When you speak about online casino games, you get one of two responses; on the one hand, you have people who think that online casinos are the source of everything that’s evil and that they need to be stopped at all costs. On the other, you have people who think that it’s the best thing to ever happen to the world of gambling.
In reality, the truth is more somewhere down the middle. While online gambling does have tons of advantages, it also has a few drawbacks that everyone should be aware of before they start playing. Here are some of the most common pros and cons of online casinos.
Pro – Convenience and Comfort
The first and biggest benefit of online casinos is the convenience factor. You really can’t beat being able to play a game of roulette or blackjack from wherever you are, whenever you want. You can play on your way to and from work, at a bus stop, or in your living room dressed in your best pair of pajamas. There’s no need to drive (or fly in certain cases) to your favorite casino or the only one that’s close to your city or state to enjoy.
Con – Convenience and Comfort
Yes, you’re reading that right, and no, this isn’t a mistake. What makes online casinos so great is also one of its biggest drawbacks. Since they’re so readily available, it can be easy for some to lose sight of their wins and losses. It will also make it tough for people with a compulsive personality. So, if that’s your case and you already had issues with regular gambling, then these might not be the best choice for you.
Pro – It’s Exciting
Online casino games can be much more interactive and avant-garde than what you’d find at your average casino. Online slot games in particular often put regular slots to shame with the gaming aspects, snazzy graphics, great TV/Movie-inspired themes, and totally immersive gameplay.
Then you have all the different formats available. If you want to have an added touch of realism, then you have live dealer games. These have the benefit of being totally transparent, which will comfort those who may have a feeling that online games might be rigged. Online casinos will also usually have all sorts of variations of classic table games that you won’t find at more traditional casinos.
Con – Online Casino Scams Do Exist
While the majority of the casinos you’ll find online will be legit, there are some scam sites out there. These are the ones who don’t have a license, don’t offer fair odds, or will simply be fronts. The sad thing is when a trusted brand goes belly up, which does happen, but not often.
The only choice here is to know your gambling commissions, and only go with casinos who have a good reputation and who are accredited. Some of the main regulatory bodies you should be looking for include the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Pro – It’s Open to All Classes of Players
If you ever went to a traditional casino, you may have noticed that they cater principally to high rollers. But, when it comes to online casinos, it’s almost the opposite. New players are king here, and operators will work hard to attract people. You are not being made to feel like a schmuck because you want to play the lowest limit possible at the blackjack table.
You even have casinos that allow for micro bets or play poker at 1¢/2¢ blinds. No matter how small your bankroll is, you’ll find a casino that will accommodate you.
Con – Cash-outs Can be a Pain to Deal With
One of the most annoying things about online casinos is the hectic cash-out schedules. How fast you’ll be able to get your winnings will depend on all sorts of things: the operator, the method you choose, and in many cases, where you live.
However, there are some casinos that will process withdrawals much faster, so you might want to look at them if being able to cash out fast is a major issue for you. Here is a selection of same-day payout casinos as listed on Top Dog Casinos.
While these casinos will not allow you to get the money in your bank account the very same day, these will initiate the process the day you make your request, unlike many casinos that will stall it and make you wait days on top of the business days necessary for the money to get to you.
Pro – The Bonuses
One of the biggest pros of online gambling and what attracts many players in the first place is the great bonuses that you can find. While, in some cases, those might sound too good to be true, and they are, there are also tons of great deals out there as well. You want to pick one that will not make you wait too much or have to bet too high of a limit in order to be eligible.
In addition to bonuses, you also want a casino that has plenty of free play options. This will allow you to test the waters and get a general feel of atmosphere and gameplay at the casino.
Con – Less Interaction
For some people, less interaction might be a good thing. But, if you go to casinos for the social aspect and like the glamor and back and forth of traditional gambling, then online casinos might not be your cup of tea. However, if you like the ability of being able to not have to care about how you look while you’re playing, are more reserved, or play individual games most of the time, you’ll feel right at home with online casinos.
So, now that you know some of the pros and cons of online casinos, you’ll be able to make a better decision as to whether they could be a good choice for you. Whatever you do, however, make sure that you only play with licensed and reputable casinos and that they actually fit your style of play.
