The online gaming universe is vast and still largely unexplored.

Gambling operators face stiff competition in what is an ever-expanding industry and therefore always look for a way to stick their neck out. At the same time, the players can get a bit overwhelming by a myriad of options available to them. As a result, they would often face a proper dilemma when it comes to choosing the right casino.

Every self-respecting casino customer will, however, do their homework and compile a list of criteria a casino must meet in order to gain their allegiance.

To avoid going through the trouble of digging and heavy lighting, we will list the most important things any casino player should know before they join a casino and make their first deposit.

First and foremost, always check whether gambling is legal in a country you reside in. Every country – and even a region – will have a strict set of regulation regarding online casinos. As soon as you make sure the country you’re in allows online gambling, you need to find a venue that complies with all the legislative regulations. Licenses from high-authority regulatory bodies such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) will tell you a lot about an operator.

At the same time, make sure that a casino you’ve set your sight on offers a wide array of casino games and that it can cater to all of your needs – whether you’re into the live casino, classic table games, online slots or sports betting. Make no mistake; all of them will be equally important to different players.

Now we move on to the good stuff. With competition between operators as high as it’s ever been, casinos will ‘fight’ to get you on board. How do they do it? Well, mostly through welcome bonuses.

Welcome offers, no-deposit bonuses, free spins deals, cashback & reloads are some of the best casino bonuses you will find. Should one venue offer all of them, it will definitely be worth your undivided attention.

Last but not least, have a good look at the banking options. Online casinos are all fun and games as long as you play – and hopefully win – but can be a huge drag when it comes to depositing (and withdrawing) money.

Before you make your first deposit at a casino, take a minute or two to go behind the curtain. Skip the flashy lobby where notifications of special promotions and newly-added casino games will bombard you and go to the ‘Payments’ section.

It is of great importance that you check whether a gambling establishment you chose supports those payment services that are available in your country. It’s always better to check this in advance or you might find yourself feeling extremely disappointed.

Talking about banking, it’s always wise to check deposit and withdrawal limits, along with withdrawal times. After all, online casinos are indeed fun but when it comes to money, we all like to have winnings in our pockets as soon as possible.