Online casino games are the 'bell-of-the-ball' in terms of gambling offerings, as most top operators ensure their development teams concentrate a majority of their power on creating and optimizing casino games above even poker or bingo games.
The software provider that an online casino chooses to partner with is one of the most crucial aspects of that casino's identity. Beyond determining site functionality, the games available at a given casino is also affected by who they work with.
Whether in a physical gambling hall or a digital one, slot games are afforded prime real estate, and for good reason as they are among the most popular and entertaining games around. With thousands of online slot titles offered around the world, there's sure to be something for everyone.
Online slot games and poker games are the two types of games perhaps most associated with online casinos (and casinos in general), so it makes sense that gaming providers figured out a way to combine them years ago in the form of video poker games.
Ever since the inception of internet casino games in the final years of the last century, players around the world have been able to discover the joys of safe online casinos from the comfort of their own home, the workplace, and even on the move via mobiles and tablets.
While some countries have resisted the move from brick-and-mortar casinos to online slots and blackjack, many have welcomed the phenomenon, changing the landscape and culture of real money casino wagering forever. Understanding how to evaluate real money online casinos can help ensure a quality, safe, and enjoyable experience.
You might be wondering, "Where do all these reviews, ratings, and bonuses come from and can I trust it all?" Gambling.com and its sister sites, such as Irish online casinos haven Casinosource.ie, have teams dedicated to researching and analysing a wide array of all the premier casino sites to choose from.
First, each site is judged for safety and security above all else. Next, reviewers ensure not only does each site have adequate security, payment, and game options, but you are also getting the best possible bonus from that casino. Our independent and impartial casino ratings help make it quick and easy to find the perfect fit based on exactly what you’re looking for.
When it comes to safety, one way to ensure you are enjoying a secure online gambling experience is to guarantee you are also playing with a licensed and regulated online casino. Most of the time it does not even matter where you're signing on from, as long as the casino accepts players from your jurisdiction and the online casino is licensed, players can rest easy in terms of safety concerns.
Nearly all reputable sites utilise secure SSL connections that encrypt the data when it is sent to and from the online casino, so that players' money is not at risk. Likewise, deposits back into players’ accounts are made using the same secure system, and can be transferred using many, if not all, of the methods used to pay into the casino.
Legalising online casinos in major gambling jurisdictions was not much trouble relative to ensuring players from outside the jurisdiction are legally accessing the online casino sites. Thankfully, most of that regulation has been cleared up, meaning if you're enjoying Irish online casinos, you are most likely working well within your legal rights and at no risk.
Some online casinos offer the ability to play offline by downloading a desktop client or mobile app. While downloadable casinos proved popular during the early days of iGaming, as it cut down on data transfers and the reliance on slow internet browsers, it also meant that many games were played for fun, and not for money.
Offline games can still be enjoyable and used to hone skills, but many prefer to play against other real-life players rather than a computer simulation. With higher internet speeds, more secure connections, and a wide range of internet browsers to utilise these days, playing instant-play online casinos is fast, fun, and, for experienced players, often profitable.
| Downloading an Online Casino | Instant Play Online Casinos |
|---|---|
| cut down on data transfers | more secure connection |
| relied on slow internet browsers | wide range of internet browsers to utilise |
| many games played for fun | fast, fun, and, for experienced players, often profitable |
| dedicated desktop icon for easy access | no shortcut to access |
| software updates needed | no software updates needed |
Yes, players looking to choose from a list of top online casinos should always consider the game providers partnered with each casino. The transition from downloadable online casinos to instant play online casinos has bred a new industry of game designers and developers, figuring out how best to design online casino games that could be enjoyed by everyone around the world.
Industry leaders such as Net Entertainment have managed to build grand, epic games with Hollywood-style visual effects and soundtracks. Choosing a casino partnered with Net Entertainment would ensure you get to play some, if not all, of the top NetEnt games on the market including all their world-class titles like Gonzo's Quest and Starburst.
Another group of software experts have been building frameworks so that online casinos can host these games, both for desktop and mobile use. With the rise of cross-platform coding such as HTML5, online casino architects have been able to implement the same designs over both desktop and mobile browsers, so that players can switch from one to the other seamlessly.
Before the advent of smartphones or tablet devices, players were still relatively fixed to how they could play online casino games – through either a desktop or laptop computer. Advances in technology mean that people can now join a roulette table or play a handful of video poker games from their mobile phone, provided they have a Wi-Fi signal or data plan in place.
Not only does this offer freedom of movement, but also time management, as players can play in transit or while waiting for a meeting. While mobile casinos have come on leaps and bounds, desktop gaming at the same casino almost always offers a wider range of games, while access to live dealer games is normally a desktop-only affair.
Games at Irish casino apps come in a variety of forms, with many showcasing stunning, state-of-the-art computer-generated visuals, while at the same time trying to recreate the aesthetic of a physical casino. Despite desktop's current popularity, mobile casino apps are considered the future of real money online casinos.
For those players interested in joining the mobile casino revolution, simply head over to our list of the all top mobile casinos on the market and pick your favourite; choose from a stellar list of the world's most popular mobile casinos and apps with all the best signup bonuses!
For those who prefer the experience of a live dealer, online casinos usually come with a special live-dealer section, broadcast from a studio dressed as a real casino dealer pit. Here the dealer is able to see the names of the players and communicate with them. Some are even able to send and receive messages via a chat function, offering an extra level of interaction.
Another advantage many online casinos have over their real-life counterparts is that they are able to accept various forms of currency from around the globe, as well as Bitcoins. Paying money to (depositing) and getting it from (withdrawing) online casinos could not be easier.
In fact, real money Irish online casinos offer more payment methods than a physical casino. As well as standard VISA, MasterCard and Maestro cards, plays can opt for a direct bank transfer, or use one of the many supported eWallet or online payment systems such as Neteller, Skrill (Moneybookers), or Entropay.
Most online games, especially online video slots, come with a host of bonus games, which can pay out thousands of times the original bet. These games sometimes come in a progressive jackpot form, meaning that everyone playing the same game around the world is contributing to one jackpot, which one lucky player will eventually win.
Online casinos offer a wide range of bonuses to their players. From a treasure-trove of welcome bonuses for all new comers to game-specific free spins to free bets and so much more. Some of the most popular online casinos even offer unique point systems to represent bonuses so players can earn points and get generous casino bonuses!
As well as individual game rewards, most online casinos offer all-encompassing rewards and loyalty schemes. For example, many offer a joining bonus in the form of a free bet, or a deposit bonus equal to or sometimes double or even triple what a player has originally transferred. Loyalty schemes work on a ranking system: the more time a player spends online playing, the higher up the rankings they rise.
With every tier hit, there will be a higher bonus. These may take the form of a prize draw, access to an exclusive event or game, free deposits, or even cashback on money spent in the online casino. To enjoy one of the top signup bonuses available today, check out of our list of the best real-money casino bonuses!
