The All-In-One Guide to Online Gambling for 2023
Are you completely new to online gambling and looking for a step-by-step on how to gamble? Or are you more interested in our review criteria, to understand how we select the best gambling sites from the many around?
No matter what you’re searching for, this guide covers the basics to help you get started and beyond. And most importantly, our gambling experts only share trusted sites so you can play with confidence and peace of mind.
The Best Online Gambling Sites for 2023
Jacks.nl – #1 for slots and game for Dutch players
Enjoy the best games and promotions in the Netherlands at Jacks.nl casino. Sign up and deposit to claim your welcome bonus, and keep playing to take advantage of existing player offers, including free spins, free bets, and bonuses. Play many thrilling real dealer games at the live casino, spin the best slots from many premier software providers, and win the biggest online jackpots. 24/7 Dutch-speaking support is also just a click away. Deposit now and claim your welcome bonus at Jacks.nl casino.
- Accepts Players From Netherlands
- Play the best online slots, jackpots, and live games in the Netherlands
- Enjoy existing player promotions like free spins, free bets, and bonuses
- Chat to Dutch-speaking professional support agents 24/7
- Claim a 100% welcome bonus of €100
- Play in-house slots designed by Bet365
- Duo apps for casino and live casino
- Win up to 500x on live casino bets
- Discover what’s in your monthly gift box
- Earn loyalty rewards from The Club
- Buy many top features and bonus games
- Enjoy the ultimate casino experience
- Play games by premier software providers
- Receive the latest offers via Facebook
How to Spot a Good Gambling Site
With thousands of online gambling websites to choose from, you’ll need to learn what makes a good site and how to avoid untrustworthy ones. In our gambling guide, you’ll find out about what the best sites have in common and how we rate them, and a few things you should look out for to stay safe.
Here’s a checklist of the main things you should ask before joining an online casino. You can also check out our in-depth review process, which includes 23 testing steps.
Is this site safe to use?
You should only join the most trusted online gambling sites which go the extra mile to protect your information and money. We look into the casino’s reputation and what security measures it uses. A good starting point is to check for licenses by trusted commissions such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA). You should also look for reliable payment methods which keep your details private from the casino.
What games can I play?
One advantage of internet gambling is that game libraries are huge, since space isn’t an issue. Look for a variety of slot machines including progressive jackpot slots, table games, live casino, video poker games, as well as sports betting. You’ll also find games from many software providers, such as IGT, Aristocrat, and EGT Casinos.
Are they fair?
This is the biggest worry beginners have about playing online. If you gamble at trustworthy sites, the games are fair. Regulatory bodies and independent testing companies like eCOGRA conduct regular tests to ensure the games are 100% fair and provide random results. If something is wrong, an investigation is launched, and the software providers can lose their licenses.
What bonuses will I get?
When you sign up to the best gambling sites, you’ll get a great casino welcome bonus to get you started. If you continue playing, you’ll also benefit from offers for returning users. Remember to read the bonus terms and make sure they’re fair. If there are a lot of restrictions on the games you can play or the timeline in which to use the bonus, it’s a red flag.
What if I need help?
Top gambling websites offer different methods of how to get in touch with their support team. These include live chat, e-mail, and a phone number, which are usually available 24/7. For smaller queries, you can also have a look at the site’s FAQ section.
Can I play from my phone?
If you’re going to spend time and money gambling online, then you should be able to play on all devices including mobile. You should get smooth and clear gameplay on your phone, regardless of the screen size.
Discover Online Gambling Sites by Category
When playing online, you’ll come across different types of gambling to suit a variety of player needs and preferences. Whether you’re into online slots for real money, crypto gambling, or are simply looking for the best casino overall, you’re bound to find a site that caters to your likes.
To filter the best online gambling sites by type, discover our full guides below.
Real Money Online Gambling
Be in the chance to win real cash when playing slots and other online casino games. Choose a casino from our list to get your winnings fast.
Best Online Casinos
Casino, live casino, or sports betting? If you simply can’t choose, check for a best online gambling site with an overall top experience.
Online Gambling Apps
Looking for a dedicated online gambling app? Download one of our recommended casino apps for seamless play and an even faster mobile experience.
Top 5 Gambling Sites: Compared
Our all-time favorite gambling sites excel in many areas, but they’re specifically known for one major reason. We give you a quick snapshot of our top 5 below so you can easily compare their strengths, as well as the games on offer.
| Gambling Site | Gambling Games | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Bovada | Slots, jackpots, table games, sports betting, live dealer games, poker, horse racing | Best site overall for casino & sports |
| Red Dog Casino | Slots, poker, table games, keno | Best for mobile gambling |
| Andromeda Casino | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, lottery | ✨ Best for crypto gambling |
| Drake Casino | Slots, jackpots, table games, live casino, video poker, specialty games | Best for casino tournaments |
| Slots of Vegas | Slots, table games, video poker, free slots | Best for online gambling slots |
What Games Can I Play At Online Gambling Sites?
Playing online gives you a chance to bet on a range of games that you probably wouldn’t have access to otherwise. After all, there is only so much space available at land based casinos.
Here’s a quick overview of our top 5 casino games you can try online.
Online Gambling Slots
Try classic, 3D, video, and jackpot slots to discover your favorite. Look for different features such as bonus rounds, wild and scatter symbols, and multipliers to improve your chances of winning real money online.
Table Games
You can play all your favorite table games online, as well as a few variants which you won’t find at land casinos. Popular table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, and sic bo.
Live Dealer Games
Do you prefer a more interactive experience? Then take a seat at a top live dealer table where everything – including the croupier, the cards, the wheels, the dice – is authentic.
Video Poker
Video poker is more of a cross between a slot machine and poker than an actual poker game. Popular titles include Jacks or Better, Double Double, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker.
Online Bingo
If you know enough bingo lingo, then why not purchase your cards online and play against other players? From 30-Ball to 90-Ball to Spin Bingo, the choice is yours.
An Introduction to Online Sports Betting
Online sports betting is gaining popularity worldwide. In the United States alone, more and more states are now allowing legal sports bets. If online betting on sporting events is something that interests you, you can either head over to a dedicated sportsbook site or an operator which provides casino, live casino, and sports betting options on the same website.
We cover the most common queries related to online sports gambling in our guide below.
You can place hundreds of bets at top sports gambling sites. You’ll find sports such as horse racing, football, baseball, basketball, and even eSports. You can also try your hand at live betting, where you wager on events in real time.
In sports betting, the favorite is the team which is most likely to win the match, whereas the underdog is the team that has the highest chance of losing the match. When looking at a betting line for any match at a sportsbook, you’ll notice who is a favorite to win based on the odds.
The most common ways of how US sportsbooks display odds are as numbers (moneyline odds). The British use fractions (fractional odds), whereas decimals (decimal odds) feature in European sportsbooks. In all cases, the odds show who is most likely to win or lose in a match. Keep in mind that betting on favorites poses less risk, but you’ll get lower profits.
With moneyline odds, you’ll find positive and negative numbers always in relation to the number 100. Favorite teams are marked with negative numbers, and the underdogs with positive numbers. So, if a team has -110 odds, it means that you have to bet $110 to win your original $110 bet back plus a $100 profit. If a team has +120 odds, you bet $100 to make a profit of $120.
In fractional odds, 1/4 odds mean the favorite has four more chances of winning than losing. This means that for every $1 bet, you’ll only make a profit of $0.25. 4/1 odds mean the team is four times more likely to lose than to win, and you’ll get $4 for every $1 wagered, plus your starting $1 bet (i.e. a total payout of $5).
Decimal odds are easier to understand, since the decimal simply represents the amount you can win for every $1 bet. So if a team is set to win by 5.5, it means you’ll get a total payout of $5.50 for a $1 bet. Higher decimals and hence payouts show underdogs since they have fewer chances of winning.
Some common options at online betting sites include moneyline wagers, spread betting, and over/under betting.
- Moneyline: Simply bet on the outcome of the match, i.e. which team you think will win. You’ll be able to see the bookmarkers’ favorite through the odds, since negative odds show lower risk but smaller profits.
- Spread betting: Beyond betting on which team you think will win as in moneyline wagers, you’ll also need to bet on by the amount of points the team will win by. So, in a point spread of +7.0 for the New England Patriots and -7.0 for the Kansas City Chiefs, the sportsbook shows the Chiefs are favorites to win (negative number). If you bet on the Patriots, they’ll have to either win the match outright or lose by less than 7 points for you to win. If betting on the Chiefs, they have to win by 8 points or over for you to win.
- Over/under: Also known as a totals wager. The outcome of the game or winning team doesn’t matter here. Rather, you’re betting on the combined total score during a match. Taking soccer as an example, if you bet on a total score of under 2.5 points, you win if the match total doesn’t go over 2.5 (like a 2-0 score).
Can I Make Money Gambling Online?
It’s possible to win money through online gambling. You will have to join a site, make a deposit, and play your favorite casino games. It’s important to realize you can’t win for real by playing on free online gambling games.
When playing for real money at a gambling site, you should also know the risks involved. Whether you win or lose mostly depends on luck, so ensure you’re playing responsibly and for fun. Gambling games are ultimately games of chance.
If you still want to try your luck and are looking into how to make money gambling online, read our top tips to have the best chance.
Reduce the House Edge
If you choose to play online slots, for example, check for the RTP (Return to Player) percentage in the game rules or paytable. If a slot has an RTP of 97%, subtract this from 100 to calculate the casino advantage, which in this case is 3%. Gambling on games with a high RTP and low house edge increases your odds of winning.
Use a Game Strategy
You can protect your bankroll on games such as free online blackjack or real money roulette if you use a strategy chart or betting system. A blackjack strategy chart shows you possible outcomes for different situations, so you can choose the best moves depending on the cards you get and the dealer’s up card. If you follow roulette betting systems such as the Reverse Martingale or the Paroli you’ll know when it’s best to increase, double, or lower your bet depending on the outcome.
Make Informed Sports Bets
While guessing the outcome of a sporting event is mostly based on luck, if you know a sport well and conduct a lot of research into it, you can increase your odds of winning. There are many bets that you can make, which is why the first step is to learn to make quality bets rather than just focusing on the quantity.
Check For Progressive Jackpots
You can win the largest sums of money on progressive jackpots, which often go up to millions. The amount here constantly increases because multiple users can play the same slot from many online gambling sites. Whenever they place a bet on the game, a part of this goes towards the jackpot amount. Keep in mind that the odds of winning a progressive jackpot are very slim.
Choose Games with Bonus Rounds
Before choosing a slot machine, compare paytables and check for a free spins bonus. Some slots such as IGT’s White Orchid give up to 20 extra rounds. To improve your chances further, opt for online slots in which you can re-trigger the free spins bonus. In White Orchid, you can re-trigger up to another 20 extra rounds if you get two or more bonus symbols on the center column.
Find Your Ideal Deposit Method for Online Gambling
Our recommended online gambling sites allow you to add money to your account through many deposit methods. We take a closer look at the most popular ones below, and the reasons why they could be a great fit for your play.
Credit and Debit Cards
Most gambling sites around the world accept credit and debit cards like VISA and MasterCard. They’re a popular choice among gamblers since transactions are instant, they have low to no added charges, and are extremely secure. In fact, cards such as VISA include a variety of fraud prevention tools which protect your play.
Cryptocurrency
Privacy is one of the biggest advantages of gambling with cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Casinos, Litecoin, and Ethereum. All transactions are anonymous because of blockchain technology. This means that cryptocurrencies aren’t controlled by third parties, such as banks or governments. Discover our crypto gambling guide if you’d like to know more about crypto benefits, which include security, speed, low fees, and global acceptance.
Pay by Phone
Mobile billing methods are great for those who value simplicity, speed, and safety. You only need a phone number to use pay by phone providers such as Boku, Payforit, and Zimpler. Since you don’t have to enter any bank details, it’s also a secure payment method. You can choose to use your current phone balance or pay on your next phone bill.
Prepaid Cards
Gamblers like prepaid cards such as paysafecard as you can deposit without sharing your bank or card details. There are also minimal charges to use this payment method. Simply purchase a card, head to the cashier, enter a deposit amount, and type in your 16-digit PIN when prompted. This is also a great option to track and control how much you spend on internet gambling.
E-wallets
E-wallets are ideal if don’t want to share your bank details with a casino site. By using e-wallets like Skrill, the operator only sees the email address linked to your digital wallet. Security, privacy, and instant deposits are some of the biggest advantages of using e-wallets to gamble online. An added pro is that some casinos partner with providers such as Skrill to offer exclusive provider bonuses.
Is Online Gambling Legal?
This depends on the country or area you’re gambling from. While some jurisdictions promote legal online gambling, others might restrict certain gambling games. There are also several US states for example, that outright prohibit all forms of gambling. Before you get started, it’s important you check the online gambling laws of where you’re playing from. If you’d like to learn more, we can also guide you through our recommended online casinos by country.
Legal online gambling sites obtain licenses from trusted regulatory bodies like the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). If a casino displays the logo of such commissions, your funds and data are 100% safe.
How To Gamble Online
Getting started at an online casino or an online sports betting site is quite simple, especially since the process of creating an account is the same at most operators. Follow 5 easy steps in our gambling guide below and you’ll be ready to play in no time.
Pick an Online Casino
Learn how to spot a safe online casino by following our top tips to the best gambling sites. These are based on over 1,200 sites we’ve reviewed. When you’re convinced, launch your favorite in browser or alternatively, you can also download the online gambling app.
Create Your Account
Click on the Sign Up button at your chosen site and fill in the registration form. The casino will send a confirmation email to the address provided, to verify your account. Some sites might also ask you to confirm your mobile number as a protective measure.
Note: Trusted casino websites might ask you to upload further documents to confirm your identity, such as a copy of your passport. All this is part of Know Your Customer (KYC) checks which are required by law in many countries.
Claim Your Welcome Bonus
Depending on the type of welcome offer, you might have to deposit before getting your bonus money. On the other hand, some welcome offers are no deposit bonuses. This means that they’re credited instantly to your account upon signing up, and usually include free spins.
To claim a deposit bonus, check if there’s a bonus code available in the promotions section of the site. You’ll have to enter this code when making a deposit. Some gambling sites also have a dropdown option when you visit the cashier.
Make Your First Deposit
Once you’ve signed up and verified your identity, you can top up your account with real money. Go to your casino account, click on the deposit option, choose your preferred payment method, and select the amount you’d like to deposit. Enter any bonus codes at this stage. You should be able to access your funds instantly at our top recommended casino websites.
Play Your Favorite Casino Games
If you’ve claimed a welcome offer, check if there are any terms mentioning which games you can play using the bonus. If not, you can choose from the hundreds of options in the lobby. Whatever game you go for, keep in mind that you can practice for free at most online gambling sites or here on VegasSlotsOnline before betting with your own money.
Dos and Don’ts When Gambling Online
Whether you’re new to the online casino scene or a more experienced player, you should learn how to gamble responsibly. This includes being able to spot potential risk and taking steps to minimize it, besides focusing on fun and winnings. Otherwise, it can be a very costly experience.
Have a look at our table below for more responsible gambling tips.
- Set session, deposit, and loss limits to control your time and spending
- Stick to your decided bankroll
- Practice with free games before depositing for real
- Request a cashout when you win big, so you don’t lose it all again
- Ask for help if you develop a gambling addiction
- Check for fair terms and conditions before claiming a bonus
- Check the RTP and play games with a low house edge
- Don’t join blacklisted casinos with a bad reputation
- Don’t gamble with money you can’t afford to lose
- Don’t borrow money to gamble
- Never mix gambling with alcohol
- Don’t pin your hopes on winning a jackpot
- Don’t play if you don’t know the game rules
- Don’t assume that because you’ve had a big win, you’ll keep winning
Note: If your gambling habit is taking over your life, reach out to organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gambling Therapy which can help you deal with problem gambling.
Get Your Exclusive Online Casino Bonus
You now know how to gamble online safely and responsibly, while also enjoying yourself. And to make things easier, we’ve also come up with a top list of gambling sites for you to pick from. Head over to our best online gambling site today and get started with a generous welcome bonus:
Online Gambling FAQs
Rather than playing slot machines, table games, and other games at land based casinos, gamblers can now access these on the internet at reputable sites. Note that you should always check the online gambling laws in your area before playing.
Simply pick your favorite online casino, fill in the registration form, and add money to your account. Whether you’re new to gambling or a more experienced player, you’ll find our best tips in this comprehensive guide.
You’ll find the best gambling sites here at VegasSlotsOnline. Our experts choose top casinos based on a number of criteria including licensing, game selection, bonuses, payment methods, and more.
Yes! Simply join one of our recommended casinos and play on your favorite games for real. When you land a win, click on the withdraw button to bank your winnings.
Online gambling games are mostly random, which is why you should play for fun. Still, there are a few things you can do to better your chances of winning. These include checking the game paytable and Return to Player (RTP) before choosing what to play.
It’s completely safe to gamble if you register at reputable websites. The best casinos use encryption to protect your data and have secure payment methods. Although there still are a few rogue casinos you should avoid.
You can play slots, table games, video poker, scratch cards, keno, and more. Some sites even offer casino, live casino, and sports betting under the same account.
Yes! You’ll get a welcome bonus when you sign up and make your first deposit. Returning players also benefit from other promotions such as reload bonuses, VIP offers, referral schemes, and more.
You’ll find a variety of options available at top sites, including credit and debit cards, prepaid cards, and e-wallets. Look for trusted payments such as VISA, Bitcoin, and Skrill, among others.
Yes! Some sites have dedicated mobile online gambling apps while others allow you to play your favorite games at a mobile casino, directly in your browser.
Absolutely! The best online gaming sites provide free versions of their games. And if you’re into free online gambling games, you can also try over 10,000 slots and other casino games right here at VegasSlotsOnline.
If you’re not gambling for fun anymore, reach out to organizations like Gambling Therapy for help. You can also request a time out from the casino for up to 3 months. If you have a gambling problem and need to stay away for longer, you might want to self-exclude for a year or even forever.
Our Favourite Casinos
