Written by Jörn Peter Thiessen
Casino VIP and player development specialist with 33+ years of land based and online gaming experience, including 2,000+ players personally hosted and 120+ VIP events and roadshows worldwide.
Methodology · · 18+
How to Play at an Online Casino? A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Safely
How to Play at an Online Casino: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Safely Before you deposit €1, understand how an online casino actually works. If you have never played at an online…
How to Play at an Online Casino: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Safely
Before you deposit €1, understand how an online casino actually works.
If you have never played at an online casino before, I completely understand why it can feel intimidating.
You are being asked to register on a website, provide some personal information, deposit real money and then trust software you cannot see to determine whether you win or lose.
So before playing, I think every new player should ask some very simple questions.
Is this casino safe?
Who owns it?
Who regulates it?
Are the games really random?
Can the casino control whether I win or lose?
Are online casino odds better than land-based casino odds?
What exactly is RTP?
Why does the casino want my passport or identification?
Will I actually get paid if I win?
How long should a withdrawal take?
Should I accept the welcome bonus?
And perhaps most importantly: how do I know which online casino I can trust?
These aren't stupid questions.
They are exactly the questions you should be asking.
I have worked in the casino industry for more than 30 years, beginning in land-based casinos and spending more than two decades in online gaming, VIP management, player development and retention.
During that time, I have met thousands of casino players personally.
What I have learned is that players don't necessarily need another website telling them which casino has the biggest bonus.
They need someone to explain how the industry actually works.
That is what I want to do here.
First Things First: Is It Safe to Play at an Online Casino?
The answer isn't simply yes or no.
A properly regulated online casino can provide a controlled gaming environment, but not every website calling itself an online casino should be trusted automatically.
There is a considerable difference between depositing with an established regulated operator and sending money to an unknown website because it promises a huge bonus.
Before I am comfortable introducing a player to a casino, I want to know considerably more than what the homepage looks like.
I want to know
Who operates it?
Where is it licensed?
Who supplies its games?
How does its verification process work?
What happens when somebody requests a withdrawal?
Are there withdrawal limits?
What are the bonus conditions?
How does the company treat players when something goes wrong?
And who can I speak to if one of my players has a genuine problem?
A beautiful website doesn't answer those questions.
Neither does a 200% welcome bonus.
How Do I Know Whether an Online Casino Is Licensed?
Start at the bottom of the casino's website.
A regulated casino should provide information about the company operating the website and the relevant licence or regulatory authority.
Don't necessarily stop there.
Where the regulator provides a public register, check it.
For example, the UK Gambling Commission tells British consumers to check the licensed status displayed by the operator and also provides a public register where consumers can search for the business or website and see regulatory information. (Gambling Commission)
The important lesson is simple
Don't just trust a casino because it displays a logo. Verify the information where possible.
Different countries have different licensing systems and different levels of player protection, so the licence needs to be appropriate for the market in which you are playing.
Who Controls the Casino Games?
This is one of the questions I hear most often.
Players sometimes imagine that somebody at the casino can watch them playing and press a button when they have won enough.
That is not how a properly regulated RNG-based casino game is supposed to work.
Most online slot games use a Random Number Generator, normally abbreviated to RNG.
The RNG is part of the technology that generates random outcomes.
Importantly, the casino website you play on may not have developed the game.
Many casinos offer games produced by specialist gaming software companies.
Think of it this way
The online casino is the shop.
The game providers are the manufacturers supplying products to the shop.
The casino manages your account, deposits, withdrawals, promotions, and customer relationships, while much of the actual gaming content comes from separate software suppliers.
But Who Checks the RNG?
This is where regulation and independent testing become important.
In Great Britain, for example, relevant remote gambling products have to undergo testing by approved independent test houses.
The testing isn't simply someone playing the slot a few hundred times.
Testing can involve examining RNG documentation, reviewing source code, looking for weaknesses in the RNG algorithm and statistically testing its output.
Game testing can also verify the mathematics, rules, theoretical RTP and the way the software converts RNG output into actual game outcomes.
New games and RNGs subject to those requirements must satisfactorily complete the required testing before release. (Gambling Commission)
Approved testing organisations currently include companies such as GLI, BMM Testlabs and eCOGRA, among others. (Gambling Commission)
That doesn't mean gambling suddenly becomes predictable or profitable.
It means that in a properly regulated environment, technical controls are intended to ensure the game operates according to its approved rules and mathematics.
Can an Online Casino Decide That I Have Won Enough?
A properly regulated RNG game should not work like this:
"Jörn has just won €5,000. Make him lose his next 100 spins."
The game should produce outcomes according to its certified or tested design and RNG implementation.
However, don't confuse random with fair to you in the short term.
Randomness can produce extraordinary winning streaks.
It can also produce terrible losing streaks.
A player can lose repeatedly without the game having been manipulated.
That is one of the most important things to understand about gambling.
What Is RTP?
RTP stands for Return to Player.
Suppose a slot has a theoretical RTP of 96%.
A new player might understandably think
"Great. If I deposit €100, I'll get €96 back."
That isn't what RTP means.
RTP is a theoretical mathematical return calculated over a very large number of game rounds.
Your personal session could look completely different.
You could deposit €100 and finish with €1,000.
You could deposit €100 and finish with nothing.
Neither result means the game's theoretical RTP has suddenly changed.
RTP is a long-term mathematical characteristic of the game, not a promise about what will happen to your next €100.
Are Online Casino Odds Better Than Land-Based Casino Odds?
This is more complicated than simply saying yes.
Online games can have attractive published theoretical RTPs, but I would never tell somebody:
"Online casinos always have better odds."
Compare the actual game.
Different games have different mathematics, and even versions or configurations of what appears to be the same game can potentially have different theoretical RTPs.
That is why I recommend checking the game's information screen whenever it's provided.
Don't assume that because you played a particular slot somewhere else, the version in front of you necessarily has identical characteristics.
And don't choose a casino purely because someone tells you its slots "pay better."
Understand the individual game you are playing.
What Is Volatility?
This is another term new players should understand.
Two slots can have similar theoretical RTPs but feel completely different to play.
A lower-volatility game may tend to produce smaller wins more frequently.
A high-volatility game may produce longer periods without significant wins but offer the possibility of much larger outcomes.
Neither is automatically "better."
It depends on what you enjoy and, more importantly, how much variation you are comfortable with.
RTP and volatility are therefore different concepts.
Why Does an Online Casino Need My Passport?
This is usually part of KYC — Know Your Customer.
Regulated gambling companies can have obligations concerning identity verification, age verification, anti-money-laundering controls and other regulatory requirements.
The precise requirements depend on the jurisdiction and circumstances.
You may therefore be asked for things such as:
Passport or identification
Proof of address
Verification of a payment method
Additional information in certain circumstances
For example, UK rules require online gambling businesses to verify age and identity before gambling. The UK regulator also says businesses shouldn't wait until withdrawal to request information they could reasonably have requested earlier, although further information can sometimes become necessary later to meet legal obligations. (Gambling Commission)
My advice is
Understand the verification process before making a substantial deposit.
I don't like seeing players happily depositing for weeks and only discovering what documents are required when they finally want their money.
Know what to expect at the beginning.
What Happens When I Win?
This is where my attention moves away from the beautiful website, free spins and VIP badges.
I want to know
Can the player withdraw their money?
A casino isn't truly tested when you deposit.
It is tested when you withdraw.
Before depositing substantial money, understand the casino's withdrawal rules.
Ask
How do I withdraw?
Which payment methods can I use?
How long does processing normally take?
Are there daily, weekly or monthly withdrawal limits?
Is my KYC complete?
Are there bonus conditions attached to my balance?
Could additional checks be required?
Who do I contact if there is a problem?
For me, withdrawals are one of the most important parts of assessing an online casino.
Should I Take the Biggest Welcome Bonus?
Not necessarily.
This is where new players can easily make a mistake.
Imagine Casino A offers
€2,000 BONUS!
Casino B offers
€500 BONUS
Most people instinctively look at Casino A.
I don't.
I look at the conditions.
What are the wagering requirements?
Which games qualify?
Is there a maximum bet while playing with bonus funds?
When does the bonus expire?
Are there restrictions on winnings or withdrawals?
Can you decline the bonus?
Sometimes a smaller and simpler offer can be considerably more suitable than an enormous headline number surrounded by conditions.
Never choose a casino solely because it offers the biggest welcome bonus.
What About Cashback?
For some players, cashback can be easier to understand than complicated bonuses.
But again, read the terms.
Ask whether it is cash or bonus money.
Does it have wagering requirements?
How is the percentage calculated?
Are there maximum amounts?
When is it credited?
Which losses qualify?
The word cashback sounds simple.
The conditions determine whether it actually is.
What Payment Method Should I Use?
Payment options vary significantly by country and casino.
You may see cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, instant banking solutions or other local payment methods.
Some operators also accept cryptocurrency where legally permitted.
Don't choose purely on deposit speed.
Look at withdrawals as well.
A payment method that allows an instant deposit isn't particularly impressive if getting money back takes considerably longer.
Before depositing, understand how your preferred payment method works in both directions.
What Happens If the Casino Doesn't Pay Me?
First, find out why the withdrawal hasn't been processed.
Sometimes the explanation is relatively straightforward: incomplete KYC, a payment verification request or another legitimate compliance requirement.
Sometimes there may be a disagreement over bonus terms or account activity.
Start with the casino's customer support and obtain a clear explanation.
If the casino is regulated and you can't resolve the matter, find out what formal complaint or alternative dispute-resolution process applies in that jurisdiction.
This is another reason why understanding who regulates the casino matters.
It's also one reason I believe having someone who already has a relationship with the operator can be valuable.
What Responsible-Gambling Tools Should I Look For?
This is something I believe every player should understand before they need it.
Depending on the operator and regulatory regime, tools can include:
Deposit limits.
Loss or spending controls.
Reality checks.
Time-outs.
Self-exclusion.
Account closure.
Don't think of these tools as something only intended for somebody with a gambling problem.
A deposit limit can simply be a sensible budgeting tool.
Decide what you are comfortable spending before you start playing, not after you have had a losing evening.
And never view gambling as an investment or reliable way of making money.
It is entertainment with a real possibility of losing the money you spend.
So How Should a Beginner Choose an Online Casino?
This is the checklist I would use.
Before depositing, answer these questions
- Who owns the casino?
Find the actual operating company.
- Where is it licensed?
Don't rely only on a logo. Verify the licence where possible.
- Can it legally accept players from my country?
A casino being licensed somewhere doesn't automatically mean it is appropriate for players everywhere.
- Which game providers does it use?
Understand where the gaming content comes from.
- Can I see information about RTP and the game rules?
Know what you're playing.
- What does KYC involve?
Find out before depositing significant amounts.
- What payment methods are available?
Consider withdrawals as well as deposits.
- How quickly are withdrawals processed?
And distinguish the casino's processing time from the payment provider's transfer time.
- Are there withdrawal limits?
Particularly important for higher-value players.
- What are the bonus conditions?
Never look only at the headline percentage.
- Does the casino offer the games I actually want?
A huge game library is irrelevant if it doesn't contain what you enjoy playing.
- What responsible-gambling tools are available?
Know how to set limits or stop.
- What happens if I have a complaint?
Understand the escalation process.
- Is there somebody I can actually speak to?
For me, this remains incredibly important.
Why Would You Ask Me to Help You Choose a Casino?
You don't have to.
You can research and select an online casino yourself.
In fact, I encourage every player to learn enough about online casinos to make informed decisions.
My role is different.
After more than 30 years in the casino industry, I have learned that there isn't one "best casino" for everybody.
A player in Canada can have completely different requirements from somebody in the UK.
One person wants a particular slot.
Another cares about fast withdrawals.
Another wants cashback rather than bonuses.
Another wants cryptocurrency.
Another may deposit substantial amounts and wants a genuine VIP relationship with somebody they can actually call.
Somebody else simply wants to deposit €100 occasionally and be left alone.
Those people don't necessarily belong at the same casino.
My job is to understand the player first and the casino second.
How Can You Trust Me?
This may be the most important section of this entire guide.
You shouldn't trust me simply because I tell you to.
Trust should be earned.
I won't promise you will win.
Casino games contain a house advantage. You can lose.
Anyone telling you that they have a system that guarantees casino profits should immediately make you cautious.
I'll tell you when something doesn't suit you.
Sometimes my answer might be
"I don't think this casino is right for you."
That's part of being the middle man.
I want the relationship to continue after the deposit.
My involvement shouldn't end when somebody clicks a link or makes their first deposit.
For me, that is actually where the relationship begins.
Ask Me Before You Deposit
If you have decided that you want to play online but don't know where to start, you can contact me before depositing.
Tell me five things
Where do you live?
Which games do you enjoy or want to try?
Approximately how much do you expect to play each month?
Do you prefer bonuses, cashback or simply straightforward cash play?
What matters most to you — games, withdrawals, payment options, VIP treatment or personal service?
Those five answers tell me considerably more than:
"Which casino has the biggest bonus?"
If I believe I know an operator that suits what you are looking for, I'll explain why.
If there are commercial relationships involved, I'll disclose them.
And if I don't think I have the right option for you, I would rather tell you that than push you somewhere simply to earn a commission.
One Final Piece of Advice
After more than three decades in casinos, there is one thing I would like every new online player to understand.
Don't start with the bonus.
Start with the casino.
Understand who you're dealing with.
Understand the licence.
Understand the games.
Understand the RNG and RTP.
Understand the bonus conditions.
Complete the necessary verification.
Understand how you get your money out.
Set your limits.
Know who you'll speak to if something goes wrong.
Only then should you decide whether you want to deposit.
The internet has made finding an online casino incredibly easy.
Knowing which casino you should trust is much harder.
That is where experience and a genuine human relationship can still make a difference.
Before you deposit, ask.
I would much rather spend ten minutes helping somebody understand a casino before they deposit than spend ten days trying to solve a problem afterwards.
Jörn-Peter Thiessen
Founder, VIP Legacy Club
30+ Years in Casino & VIP Management