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Playing at an online casino is a fun and exciting pastime. And a great way to win real money! Everyone likes to win, and the thrill of winning real money is exciting and fun.
So, how do you know if you should play at a real money casino? And what are the online casino games that pay? If you’re interested to know all about playing at a casino for real money, let us guide you through the world of online casinos and real money games. Let’s take a look:
Reasons to play for real money
So, how do you know if you should play at a real money casino or not? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that playing for real money is better than playing for free:
It’s more exciting betting for real money
One of the biggest thrills of playing at a real money casino is the rush you get from gambling with real money. Playing for free can be fun. But the adrenaline really starts to get pumping when there’s the thought that you might actually win or lose a certain sum of money. And it’s this exhilaration that keeps players coming back for more.
Think about it this way; white water rafting doesn’t sound as fun on a calm river, does it? Yes, you can still enjoy your boat ride. But you’re there to take on hostile and dangerous waters, to see if you can make it to the end of the run. And it’s the same with gambling!
All games are available
The top casino sites in the UK each have an incredible selection of games to play. And, while it’s true that a lot of titles can be played in demo mode, i.e. for free, if you’re not willing to spend some real money then you won’t have access to the casino’s entire catalogue.
But this isn’t because the casino is being mean! It’s just that, for some games, free play doesn’t lend itself to the gameplay.
Let’s take progressive jackpots game as an example. Progressive jackpots rely on players paying into a giant prize pool, in order to increase the prizes. Therefore, if you played in free mode, then you wouldn’t be paying into the prize pool at all. So they can’t increase the jackpot amount when customers play for free.
Another example is live casino games. Because these games use real croupiers and dealers, as well as top-notch equipment in a physical studio, they are very expensive to run. Therefore, the companies providing these titles wouldn’t last very long if every player at those tables played for free!
In summary, if you’re willing to pay into a casino site, then you can get access to every single game they have in their arsenal. Including progressive jackpot titles and live casino games.
You can get deposit bonuses and promotions
Everyone knows that one of the biggest perks of playing at a real money site is the bonuses and other promotions that you get from the casino.
Offers like a match deposit bonuses could see you double or triple your deposit amount. But, there are still ways to play real money games for free, via no deposit games and bonuses. No deposit bonuses are great because they give you the chance to play real money games and win real cash prizes without spending a penny.
But don’t expect to play tons of games with this type of bonus. A typical no deposit bonus will see you get your hands on between £10 and £20 and/or up to 50 free spins to use on slot machines.
However, if you’re willing to make a small deposit into the casino, you could get your hands on lots of bonus cash and free spins, with a fantastic deposit bonus instead. So you see, there are plenty of different bonuses available to use when you play with cash at a real money casino.
You can win money
Finally, and this one is going to sound pretty obvious, but the biggest benefit to playing real money games is the chance to win real cash prizes!
Some titles, like progressive jackpot slots, can turn players into millionaires overnight. And other games, like live casino blackjack or roulette, make you feel like you’re on the floor in some beautiful land-based casino. But let’s face it, you’re there to win real money. And as they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it!
To summarise, while playing for free can be a great way to pass the time or practise your skills, it will never compare to the thrill and excitement of real money games.
Reasons not play for real money
We’ve seen some of the great reasons why you should consider playing at the casino for real money. But, like everything in life, there are downsides to this as well.
With that in mind let’s take a look at some of the reasons why perhaps you should not be playing for real money.
Real money gambling can be addictive
While real money games are thrilling and exciting, this goes hand-in-hand with being addictive. Of course, people enjoy the rush they get from these real money games. But some players can find themselves playing far more often than they should.
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re having fun, especially if you are winning regularly. But this can easily lead to an addiction to these types of games. Not to mention potential financial difficulties.
A good way to to keep on top of your gambling habits is to use a self assessment tool on a regular basis.
There’s a chance you’ll lose money
If you want to win real money, then you have to play with real money. And while we hope that you will come out a winner, you must be prepared to lose some money too. Although this is part and parcel of the casino experience, some players end up overspending, which can lead to financial problems very quickly.
Our advice is always to only bet with money that you can afford to lose. Another way to avoid overspending is to set yourself a budget and stick to it.
In summary, there are always going to be days where you lose at a real money site. So only ever play with money that is disposable.
The house always has the edge
Finally, don’t forget that when you play at any casino site with real money, the house always has the edge. The ‘edge’ refers to the slightly better odds on each game that the casino has in their favour. And, while this margin is extremely small on most games, it is something to take into consideration. As your chances are never 50/50 with the casino.
So, before you consider taking on a real money game, take a look at what chance do you have of actually walking away with a cash prize.
The different real money online casino games
As we’ve seen, to win real money you have to play with real money. And real money casinos offer tons of games where you can win huge cash prizes. There’s something for everyone at an online casino. But let’s take a look at some of the most popular games that you can play:
Online slots with real money
Slot machine games are the most popular games in the gambling industry. They’re super fun to play, have lots of themes to choose from, and absolutely anyone can win! Playing slots for real money is fast-paced and really exciting. And slots games always have amazing graphics and soundtracks. So you can be entertained for hours!
To play slots for real money, always check out of lists of trusted and reviewed online casinos. We’ll keep you up-to-date on which casinos offer the best real money slot machines. As well as what types of bonuses you can snap up.
Online blackjack with real money
Blackjack is a classic casino game. And a great online casino will offer their players lots of different versions of blackjack that they can play. From Spanish 21 to Multi-Hand and Split, you can win some serious cash with blackjack by playing at online casinos for real money.
Super easy to play and so much fun! Blackjack has been bringing people to casinos for decades because it’s a great mix of luck and skill. Try a hand today and see if you can win some real money by playing blackjack.
Online roulette with real money
Another staple of both online and land-based casinos. Roulette, with its beautifully designed wheel and high-excitement gameplay is a champion of real cash payout games. And the great thing about it is that you don’t have to put everything on ‘red’, for example, and then hope for the best!
We’ve all seen the movies, but in reality, you don’t have to take such huge risks. In fact, there are tons of ways to bet on roulette! You can employ a strategy using several small bets, that will have much a much lower risk than betting everything you have on black or red. This of course means that the rewards will also be smaller, but on the other hand you can enjoy the game for longer.
Online Baccarat with real money
The other game we all envisage when we think of glitzy casinos in Hollywood movies. With its gorgeous green felt table and strange little paddles (they’re actually called pallets), baccarat is a simple yet fun game to play. And, with the invention of online casinos, you now don’t have to stick on a suit and head to a land-based casino to play it!
Winning money online is very possible with baccarat. You and the ‘banker’ go head to head on a game of chance. Who will win? If you’re interested in playing baccarat online, make sure you check out our lists of great online casinos that carry this classic game.
Other types of online gambling for real money
It has to be said that online slots are taking the world by storm. Although you don’t have to go back that far to remember a time when they didn’t exist. Most crowds were drawn to online casinos in the beginning for the table game such as blackjack and roulette, for example.
However, it’s not just the classic table games and slots that draw in a big crowd looking for real money games and other ways to make a wager.
Sports betting with real money
There is a huge variety of sports that you can now take a punt on. It used to be a simple case of betting on the outcome of a sporting event. But those simple days are gone. The public demanded multiple betting streams for their favourite events, not just win or lose. As a result, in-play betting became a huge hit with sports fans. The possibilities are seemingly endless, and it will be interesting to see where it goes next.
Football is the most popular sport in the world, so it’s no surprise it is also the most common sport to bet on – people want to bet on the sports that they are interested in. Another popular sport, particularly in the UK, is horse racing. But there is of course a huge selection of sports that you can bet on with the bookmakers. Some of the most popular include:
- Tennis
- Cricket
- Basketball
- Hockey
- American Football
Also on the rise is e-sports, where players compete against each on popular computer and video games. This has grown into a huge industry, and betting on e-sports has become widely popular not only in the UK, but in the whole world.
Online poker with real money
Poker is another extremely popular form of online gambling for real money. From the backrooms of the clubs and bars of every Hollywood gangster movie ever written, poker has been preceded by its reputation to every far-flung corner of the globe. There’s something elusive and exciting about this game that attracts people from all walks of life.
Its popularity is, in part, thanks to its skill-based nature. Some people love the thrill of the slots and their random wins, whereas others prefer to have more control when playing real cash payout games.
Either way, there are many great Poker sites dedicated to the game. You can get involved in small games, tournaments and even have the chance to be invited to live games if you’re any good. Although you will probably need to put in a lot of practice first and get a decent bankroll!
Online bingo with real money
Bingo is one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. And with online bingo sites getting better and more sophisticated every day, more and more players are turning to their favourite bingo sites online to get their kicks.
The great thing about online bingo is that you can enjoy tons of different types of games, like the traditional 90-ball bingo, or the exciting and fast-paced 30-ball bingo. You can even try the fun slots-bingo hybrid game, Slingo!
Also, with the most state-of-the-art chat rooms and professional chat hosts, online bingo sites now offer players the most sociable and interactive experience that you can get without leaving your home.
Real money mobile casinos
Mobile casinos are nothing new. But, where they used to be considered an added extra from a casino site, nowadays players demand them as standard.
With software companies working round the clock to fully-optimise all their games for mobile devices, you can now get the same great experience that you would expect from your PC or laptop straight to your smartphone. So you get the same clean and crisp graphics, solid gameplay and incredible sounds. As well as plenty of payment methods and an easy-to-use mobile-friendly site.
All this means that mobile casino use is on the up. And some players even prefer mobile casinos to traditional desktop sites, as it means they can play their favourite games wherever and whenever they wish.
Mobile applications
The quickest and easiest way to access your favourite casino site is via dedicated real money mobile casinos app. If you have a smartphone, the chances are you already have a ton of apps on there for lots of different things. And now, with casino apps, you can access your account and be playing games in seconds.
The only downside we can see to these apps is that they take up a lot of internal storage on your phone. Also, they require regular updates and bug fixes. That being said, there is no quicker way to access your favourite real money sites at the touch of a button.
Play in mobile browser
While not quite as quick as an app, accessing your favourite casino sites via your mobile phone’s internet browser is still quick and convenient. And the best thing about using your internet browser, instead of downloading an app, is that it won’t take up any internal storage on your device. Furthermore, you will not be required to install anything or do additional updates.
Types of real money casino bonuses
There are loads of great offers around at the moment. Large market growth has encouraged new casinos to come online in their droves and this has created some fierce competition. As a result, the battle to win new customers has created a bonus lovers paradise!
Free spins
Free spins and other free real money games are a great way to entice new customers. And the great thing is that the customer is always the winner with this type of deal. Quite often you will simply have to complete the signup form at your chosen casino and the free spins will be yours to play. The casino will usually state which slots you can use to redeem the spins, and there may be some wagering requirements on any winnings. Nonetheless, these bonus spins are always a great gift.
No deposit bonus
Playing on gambling sites with free money is always nice! And there’s no better way to achieve that than by signing up for a no deposit bonus. You will only have to register at the site and they will give you a boost to your casino balance as a thank you.
Deposit bonus
One of the best casino bonuses is the deposit bonus. It’s a nice way for the casino to reward you for playing on their site. You will have to simply sign up and make a deposit of your own. After that, the casino will match your deposit up to a fixed amount. For example, if you deposit £100, then they will give you another £100 to play with. Every operator has their own bonus amount and there will be some rules to follow when using the bonus cash, such as wagering requirements. No wagering casinos aren’t as common so if you see a free deal with no rules attached, then grab it quick!
Reload bonus
In a similar fashion to the deposit bonus, sometimes a casino will offer to boost the balances of their current customers as well. It may be that on a fixed day of the week, for example, you can have an extra 20-30% added on top of any deposit you make. These figures will differ from site to site but either way, they’re a great deal.
Payment method bonus
Some casinos may favour deposits made with a specific payment method. It might be that they have a preference due to the cost involved, or perhaps they have a deal with the payment gateway provider. Whatever the case may be, if your payment options are flexible, then you might score a little bonus.
How wagering requirements work
All casino bonuses come with T&Cs attached. Of these, wagering requirements need your attention the most.
‘Wagering requirements’ refer to the amount of times you need to play through your bonus cash and/or free spins, before you can convert them into real winnings that you can cash out.
Let’s look at it as an example: you pick up a no deposit bonus of £10 and you see in the T&Cs ‘x20’. This is your wagering requirement. And it means that, in order to cash out any real winnings, first you must play that £10 bonus cash 20 times over.
So you see, wagering requirements are extremely important to understand. Because they determine how you must use your bonus cash in order to create real money winnings.
Real money payment methods
If you want to play with real money, then at some point you have to deposit money with a casino. Makes sense, right? Luckily, online casinos offer lots of ways that you can make payments to them. Simply choose the one that’s right for you.
So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular payment methods that you can use:
Debit card payments
One of the simplest ways to pay is via your debit card. Trusted all over the world, debit card payments are quick, easy and secure.
- VISA: One of the most popular ways to deposit is using a VISA card. Payments are fast, convenient and secure. One thing to remember, is that you can only pay with a VISA debit card in the UK. As of April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission banned credit card payments at casinos online. So you can still pay with VISA. Just not with a VISA credit card
- MasterCard: the other most popular card for both customers and casinos. Payments are quick and easy, and you can use your Mastercard to deposit at a casino directly, with no fuss. Take into account that the UKGC’s ban on credit cards means that you can only pay with a Mastercard debit card in the UK.
E-wallets
Some of the best e-wallets to make secure deposits at online casinos include:
- Skrill: one of the most popular e-wallets around. Open an account with Skrill and choose between online payments or using a digital debit card. The great thing about e-wallets like Skrill is that you can preload your card with funds. This makes keeping an eye on your spending easier. As well as adding an extra layer of security for making payments online
- Neteller: another great e-wallet. Like Skrill, Neteller lets you choose between an online account and preloaded debit card. Available in multiple currencies and languages, Neteller is a great way to make fast and secure payments at an online casino
- Paypal: probably the best-known e-wallet. PayPal lets you pay for all sorts of things online, using just your email address and PayPal password. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Other ways to pay
Of course, you don’t have to just choose between your debit card or an e-wallet. Let’s look at some of the other ways that you can make deposits online:
- Pay by Mobile: did you know that you can use your mobile phone bill or pay-as-you-go credit to make deposits at an online casino? Pay by mobile is a great option if you prefer not to use your bank account or debit card. One thing to note is that you can only make small deposits with pay by mobile casinos. So always check the T&Cs at the casino to see which limits apply. Also, see Boku below.
- Boku: this has become one of the most popular ways to pay at online casinos. Boku lets you make deposits using your mobile phone number via your mobile bill or pay-as-you-go-credit. Super quick and super safe, using Boku means you don’t have to enter any sensitive info. Great if you don’t like giving out your bank or debit card details online
- PaySafeCard: another great way to pay if you don’t want to give out personal details online. PaySafeCard isn’t actually a card, it’s a voucher. Pay your desired amount and use the voucher code at the online casino and play securely. It’s that simple!
- Zimpler: another way to pay with your mobile phone number. However, instead of being added to your mobile phone bill, or taken from your mobile credit, Zimpler is linked to your bank account. Make payments and purchases online without giving out your bank or debit card details
Real money withdrawal options
Most payment methods let you also withdraw money from a casino too. For example, if you pay using Mastercard or Skrill, your winnings will be directly returned to your debit card or e-wallet. Simple. However, some payment methods that aren’t linked to you bank account e.g. Boku, won’t let you collect winnings. And you’ll need to give the casino your bank or debit card details in order to collect your cash prizes. Always check the T&Cs on the casino’s payment page. And pick the option that’s right for you.
FAQ
There’s loads of information available on the topic of real money betting, and it can seem a little overwhelming at times. Here are a few popular questions that you may still be pondering.
How do I play casino online with real money?
What are the risks playing online casino with real money?
What real money casinos can be trusted?
Can I win real money without making a deposit?
