The Online Casino industry is now regarded as one of the most lucrative industries in the world. Billions of dollars pass through online casinos every year. There are more than 1,000 online casinos operating on the Internet using a multitude of Casino software. Players can choose from a variety of games, including online slot games; popular table games such as online blackjack, poker; craps, backgammon, baccarat, video poker; and many other classic casino games.

In general, online casinos are strictly regulated by various gaming commissions in jurisdictions across the globe and are usually audited by reputable third parties to ensure fairness. Even so, before investing your hard earned cash and time into an online casino or even online bingo you should do a little research and not be blinded by the dazzling array of games, features and incentives.

Though often superficially different one thing they do all have in common is that they all want your business, they want your sign up, and above all - they want your cash. Before gambling online at your favourite UK online casino such as Riverbelle or 32Red make sure you follow these tips for gambling online:

Make sure the casino is licensed
If you can't find any licensing information on the site ask customer support. Don't gamble there if they don't have a license that can be verified.

Check Customer Support
Make sure the casino has 24/7 customer support and free telephone numbers. Most reputable online casinos have this support – you can test customer support to make sure you get a response within a reasonable time scale.

Payout Speed
Make sure that the casino you play at pays out winnings in a reasonable time. This information should be available on the web site. Ask customer support if you’re unsure.

Verify Payout Percentages
The casino payout percentage shown indicates what proportion of the total money bet by players is being paid out as winnings. ie: If the payout percentage is 97.2%, then 97.2% of all the money bet at the casino is paid out to winners, and the casino gets to keeps 2.8% of the total bets. A good yardstick for payout percentages tends to be over 96.5%, which means the casino is retaining 3.5% on a net wagering basis. This compares favourably with offline casinos.

Most online casinos also publish individual payout percentages for game such as slots and video-poker. Check previous months to make sure that payout percentages are consistent. Most online casinos publish their payout percentages. It is vital to check that the Casino Payout Percentage has been verified by a trusted third party - any of the top 3 authorities - the Online Players Association (OPA), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance). Payouts that are audited contribute significantly to the trust and fairness of an online casino.

Read the Small Print
Learn how to collect bonuses and how to play them right. Make sure you read the terms and conditions if a casino offers you a bonus and check what you need to do in order to get it. You might want to print a copy of the terms and conditions for your reference.

Play and practice For FREE
Most online casinos have a play for fun option that allows you to practice with a fun balance before playing for real. This also helps you decide whether you like the games software. Don't start gambling on big amounts until you trust the gambling site. Only gamble on small amounts to begin with, and if you win cash see how fast they pay you.