A real money gambling site is often referred to as an iGaming site, and one of the most popular types of iGaming sites out there is the online casino. Gambling at online casinos is now more popular than ever in the United Kingdom and in many other parts of the world.
You also have dedicated poker sites, bingo & lottery sites, online sportsbooks, and one or two other legally permitted/socially accepted real money gambling sites.
Some iGaming sites may only offer just one of these gambling products/services, whereas others have multiple products and services under one roof.
Let’s dive straight in to learn more about today’s most popular online casino platform categories.
What are the different types of online casino platforms in 2024?
Someone who has never played at an online casino can be forgiven for thinking they are all the same. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. There are, in fact, many different types of online casino platforms, and the ones you can access will often be determined by where you live.
Some online casinos fall into one of the following categories, whereas others may fall into more than one category. The most common online casino platforms you will most likely come across in 2024 are these:
- Fully licensed and regulated online casinos licensed by mid to top-tier licensing authorities and controlled by reputable operators – the BEST kind of online casino
- UNLICENSED online casinos controlled by untrustworthy operators (aka rogue casinos, fake online casinos, or scam casinos) – the worst kind of online casinos that must be avoided at all costs
- Online casinos NOT on GamStop – ideal for players who have self-excluded in the UK but still want somewhere safe to play their favourite games
- Mobile casinos – online casinos that can be accessed from most iOS and Android (and Windows) smartphones and tablet devices and usually have a mobile app that’s free to download and install onto that device
- Live dealer casinos – online casinos with a range of cutting-edge and highly sophisticated live dealer casino games
- Progressive jackpot casinos – online casinos with a range of games that come with progressive jackpots (aka pooled jackpots) that can climb to no fixed amount before being won
- No bonus casinos – online casinos that don’t offer new player bonuses. These are not great if you are the kind of player who enjoys claiming free spins, matching deposit bonuses, cashback bonuses, etc.
- Crypto casinos – online casinos that accept cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals across a decentralised, anonymous, and more secure blockchain network
- Sweepstakes casinos – online casinos that are not classed as real-money gambling casinos. Instead, players use a virtual/digital currency to play games, which has no real-world monetary value and can only be used to play games on that site
- Sports betting casinos – online casinos that also have sports betting services on the same website
- Free-play casinos – online casinos with a selection of games that can be accessed in the free-to-play demo mode, not just in the real money mode
How do I know I can trust an online casino?
As mentioned, the best kind of online casino is a fully licensed and regulated online casino owned by a trustworthy operator.
If you can find a licensed/regulated online casino that is owned and operated by a renowned company, then you will have nothing to worry about.
Sites like this will accept a wide range of secure online casino deposit and withdrawal options and use SSL (128-bit or higher Secure Socket Layer) encryption to protect your account.
The URL for that casino will start with https://, and it will have positive reviews and high ranting scores/ranking positions + excellent player feedback on globally renowned iGaming review sites like CasinosNotOnGamstop.
Final note
When signing up to any real-money online casino platform, the most important thing a player can remember to do is gamble responsibly at all times. Never chase your losses (immediately after incurring any lost deposits, that is).
Avoid gambling with your hard-earned money while tired, intoxicated, or under the influence, and remember to take occasional session breaks. Also, some online casinos have a range of safer gambling tools. Using these tools can help you better manage your bankroll.