Key considerations for vetting emerging online casino platforms

Any new business aiming to test itself against the might of the prominent gambling names must pass stringent vetting and prove to legislators and regulators that they are viable enough to operate in the ferociously competitive battleground of the online casino industry.

While the wider sector might encompass all sorts of territories and countries, online casinos must set a benchmark, including proving they’re adhering to the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) and ensuring they have the correct tax and legislative arrangements in the country where they’re headquartered.

What do the experts say?

Many people in the casino industry have been around for over a decade now, and they know more than most about the various offerings provided by competent gambling providers. They must prove they can tick a few important boxes when vetting emerging online casino platforms.

Exploring casino reviews and expert opinions

One of the most ironclad ways to get a glimpse of what an emerging provider offers is to seek out expert reviews. As the market has grown and the number of review sites has grown in correlation, not all review sites are in the business of offering objective reviews.

Given the wealth disparity between how much an online casino platform generates and a review site, some will use their standing in the market to advertise particular new providers as a cut above the rest — this is a form of subliminal online advertising with a clear ulterior motive.

Expert review sites like newcasinos.com offer a holistic overview of new casinos, ensuring that they cover all the bases and that their expert reviews remain objective and fair. They will grant praise and level criticism where appropriate. This means that over time, other experts and those with a notable presence in the industry will seek out their highly rated reviews in preference to those who develop a business model of advertising the best casino simply because they have a bigger marketing budget.

Criteria to use when exploring new online casinos

First impressions of any site are crucial, particularly for online casinos due to the enormous landscape of growing competition. Many casinos only have a few minutes to showcase themselves to potential new customers. While aesthetically pleasing, some might be able to capture the attention or imagination of potential new customers; however, the variables buzzing under the surface can give you a better idea of the sort of platform and quality of service they’re offering.

What do other gamers say?

Online casino gaming communities have flourished over the last decade. This includes forums, social media sites, vloggers, and influencers who use their platforms to explore games and new casinos.

Over the years, influencers haven’t been as reliable as some of the more detailed review sites you can find online, as their whole scope is to grow their following and subscriber numbers so they can charge more to advertisers. Once you observe all these spinning plates and understand that they’re often in the business of affiliate marketing rather than objective casino reviews, it can muddy the waters and make it unclear which side of the fence they’re on.

This is not to say that these reviewers can’t be fun and engaging, and many of them know what they’re talking about, but it’s worth mentioning this disclaimer. There’s no harm in checking them out alongside more reputable sources.

Whether they leave reviews on Google or comment on social media, other online gamers can give you a general idea of what a new casino offers. While it’d be quite the challenge to find a casino that doesn’t have some negative reviews online, if you spot a pattern emerging from people who leave fairly detailed reviews rather than one or two choice words in capital letters, this is something to consider. Also, remember that there are occasionally issues with online reviews generated by fake bots, which more countries are looking to combat.

Choice of games available

While this shouldn’t be the main deciding factor, the variety of games is one of many things to consider. New casinos might not have the sort of selection of games that a more established provider can boast of, especially when considering live dealer games that require increased staffing.

If a new casino has a noticeably limited number of games, whether live tables, slots, or niche markets, then some experts might consider this a red flag. It may only be a cause for concern if combined with other problem issues, such as a mountain of negative reviews online and potential licensure problems.

Latency – Speed of site

Latency speed is one of the most important considerations, especially if it’s not something you encounter with other online casino platforms. Latency issues can negatively affect a new provider’s ability to deliver the best gaming experience for its users.

We all know how infuriating a slow internet connection can be at times. However, if a new provider immediately experiences problems with their website, mobile app, or both, some believe it may also signal a further underlying issue with site security, although this often isn’t the case.

Site security – Encryption and firewall

In a world where data breaches and cybersecurity incidents seem to continuously grow in prevalence and sophistication, online casino platforms are one of criminals’ most commonly targeted sites.

Many online casinos will hold all the information that hackers seek, including passport information, driving license details, and other identifiable personal information such as debit card numbers and sensitive passwords.

Site security is the number one line of defence when protecting your data. Fortunately, many casinos are up to this task and often use encryption similar to that of some of the world’s most prominent banks — and this is one of the main things regulators will require of a new casino before it launches online.

Correct licensing

Any casino site must obtain the correct licensing. Those that don’t are open to fines and punishment from regulatory bodies. Cutting corners when setting up a new platform could also signal that a casino has cut corners elsewhere, and if they cut corners for something this important, it begs the question of where else they could have skipped a few steps.

Most online casinos will have their headquarters in a favourable gambling jurisdiction, such as Malta, Gibraltar, or Curacao. While it might seem odd for new providers to set up in these locations, it’s perfectly above board, provided they adhere to the legislative requirements of the UK Gambling Commission.

Any new online casino should have this information on its site, usually in the footer, confirming that the UK Gambling Commission has licensed it with a registration number, which shows that it has met the requirements to offer its services to bettors in the UK. The UK Gambling Commission’s website also has an official registry of licensed operators, allowing users to locate their chosen platform and ensure they are safe to use.

Responsible gambling considerations

As the emphasis grows on casino sites needing to do more to shield potential problem gamblers, new casinos must meet the new and updated legislative framework, which means they use all the tools available to identify a problem gambler.

Problem gambling can harm an individual and destroy their closest relationships. Identifying any red flags as early as possible is vital to ensuring they get the help they need. New online casinos play a significant role in ensuring that they direct users to the correct services and use the tools they have at their disposal to identify those gamblers who might be at risk. Warning signs include:

• Becoming emotional when talking about betting
• Not adhering to time or money limits when placing a bet
• Fractured friendships and relationships
• Consistently experiencing money issues
• Refusing to disclose the full extent of a wager or loss
• Using money earmarked for vital household essentials such as food or electricity bills

Final thoughts

While legislators will look into the fine print of many casinos and will put them through more rigorous tests from a legislative perspective, the main criteria we have touched on today are the key considerations reviewers and gamers use when vetting emerging online casino platforms, including:

• Site security
• Licensing
• Latency
• Importance of expert reviews
• Adherence to responsible gambling awareness

If a new provider can pass these five tests, they will not only pass the stress test from legislators, but gamers who are looking for a new platform to play their casino games at are more likely to seek them out.

Provided a new casino can prove it’s robust enough to meet these requirements head-on and show that it’s competent enough to hold its own, the signs are promising. If they’re facing off against some of the world’s biggest names that have been in the business for 20+ years, then they should have no issues clearing some of the checks required to operate both in the UK and further abroad.