The online gaming industry has enormous varieties of games and platforms to choose from, sometimes making it hard to spot which casino games actually meet proper standards. Licensed games follow rules set by gambling authorities, meaning they’ve got to meet specific guidelines and benchmarks to ensure fair play before they reach your screen, particularly if they have promotional offers like casino free spins no deposit options.
In this article, we’ll uncover the top seven features you need to look out for to ensure you’re staying safe and playing at a licensed and regulated casino online.
- Tested and verified by independent agencies
A properly licensed game will have been vigorously tested by agencies. Look for names like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, GLI, or BMM Testlabs on the casino site. These labs dive deep into the game’s random number generator (RNG) to ensure it operates properly and maintains fair and unbiased gameplay in accordance with the site’s outlines.
You’ll usually spot these companies’ logos at the bottom of the game provider’s website or somewhere on the platform.
- RTP percentages that are visible
Return to Player (RTP) tells you what percentage of all bets the game pays back over time. Higher numbers are generally better, but remember it’s calculated over millions of spins and not just your playing session.
Quality games won’t hide this figure in the small print. They’ll display it in the game rules or paytable, so make sure you can find the RTP within a couple of clicks.
- Tools to help you stay safe
At a regulated and licensed casino, you’ll also find features that help you maintain responsible gaming. Things like session timers, bet limits and self-ban options are available to help you manage your play.
- Paytables that make sense
Ensure each game has a proper paytable that shows exactly how different combinations pay out, no matter if you’re playing Slots, video Poker, or Blackjack.
The information should be clear and permanently available while you play – not changing mysteriously between rounds.
- Random results you can trust
The outcome of all digital casino games is kept fair and unpredictable thanks to computer software called a random number generator (RNG). In licensed games, these systems have been checked and passed tests to ensure they create truly unpredictable outcomes, replicating the shuffling of actual cards or the spinning of a physical wheel. Licensed games get their RNGs audited regularly.
- Legitimate operators behind the scenes
Licensed games appear on platforms that hold their own gambling licenses from respected authorities like the UK Gambling Commission, for example.
This two-layer protection (licensed game and licensed operator) gives you the security of knowing there’s proper oversight. Before trying any new game, take a minute to verify both the game and the site are properly regulated.
- Player reviews
If you’ve found a licensed site with licensed games, you might still want to check player reviews for both before you play.
This can give you an indication of how good the customer service is, the withdrawal speed and general feedback provided by other players.
