Where, or how, do I begin
when first starting out?
The best ways to start is by gathering as
much information as possible from books and sites on the internet such
as ours! Here at Casino-check.com you'll find all the resources
necessary to begin playing online. Check out the categories located on
our menu to the left which provide information on a number of important
and key topics. Once you've received such an introduction, you'll be
well on your way to begin playing at any number of the online casinos
which we recommend and even have the opportunity to play for free
initially and become acquainted with the games before spending any money!
Is online gambling legal?
The answer to this question (and often,
no definitive answer exists) depends on a number of factors including:
the type of games/activities you wish to participate in; where you're
playing from; and, which site you're playing with. Different countries
and provinces have different laws applying to online gambling and online
casinos and here at GamblingPlanet.org we strongly recommend that you
familiarize yourself with the respective laws in your region before
playing. For many countries, most online casino activities are indeed
legal for most citizens. While laws are vague at times regarding
different localities and activities, you can be sure that age-limits
ALWAYS apply and more importantly, ignorance of the law(s) is never an
excuse to break it. In any case, please visit our legality section for
information on this subject.
Do I need to obtain certain
software? If so, is there any danger of picking up a virus?
There is a difference between web-based
casinos and download-based casinos. Some casinos operate entirely with
web-based programs; however, it is far more common for casinos to
require a download of their software before playing and the quality of
these games is usually far more enhanced. In general, this software is
reliable and safe and there are signs and indications to verify the
safety and integrity of these sites and their software. Anytime you're
online you should always be using a anti-virus/internet security program
of some sort and participation in online casinos and online gambling is
no exception. This offers another form of protection or assurance
against any possibility of downloading corrupt software and/or a virus.
However, so long as you stick to reliable and trustworthy sites, and
verify that this is the case; there is relatively nothing to fear
regarding the downloading of software.
What type of online casino, or which one,
should I choose when starting out?
This depends on what you're looking for!
There are hundreds of online casinos and each has their own 'gimmick' or
theme, different choice of games, different bonus deals, and different
strengths and weaknesses. Look for casinos that proudly display signs of
their integrity (the presence of independent auditors for example) and
ones with solid reputations. Visit our reviews section for more
information and a good selection of reliable and safe casinos each of
which offers different opportunities and different attractions.
How popular is online gambling?
Online gambling has witnessed an
explosion in popularity over the past decade. It is estimated that
nearly 12 million people have placed wagers online at some point and
that more than 5 million Americans gamble online regularly. Furthermore,
women and citizens from outside the US and the UK are participating more
and more and online casinos are continuing to increase in number and
their traffic levels rise everyday. Check out some of the editorials on
our site for an illustration of the online gaming industry's increased
popularity.
Is online gambling safe? Are
online casinos reliable? How can I tell?
Online gambling is as safe, if not safer,
than its land-based counterpart so long as you take the proper
precautions. Before playing at any online casino, check for signs (usually
displayed on their main page(s) in the form of icons or links to
security information) indicating that site's subscription or use of
integrity-guarantors. Check for sites that have conducted independent
audits, use top-notch security software, and that have received
favorable feedback and reviews from their clients and customers. Online
casinos want to attract customers and to do so, they need to assure
their clients that their site is trustworthy and will provide a quality
(safe) experience. The casinos reviewed on our site all meet these
criteria and you should be wary of any site that doesn't and/or doesn't
display or possess such security-assurance characteristics.
How much money do I need to
begin?
Honestly, sometimes it's a better idea
to begin with no money at all and play the games for free which allows
you to build-up experience and knowledge of the rules before placing any
wagers. Most casinos allow this and you should take advantage of it (this
is one of the advantages of playing online!). Otherwise, in general you
can start out with as little money as you'd like but you should also pay
attention the bonus opportunities for deposits of larger amounts. Most
casinos, in an effort to attract customers, offer very lucrative bonuses
(free money!) for first-time players and this is always a benefit. As
with any bet you ever place, however, only play with what you can afford
and what you're comfortable with potentially losing. Remember: it's
ONLINE, there's nobody to impress. Play to enjoy!
Is there a way to learn more
BEFORE I actually play and contribute money?
YES! Most casinos, and the ones we
recommend that you begin with, offer the opportunity to play their games
for free before depositing any money. This enables to become familiar
with the speed, rules, etiquette, etc. beforehand and will ultimately
make your gambling experience more comfortable and successful later.
After that, there are even games you can play where the wagers are
comprised of pennies and small change which, yet again, helps to build
experience and provide a level of familiarity that will be very valuable
later.
After I've won, how do I obtain
my winnings?
Different casinos have different
procedures. Some simply credit your account while many may issue cheques,
bank drafts, and/or wires - all of which are popular options. Others
meanwhile may require a PIN that you receive via regular post before
being able to make a withdrawal. Make sure you read each casino's
policies before depositing any money online and definitely verify that
their customer service (reputable casinos all offer 24/7 customer
service options) is available if you were to have any problems.
Where can I find help or
suggestions regarding strategies and rules? Once again, sites like ratgebercasino.com are a great source of
information! Visit our strategies and rules sections of the various
games for more information on these topics.
What types of games are
available online?
The range of choices is absolutely
enormous. Most casinos offer at least 20-30 games while several offer
over 75. Basically, any game you can find in a land-based casino will
also be available online and more often than not, in several varieties.
How can I be sure the software,
the casino, or some 'robot' isn't cheating me?
As always, choosing only to play at
reputable and trustworthy casinos is the best way to ensure the
integrity of the game you're playing. These casinos all employ software
which is security-tested and their payout percentages and profits are
verified independently and published publicly. Remember, a casino
wouldn't stay in business if no one EVER won at their site. And, you can
verify the payouts they've made and the consistency of their operations
in multiple ways.
If I encounter a problem, is it
possible to talk to a 'live' person?
YES. Most online casinos offer live
24-hour support 7 days a week. At 'good' sites this support is readily
available, easy to find, and very helpful when contacted. If you ever
have a problem, don't hesitate to contact someone. Remember, these sites
are interested in retaining customers and customer service is a major
part of their operations. Take advantage of it when necessary!
If I think I, or someone else,
have developed a personal problem, or addiction, where can I turn for
help?
While gambling, and especially its
online variety, is meant to be an enjoyable activity and approached with
moderation, there is always the possibility of becoming 'hooked' and/or
making dangerous wagers which end up harming either the person involved,
people close to them, or both. This is a very serious problem and
possibility and EVERYONE should become familiar with its causes,
symptoms, and effects, BEFORE they begin gambling anywhere. If you think
that you or anyone you know may be developing a problem, it's always
best to attack it BEFORE it becomes too serious and BEFORE people get
hurt! Visit the gambling addiction section on our site for more info
about this problem and links to sources of help and more materials.
Troubleshooting /
Casino Blank Screen
If you only see a blank screen and/or cannot see the casino
games, or it just doesn't look complete, it means that your
browser is not Java enabled. The problem could be one of
this:
1)You are probably using AOL as your main browser. The
solution is to minimize the AOL window, and open an external
browser. Internet Explorer or Netscape for example. If you
don't have Internet Explorer or Netscape, just click on the
icons on the download center below to get the new version of
this browsers.
2) You may be using a very old browser version of Internet
Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The solution is to click on
the icons on the download center below to download the new
version of these browsers.
