Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last few years (apologies if this is the case!), you’ll know that online casinos have become a big thing in 2023. You’ll see big-name casinos everywhere in television commercials, ads online, and sports sponsorships.
But what about the so-called real money casinos? Well, they’re pretty standard. It means that you can play the brick-and-mortar casino games you’re used to for real money, except it’s all online.
If you’re a newbie to the online casino market, it can be a little bit daunting. But don’t worry, this guide will give you everything you need to know.
How to Find Legit Real Money Casinos
Finding an online casino through a basic Google search isn’t going to cut it. You’ll otherwise have to go through far too much trash to find legit sites. This is what we recommend you do:
Geo-Specific Resources
We recommend going for geo-specific resources and review sites, as they will have the skinny on the best operators for a given country, rather than a generic list. For example, if you’re looking for real money casinos in South Africa, a vetted collection of local gambling providers will be on offer, giving you a much better insight into which ones are worth your time and money.
Television Ads and Sponsorships
If you’re pretty new to the industry, stick to the big names to begin with. The deals are not always the best, but you’re guaranteed that the casinos are legit. For example, many Premier League teams are sponsored by casinos.
There’s a reason people tend to add ‘+Reddit’ when searching on Google. That’s because the site is an absolute goldmine for user-based nuggets of information. Including which casinos are worth checking out, and which are better skipped.
Real Money Casino Checklist
If you’re worried about whether a casino is legit, there are a few ways to ensure you won’t be scammed when gambling online. Once you go over this checklist, you’ll realise it’s pretty easy to weed out the less-than-stellar providers.
Official License from a Government
This should be your first check. If there’s one thing you’re going to do to verify a casino is ‘real’, make it this one. Casinos have to be licensed to operate legally. They will have a logo or similar on the website, but always make sure to independently verify this on the relevant government website.
SSL Security
You don’t want your personal information to be hackable. Ensure the operator has that trusty green mark on the browser, signifying there is SSL security for your data.
User Reviews
Check on Google, Reddit, and other review sites to see what other people have to say about a given casino. Sure, the operator may be licensed, but if the experience is cruddy, it’s best to avoid and find another one.
How to Withdraw from Real Money Casinos
Of course, given that you are going to deposit real money into your casino account, it’s also just as important (if not more so!) to ensure that the withdrawal process is smooth and pain-free. If you have to go through CIA-levels of security to take your money out, it’s probably done on purpose. Look for a casino that’s known for a solid withdrawal process with no hick-ups.
In general, this is how it works with most legitimate casinos:
You log in to your account as normal. Easy so far, eh? Then, find the Banking or Cashier section. It’ll be in your account area, for example. There should be a ‘Withdraw’ button somewhere.
Here, you’ll be given a choice on how to withdraw your cash. We recommend going for the same exact way you deposited the money, as it’s by far the easiest option. They already have your details from the deposit, so you’ll know it will work.
Choose how much you want to withdraw and, depending on the operator, there may be a verification process. In extreme cases, you will have to prove your identification details are legitimate. This shouldn’t be a major concern, as the industry has a lot of fraudulent activity, so as long as the casino is legit, you’re golden. Now just wait for that cash to enter your account!
The Main Benefit? Entertainment!
People tend to place too much emphasis on winning big when playing casino games. And sure, dreams of a big juicy jackpot can be fun, right? Spending time fantasizing about that big mansion, flash cars, and fancy holidays.
But to ensure you maximize the benefits of the casino experience, remind yourself that it’s entertainment first and foremost. Don’t go in there with the sole purpose of making money, or you will end up disappointed.
Remember, casinos are there to provide lots of fun. You have the classic table games like roulette and blackjack, live dealers who provide the hilarious banter we all know and love, and the latest slots that look more and more like AAA video games. So next time you load up your favourite casino, keep entertainment at the forefront!