Getting Started Gambling Online

You're interested in gambling online, but it all seems so confusing to you. Where do you begin? Well, to start, you need find a trustworthy online casino that offers the games you like to play. How do you find a trustworthy online casino? Good question! With an estimated 1800 Internet sites offering gambling online, it's difficult to separate the legitimate sites from the scams. To complicate matters, there's general casino sites offering table games and niche gambling sites focused on a particular gambling genres (sports betting, bingo, poker, etc..).

To verify that an Internet casino it legitimate, we suggest that you visit the casino's website and first verify that the outfit is audited by an independent 3rd party. In particular, browse a site's information pages and look for a page that verifies a payout rate has been checked by an auditor (such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers). Next, look for verification from other 3rd parties such as member of eCOGRA (the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), or Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) Members.

All of the recommended casinos (shown at right) on GamblersResource.com are links to reputable casinos. Feel free to follow these links and find a casino that suits your fancy. Or, peruse our Casino Reviews section to find out more information about each casino.

Some online casinos may require you to download their software before you can try out their games. If it's a reputable casino, you can trust that the software won't be virus-ridden or some backdoor Trojan looking to steal private or personal information. Many online casinos now offer "Flash" or "Shockwave" casino games that can be played directly within your Internet browser's window, without installing additional software on your computer. However, these "Shockwave" games may not be as nice looking, or as fast as their downloadable counterparts. To be honest, it's really a matter of personal preference. However, the quickest and least invasive way to get started gambling online would be to choose a casino that DOES NOT require you to download software

Once you think you've found a reputable establishment online to place a wager, it's time to get started. Most casinos allow you to first sign up for a free practice, or "guest" account so that you can become comfortable with the games, layouts, pace of play, and general navigation. We would suggest that you take every advantage to familiarize yourself with the wagering and rules for each game (the rules vary per casino) before placing real funds in an online casino account.

To create a guest account, locate the "Sign Up" section within the online casino site (it should be very prominent). The casino will most likely ask you if you'd like to set up a real or a guest account. To start, sign up for a guest account (you'll be able to convert your “guest” or “practice” account into a “real” account later). Next, you'll be required to enter a bit of personal information (primarily, your name, age, email address, etc...). Use your best judgment here. If you feel like the casino is overstepping its bounds in terms of your privacy, find another -- there'll be plenty to choose! However, most casinos will require a minimum amount of signup information at the outset. If you're concerned about giving out your email address, signup for a free email account (such as Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, etc...), just remember, once you turn your guest account into a real account, any correspondence with the casino will be to your free web-based email address. After you've signed up, try out the games. You'll typically be given a guest bankroll to place bets.

OK, so now you've found a reputable online casino, you've signed up and tried out their games, and now you'd like to gamble using real money. You can now, convert your guest account into a real accout, or simply sign-up for a new real account using a new email address. You've now come to the pivotal part in any online gambling signup process depositing gambling funds into a casino account.

Now, visit our online gambling banking section to take the next step.