Online casinos are web-based versions of traditional land-based casinos which enable gamers to play and wager on casino games via the internet from the comfort of their homes. Online casinos go to great lengths to provide as realistic a casino experience as possible, with the best of them providing 3D-rendered graphics, digital sound quality, and sometimes even live-chat features which permit players to talk with each other at multi-player tables! Most, if not all, of the games that are available at land-based casinos can be found at online casinos, and the jackpots on offer by online casinos can be as profound as those offered by their land-based counterparts.

Online Casino Types

Online casinos can be divided into three categories based on their interface: web-based casinos, download-based casinos and live casinos. Some online casinos offer multiple interfaces.

Web-based Online Casinos

Web-based online casinos are websites where users may play casino games without downloading software. Games are mainly represented in the browser plugins Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Shockwave, or Java and require browser support for these plugins. Also, bandwidth is needed since all graphics, sounds and animations are loaded through the web via the plugin. Some online casinos also allow gameplay through a plain HTML interface.

Download-based Online Casinos

Download-based online casinos require the download of the software client in order to play and wager on the casino games offered. The online casino software connects to the casino service provider and handles contact without browser support. Download-based online casinos generally run faster than web-based online casinos since the graphics and sound programs are located within the software client, rather than having to be loaded from the Internet. On the other hand, the initial download and installation of a download-based online casino client does take time. As with any download from the Internet, the risk of the program containing malware does exist.

Many online casinos lease or purchase their software from such companies as Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech and CryptoLogic Inc., all of which are well-known and respected software companies. These companies use random number generators to ensure that the numbers, cards and dice appear randomly.

Live-based Online Casinos

Live-based casino gaming allows web players to interact with games played in a real world casino environment. Online players can see, hear, and interact with live dealers at tables in casino studios worldwide.

Games

Most, if not all, of the games that can be found at land-based casinos can also be found at online casinos. A typical selection of games offered at an online casino might include the following. Please click on a listing to learn the rules and how to play the respective game.

Bonuses and Promotions

Deposit Match Sign Up Bonuses

Many online casinos offer sign up bonuses to new players. These sign up bonuses normally match a percentage of the player's first deposit with a Dollar/Pound Sterling maximum, and almost all online casino deposit match sign up bonuses require a minimum amount of wagering before a withdrawal is permitted. Gameplay at specific casino games might be excluded from the wagering requirement calculation, so you are advised to always check the bonus Terms and Conditions thoroughly before you make your initial deposit.

Monthly Deposit Match Bonuses

Aside from deposit match sign up bonuses, many online casinos offer monthly deposit match bonuses, the rules for which are usually the same as the deposit match sign up bonuses: a minimum amount of wagering is required before the bonus can be withdrawn, and gameplay at specific casino games are usually excluded from the wagering requirement. Monthly deposit match bonuses are usually of a less amount than deposit match sign up bonuses.

Comp Programmes

Online casinos usually also offer a comp (complimentary) programme, whereby players collect "comp" or "loyalty" points when they play real money casino games. Rules differ between casinos, but the usual scenario is that the comp points can be exchanged for cash or chips once they reach a certain amount. In the case of some online casinos, the comp points can only be used to pay entry fees into casino tournaments and various competitions.

VIP Programmes

VIP programmes are another common theme in online casinos, entry into which is usually by casino invitation. Although VIP schemes differ between casinos, their general purpose is of course to reward VIP members with privileges and promotions which are not available to common players at the casino. The privileges can include permission to play for higher stakes, or free entry into casino tournaments. And the promotions can include increased comp point rewards and surprise cash and other prize giveaways.

Payouts

The odds and payout percentages offered by online casinos are generally comparable to land-based casinos, although some online casinos claim higher payout percentages for slot machine games. Many online casinos publish their payout percentage audits on their websites either on a monthly or yearly basis.

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