There are many choices in life that are crucial and can have severe consequences if poorly made. With everything in life, you generally do a little preparation beforehand to make sure that you’ve made the correct decision. Naturally, this applies to choosing the right slot site and making sure that it’s both reliable and authentic.
It’s important to make sure that your hard-earned money goes to the right place and that you don’t end up depositing at a slot site that doesn’t fulfil your needs. Of course, the biggest thing to check is that it’s licensed by an authoritative and regulated organisation – but there’s more to the selection process than you think.
Here, you’ll find all the necessary ‘green flags’ to look out for in separating the best slot sites from those you should probably avoid.
Branding and image
Perhaps, the easiest thing to examine on a slot site is the overall branding and image of the company behind the site. Do they use a consistent and bold colour scheme and a modern slick-looking layout? Or, do they use bland colours with dated or inconsistent elements?
The overall design of a slot site says a lot about the effort they put into their image and branding, and consequently how serious they are about other areas of their business.
A good example is Paddy Power – for years they’ve gone all-out to create a tongue-in-cheek image that’s often depicted through hilarious adverts or campaigns. It’s easy to spot Paddy Power’s well-thought-out branding and it’s become a recognisable and familiar brand that new and existing players have grown to trust.
Language of the site
Similar to the branding, it’s a good idea to check the overall grammar of the site as well as the tone. Spelling mistakes and poorly constructed sentences that make little sense are a sign that the site has been thrown together and the company may lack an element of care in more than just the written content. Ensure that the terms and conditions are understandable as well and explain everything that you are wanting to know.
Amazingly, there are slot sites out there that have ‘copy and pasted’ the T&Cs from other casino sites and have even left in the originating company’s name!
White-label slot sites
Whilst it may be hard to spot, it’s sometimes worth checking if the site is a white-label casino. Thousands of white-label casinos exist as they’re a quick and easy way to launch a new casino that doesn’t require developing all the various elements that make up an online casino from scratch. A white-label casino ultimately indicates that they operate under a parent umbrella where one license serves multiple sites.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the site isn’t authentic, or that it isn’t reliable – but there’s definitely limited control and you’ll be at the mercy of the umbrella license holder. It can also often lead to a less personal experience meaning that you may not get the individualised help or assistance that you require.
Domain name
This may seem like a strange point to bring up but the domain name can be a huge indication of the standing of the casino. Short and punchy domain names cost a lot of money to buy, but show that the company behind the name is heavily invested in the success of their brand.
The domain extension is also a good indication of how serious the slot site is. Domains with a .com or .co.uk domain extension are becoming increasingly rare and therefore attract higher prices, so companies often opt for an alternative domain extension. Alternative domain extensions include .info, .co, and .org, as well as thousands of others, so if the slot site’s domain ends in anything other than .com or .co.uk, then be suspicious.
Country-specific domain extensions do exist (such as .de for Germany, or .ca for Canada), but unless you’re a resident of that country then the site probably isn’t for you. As a general rule of thumb, just stick to .com or .co.uk, especially for UK players due to licensing and regulation purposes!
Promotions
When opening up a slot site for the first time, you’ll probably be greeted with an acquisition offer (also known as a welcome offer). These can vary from free spins to cashback but entice players to sign up.
This naturally draws in new customers, but it’s worth checking to see the frequency of promotions for the slot site and to see what else they have to offer – do they have weekly tournaments or giveaways? Ultimately, a good selection of promotions can bring in new customers and retain the existing ones. You know that they are engaging with players and actively working to keep them entertained.
Accessible customer service
In addition to all the points mentioned above, it’s crucial to check the customer service and help available on the slot site. There’s no denying that everyone struggles from time to time, whether it’s something small or big, you need to have a service that is accessible and responsive.
Basically, you need one that meets your needs which could be an instant chat service for those uncomfortable with telephone calls or alternatively a phone number service that allows customers to speak directly to the casino. The customer service should be easy to find and available at all times as you never know when you’ll need assistance.
Respectable payout times
Getting a hold of your winnings is crucial as you’ve put in the time and effort to gain it, so naturally, you’ll want a casino with a quick and reasonable payout policy. Slot sites with payouts that are processed instantly or within a couple of days for debit and credit cards are seen as the standard.
There’s nothing worse than building up excitement for your winnings and discovering that you have a 2-week wait! Save yourself the hassle beforehand and check the terms and conditions for the withdrawal times.
Licensing
As previously mentioned, the biggest thing to check out for is ultimately the license of the slot site. All of the other points here may be subjective and dependant on the needs of the individual such as seeking a certain type of promotion or someone avoiding a casino due to a previous unlucky streak.
For UK players, ensure that the slot site is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission which can usually be found in the footer of the site, often with a link to the license. The Gambling Commission website has a search feature to help users verify the registration number of a casino. Of course, if you can’t find the registration number on the slot site then it’s a strong indication that they don’t have a valid license.
Remember that you are in charge of choosing your slot site, so make sure that it’s the right decision for you. As long as you follow these guidelines, you’ll be playing your favourite online slots at your ideal casino in no time.
