What Makes an Online Casino ‘Quality’?
The making of a quality casino isn’t a day’s job. If you’ve tried several casinos and are yet to experience something memorable, that’s because most sites unfortunately lack originality. Fewer still are well-thought-out and designed with a primary focus on player experience. Casinos are in the business of making money, and this is usually the sole purpose at many of the online casinos that accept Irish players.
Quality where online casinos are concerned is achieved through a combination of features that deliver an excellent experience. These features include:
- Licence and background
- Game selection
- Bonuses and promotions
- Security and fair play
- Responsible gambling
- Excellent customer support
Licensing and Reliability for Quality IE Casinos
Licensing is a requirement for any casino and is even more pertinent for a casino to be considered quality. Not all licences are the same; some licensing authorities are considered better quality than others. The most recognized authorities for Irish casinos are the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), which have stern rules that licensees must follow to enable safe and reliable experiences for players.
There are several other authorities that regulate gambling activities, such as:
- Curaçao Gaming Control Board
- Gibraltar Gambling Commission
- Alderney Gambling Control Commission
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
However, they aren’t considered the best quality because they have lenient regulations and can be a bit lax about discipline for operators who don’t comply with the rules. Background checks are also important because some casino owners have a bad reputation, and you’d be better off avoiding any of their associated sites.
A Quality Selection of Games and Gaming Software
Games are a fundamental part of online casinos, so quality casinos must have quality games. It’s easy to determine the quality of casino games simply by looking at the list of software providers. Game companies that have a reputation for providing quality gaming experiences include:
These developers’ games typically have impressive graphics, cool in-game features, and compelling plots and themes. Microgaming, for instance, is known for delivering some of the best jackpot games. Big Time Gaming and NetEnt have pioneered innovative game mechanisms like Megaways and avalanche reels, respectively.
Regarding the game selection, a diverse range of games that cater to various tastes makes all the difference. It’s much better to have slots, table games, and live dealer games all in one destination than switching different sites whenever you wish to try some immersive live dealer games. Not only will this provide entertainment for a large variety of players, but it will also add flavour to your gaming experience.
Evolution Live Casinos
Evolution maintains a prominent position as the number one provider of quality live casinos. There are many fantastic regular casino game providers. However, in the live casino sector, Evolution is a cut above the rest, consistently delivering superior in-game action across sight and sound. This provider’s games are not only a visual delight, but they also feature cutting-edge technology. Take Lightning Roulette and the Monopoly Live game show, for instance. The former comes with lightning multipliers that magnify your winning potential in a heartbeat, whereas the latter applies stunning animation effects and augmented reality during the bonus rounds.
Besides, top developers like Evolution are particular about the sites they provide games for. They tend to stay away from illegitimate or dodgy sites in order to maintain their own reputation. So, an Evolution-powered live casino is more likely to be a quality platform than a non-Evolution-powered one.
Bonuses, Wagering, and Other Terms
Considering that bonuses are now a staple at online casinos, a quality casino should offer these incentives. There’s really no standard for bonuses, but players would expect a welcome bonus of some sort to kickstart the experience. Whether it be a deposit match, free spins, cashback, or a no deposit offer, it’s up to the casino. It’s not the kind of bonus that matters but the quality of it. That’s where wagering requirements come in.
Wagering determines how easily you can claim your winnings, and low wagering increases your chances of cashing out on a successful bonus. A wagering requirement of 40x or lower is the standard among the best IE online casinos. Anything higher than this will be hard to complete meaning you may not meet the expiry date for fulfilling bonus wagering, and would eventually lose the bonus and all efforts made. Other terms like bonus expiry and max win are also important. You’ll have a better experience with a bonus that gives ample time before it expires and one that doesn’t excessively limit the amount you can win or withdraw.
Ongoing Promotions and Gamification
Bonuses for new players have long been the criterion when choosing a new casino to play at. However, welcome bonuses are one-time offers that never extend longer than the first few deposits. This means they only offer short-term benefits. Instead, existing player promotions promise consistent and ongoing rewards in the long term, which is much more valuable.
Nowadays, some casinos opt out of a welcome bonus completely and would rather provide players with various game promotions and tournaments. The lack of a welcome bonus doesn’t hamper the quality at these sites, as the promotions offered are available for all players, both new and old. Also, casinos that offer gamified promos like leaderboard challenges and slot or live casino battles will further promote the entertainment you stand to gain. A VIP or loyalty program also serves as an engaging way to provide regular casino rewards, especially when they’re inclusive for all players.
Robust Security and Fair Play Guarantee
All quality online casinos are safe online casinos. So, safety is paramount when looking for the best value for your wagers. Online casinos handle the sensitive financial and personal data of players, hence the need for security protocols such as SSL Encryption and firewalls. The best casinos must also stay updated with advanced tech like TLS encryption and Intrusion Detection Systems.
Security is a broad concept that covers various other aspects, such as the following:
- Data Protection and Privacy
- Payment Security
- Two-Factor Authentication
- Account Verification
These are all essential at any quality online casino. Players not only need protection from external unauthorised parties but also a guarantee of protection from the casino. Regular checks and audits of the casino’s software by independent agencies are crucial to ensure the site is secure and functioning correctly. Auditors are responsible for testing RNGs for fair play, and there should ideally be a certificate of approval from independent third-party testers like eCOGRA.
A Strong Commitment to Responsible Gambling
Actively enabling healthy gambling habits is a must for any quality online casino. For starters, a site that’s licensed by a reputable body will be obligated to promote responsible gambling. Players should be provided with several safer gambling tools in this regard. They include:
- Deposit Limits
- Session Limits
- Bet Limits
- Loss Limits
- Cooling-off periods
- Self-exclusion
Although casinos are in the business of making profits, it should never be at the expense of triggering or enabling gambling addiction. You can also check the general terms and conditions of the site for more details on responsible gambling at the site. Several top casinos are affiliated with GAMSTOP, which enables self-exclusion not just from a single casino but from all associated casinos.
Expert Customer Support
Most expert casino reviewers agree that you can tell an online casino’s quality by how reliable the customer service is. Scam sites typically have poor customer service. You’ll have deposited and played at the site and probably get stuck trying to cash out your winnings. You’d then make your way to the customer service section, which you’ll find unreliable and barely responsive.
Generally, many casinos often neglect this section because it’s the last place players may visit and only when a problem arises. As such, any online casino that prioritises customer support clearly values its customers and will likely put in even more effort in other aspects of the site.
The best-performing casinos will enable 24/7 support so you can always get help at any time of the day. Multiple contact channels are also vital. Live chat is the fastest way to reach the casino and has become a staple, so any quality casino will support this feature. Other useful contact channels include:
- Telephone
- Social media
A FAQ page is also crucial and ensures players can find solutions to common issues regarding bonuses, accounts, payments, etc.
Benefits of Playing at a Quality Casino
There’s hardly a disadvantage to playing at high-quality casinos. For Irish players, there are only gains when you join in with such a site. Here are some of the major advantages:
Fair and Transparent Gaming
Quality casinos don’t try to cheat players out of their money, so games are fair, and all terms are transparent with no hidden caveats.
Bonuses with Excellent Value
Many bonuses often favour the casino alone and put players at a disadvantage. However, quality casinos offer bonuses and promotions that players have a fair chance to benefit from.
Convenient and Reliable Payment Methods
These casinos offer complete security, which often includes providing trustworthy payment methods. At high-quality casinos in Ireland, you can find internationally renowned card providers and e-wallets, as well as bank transfers.
Fast Payouts
Quality casinos are not necessarily the fastest payout sites. Nonetheless, these sites will allow you to receive your withdrawals relatively quickly. The reason is that a quality casino tends to put customer satisfaction at the forefront.
Games with Replay Value
Quality casinos keep players coming back for more because they provide top-tier and engaging games. Players can enjoy games with the best graphics, features and winning potential.
Proprietary or In-House Operated Casinos
Many of the best quality casinos run on proprietary software. These casinos are typically developed in-house, which enables them to deliver unique gaming services rather than boilerplate content. Lots of online casinos are powered by third-party software, also known as white-label platforms. Although these casino platforms make launching new sites easier, their partner casinos or casino ‘skins’ feature copy-paste offerings. You’ll find the same range of games, the same site features, and even identical bonuses.
With proprietary software, on the other hand, casinos have all the power to decide how to build the site, what games to offer, how often bonuses are rotated, etc. Casinos running on proprietary software can address complaints or take action on feedback much quicker. They can also select their own range of games and partner with only top-class software providers. Overall, these casinos focus more on quality and player experience.
That said, a few third-party platform providers enable casino sites to offer customised experiences. These casino companies have a proven history in the iGaming market and have the expertise to deliver safe, secure, entertaining, and rewarding experiences. Notable among them are:
How to Tell Low Quality Casinos
We’ve covered details regarding quality online casinos. However, it’s just as important to be able to tell a low-quality site or a scam site in order to stay away from them. Many players only realise a low quality site when the casino refuses to pay their winnings for no valid reason. But you don’t have to get this point at all. These sites often give themselves away easily as long as you know what to look for.
Here are the major pointers:
- No valid licence or an unreputable or unknown licensor.
- Lack of adequate security measures on the site.
- No mention of RNG or fair play or any supporting third-party certification.
- Very high wagering requirements that are almost impossible to clear, usually 50x and above.
- Non-transparent terms and conditions about the casino operations or bonuses.
- Many negative reviews and unresolved player disputes.
- No customer support or a poor, unresponsive service.
- No account verification required before making a real money deposit.
Closing Remarks on Quality Online Casinos
It’s easy to want to hop on a fresh site when you notice one feature that appeals to you. But a complete experience of any casino is necessary to tag it as a quality site. You’ll also need to have a good eye to assess all the markers of a good quality casino properly. Other times, it may be easier to simply pick off the ones that you’re sure are not worth your time, like unlicensed casinos or those with ridiculously high wagering requirements. Ultimately, there’s a massive online casino landscape that’s too much to cover. Hence, we’ve made it easier for you by compiling a shortlist from which you can choose a casino to sign up and be assured that they’ve been thoroughly investigated.
Quality Online Casinos FAQ
Where can I find high-quality casinos in IE?
You can find Ireland’s high quality casinos right here at casinos.win. Our recommended sites are expert-tested and are guaranteed to deliver quality gaming experiences.
Why should you play at a quality casino?
Playing at a quality casino is what all players should strive for. These casinos prioritise the player experience more than the competition, giving you a better edge to have fun and win.
Are quality casinos available to play on mobile devices?
Any quality casino will be mobile-compatible. Typically, you’ll be able to play on Android or iOS devices and using your web browser. Some will go further and include a downloadable app.
What is the best licence for a quality casino in Ireland?
UKGC and MGA licences are the most recognised for Irish online casinos. These are reputable authorities that place strict conditions on their licensees, who are obligated to provide fair play, security, responsible gambling, etc.