What does the perfect online casino look like?

Is there a perfect online casino?  What does it look like? Because that's what you're really looking for when you sign up to a new online casino.

With so many options when you’re looking for a new online casino, choosing the right (perfect?) one can be overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We’ve looked at everything that makes the perfect casino to help you make an informed decision. 

From a fair welcome bonus and good navigation to fast pay-outs and plenty of games, there’s lots to consider. Here’s what that ideal online casino will include...

And while it's not a feature as such, the perfect online casino for UK players will always have a Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence.

Simple sign up process

A casino may have everything you’re looking for, but if you can’t register easily, what’s the point? I’ve experienced poor sign up processes too many times. ‘Your username is already taken’ is a frustrating one.

Forms are mandatory, which is fine. But it’s paramount for any casino to make the registration process as simple as possible. If it’s not, it doesn’t give a great first impression, does it? But remember that casinos are legally obligated to take new players through the Know Your Customer process. 

In my opinion, some online casinos are too heavily focused on getting numerous bits of information for their internal systems that they’ve probably lost you by page 2 if there’s too much to fill out. 

Keep it simple, please. MrQ is a great example, with a simple 3-step process collecting minimal information with autocomplete making it quick and easy. Then it’s on to depositing funds and playing.

Fair and attainable welcome bonus

Bonuses aren't for everyone, but they can say a lot about a casino, and the best welcome bonuses will have no wagering requirements and, ideally no cap on potential winnings. Betfred Casino is a great example at the time of writing – up to 200 free spins with no wagering and no maximum win.

What I don’t want to see is what looks like a great welcome offer ruined by unfair terms and conditions. For example, you might see a banner advertising a bonus of 100% up to £400. Sounds great, but when you read the T&Cs, you may see that the wagering is 65x on the bonus and the deposit amount and the max pay-out is capped at £50. If there’s ever a bonus to deter new players it’s one like this! It's important for casinos to offer fair and attainable welcome bonuses.

Promotions for existing players

While a bonus for signing up is great, having ongoing promotions for existing players is equally as important. As a player, you want to be looked after, and loyalty programs or additional bonuses go a long way to keeping you happy.

Some casinos don’t have regular ongoing promotions for existing players, which is poor, and needless to say a bad business move.

Whether it’s another deposit bonus, cashback, free spins or slot tournaments, the best online casinos will have offers that are updated regularly.

Well designed site with search and filtering options

Good casinos will have a website that’s easy to navigate for desktop and laptop users as well on mobiles. (Mobiles now account for around 80% of online slots play.) Some casinos look great, but they don’t have any filtering options or even a search bar. In this mobile-first world a casino’s design must be fully responsive.

The overall theme is important, and the best sites tend to be bold and colourful with a modern design. MrQ is a prime example. The striking blue and pink colours look great and the navigational menu with dedicated sections for each type of game is well put together. The site is easy to navigate and I’m never guessing where I need to go for certain things. It’s all clearly laid out, even down to the choice of typeface, allowing players to read everything easily. The overall design of MrQ also allows the brand to be marketed easily, something all casinos should strive for.

Additionally, what MrQ and many other casinos do well is display licensing and certifications in the website footer to illustrate their reputation and instil trust.

Popular payment methods

It’s often a misconception that the best casinos will list every payment option available. That would be nice, but some operators have PayPal listed with fees involved which is a huge negative. The perfect online casino won’t be charging fees for deposits or withdrawals. If they do, think twice about playing there. Videoslots, which has the usual debit card options, PayPal, Apple Pay and other e-wallets such as MuchBetter, Neteller and Skrill, is a great example. E-wallets are a popular choice – it’s an anonymous payment option that allows you to receive pay-outs a lot quicker than some other methods.

Fast withdrawals

This is often at the top of many players’ lists when it comes to important things to look at when considering the perfect casino. A casino might tick every box on our list above, but if you’re waiting days to receive your money, it’s a casino to avoid.

Ideally, you want a casino that pays out within minutes. There are plenty of them around offering e-wallet and debit card pay-outs in under 10 minutes or even instantly in some cases. A couple of hours is OK too. With many sites offering fast withdrawals, it’s easier to disregard ones with longer processing times. You could be waiting up to 7 working days at some casinos!

Best fast-withdrawal casinos

Large and varied selection of games

Casinos need to offer a solid selection of games and variations of them too. But what’s a good number? Over 1,000 I’d say. And they should be made up of the following:

• Video slots
• Jackpot slots
• Roulette
• Blackjack
• Baccarat
• Live game shows

Some casinos offer up to 10,000 games, which is fantastic. But remember they must also meet the criteria above to be considered 'perfect' or at least close to it! The leading sites will list plenty of slots from the top providers in the industry.

24/7 live chat support

Offering customer support around the clock is great, but unless it includes live chat, it’s not going to tick the ‘perfect casino’ box. We want answers to queries quickly, and the best way is via live chat. Email support is fine, but you can wait a day or more for a response.

The best casinos offer live chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They respond quickly and have knowledgeable and professional advisors. Mr Vegas is a great site with its call-back service and helpful 24/7 live chat. There aren’t many better in my opinion – they're close to perfect in this regard.

Conclusion

While I’ve highlighted what I believe makes the perfect casino, it all comes down to individual preference. You might want withdrawals within minutes but you may not be too fussed if there are only 600 games to choose from. That’s OK. Not every casino is going to meet every single one of the points I’ve outlined. But those that do will offer you a great betting experience overall. There are plenty of fantastic casinos around but there are also some awful ones. Don’t settle for less.