5 Steps to Choose an Online Casino Without Giving Yourself a Headache

5 Steps to Choose an Online Casino Without Giving Yourself a Headache

There are literally hundreds of online casinos available today throughout the United States, so choosing the right one can be downright headache—and stress–inducing. But it doesn't have to be. By doing five simple steps, you can locate a sound online casino and just play the game.

Many players start by reading online casino reviews to learn about which websites are safe, fair, and worth using their time on. Reviews usually direct you to significant differences in the number of games to play, payback policies, and assistance services so that you can have a leg up before signing up.

1. RTP Is Key to Making an Intelligent Decision

The RTP or Return to Player is a key aspect while selecting an online casino of good quality. That is, the RTP points towards the percentage of bets paid out to players over a long period of time. For example, for an RTP of 96%, the casino returns $96 for every $100 that has been played.

It's not easy to spot a high-RTP casino, as the number is spread out over hundreds of games. But some gamblers in fact research RTP percentages between operators to go searching for the online casinos that offer the highest payouts—and that can be helpful.

Play at the highest RTP casinos and you'll have a greater likelihood of bigger returns in the long term. So always look up RTP figures before signing up and choose sites that have transparent, eye-catching payout percentages.

2. A License Is Absolutely Necessary

The second most important thing to check when choosing an online casino is making sure that the online casino has a valid license. A valid license ensures that the online casino operates with rules that protect your rights as a player. The license seal should typically be placed at the bottom of the homepage of the online casino.

If you’re in Michigan, always look for a license issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB)—this is the local authority responsible for regulating online gambling. However, many reputable casinos also hold licenses from well-known global regulators:

  • Malta Gaming Authority (MGA): Known for high standards and regular audits.
  • Curaçao eGaming: Popular among international operators and ensures fair play.

If there's no license whatsoever in a casino, it's better to stay away from it—it could be a fake.

3. Easy Payment Options Are A Must

A great casino site is useless if deposits and withdrawals are a hassle. That is why you should only go for casinos with good options of convenient-to-use and reliable payment options. For Michigan players, you should check for options like:

  • ACH bank transfers: Safe and fast method to deposit your account directly.
  • Credit/debit cards (Visa/Mastercard): Convenient and well-known by most consumers.
  • PayPal: E-wallet with popularity for privacy and speed.
  • Play+ prepaid cards: Frequently used for instant deposits and withdrawals by Michigan-licensed casinos.
  • Cryptocurrencies: Good for anonymity and fast processing, if accepted.

4. Bonus Terms Should Be Reasonable

One of the attractions of online casinos is the bonuses that new and existing players get. Nevertheless, always read the terms and conditions first before claiming anything.

Different bonuses have wagering requirements that determine how easy it will be for you to withdraw your winnings. You should ideally look for:

  • Casino bonuses: Wagering requirements of 40x or less.
  • Sport betting bonuses: Wagering requirements of 10x or less.

The lower the rollover, the less work will be put into actually playing out your bonus into real cash without too much gambling.

5. Choose a Casino that has the Right Games—Crash Games, Bonus Buy, and So On

Your personal taste matters when choosing a casino. An appropriate online site should have games that are suited to your taste. At least seek:

  • Crash games like Aviator or Spaceman: More modern games that involve aspects of chance and skill and have become popular among enthusiasts.
  • Bonus Buy slot games like Sweet Bonanza: Suitable for players who enjoy high-risk/high-reward and need to trigger bonus rounds at once.
  • Live dealer casinos: Live tables with real dealers that offer the real casino experience.
  • Table games like roulette and blackjack: Traditional favorites with high RTPs and strategic depth.