.
Your Money
Please, we know it's obvious, but only gamble with what you can afford to lose. Don't let frightening risk eradicate your enjoyment of the game. It's not worth it.
The Casino
We've said it already but just to reiterate, make sure you read the casino's rules and policies. Verify their bonus conditions, minimum deposit requirements and their privacy policy. Always feel confident with the casino before you go near your credit card.
The Minimum Wager
ONLY play the games you can afford to play. A minimum wager game means you have to meet a certain deposit requirement. Don't play where you shouldn't.
How Far Should You Go?
Always set yourself a goal before you begin. Work out what you're comfortable losing and predetermine your winning goal. If you meet the goal, gamble only with the leavings. If Lady Luck is shining on you, try to keep focused on your original goals and only increase your bets in a gradual, carefully increased way. Remember the bigger the gamble, the bigger the potential loss. Don't be a loser when you've just been a winner.
If you are Losing?
Do so gracefully. Leave the game the moment you reach your preset low limit. Or after five consecutive losses. Whichever comes first. Try to always stick to this rule to minimise your loss.
Don't even think about it!
If you're tired or drunk, just don't. Really, don't. We needn't say more.
