10 Things Every Beginner Gambler Should Know About Online Casinos

So you want to gamble (and you’re in the right place, by the way) but what do you need to know before you hit the online casino? You’re in luck — we’re here to share 10 tips so you can gamble with confidence.

Joining an online casino in Australia for the first time is an exciting experience. You’ll likely earn some free spins and maybe even a no deposit bonus, and have the freedom to explore the casino and discover which games are right for you.

And while every beginner gambler has their own unique experience in a casino, there are some tips and tricks each player should know about before they get started on their first game.

Whether you’re a betting fanatic or love online pokies, see yourself dominating the live poker scene or fancy your luck in roulette online – it’s worth knowing these 10 simple tricks to help you get started.

So let’s dive in! Here are 10 things every beginner gambler should know about online casinos. Once you’ve learned these things you’ll be ready to take on the world — or at least the casino floor.

1. Choose a Legal Casino

It’s a no-brainer really but even experienced casino players can fall foul of an illegal site. Illegal casinos can cause serious issues for players, as their money is potentially locked in an unsafe account. There are also very few legal protections for players who use illegal sites.

Some illegal casinos are difficult to spot but there are ways of ensuring the site you’re on is safe. When it comes to choosing an online casino, be sure to read reviews to check it is legit and even ask friends if they’ve used the site before. It’s best to do your research and ensure you choose a safe online casino site.

2. Discover the Best Offers

Finding top casino for real money offers is one of the best ways to get started in online gaming. Remember, there are plenty of casinos who want you to join them and they’ll offer big prizes as a reward for your custom. So make sure you shop around and find the best casino bonus deals that are right for you!

If you love casino games then free spins are likely to be your thing. Sports betting fans will love odds boosts. And online poker nuts could trigger free tickets to amazing online tournaments on certain sites. So don’t just jump on the first online casino you see – shop around and make them work for you.

3. Age Limits Apply

Remember that it is illegal to gamble in Australia if you are under the age of 18. It may sound weird but some people actually forget this!

When you join an online casino you will be required to enter some personal details, such as name, age, and address. If the casino site lets you open an account as an underage gambler then it’s likely to be an illegal site.

4. You’ll Need a Bank Card

There are plenty of online casino banking methods available to Australian players but the most popular is the direct bank transfer. This payment is easy to set up and works just like a normal retail purchase. It also gives the casino a trusted bank account to pay back into when you make a withdrawal.

eWallets such as Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal also provide payment methods for Australian casinos. But these may charge a fee to deposit and withdraw, which makes them less desirable. Alternatively, you can fund your account using Bitcoin. Crypto deposits generally incur no fees and have instant withdrawals and deposits!

5. Wagering Requirements Explained

If you trigger a deposit bonus you may get extra funds or spins. But often these will also have wagering requirements attached. Wagering requirements are a stipulation in a casino offer that outlines how many times you must turn over the free bet amount in order to then withdrawal your winnings.

For example, if you deposit $10 and get an extra $10 to play in the casino, that latter amount may have a 20X wagering requirement attached. You will therefore have to play through $10 x 20 = $200 before you can withdraw the winnings of that bonus cash.

Likewise, a wagering requirement after free spins works the same way. Say you earn 25 free spins on a slot machine and win $40 from it. If the wagering requirement is x10 on those winnings, you’ll have to play through $40 x 10 = $400 in order to then withdraw your winnings.

Wagering requirements help protect the casino from money launderers and are worth checking up before you trigger a promotion.

6. How to Read Betting Odds

If you’re betting on the outcome of a game (or a sporting event) in a casino then you need to know how to read betting odds. There are three odds systems: decimal, fractional and American. In Australia, we use the decimal system and it’s fair to say it’s the easiest to figure out.

Decimal odds are simple. The number shown is how much money you would win as profit if you bet $1. So, if you have odds of 4.25 on the Wests Tigers beating the Rabbitohs and bet $10, and Wests Tigers win, you’ll receive back $42.50. Now, $32.50 will be profit and $10 will be your stake.

And that’s it. Although if we’re being honest, you don’t really need to know how betting odds work as any casino site will have a bet slip where you can ‘test’ your bet and see your potential profits before agreeing to the wager. The best thing to know with decimal odds is that the higher the number, the bigger the payout.

7. Navigating Through a Casino

Joining an online casino is one thing but actually finding your way around the site is another. Many new online casino players make the mistake of hitting the first game they see and spending too much money in one go! The smart players, however, look through the site and see what’s actually on offer.

It’s worth checking out your account profile and ensuring your security is as high as possible. You should also look to see if there are any welcome bonuses or other promotions waiting for you. And, of course, take your time exploring the range of casino games and sports odds before making your choice.

Patience makes for a much more enjoyable gambling experience.

8. Find Info on your Game

Once you find some online casino games you want to play or a sport you’d like to bet on, it’s time to find some more info about it. In the casino world you can do this by hitting the ‘i’ information icon on a game, which will show you the paytable and explain the rules. This is important if you’re playing online baccarat or blackjack online for the first time, as knowing the rules will help you make the best bet decisions.

Meanwhile, if you’re into sports betting then checking out the latest stats, trends, and scores will only improve your choice making. Even the best sports punters make mistakes such as betting on a first wicket-taker or goalscorer before realising they’re not playing! As in any sport, knowledge is king when you’re placing bets.

9. Where to get Support

It’s important to know where to get support in an online casino should you ever need it. Live chat services, help pages and email support should all be part of a casino’s offering to its customers. if a casino doesn’t offer help then find a better one!

Online support covers everything from problems with your account to technical glitches and problem gambling protection. Live chats are usually the quickest and most accessible way of getting support when you need to, so be sure to locate where the help is on your chosen site.

10. How to Withdraw Winnings

Online casinos will advertise how fun it is to play their games but at the end of the day, we’re here for one thing: to win big money. As a newcomer to the casino, you might not be withdrawing cash for some time because it may take a few bets to really get going. But you should always know what the best and easiest way to withdraw money from your account.

If you find it difficult to make withdrawals then contact the casino via live chat or email. If you don’t hear from them then make a complaint. And if that still doesn’t work then the ACMA has some great advice on what to do next.

Read our casino sites reviews to play, or learn more about mobile casino sites.