FAQs – Online Casino Bonuses
We get a lot of questions about gambling online. What we try to do with those questions is create full blown, highly detailed articles. We figure that if one person is getting tripped up on something, that other people probably are, too.
In fact, that’s where our most highly trafficked pages come from. People want to read our reviews because they ask where they should play, or our banking page because someone asked about US deposit options. It’s also where we got our ideas for our beginners guide, where we cover everything from getting started to bonuses to software providers.
However, not every question we receive makes sense turn into an article. It may not require an elaborate explanation and/or we may already have a page that discusses it to some length.
So what we do with those questions instead is add them to our FAQ section below. You’ll find answers to commonly asked questions, as well as links to pages already created on our site that go into some of these topics in more detail.
How old do I need to be to gamble online?
Most online casinos require you to be 18 or 21. Keep in mind that your country, state or local laws may very well override whatever rules the casino sets.
Can I play on my Mac / phone / tablet?
Absolutely. Most casinos nowadays are compatible with Mac computers. Some will have a download, just like they do for PC users. However, the majority of them will have what’s referred to as no download, instant play or browser games. These are games that you can play from the casinos’ website. You don’t have to download anything — just log-in and play. These are great, especially if you only want to play a game or two. Keep in mind that instant play casinos have limited options for what games you can play.
Many casinos are mobile optimized, too. They have an app that you can download or games that you can install to your phone. Each casino is different — some have Android and iOS apps, whiles others only have one or the other. Few have both, let alone apps for Blackberry or Windows. You’ll have to check the mobile page or our casino reviews for more details.
Responsible Gambling & Help – I think I’m addicted to gambling. What do I do?
The first thing you ought to do is stop playing. If possible you should set up a self-block if the casino has the option. If not, try contacting support to see if they’ll put one in place. Either way, withdraw your money as soon as possible.
From here, you need to talk to someone. Family, friends and problem gambling support groups, YOU CAN GET HELP. There are many websites that can help, too. You might try Gamblers Anonymous to get help with your online casino gambling problem.
Which is better, online or brick and mortar (live) casinos?
That’s a personal preference. So many online casino software providers are doing a good job in capturing that brick and mortar casino feel, that often times it’s hard to tell the difference.
I think it comes down to what you want to experience. I’ve done both, and honestly, I can do without the travelling hustle and bustle and crowds that come with going to brick and mortar casinos. Not to mention the costs. Everything is more expensive live. That said, I would miss the food. I can’t cook like chefs can at home.
What online casinos have a table limit max of $500 or more?
A number of casinos have high table limits. Bovada does, as does VIP Casino and Golden Palace.
Can I get in trouble for counting cards in blackjack?
Legal trouble? No, you won’t have any problem there. It’s not even illegal to count cards in a Las Vegas casino.
However, many (if not all) casinos will have terms in place regarding counting cards, especially live dealer casinos. They’re against it. If you’re caught, your account may be closed.
How can I start my own online casino website?
It’s difficult to tell what the asker wants to know. Do they want to know how to run their own online casino business, or run a website like this one. You could write a book around both, so what I’ll do instead is just roughly highlight what you need to get started.
- Online Casino – Your business would need to be in a country that is ok with online gambling businesses. You would also need gaming software, various types of licensing, banking, support and cash flow for marketing, employees and income for yourself while you build your business.
I live in the USA. Can I play online for real money?
The short answer is yes. Online gambling isn’t illegal in most states and in some USA states it’s totally legal.
That said, it is illegal in a few states. It’s also difficult to get money on and off some of the casinos if you are in USA. So if you’re in USA you can play for real money, but you may face some challenges.
How do online casinos make their money?
Online casinos make their money from the games. Each game has odds that work against you. Some are low, like blackjack, where the house edge is 1-6%. That means for every $1 you spend you lose .01-.06 cents. Others, like slots, can have house edges as high as 20%.
The thing about house edge, though, is that it’s all about the long run. The casinos will make so much money off each hand or spin when averaged over several hundred thousand hands/spins (or even millions).
In the short term, they make their money from the variance that players experience. Even though you’re only supposed to lose 6% at blackjack, it’s possible to lose 80% over the course of 500 hands. Just think of how many players there are in a casino that are losing .50 or $10 every couple of seconds. It adds up, and fast.
I don’t want to deposit my own money. Can I play for free?
Absolutely. Every casino that I’ve played at offers their games for free. You will most likely still need to create an account, though, and possibly download the software. But it is possible to play for fun money and never make a deposit once. That said, keep in mind that in 99.9% of cases you can’t win money unless you make a deposit.
How long will it take for the casino to pay me my winnings?
Processing time for the casino can be as quick as a couple of hours, and as long as 1-4 weeks. It depends on the banking method you use. E-wallets, money transfers and wires will be the fastest at 1-7 days. Checks can take around a month. In a worst case scenario you might have to wait 1-3 months for a payment. That’s more or less because your casino sucks, though.
Can I make a living playing at online casinos?
No. With the exception of poker and sports betting, all games have odds in the casino’s favor.
Blackjack is an exception if you can learn to count cards. But that takes work, as does getting good at poker and sports betting. But for games like slots or video poker, you have a better chance making money by selling ice cubes to Eskimos than you do making a living at 3-reel slots.
Why do casinos offer deposit bonuses?
Casinos offer deposit bonuses to encourage players to deposit. Sometimes this is for brand new accounts, and other times it’s for existing players that haven’t played for awhile — kind of like an incentive to come back.
What are rollover requirements?
Rollover requirements are terms that the casino have in place to prevent people from abusing their promotions. What they ask you to do is wager so much money relative to your bonus, and once you do that the bonus is yours to keep. For example, a casino might ask that you rollover your $100 deposit 25x. So before you could keep that $100 you’d have to wager $2,500.
What is the largest jackpot ever won at an online casino?
To our knowledge the biggest jackpot won online was by Georgios M of Greece. He was playing the Mega Moolah machine and won about $8.62 million. This was in May of 2009.
How do I make a deposit to an online casino
The process is straightforward. Once you have an online casino account you’ll visit the banking section, choose your method and fill out the details. Then hit submit.
Popular options for players include credit cards, prepaid cards, Neteller, money transfers and bank wires.
What are the lowest stakes I can play for online?
The lowest table game stakes that you can play for is $1. That sure beats the $5 minimums and brick and mortar casinos.
For machine games the lowest stakes is 1 penny.
How do I know online casinos are safe?
There’s really no surefire way to know that a casino is safe. We’ve been in the industry long enough to see the most reputable gambling operators come crashing down overnight because they mismanaged their business.
That said, the safest casinos will be fully licensed, regulated, have encryption technology in place, like the online casinos we have listed on Online Casino Bonus Frontpage they all have a solid reputation for treating players well and, most importantly, for paying them in a reasonable timeframe. See our beginners guide for more.
How much money should I play with?
That’s a personal preference. Never play with money you don’t have, of course. Paying your rent or feeding your family is more important than live dealer blackjack. From there it comes down to your own threshold (how much can you afford to lose and be ok) and your budget. Start with $10 or $20 and go from there.
What is meant by odds or house edge in online casinos?
House edge refers to how often you’re going to win or lose in the long run. This can refer to both money and hand/spin.
What should I consider before choosing an online casino?
This is covered in more detail here, but for quick reference, you should consider a number of things including:
- Where you live. Does the casino take players from your country? See the country guides for Canada, UK, Australia
- What banking options you want to use.
- What games you want to play.
- How much money you have to play with.
- The casino itself, including their reputation, licensing, time in business, etc.
- Software provider.
- Compatibility. Will the casino work on your PC, Mac, tablet or phone?
What are comp points?
Comp points are a type of a loyalty program. Casinos award points to players for every $1 they spend. They can then take those points and turn them in for cash once they’ve accumulated enough of them.
Do online casinos ask you for ID?
Eventually most casinos do. They might not ask when you sign up and start playing for money, but if not then, they will ask when you make your first withdrawal.
What betting systems can I use to win at online casinos?
There are a number of betting systems out there, including the Martingale, progressive/regressive, Parlay, D’Alembert and more. Unfortunately, you won’t become a winning player if you use these. It’s not possible to be a long term winning casino player, with or without betting systems, other than the rare and lucky exception of hitting a jackpot.
What is known as 21 in casinos online?
21 is another name for blackjack. It refers to the max number of points a player can receive before busting (losing) the hand. It also refers to natural (dealt) blackjacks (an ace and 10-point card) that pay players 2-1.
What are some gambling games that I can play online?
It’s not possible to list them all. But here is a general list of games that you can play:
- Card Games – Baccarat, 3-card poker, blackjack (plus 20+ variations), caribbean stud, let’em ride, red dog, Texas holdem bonus poker, casino holdem, war and rummy. This also includes craps and roulette.
- Slots – 3 and 5-reel, progressive jackpots, video, interactive, etc.
- Video Poker – Jacks or better, joker poker, tens or better, double bonus, double double bonus, all American and aces and faces.
- Special – Keno, lottery, sic bo and bonus bingo.
Keep in mind that there are variations for many games, like live dealer baccarat or european 21. There will also be different bonus rounds, side bets and table limits.
Are there any casinos online that aren’t rigged?
I don’t personally know of a casino that is rigged. The thing is, most online casinos use software provided to them by a (reputable) 3rd party. They don’t have nothing to do with the software, how it works, etc.
If a casino is bad, it’s usually going to be in paying players their winnings, bonuses or promotions. You can find some of the safest online casinos Here, all the casinos listed on OnlineCasino.org frontpage are fully licensed and safe and secure..
Can you play penny blackjack or roulette games online?
Not that we’re aware of. The cheapest stakes you can play blackjack or roulette for online is $1.
I’m having troubles creating an account. Who can help me?
The fastest way to get help is to contact the support staff for the casino you’re trying to sign-up to. They’ll have a contact link at the top or bottom of their website, or both. If available, I recommend calling them or using the live chat feature. Both are the fastest methods for receiving help. Contact forms are ok, but you’ll wait 1-2 hours at a minimum, and possibly as long as 24 hours.
Is fun money and real money the same?
No. The difference between the two is that fun money is fake money. The casino gives you play money to try the casino out to see if you like it. Once you run out they can give you more. Fun money can’t win real money.
Real money is money given to you from the casino, or money that you’ve deposited yourself. It’s not bottomless, unless you’re rich, and it can win real money prizes.
What will happen if my computer crashes while playing online?
That depends on the casino, but in most cases the casino will freeze your game. That’s particularly helpful if you have the game set on auto-bet/spin/play.
However, if you don’t, you don’t have much to worry about anyway. The games won’t deal/spin unless you tell them to.
Are there any online gambling techniques or secrets?
As in techniques or secrets to winning money from casinos?
No. At least not for most games.
Games where the house cannot be beaten are just that — unbeatable. So you can’t beat games like slots, video poker or craps. The best you can do is play as optimally as possible.
With games like blackjack, there are techniques, but they take time to learn and master. For example, you can learn basic strategy that tells you when to hit, stand, split, etc depending on the cards that you and the dealer have. That will reduce the house edge from 5-6 percent to about 1-2 percent.
You can learn how to count cards, too, once you’ve learned basic strategy (which is mandatory for card counting). But that takes time and practice, and while not illegal in brick and mortar casinos, it can get you kicked out for life. Note that no form of card counting works online either, due to the type of software that is used and how it was created.