10 Rules for Playing Online Slots
The online slots world is more competitive and dynamic than ever and millions of players around the globe try their luck every day. Whether you have a preference for the old three-reel classics or you enjoy dabbling with the newest video slots packed with features and bonuses, there has never been a better time to seek out the fun of the slot.
So how do you get the most out of your online slot play? It is important to remember that playing online slots is not a way to get rich and should not be viewed as anything other than an occasional hobby or pastime. Following these tips does not offer a guarantee that you will win from your online slots play, but they may help you to boost your enjoyment level and ensure you play safely.
1. Only Play Legally
his may sound obvious, but depending on where you are in the world, you may find that some or all slots gaming options are not technically legal. For instance, there are countries like the UK, where online slots play is widely and legally available, and where the slots sites are stringently regulated.
On the other hand, there are some territories in the world, such as China or India, where all online gambling is prohibited. Where a complete ban exists, some people try to play through illegal or offshore sites, which is an extremely bad idea, as not only will you be in serious legal difficulty if you get caught, but illegal sites offer no protection to the player.
There are also a number of countries in the world in which online gambling exists in a grey area, such as Germany, which is in the process of reforming its online gambling sector. A similar situation exists in the US, where each state is free to take a different approach to gaming, leading to a patchwork of legalities, while that country’s Wire Act effectively bans cross-state online gaming.
So unless you are in a country like the UK, where the legal situation is clear, it is important to seek clarification before you start playing with any online slot site.
2. Stick to Safe and Trustworthy Sites
Whenever you play online slots it is essential to do so only at safe and trustworthy sites. At Online-Slots we only feature sites that are secure and safe, so you can be sure you are protected.
One of the most important ways to establish the safety of a site is by checking out its licence. This should be displayed prominently on the home page. If a site is licensed by a reputable regulator, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) you can be sure that it has to adhere to strict rules on player safety and data protection. But if a site has no licensing details displayed, steer clear.
It is also a good idea to do your own research. Try to read up on the site you are thinking about using. Check out reviews and forums to find out from other players how good a site is when it comes to withdrawals, customer support and so on. An informed player is a protected player.
3. Try Free Slots
It is always a good idea to try and play a slot for free before you risk any real money on it. Many online slots sites, such as the Mr Green Online Casino give you the chance to play their games in free play mode, making it easier to learn the rules and find your favourite.
Online-Slots also aims to offer free-to-play slots games for players to try out and weigh up before they go on to play the games for real. These free-to-play slots available through Online-Slots don’t require you to download any software or to register or subscribe. You are free to play them at any time free of cost, in order to help decide whether you want to play them for real money later on.
4. Check out the Customer Support
Customer support is often low on the list of priorities for online slots players, but it shouldn’t be. From time to time when you’re playing slots, you may have a query or a problem. Perhaps you have a problem with verification, or there is an unexpected delay associated with a withdrawal. Maybe you want to ask a question that isn’t covered in the site FAQ. That’s when good customer support is vital.
A top online casino should offer a variety of channels to contact their customer support team. These can include email, phone, messaging and ideally live chat. A 24/7 live chat support service is often the most convenient option, and these will be available at the best online sites. It is often a good idea to get in touch with the customer support service for an online site to test out how efficient they are, how quickly they can deal with an enquiry, and the level of professionalism that they display.
You can be reassured that at Online-Slots, we only feature online casinos that provide fully tested customer support with professional and well-trained support personnel.
5. Check Out Payment Options
These days there is a bewildering array of payment option for internet slots players. As well as the traditional banking options such as bank transfer and debit cards, a host of new providers offer ewallet and other innovative solutions, while cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly common.
When it comes to playing with online slots sites, you should expect to be able to make deposits and withdrawals using your preferred banking method, and it is always a good idea to check this out.
It is also important to assess how deposits and withdrawals work at an online slots site and what the strengths and weaknesses of the site’s methods are. Withdrawal times are a regular source of frustration and complaints from online slots players, so check these out before you risk any of your own money, and make sure you look at the options for all the various payment methods.
For example, the Mr Green site processes Neteller payments within 24 hours, so you may want to consider using that site if Neteller is your preferred banking option. Generally speaking, bank transfers will take the longest period to clear, while e-wallet and cryptocurrencies should be much quicker.
Finally, it is also vital to consider withdrawal and deposit limits. If you do land a big win, you don’t want to have to wait several days or weeks to be able to withdraw your funds. Equally, you don’t want to have to pay fees every time you make a deposit or withdrawal, so check out a site’s fee structure before you risk any of your money.
6. Claim Your Bonus
Bonuses are a regular feature of the online slots world. Pretty much every slots site will offer bonuses for new customers and many offer other promotions for players who have already signed up. Some of these bonuses can feature eye-catching amounts, although be wary of assuming that an offer is as generous as it seems – terms and conditions can vary quite widely.
You will come across many types of bonuses, most of them aimed at new customers. These include the Welcome Bonus which is credited to your account when you make your first deposit. Some bonuses are spread across a series of deposits, while you may also come across a no deposit bonus. Free spins are another popular option, and they can sometimes be packed with a traditional bonus, though the free spins will usually be confined to one particular slot at the lowest stake.
As mentioned above, although welcome bonuses can appear to be extremely generous, it is important to check out the terms and conditions associated with the bonus. Each bonus will usually have a number of restrictions in terms of time limits and the type of game that you are able to use the bonus amount to play. There will also usually be a wagering requirement that means you have to ‘play through’ the bonus amount a certain number of times before you can make a withdrawal.
A good example of a slots casino bonus is the welcome bonus available through 888 casino. This package includes two types of bonus. New customers can claim an £88 no deposit casino bonus and then at the time of their first deposit, 888 guarantee to match that bonus at 100% up to a maximum of £100. Claiming bonuses like this is usually straightforward. For example, at Mansion House, you simply have to click on the Join icon, register your account details, make a deposit and then their bonus amount will be added to your account automatically.
7. Slots Variety
When it comes to which games to play, there is a wide variety of slots and table games out there, from high-profile slots with blockbuster Hollywood tie-in deals, such as The Dark Knight and Ultimate Power Marvel Jackpot to popular poker favourites such as Caribbean Stud Poker and well-loved modern video slots such as Gold Rally and Elvis the King.
It is always worth checking out the range of slots available at different sites, for example, the portfolio of games at Casino Tropez might appeal, yet the Return to Player (RTP) figures at Europa Casino might be better suited to your playing style. For the really big wins, you may want to consider a site known for progressive jackpots such as Mr Green. With progressive slots, multiple games are linked together in one network and there is no upper limit on the potential win.
8. Safeguard Your Data
No one can afford to be reckless with their personal data these days, and you shouldn’t automatically trust any casino site to ensure that you are protected.
All reputable slot sites should provide full details of their privacy policy, which you should definitely check out in full. If you can’t find any evidence of a publicly-available privacy policy on their site, then you should consider this a warning sign and steer clear of the site.
Other things to look out for are the presence of a https URL address, which indicates a stronger level of security than with http addresses, and evidence of the level of security that is used by a site. For instance, do they use encryption technology and what type of tech is it? It is always a good idea to get in touch with a site’s customer support if you want to put your mind at rest. Remember that you should never automatically trust any online slot site with your data, and must always do your homework.
9. Responsible Play is Better Play
Playing online slots is not something you should ever do in order to earn money to pay off a debt or as a solution to financial problems. Playing with these things in mind is irresponsible and will inevitably lead to further issues. Equally, playing online slots with money that you can’t afford to lose is a recipe for disaster, and another example of irresponsibility that you must avoid.
Responsible slots play involves taking a number of precautions when you play. The two most practical rules to apply are to set yourself a limit to your slots play, in terms of time spent on the games as well as the amount of money that you are prepared to risk. In addition, you should watch out for psychological warning signs, such as becoming too emotional while playing, or feeling that you should wager more to chase losses. Look out for these warning signs and stop playing immediately.
10. Slots are for Fun
Why do we play slots? For fun. The house edge at all online casinos means that you will lose in the long term. Slots playing has nothing to do with skill, it is a pure game of chance. It can be fun to try out different games and take a look at different casinos, but make sure that you remember that slots gaming is about fun. Stay safe, play responsibly and that way you will get the most out of slots.