Measures put in place at various times throughout 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic have resulted in many people in the UK spending far more time at home than they otherwise might. How to choose an online casino find out below.

This has altered consumer habits, with people forced to find almost all of their entertainment online or at home. As physical venues have closed, people are turning to online versions of their favourite pastimes, and gambling is no exception. 

Online casinos have seen huge increases in new memberships and participation throughout 2020 as households seek ways to relieve the boredom of lockdown and social isolation. While gambling participation as a whole dropped during the lockdown, online casinos were booming.

According to GambleAware:

• Overall gambling activity dropped from 49% in October 2019 to 39% in May 2020 (based on survey respondents who had gambled within the previous four-week period
• Scratch card and National Lottery ticket purchases also declined significantly as many outlets closed
• Online casino gameplay increased from 1.5% in October 2019 to 2.3% in May 2020

While most online casinos are regulated and safe to play, new users should be aware of basic advice on ensuring they are not signing up for a “rogue” casino. How to choose online casino

When choosing an online casino, numerous factors can be taken into consideration. With thousands of options to choose from, many new players are unsure how to go about making the right decision. Factors such as the number and variety of available games and the generosity of sign-up bonuses all play a role, as people search for the online casino that best suits their needs. When engaging in real money play, site security, and payment security should also be considered.

Licensed casinos have a set of regulations they are legally bound to follow to ensure customer safety and security online. Playing at unlicensed online casinos can therefore carry unnecessary risks.

Logins should be encrypted, requiring new customers to create a unique password which is then stored in a closed database. Some may go even further and require RSA tokens, which allow users to log in only once they have entered a random code provided separately each time they access the site.

Most licensed casinos will offer players a selection of trusted payment methods through which to make deposits and withdrawals. Look out for secure payment providers such as PayPal, Neteller, Mastercard, Visa or Skrill rather than supplying bank details directly to the website.

Good customer support services are essential if there is ever any issue with an account or one of the featured games. Reading reviews before signing up can help ensure the chosen online casino is ready, willing and able to offer quality 24/7 customer service.

Other factors to consider may include withdrawal speed, minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal amounts and what devices the website is supported on for safe, secure play every single time, even when playing via smartphone or another mobile device.