If you are setting out to find some online casino fun and action, then you should be prepared to be well and truly spoilt for choice! Which is all well and good, but knowing where to start can be quite tricky. When you go online and type in a search term, you will be presented with (literally) thousands of different options to choose from. Every one of them claims to be the biggest and best casino out there, which does not exactly make things easier. The criteria for selecting a quality casino is pretty constant. Above all else, you should be prioritising the following for your safety and enjoyment:
- Responsibility and reputation
- Variety of games available
- Feedback and recommendations
- Welcome bonus offers
- Fair deposit/withdrawal policies
But what about the opinion voiced by some players that sticking with domestic online casinos is a better way to go. Is there anything to gain by doing business exclusively (or primarily) with casinos based within your immediate jurisdiction?
A Global Market to Make the Most of
There is nothing wrong with playing the field, technically speaking. Just as long as you do your homework and choose a quality casino you can count on, it does not matter where it is based. You could be based in one country, but capitalise on another country’s online casino expertise to find something exciting overseas. Still, there are arguments both in favour and against the idea of sticking with domestic online casinos, which we will be taking a closer look at.
Arguments in Favour of Playing at Domestic Casinos
The potential benefits of doing business with domestic casinos include the following:
Licensing and Regulation
First up, you can pretty much rest assured that any online casino that’s licensed and regulated by your domestic authorities is a casino you can trust. It is worth keeping in mind that just because a casino is licensed to operate in your jurisdiction does not mean it was licensed by your jurisdiction. Licensing and regulatory requirements vary from one authority to the next authority with some territories like the UK taking things to extremes.
Getting in Touch
It is also worth bearing in mind that if you ever need to get in touch with your chosen online casino, it can be far easier to do so if they are based in the same country as you. When it comes to things like time differences and phone-call costs, having a customer service team based closer to home can sometimes be advantageous.
Market Knowledge and Understanding
There is also the benefit of doing business with a casino that knows and understands its local market as well as local players. The further afield you set your sights, the less likely it is that the casino in question will know your specific market inside out.
Local Currencies
Last up, there is also the potential benefit to sticking with local casinos that operate primarily in your local currency. This is because where online casinos convert international currencies into their preferred currency, they do not always give you the best possible exchange rate which can create quite a hassle for the players. In some instances, exchange rates are used as an excuse to profit at the expense of players. Hence playing with the domestic casinos gives the players the benefit of dealing with their currency making it easier for them to deposit as well as withdraw.
Why Seeking Out is Sometimes Better
On the other side of the coin, there are also plenty of arguments in favour of reaching out and seeing what is available elsewhere. A few examples of which include the following:
More Choice
You can gain access to a significantly larger online casino market than the one that exists within the confines of your country by casting your net as widely as possible. This could also mean a better chance of finding your perfect online casino, as having more choice is rarely a bad thing.
Bigger and Better Bonuses
Branching out also means being able to compare and contrast as many welcome bonuses and promotional offers as possible. Irrespective of the place you are based, there is every chance the biggest and best bonus offers available will be up for grabs from overseas operators. If you are wanting to stretch your bankroll as far as possible, it simply makes sense to ensure that you get the best possible deal.
Trying Something New
Additionally, international online casinos often provide access to all manner of weird and wonderful games you may otherwise never have come across. There may be variants of existing casino classics to completely new and exclusive titles that you will not find anywhere else. A major part of the fun of online casino gaming is trying something new. It is not that you will be short on options within your jurisdiction, but there is a world of new and exciting games to explore out there.
The Bottom Line
Truth be told, there is no right or wrong argument as there is logic on both sides of the coin. Irrespective of whether you prefer to play close to home or play the field, getting the job done right means bearing a few important things in mind before getting started.
- It is essential to ensure that the casino you are looking at accepts players from your jurisdiction.
- You should always check the terms and conditions of the online casino before getting started. Even if players from your country are accepted, you may be excluded from certain privileges such as bonus offers and promotions. Hence, you have to check those terms and conditions carefully ahead of time.
- You have to make sure that the casino you are looking at is adequately licensed and regulated. You must avoid any casino that is not licensed to operate in your jurisdiction at all costs.
- If currency conversion is required, you should second guess yourself about playing with that site. If you are thinking of playing with that particular online casino then you should first go ahead and check the casino’s exchange rate at the time.
- If you are opting for an overseas casino, you should check the convenience of getting in touch with their customer support team, just in case you encounter any issues at a later date.
Go ahead, choose your liking of an online casino and enjoy their games. Best of luck!