Being a new gambler can become overwhelming, especially because there is so much information to keep track of. It is crucial to play fairly and responsibly, even when you are just starting. In this article, we will explore some of the most common mistakes that new players make, and we will tell you how to avoid them.
After registering on a gambling platform, you will for sure want to engage in a captivating session with some of the best casino promotions. You must be aware of everything listed below, especially during this time.
- Creating an account using incorrect credentials
To begin playing, you will first need to create an account using your valid credentials. This is the most basic requirement, but there are cases in which people play using someone else’s credentials, such as a family member or friend. Make sure that you use yours!
- Creating multiple accounts
Regarding our previous section, players create an additional account using the credentials of someone close to them. People tend to do this in order to maximize their winnings, but don’t forget that it’s crucial only to have one account, or you will be prone to a terms and conditions breach.
Naturally, you shouldn’t create multiple accounts with your own credentials, either. The finance team of every casino carefully checks the information, and duplicate accounts are strictly forbidden. If you are lucky and receive some winnings, the casino will not credit them to you if its team finds multiple accounts.
These checks are conducted not only through your name, but also through the IP address. This is why it’s best to avoid creating an account under your partner, parent, or roommate’s name.
- Making a huge deposit from the start
It’s important to remember that playing in a casino should be fun, and you need to keep responsible gambling in mind at all times. As a new player, it’s best to start with a risk-free option, for which you don’t need to deposit at all.
Here are some options:
- A no deposit cash bonus → it providers a certain amount of money in your bonus balance that you can spend on multiple games and providers.
- A no deposit free spins bonus → for this deal, you will get a set of free spins on a specific popular game that the casino has in store.
Some casinos don’t provide this alternative, although most offer their players the chance to test out their services.
Remember that gambling is based on luck, and when you deposit, you put your funds at risk. There are, of course, great chances that you win, but you can also lose, and it’s best to be aware of that.
To be safe, you can make a minimum deposit, which sometimes goes as low as $10 on some platforms. This way, you don’t have a high amount at risk, and you’re able to try out the casino’s atmosphere.
- Not verifying your account
The account verification process (KYC) is crucial, especially when you want to pay out your winnings. That’s why it’s recommended that you go through it right after you’ve created your account. Waiting until initiating a withdrawal will most likely slow down the process, since verification can take a couple of days at most casinos.
Initially, you will only need to send basic documents, which include a valid ID or driver’s license. After that, when a withdrawal is pending, the casino will request additional documents, such as proof of payment and proof of address.
It’s best to verify your account as soon as possible to avoid issues such as breaching the terms and conditions or having your account deactivated after a certain period.
2. Playing with a VPN
Not all games and providers are available in all jurisdictions, which is why some players use a VPN to access them. Most casinos don’t accept this, and it is actually clearly stated in their terms and conditions.
Playing games with a VPN doesn’t ensure that, in case an issue arises, you will be able to get the proper help. For instance, if a game is not available in your jurisdiction, but you still access it with a VPN, it can crash, resulting in a round not crediting your winnings. In cases like these, the casino might be unable to help you because you’ve breached the terms and conditions.
3. Ignoring terms and conditions
According to the UK Gambling Commission, almost 80% of gamblers skip reading the information provided in a casino’s terms and conditions. It’s a well-known fact that going through all that information takes a long time and can become tedious.
However, when you’re playing at a casino, your money is at stake, meaning that you should be well aware of everything provided in the T&C.
Especially when you will start playing with a bonus, you will have to be fully aware of how its conditions work. Here is a list of the most important ones that you should keep in mind:
- maximum cash-out
Most casinos implement a maximum cash-out for their bonuses. To put it simply, you are not allowed to withdraw more than the amount stated in the conditions, which can be $50, $100, or any other amount the platform decides upon.
- wagering requirements
This condition refers to the amount you have to bet after playing with a bonus. It can be a multiplier from x1 to x99+, but some special bonuses lack it, meaning you can withdraw your winnings faster. For instance, if you receive $100 from a free spins offer, and the wagering requirement is 50x, then you will need to bet a total of $5000 in order to be able to withdraw.
- restricted games
When you are wagering for the bonus you’ve just finished, you should keep in mind that platforms might add restrictions to certain games. If you play them, you will be at risk of breaching the T&Cs, resulting in the confiscation of your winnings.
- maximum bet allowed
Again, while you’re going through the wagering requirements, you must keep track of the maximum bet you can place. Casinos typically include this information in their bonus terms and conditions, so it’s essential to be aware of it.
- Engaging in bonus abuse
Some players may engage in bonus abuse, believing that certain strategies will yield significantly higher winnings. Don’t forget that apart from playing responsibly, casinos also have rules, as we’ve seen throughout this article.
One practice that you must avoid is redeeming multiple bonuses at the same time. Bonus stacking is forbidden at online casinos, so it’s best to get the deals one at a time, because you wouldn’t want to lose any potential winnings just because of this.
Here is an example of what can happen if you stack bonuses:
Imagine you receive two bonuses, one of which has a wagering requirement and the other doesn’t. In case you play both of them, the casino will not allow you to withdraw your winnings from the no-wagering one until you’ve fulfilled the condition for the other bonus.
When you get a no-wagering bonus, your winnings will go directly to your real money balance because you can withdraw them directly. In this case, if you have an additional bonus on your account that requires wagering, then your bet will be deducted from that balance.
This means that you will lose your real money balance while attempting to fulfill the wagering requirement for the bonus.
- Not taking advantage of responsible gambling tools
Responsible gambling tools are available at most gambling sites, and they are a great way to keep your habits under control. Utilize them immediately after registration to ensure a safe and engaging session.
- Deposit limit → Add a deposit limit to your account to keep your budget under control.
- Session limit → This helps you get notifications when you exceed a certain amount of time spent on the gambling platform.
- Cool-off → If you find that gambling on a certain platform has become overwhelming, simply access the cooling-off option that you’ll be able to set for up to 6 months. During this time, you’ll not receive promotional emails, and your account will be restricted.
- Self-exclusion → This one works on the same premise, but it is more effective for those who have gambling issues. It’s possible to set it for a couple of years or indefinitely, and not be able to access your account.
Key takeaways
In short, your first gambling experience is crucial because it sets the tone of your journey that is to come. Here are some key takeaways you should remember from what we’ve discussed in this article:
- Being aware of the terms and conditions before you start playing at a casino is crucial.
- Responsible gambling should be a priority, whether it involves utilizing proper tools or simply being aware of your initial deposit amount.
- Having a unique account on a casino that you successfully verify after registration is a must.
