I’ve been creating content around slots for more than 8 years now. My casino play has taken me around the United States, on cruise ships and around the world! But playing online truly is a whole new frontier – and I am here for it!
Since I began playing more regularly, I’ve learned a ton about online slots that I’d like to share – in particular, things that fans ask me all the time about them.
They’re Safe and Secure
I definitely see a lot of notes from fans feeling a bit uncertain about the idea of online slots. There’s definitely a question of trust for those that are new to it – can I trust this online site?
Well, one of the reasons why I partnered with BetMGM as an official ambassador is not only are they a trusted online brand, but being co-owned by MGM Resorts International, they’re also connected to a well-established and trusted brand of its own.
BetMGM Casino is licensed in each of the four states it operates, and follows strict regulations that are designed to ensure fairness with their games. The games they offer also meet each state’s regulations. MGM Resorts’ properties in the various states they operate must do the same thing.
So playing online is as safe and secure as playing in a physical casino.
Online Slots Pay Better – and Are More Transparent
When you play a slot in a physical casino, you don’t get any information on the machine about how much it will pay back over time. Some states report this data, and on average that reporting shows physical casino machine payout is usually somewhere between 90.5 and 92.5% back to players over time, and oftentimes much lower on singular slot machines, especially lower denomination games.
By comparison, the Return to Player (RTP) information for each online slot is in the game’s pay table. Many games on BetMGM Casino feature an RTP of between 94 and 96%. For players like us, this is great news – presuming the same bet size, your money can potentially last twice as long! Or, if you play like me, you might nudge your bets up a bit more, because the payback overall is better (just don’t tell my Marco)!
Online Casinos Need Some Personal Info. That’s OK.
When you play online casinos, just like when you play at physical casinos, there will periodically be the need to validate some of your info, especially at sign up. This is for your own protection as well as theirs.
When you sign up for a player’s card or win a jackpot, an in-person casino will often ask to see your ID to process your information. Online casinos are no different – when you register, and when you make withdrawals, there may be requests for information such as a picture of your Driver’s License or verifying information about you. I’ve even been asked to take a photo of me holding my drivers license.
We all have been taught to be careful with who you give information to online, and ideally the reciever will be careful with it accordingly. The steps legal gambling operators take to capture this information are secure, and they only ask for what they need.
Because online casinos are only allowed to operate in certain states by law, they will also do a geolocation check whenever you play. While you don’t have to live in one of the states that have allowed online gaming (like me), you do need to be present in one to play. So whether you visit one of these states on vacation and bring your laptop, or simply drive over the border to play on your smartphone, you and the device you choose to play on must be there physically.
These steps are required to meet their regulatory requirements, as well as federal law reporting of things like jackpots (which are the same as in person as well).
Be Sure to Understand, and Accept, Your Online Casino Promotions
One of the biggest changes for me is how online promotions work. For one, there are way more types of online casino bonuses than I’m used to in person. This is actually great for us players, as there are more ways to be rewarded, and you can go after the bonuses that you prefer.
It’s important to read the terms of the promotions. Some have limitations on what games are included, or varying playthrough requirements – this is how many times you have to play through the amount of money before being able to withdraw it.
But even more important: You have to remember to accept the promotion first. This is something more specific to online casinos. In person, when you have a bonus, it tends to be on your account. Online, you must accept or opt in to the promotion before proceeding or your deposit bonus, play, etc. will not count towards the bonus.
It’s a simple step, but easy to forget, so my advice is to always start by checking out the promotions tab first, and accepting the ones you wish to proceed with, before moving on to make a deposit or play.
You’ll Find Familiar Slot Games, and New Favorites
With an online casino, there’s no physical space limitations like the ones you visit in person. That means the online slot selection is quite robust, and filled with both familiar brands you’ve played over the years, and brand new options only found online.
Even though I’ve been playing on BetMGM Casino for a while now, I continue to find new games that I haven’t played before, and continue to discover new favorites!
The bet ranges are also much broader. If you’re a low-limit player, you’ll find options to bet smaller than you ever could in a physical casino. You’ll also find higher max bets than many machines will allow (which suits me just fine)!
You Can Buy a Bonus on More Games
Many online slots let you buy a bonus now too – if you just want to get to the good stuff, you can buy a bonus and jump right into free spins, picking bonuses and more!
What’s even more exciting is you can buy a bonus on some games online that you can’t in person. There are some games I love with hard-to-get bonuses – online slots give me more of a chance to dive into those bonuses right away and play more of them.
Takeaways
On the surface, online gaming may feel like a whole new world, and in some ways it is! But there’s a lot of familiarity for slot players who are trying online slots after playing in a casino. I suggest watching some of my Brian Christopher Slots YouTube videos to get the lay of the land, and then joining BetMGM with their casino welcome bonus! Hopefully some of my early experiences will help you as you too get started with BetMGM!