Meta: Here is a closer look at how online casinos compare around the world, highlighting some of the biggest differences and similarities.
To the untrained eye of an inexperienced player, online casinos might all appear the same. To some extent, that is true; online casino websites are designed purely for entertainment.
They allow people who are of legal age to play computer-generated or live dealer games online from any modern Wi-Fi/internet-connected PC or mobile device.
However, each website is completely different from the next in terms of design, which games it has, where it is licensed, what kind of player support it offers, how generous the bonuses are, cybersecurity, payment options, and so much more.
With that said, let us now dive straight in and take a closer look at how online casinos compare to each other around the world, highlighting some of the main differences and similarities.
Are all online casinos the same in every country?
Yes and no. For example, the top online casinos for Japanese players look entirely different from the highest-rated UK, US, or Canadian casino sites. The most obvious difference is the language/text displayed on Japanese sites. It appears in the local Japanese language, not English.
However, many of the most trusted sites today have a feature that allows you to display the language on any site you join in one of several other languages.
Some sites may only have one or two language options, whereas others provide even more languages, which is ideal for anyone living in Japan who does not speak Japanese but still wants to play online casino games.
Apart from the obvious similarities and differences like language and website design, how else do online casinos compare around the world?
Online casinos worldwide look fairly similar, but if you take a closer inspection, you will see how different they all are. Some of the main things that set each online casino apart from their rivals are the following attributes:
- Licensing and regulation – online casinos must obtain the necessary licenses to operate in certain jurisdictions, meaning not all casinos are licensed and regulated by the same authorities/gaming commissions. For example, some iGaming sites are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, or Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, and others might be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, the Michigan Gaming Control Board or Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
- Software and games – some sites may only have 500 to 800 games from one or two software providers, whereas others may have 7,000 to 8,000 or more games from 50 to 100 or more different companies
- Payment methods – depending on where you live will often determine which payment methods you can use on any sites you join. Most sites accept several ‘universal’ deposit/withdrawal options, such as local bank transfers and Visa/Mastercard credit and debit cards. Others may also accept mobile wallets like Apple Pay, eWallets like Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller, or various other tried and tested online payment solutions, such as Jeton, AstroPay, Paysafecard, and Trustly. Some operators also now accept cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum
How else do online casinos compare?
Some websites may only provide local, toll-free telephone support that is available during certain hours only, whereas others may provide 24/7 support that is easy to reach via toll-free telephone, email, and live chat.
Some online casinos are more committed to protecting their players by offering a range of safer gambling tools (imposed on them by their licensing authority/regulator/Gambling Commission), and others will also offer a range of other online gambling services, including sports betting, lotteries, eSports betting, poker, and/or bingo.
Some are anonymous casinos that do not enforce the KYC (Know Your Customer) account verification process, and others must enforce this process due to local laws. There is so much diversity today, and security on these sites has never been better, which is why online casinos today are more popular than ever.
Final thoughts
When searching for an online casino to join, it is always best to read the expert reviews on reputable sites and then compare your findings to see which website might be more suitable for you based on your gaming needs.
Make sure the website has positive reviews and that it is controlled by a reputable company with good standing in the industry. Never sign up to an unlicensed and unregulated site and remember to gamble responsibly at all times.
