Online Gambling Basics: A Current Guide

Introduction

Online gambling has evolved a lot over the years. If you're new to this form of entertainment, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices and the complexity of getting started and doing it right. While the industry has matured, it still contains reputable and less-than-trustworthy operators. It’s not the sort of thing you want to jump into with both feet and learn the ropes by trial and error - that could have disastrous financial results.

This guide aims to help you navigate the landscape of online gambling in today's context, so you can learn the ins and outs based on others’ experiences and ensure yourself that you can enjoy the pastime in a safe and sane manner. If you follow our guidelines you stand a good chance of staying safe to enjoy your journey of discovery, and ultimately mastery of what might look like a labyrinth now, but whose pathways will become second nature to you soon.

Where can I find the best online gambling sites?

With thousands of online casinos available, it can be a challenge for beginners to distinguish between them. Use our 'Recommended' section to find top-rated and trustworthy brands. Also, consider these essential factors:

• Does the casino offer a sign-up bonus, and if so, how much is it?
• What are the rules like, especially for games such as blackjack and video poker? Rules can vary significantly.
• Are there any transaction fees, and if yes, what are they?
• Is there a toll-free phone number available for customer support, and if you call, is the line usually busy?
• Is the casino licensed to operate?
• Is there easily accessible information about the owner and operator?
• Who is the software provider, and are they a reputable company, or an unknown entity?

You shouldn't anticipate any casino to receive an A+ in all of these areas. Take into account the overall offering and make your own assessment. A good starting point is to check out our casino reviews that have been awarded the Wizard’s Seal.

Are Online Games Fair?

The fairness of online casino games is a common concern among new players. While most online casinos operate fairly, a few still engage in unethical practices. It’s very rare for any operator to use cheating games and they are usually found out and shut down quickly.

The player community might report suspicions on an industry bulletin board or a player forum such as LCB.org and several inquiries and independent investigations will begin, like many of these did. The games are either removed quickly or the operator is blacklisted and will often have its license revoked. The most common form of cheating by rogue casinos is to impose unfair or predatory terms and conditions, especially those that are only found in the imagination of an operator and don’t appear in the black-and-white gambling contract or terms of service.

Those “ethically challenged” operators are dealt with the same way and can end up with the same results as those who use cheating software. There are well over 10,000 animated digital games on the market and only a scant few instances of cheating software have appeared over the years relative to the number of games played.

Reputable casinos are typically licensed and regulated by gaming authorities, ensuring their games are fair. Regulators are bound by international standards. However, unlicensed casinos using unknown software may not adhere to these standards. Always research and choose a well-known, licensed casino to ensure fair play.

Unfair practices

If you have signed up at a casino that bears the Wizard’s Seal there is no doubt the games will be fair and you will be treated fairly. However, we also promote operations that for one reason or another do not rise to that pinnacle. Please see our Advertising Policy to learn how we can help you with any casino you sign up for from a link on this website.

Unfair games

Since 1997, the Wizard and his team have been dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the gaming industry, both online and in land-based casinos. Our blacklist brings to light online operators we've identified as dealing unfair games. While many accusations of foul play turn out to be cases of bad luck, we remain open to examining credible evidence. If you believe you have been a victim of an unfair game, please read and understand the following page and fill out our complaint form, and we will assess your claim.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

A key part of ensuring the fairness of online casino games is the use of Random Number Generators (RNGs). RNGs are sophisticated algorithms that generate random sequences of numbers, these unpredictable numbers can occur at nearly the speed of light. The RNG can generate numbers between 0 and several billion, hundreds of times a second. These numbers determine the outcomes of casino games like slots, digital blackjack, and animated roulette. RNGs ensure that game results are unbiased and unpredictable, mimicking the randomness found in traditional casino games.

Independent Testing Labs

Online casinos have their RNGs and gaming software audited by independent testing laboratories. These labs rigorously test the software to confirm that the RNGs are functioning properly and that the games are fair. Some of the most respected independent testing labs in the industry include:

• iTech Labs
• BMM Testlabs
• Quinell M Limited
• eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance)

These labs conduct extensive testing and auditing processes to ensure the integrity of the games. They test for a variety of factors, including:

• Statistical randomness: Ensuring that the outcomes are genuinely random and not following any predictable pattern.
• Game RTP (Return to Player percentages): Verifying that the games pay out at the rates advertised. The actual RTP must align with the theoretical RTP regardless of the slot's volatility.
• Software integrity: Confirms that the software is not tampered with or altered.

As part of the testing and certification process the RNG is “fingerprinted”. This ensures that it has not been hacked or altered at any time between testing periods. Once a casino's games pass these painstaking tests, the lab issues a certificate of fairness. This certification is often displayed on the casino's website, providing players with confidence in the game's fairness. In the case of eCOGRA-certified casinos, a link is usually provided to the certificate and from that page the RTP of tested games can also be seen.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games are a popular alternative to traditional animated digital online casino games. These games are streamed in real-time from a studio or a physical casino with human dealers conducting the games. Because live dealer games involve actual human dealers and physical equipment (like cards and roulette wheels), they do not rely on RNGs to determine the outcome of the games.

However, live dealer games must still be certified for fairness. The equipment used (such as decks of cards, shuffling machines, and roulette wheels) is regularly inspected, and the dealers are trained professionals who follow strict protocols. The certification process for live dealer games involves:

• Compliance with regulations: Ensuring that the live gaming operations adhere to the regulatory standards of the jurisdiction in which they are licensed.
• Transparency: Providing real-time streaming of the games so players can see every action the dealer takes.
• Auditing: Periodic reviews and audits by independent testing labs to ensure ongoing compliance and fairness.

Provably Fair Games

Some players prefer not to rely on either RNG certificates or seeing the game delivered by a live dealer with their own eyes - they want to prove the results to themselves another way. In crypto or Bitcoin casinos, games are made provably fair using cryptographic hashing to guarantee fairness.

Before starting a game round, the casino gives a hashed value (a cryptographic fingerprint) of the game's outcome, which cannot be changed without altering the hash. Following the round, players can validate the result by comparing the original hash with the post-game data. This openness enables players to verify that the game was not manipulated, reinforcing trust in the fairness of online gambling. Provably fair algorithms are especially popular in blockchain-based casinos, ensuring honesty and safety in every game round.

So, in a nutshell, yes, online casino games are fair in almost every circumstance. The player who does not wander too far from the main and who follows the wisdom of those who have gone before them is unlikely to ever experience an unfair game of chance while gambling online.

Getting Started with Online Gambling

1. Choosing a Casino: Selecting a trustworthy online casino is crucial. Look for casinos with positive reviews, a professional website, transparent policies, and a recognizable confirmable license from a vetted regulator with a good history of finding for the player when the operator is in the wrong.

You’ll notice that all of our casino reviews show a rating for each operation. These star-ratings can include our own assessment as well as those by the player community across several different trusted portals. While not an exhaustive list, among the rating contributors, are casinolistings.com, casinoslots.net, gamesandcasino.com, lcb.org, and online.worldcasinodirectory.com. Regardless of the number of ratings considered, there will always be an average rating in decimal increments from 1 star to 5 stars.

After considering everything, in the end, you must trust your instincts - if something feels off, it’s best to avoid that site. If the site is extremely interesting, make a bookmark or mental note and wait a few weeks or months to revisit it and any pertinent player review sites to see if your instincts were right.

2. Registering an Account: All licensed online casinos require you to create an account. The rare exceptions are crypto-only operators or “anonymous” sites. The standard registration process involves providing personal information and choosing a payment method. Ensure the casino uses secure encryption technology to protect your data and the privacy policy is clearly stated. A link to the license, the terms and conditions as well as the data and other privacy links are usually found in the footer of the web page.
3. Depositing Funds: Deposits can be made using credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Ethereum, LiteCoin, or any other number of “alt-coins”.

Depending on your location some credit card companies treat casino deposits as a cash advance, which may incur fees. Credit card deposits are not allowed in some jurisdictions whereas debit cards or PayPal might be accepted. Once logged in, be sure to check the cashier page to make sure you have a way to withdraw your funds. For instance, if you deposit with a prepaid voucher make sure you can cash out using a bank wire or other convenient and available means. Oftentimes, the way you deposit will be the way you withdraw winnings.

4. Exploring Bonuses: Most operators offer deposit incentives to attract new customers while others provide ongoing deposit bonuses and even free chips. However, there is no such thing as a free lunch and there are almost always additional terms and conditions attached to bonuses. To learn more, please see our coverage of Casino Bonuses, Guide to No Deposit Bonuses, No Deposit Bonus Codes and especially, Understanding Casino Terms and Conditions.
5. Playing Games: Most online casino games are delivered over your secure web browser nowadays in HTML5 format. The games and all infrastructure such as customer support, bonusing, and banking are available instantly. Some platforms still allow players to download a desktop casino client or a mobile app, but many only support the instant play format. However you choose to play it’s always good to familiarize yourself with the rules of the games you are going to play, as these can vary between casinos and even from game to game in some instances. Video poker and blackjack are two games where the rules and the paytables in the case of video poker greatly determine your RTP, odds, and chances of winning.
6. Withdrawing Winnings: When you're ready to cash out, your winnings will often be credited back to your initial deposit method, up to the amount deposited or otherwise paid out via the method you used to deposit. Debit card deposits are rarely paid out to a crypto-wallet or eWallet, or vice versa. Although rare, except in the case of small bank wires, some operators charge fees for withdrawals, so check their policies beforehand.

Pros and Cons of Online Gambling

Pros:

• Convenience: Play from the comfort of your home, on a bus, or at the pub. No need to spend money on new clothes or getting ready to go out and gamble.
• Bonuses: Most casinos offer sign-up bonuses and other promotions. They can almost always extend your playtime and the right bonuses can help you win more money, more often.
• Better Rules: Online casinos often have more favorable game rules compared to physical casinos and they usually have higher RTPs for slots. Since operational overhead is lower, online casinos can offer a more lucrative product through better returns, comps, and bonuses.
• No Travel: Save time and money by avoiding travel.
• No smokers: Unless you want them in your home.

Cons:

• Withdrawal Delays: Payouts can take time to process unless you choose an instant payout operation. However, no operation is perfect for every player so all criteria has to be considered.
• Customer Service: The quality of customer service varies from site to site. Players with low frustration tolerance and prone to impulsive behavior can play back large sums if they don’t use responsible gambling tools or other methods to lock in their winnings while awaiting an answer to an important query.
• Licensing Issues: Playing at unlicensed casinos is risky. Some licensing jurisdictions are better than others, especially in terms of responsible gambling policies but all regulators will make sure you can self-exclude at a minimum.

The Player’s End of the Bargain

One of the biggest issues operators have with players is fraud from multi-accounting and bonus syndicates to chargebacks and even using computer programs or AI to try to beat the internal control systems. The industry combats this by sharing negative databases or blacklists of players suspected of fraud. Common reasons for blacklisting a player include:

• Disputing or threatening to dispute charges for deposits (chargebacks).
• Using someone else’s credit card or other financial instruments.
• Attempting to manipulate gaming software or using auto-clickers, bots, or the like.
• Opening multiple accounts per household/computer/IP address. This is usually done to take unfair advantage of welcome offers or no deposit bonuses.

Being blacklisted is like having a bad credit rating; it follows you everywhere. At least credit can be repaired over time, fraudulent players can be banned from gaming for life. Since most online gambling lacks direct oversight or stringent regulation, players are expected to adhere to an unwritten code of honor, maintaining good faith and avoiding any questionable behavior.

Many operators include a sort of “God Clause” in the terms and conditions as a risk-limiting factor for unforeseen exploits that haven’t been accounted for yet. Look for the words “sole discretion”, especially as related to “irregular play” or “bonus abuse”. Good operators never use it in a predatory way, but unsavory casinos will.

Players simply need to be aware that the gambling contract (Terms and Conditions) is a “take it or leave it” agreement sometimes called an adhesion contract. The terms are non-negotiable and will almost always be enforced to the letter aside from the “God Clause” so that alone is not a good reason to abandon a site and play elsewhere - how and if it is ever enforced and if those circumstances are in good faith or not is all that really matters.

Responsible Gambling

Responsible gambling is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with online gaming. Here are some tips:

• Set a Budget: Decide how much money you can afford to lose and stick to it. Gambling is not a money-making proposition, it is an enjoyable form of entertainment that almost always comes at a cost. Yes, you will win, but depositing on a whim or indiscriminately is a main ingredient in a common recipe for disaster.
• Take Breaks: Regular breaks can help prevent gambling from becoming compulsive. Take stock of where you are at in the session, if you are still enjoying the game if you want to try new strategies, or simply walk away for a while to refresh yourself mentally or otherwise.
• Know the Odds: Understand the odds of the games you're playing.
• Seek Help: If you feel your gambling is becoming a problem, seek support from organizations like Gamblers Anonymous or look into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Consider using all of the responsible gambling tools at your disposal before the activity becomes a problem. Consider self-exclusion if budgets, breaks, and other tools are not working for you.

Game Comparison

Who has the best odds online for a host of different games? Check are comparisons to find out.

Sic Bo online (RNG).

For live dealer games, please check these comparisons:

• Live dealer blackjack.
• Live dealer baccarat.
• Live dealer dragon tiger.
• Live dealer roulette.
• Live dealer Sic Bo.
• Bet on Poker.
• Live dealer fan tan.
• Live slots.

Legal Landscape of Online Gambling

The legal status of online gambling varies by country and, in the US, largely by state. On October 13, 2006, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was signed into law by George W. Bush as part of the SAFE Port Act. This led many Internet casinos and Neteller, the main payment processor for US players, to close American accounts. However, the law specifically states that it neither changes existing laws nor introduces new laws about gambling.

In 2008, the US Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve issued guidelines for banks and financial institutions to identify and block transactions related to online gambling, further complicating the landscape for US players.

In December 2011, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a legal opinion clarifying that the Wire Act of 1961 applied only to sports betting, paving the way for states to legalize online gambling. However, in 2019, the Trump administration reversed the opinion, extending the Wire Act to all forms of online gambling including lottery data like multi-state Powerball drawings whose information passes from server to server across state borders. This reversal created significant uncertainty in the industry.

Despite this, the Biden administration refused to seek prosecutions based on the Trump-era interpretation, particularly in the New Hampshire Lottery Commission v. Rosen case. This case stated, contrary to the 2018 DOJ opinion, that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting. In 2022, a District Court ruled in favor of IGT, further affirming that the Wire Act applies only to sports betting in a declaratory judgment. However, the floodgates never opened for interstate online casino gambling although the only law apparently prohibiting that is the UIGEA, but more to the point, the erroneous guidelines issued by the Treasury and Federal Reserve in 2008.

Be that as it may be, the lack of a federal framework means online gambling remains in a legal gray area according to many legal opinions, though it is not outright illegal in many jurisdictions as a matter of state law.

We continue to monitor changes in state and federal laws regarding online gambling from 2006 to the present.

Conclusion

Although from a distance or even stepping in for the first time, online gambling can appear to be a complicated endeavor, if you follow our guidelines you should be up and running in no time. Please feel free to visit our main Online Casino Guide or simply explore the menu at the top of this page for more in-depth information, strategies, tips, and tricks to keep your gaming fun, safe and sane, and hopefully profitable.

Online gambling offers a convenient way to enjoy various casino games from the comfort of your home but navigating this vast and complex industry requires certain knowledge and an abundance of caution for the beginner. We hope this guide has outlined the essential elements you need to help you make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls. We’ll recap them now as a refresher.

Choosing a Casino

The most crucial step is selecting a reputable online casino with integrity. Look for positive unbiased reviews, professionally constructed and delivered websites, transparent policies, and a valid license from a recognized regulator. Check our 'Recommended' section for top-rated casinos, and remember to trust your instinct - if something feels off, it probably is. In the dropdown menu at the top of this page Under “Gambling Online” you’ll see your country’s flag and a link to another Gambling Guide, “The Best Online Casinos for Players in your country.

Registration and Deposits

Registering an account is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Make sure the casino uses secure encryption technology to protect your personal information. When depositing funds, be aware of the various methods available and any potential fees for withdrawals. Always check the cashier section to confirm you can withdraw your winnings through a convenient method.

Exploring Bonuses

Online casinos often offer attractive bonuses, but these come with terms and conditions. Familiarize yourself with these to understand the benefits and limitations of each bonus. This knowledge will help you maximize your playtime and potential winnings. Not all players should accept all bonuses that are offered. If your goal is a huge cashout there’s not much sense in playing under terms that limit the amount you can eventually withdraw.

If you only want to play blackjack and other table games, wagering requirements of 500x the bonus amount might not be worth your time, especially if there is a max cap on winnings.

If your main desire is extended playtime, maybe checking out new games, and you would be happy with winning 10x or 20x your deposit amount, that’s okay too as long as you understand the tradeoffs because bonuses are always a game of give and take. There are no “one size fits all” bonuses as we all have different goals when we gamble beyond having fun and hoping for a nice withdrawal. The devil is in the details.

Playing and Withdrawing

Understanding the rules of the games you play is essential. They can vary between different game providers in a single casino and from one site to the next.. When it's time to withdraw your winnings, make sure you’ve met all the bonus terms and conditions if you use a bonus and be prepared for possible delays while your documents and identity are being verified. Be sure you follow the casino’s withdrawal policies for a friction-free experience when that happy day comes around.

Ensuring Fair Play

Fair play is a common concern, especially among novice players but reputable online casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) and undergo rigorous testing by independent labs like iTech Labs and BMM Testlabs. These labs ensure games are statistically random and fair. Live dealer games, while not relying on RNGs, are also certified for fairness through regular inspections and strict protocols.

Responsible Gambling

Learning about responsible gambling is very important to developing and keeping up a healthy relationship with any form of real money gaming. Set a budget, take regular breaks, and know the odds of the games you play. If you ever feel your gambling is becoming problematic, take a break and seek more information or help immediately.

Legal Landscape

The legal status of online gambling varies by country and state. While there are apparently no laws addressing it at the federal level in the US aside from a ban on interstate sports betting, there can be local ordinances or state laws that can stand in your way of enjoying the pastime in the privacy of your own home. If your state has licensed and regulated online casinos it most likely also has laws against gambling offshore - to protect the state coffers if for no other reason. The vast majority of states do not have laws specifically outlawing internet gambling but be sure to check or ask competent counsel if you have any doubts.

Final Thoughts

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy online gambling safely and responsibly. Choose reputable casinos, understand the rules and terms, and always gamble within your means. Stay informed about legal developments and trust your instincts to make your own path through this amazing universe with over 10,000 distinct games of chance with real money results confidently. Enjoy your journey into online gambling, and may it be filled with fun and responsible play!

External Links

A good source for following news regarding Internet gambling in the U.S. is at CasinoListings.com .

Written by: Michael Shackleford