How can I tell if an online casino website is legitimate?

This can be difficult to tell sometimes. While there are a great number of online casinos that operate with fine standards are not intended to rip you off, there are a few that are run by criminals just looking to make a quick buck by exploiting their users. You should look for these things before signing up for any online casino website:

Microgaming, Playtech, Chartwell or Wagerworks software.
An eCobra seal of approval.
A PriceWaterhouseCoopers seal of approval.
About Us Page: Check for a reasonable location and company history.

Some of the best resources are online forums dedicated to users that have previously worked with the company in question. A good website that contains this information is www.Casinomeister.com.

Can I play all the traditional casino games online?

This largely depends on the site with which you have a membership. For the most part, any traditional game that would be found in a casino can also be found in an online casino. You should check the game selection of your website before signing up but you can almost always expect to find:

Video and Traditional Slots
Poker (All varieties)
Craps
Blackjack
Keno
Baccarat
Bingo

Where should I turn if I have an issue with an online casino?

One of the first places that you should turn is the provided customer service venues that are provided on the website. Sometimes errors do occur and there are reasonable explanations and fast resolutions available. If they give you a reasonable answer and their reasons for your problem are understandable, first give them the benefit of the doubt.

Beyond seeking help at blacklist websites and posting complaints, there is not much you can do. These websites have often been successful at resolving issues. If you are owed a considerable amount of money ($1,000 or more) it may be time to consider legal action if all other methods have failed. Most of the time, if you have documentation and your claim is legitimate, companies will pay you when threatened by legal action. They generally do not want a lawsuit on their record and will offer to settle early.

Do online casinos hold my winnings for a certain timeframe?

One of the most complicated issues with regards to online casinos is the availability of winnings. If you qualify for a bonus, the online company will hold your winnings until you meet their bonus requirements. Usually, you must wager the bonus amount that you win by 15-30 times before ANY winnings are accessible. If you do not receive any bonus money, you are eligible and entitled to your winnings before the end of the 3rd business day. As soon as these funds are in transit (wired, etc.) they are considered paid.

If your website does hold winnings for ANY period of time as part of their policy, do not even bother to begin an account. The reason for this policy is to avoid paying out a sum until you have a chance to lose it. These websites are crooked and are not worth your time.

Are deposits secure on the major casino websites?

If your website is legitimate, your deposit will be secure. In addition, the method that you use to pay an online casino will also include a description of the payment details. By saving all of your records of every deposit (and having the foresight to take screenshots every time you win a significant amount of money) you can almost always be in a good position to make sure your money is safe and secure. When you take a screenshot to protect yourself, make sure that it clearly shows the time, date and (most importantly) your account number.