No Minimum Deposit Casinos – The Absolute Lowest Allowed Deposit Amounts

Betting one coin on the chance that you can win a jackpot payout is very enticing indeed! When an online casino offers you the possibility to make the very lowest $€1 minimum deposit, it means that you’ll be able to play with real money without risking any of your own cash. You may not think that anything can come from a deposit of only $€1 deposit, but you’d be wrong! When you consider that many slots can be played with a minimum coin size of 1c, you get the idea that it’s possible to enjoy quite a few spins with $€1! Top slots like Wonky Wabbits by NetEnt, Firefly Frenzy by Play’nGo and Magic of Sahara by Microgaming offer top wins at a coin price of the only 1c per spin!

Playing at a no minimum deposit casinos with a $€1 deposit means that not only can you explore the casino and play your favourite slots, but it also means that if you lose, the most you can lose is $€1!

At some online casinos, you can even get a Welcome Bonus for your $€1. For example, deposit $€1 and get a $€20 bonus. It’s not easy to find online casinos that are regulated and completely safe to play at that offer no minimum deposits or even low minimum deposits, but we know where to find them! Have a look at our pages for low deposits that offer the best value available.

We rate online casinos offering no minimum deposits with bonuses, a large variety of payment methods, easy deposits and a large catalogue of slots and table games. Naturally, you won’t be offered as much as if you deposit with $€10 or $€20, but you’re still in with a chance to win and have fun.

Popular Low Minimum Deposit Amounts

Online casino gaming doesn’t have to be expensive. Thanks to player demand, the internet and modern technology, low deposit gaming sites are becoming more and more available. It’s now possible to register, make a very low deposit and play some casino games for not much more than the cost of a glass of wine.

$€1 Minimum Deposit

A Welcome Deposit is usually dependant on how much you’ve deposited, so a small deposit will only earn you a small bonus and a larger deposit will get you a larger bonus. The most common casino offer is a 100% match bonus on your first deposit, but there are some casinos that will give a 2000% bonus on a $€1 deposit. This means that if you deposit $€1 you’ll get $€20, and $€20 can go a long way towards boosting your bankroll.

Playing at online casinos that offer their players the chance to make the lowest deposit possible are becoming very popular. This is because there are many new players that embark on a new casino adventure that don’t want to risk and lose their own money. Another reason is that there’s no way of knowing if the casino is right for you, or if you’ll like it before making a deposit, and for most players, a $€10 or $€20 minimum deposit is too high for first-time play.

If you’re looking for an online casino with no minimum deposit, always make sure that you read the Terms and Conditions carefully so that you can match it with your deposit. In other words, check to see what the Wagering Requirements are and if the money you can withdraw after wagering is complete is capped.

Are you interested in finding a casino that will accept your deposit of $€1, $€5 or $€10? Follow our link to find the best no minimum deposit deals, in fact, these deals are so good they’re considered the best in the business!

$€5 Minimum Deposit

We look for online casinos that offer special deals, promotions and low deposits so that you can play slots and table games with a $€5 deposit. When we find online casinos that match our criteria, we rate and review them, and present them to you in our top list of $€5 deposit casinos, to make it easier for you to select a site.

Does the thought of playing at a casino that offers a $€5 minimum deposit make you smile? Follow our link to find the best $€5 minimum deposit deals and enjoy online gaming as it’s supposed to be, easy, economical and lots of fun and excitement!

Other Forms Of Low Deposit Bonuses

Free spins

What’s a free spin? A free spin is a very popular way of rewarding new and existing players with the chance to spin the reels on top slots without having to pay for the spins. Free spins can be delivered in various ways, either through a casino Welcome Bonus, via a No Deposit casino bonus or during gameplay. Free spins allow you to spin the slots for free, and after fulfilling Wagering Requirements, you get to keep all the winnings generated from the free spins.

Players have always enjoyed free spins as it adds to their bankroll and best of all, if you should exit the game during a set of free spins, you can always continue when you reopen the game. Although Free spins are usually only valid on one game at a time, they’re very popular.

Free spins are always a reason to enjoy extended gaming.

Match Bonus

Online casinos offer new players and their regular clients’ bonuses as rewards. They do this to keep players playing at their casino. A Match Bonus is very much as the name implies, a match on the amount you choose to deposit into your account when signing up. For example, consider that a casino is offering a 100% Match Bonus up to $€100 on sign-up, with a minimum deposit of only $€10. This means you can deposit $€10 and the casino will give you another $€10 free. If you deposit $€100, the casino gives you $€100 free, and you get to play with a $€200 bankroll.

Conclusion

No minimum deposits are becoming more and more commonplace across the industry and with the best online casinos all vying for position, deposit limits have gradually been lowered over the last few years. If you want to wager small amounts, you’re at the right place! Have a look at our great no minimum deposit casinos and also check out our $€1 deposit page.

The Cost of Travelling to Las Vegas

“All inclusive Las Vegas trip for just $399” – you might have come across such lucrative advertisements over the internet. Don’t make a fool out of yourself by believing such cheap gimmicks. Forget about a satisfactory experience, you won’t get more than a shabby downtown hotel room and cheap red-eye flight out of such a deal.

Make no mistake, Las Vegas is an expensive tourist destination. You can’t expect to have an enjoyable Las Vegas trip on a shoestring budget. A tour of Las Vegas requires a heavy wallet if you intend to cover all the glamour and glitz the place has to offer.

So before planning a trip to the ‘Gambling Capital of the World’, make sure that you are in a position to afford the luxurious experience without stretching yourself too thin from a financial perspective.

How Much Does a Trip to Las Vegas Costs?

Wondering how much money you need to spend on a memorable trip to Las Vegas? The major costs will include visa fees (if you are an international tourist), airline fares, accommodation charges, food expenses, local transport costs, and the costs of enjoying the entertainment avenues. You must also account for miscellaneous spending like buying souvenirs and offering service tips etc.

The ultimate cost of travelling to Las Vegas would largely depend on your geographic location. Airfares constitute a sizeable percentage of the overall cost and hence the domestic US travelers would find themselves at an advantageous position. Besides higher airfare, the international tourists would additionally need to account for visa charges and custom duties – thus increasing the total expenditure significantly.

To give you a better idea about Las Vegas trip costs, here is an approximate break-up of the major costs involved. Please note that our analysis caters to the average cost and it should only be taken as a reference. The actual cost may vary depending on a number of factors like your preference for luxury and the timing of your tour.

Major Costs Involving a Las Vegas Trip

Airline Fares

Of course, airfare largely depends on where you are flying from. For an inter-city US traveler, the average airfare would cost around $300 for a round-trip flight per person. If you are not averse to boarding a red-eye flight, then you may hope to get the trip covered within $200.

For international tourists, however, the airline charges can take a significant upward curve. European travelers may have to shell out around $1000 for a round trip. That’s the average fare if you book the tickets well in advance. A last minute plan can make your wallet lighter by as much as $2000. So better plan your travel with enough time at hand.

If you are travelling from one of the Asian countries, the airfare could cost more. For example, the average one-way airfare from New Delhi to Las Vegas is around $1000, making it $2000 for a round trip flight. However, if you are looking for immediate travel, you may have to shell out an additional 40-75%.

If you are on a strict budget, then it’s better to avoid the peak-seasonal rush. The fare usually skyrockets during the Christmas time. Same holds true for other festive seasons like Easter, Halloween and Valentine’s Day. That’s why budget travelers prefer to plan their Las Vegas tour during the offseason.

Visa Charges (for international tourists)

The application fee for US tourist visa is $160 (B-2 visa). The validity is 90 days. It is highly recommended to get your visa approved before you make other bookings. It will save you the troubles and money if your visa application gets rejected. The USA immigration authorities are quite strict about granting a visa to foreigners and every year a good number of visa applications get rejected due to various reasons.

Cost of Accommodation

Accommodation can get quite expensive in Las Vegas. Las Vegas being a bustling tourist destination, it should hardly come as a surprise. Even a decent double room in a budget hotel can cost you $100 per night. Hotels in prime locations are obviously more expensive. If you desire to taste the luxury of posh five-star accommodation, you must be willing to shell out in excess of $350 per night.

When you take the average cost of mid-range hotels, it usually comes up to around $150 per night. So if you are planning for a 4-days trip, you should set aside $600 just for your stay.

Food Costs

You will be amazed by the range of restaurants available in Las Vegas. It can get incredibly inexpensive (or expensive) depending upon where you decide to eat. Tourists on a tight budget can find all-you-can-eat buffet meals for just $20. Specialized fine-dine restaurants would invariably cost a lot more. Same holds true for snacks and beverages. Just to experience the real taste of Las Vegas, you must plan atleast one outing at one of the famed fine-dine eateries which can cost you $100 per person.

The average dining budget per person, including the cost of drinks, would be around $75 per day. So while planning your food expense, you can anticipate a cost of $300 per person as a rough estimate for a 4-days trip.

Local Travel and Sightseeing Costs

The local travel would include the taxi fare to and from the airport to your hotel. The economy taxi fare from the McCarran International Airport to the central business district is around $40 one way. In addition, you should also consider the costs of travelling to various tourist attractions, casinos, and shopping centers.

If you limit your excursions to the Strip alone, you can probably cover the travel costs within $50 per day. Then there is, of course, the entry fees to particular tourist attractions (such as the Mandalay Bays Shark Reef, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum). All in all, local sightseeing and intra-city travel won’t cost you more than $100 per day.

However, trips to the famed Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and other attractions on the outskirts of city limit would invariably cost you much more. If you are quite inclined to catch a glimpse of everything Las Vegas has to offer, then you should have an additional $150 budget – on top of the usual local sightseeing costs.

Entertainment

Las Vegas is known for its entertainment quotient. Live musical events, theatricals, celebrity nights and magic shows – you name it and Las Vegas has got you covered. The tickets are usually priced in the range of $50-$100 per person. If you plan to catch a couple of major shows, we suggest you include $150 per person on an average.

Gambling Expenses

A trip to Las Vegas without indulging in gambling is a crime. It’s one aspect where your pre-determined budget can go for a toss. If you are not an instinctive gambler and just want to have a great time, then we would suggest you assign $100 per day as gambling expenses. You may end up spending around $300 if you can’t resist the temptation.

In case you get lucky, you might be able to cover the cost with your winnings and still have a few bucks in savings. But that’s not guaranteed, and rather a rarity. The glamour of Las Vegas wasn’t built by losing money on gambling. It’s actually the other way around – i.e., the tourists loss is the city’s gain.

Cutting the long story short, if you must go gambling everyday on your 4-days trip, then you can roughly set aside $500 as your gambling expenses.

Miscellaneous Costs

Quite often it’s a neglected aspect, but in fact, the miscellaneous expenses can reach a significant cumulative figure if you are not careful. Buying souvenirs can be costly in Las Vegas. The tips that you pay for various services must also be accounted for. All in all, a $100 for a 4-day trip would be appropriate for an average budget traveler.

Overall Expense for an All-inclusive Las Vegas Trip

Domestic US travelers might be able to cover a 4-days Las Vegas trip within $1500, but the international tourists would need to bear some additional costs. If you sum things up, a satisfying trip to Las Vegas would cost an international tourist around $2000 – excluding the airline ticket charges.

Planning early can be the key to minimize expenditure on air travel. If you manage to book your flight tickets well in advance, you can hope to limit the overall expenses to around $3000 for a 4 days trip to the Sin City.

However, if your sole purpose behind visiting Las Vegas is to get your eyes rolling on the fancy casinos, and experience an extravagant lifestyle, we have an even cheaper solution for you. Simply, browse the web and discover some reliable online casino websites and you are good to go.

Most online casinos provide all the features and fun that you would otherwise experience in Las Vegas. The decked up websites, welcome bonus, easy withdrawal and deposit along with live customer support. If you want to take the thrill to the next level, you can even play live dealer casino games wherein a live dealer supervises the game, and gives you a perfect feel of Las Vegas casinos.

What’s more, since most online casinos are mobile-friendly, you can play at anytime and anywhere. The only catch here is to crosscheck the minimum wagering requirements and choose a casino which is reputed enough, and you’re good to go!

That said, if you have enough cash with you and if you can handle the expenses associated with a trip to Las Vegas, definitely, nothing can beat the experience that you’ll get. But if you are on a shoestring budget, we will highly recommend you to satisfy your appetite by playing online casino.

What would you prefer? Do let us know in the comments below!

The Best Movie Themed Online Slot Games in 2018

These days, online slot games continue to be just as popular as their land-based counterparts. Since gaming developers constantly work with popular movie and TV culture, you can bet that there is an array of slots out there based on your favourite movies, and this year has seen some stellar titles already released.
Here’s a look at the top movie themed online slots of 2018… so far.

Online Slot Games You Have to Try

• The Dark Knight Rises

If you’re an avid comic book lover, and a Batman fan at that, you have got to check out Microgaming’s Dark Knight Rises slot. From superb illustrations to fun sounds and all your favourite characters, this is a game that will keep you entertained for hours.
The five-reel slot provides 243 paylines complete with a Wild symbol, giving you even more ways to win. There are also an assortment of multipliers and Free Games for maximum gameplay pleasure.

• Jurassic Park

The slot game takes place on a magnificent island with the greenery serving as your backdrop. During your spins, you’ll meet a multitude of famous faces, different dinosaurs and other exciting characters, all in their 3D glory, complete with sensational music and immersive gameplay. This offer from Microgaming means players can look forward to a selection of excellent bonuses and payouts.

• The Mummy

The Mummy was a popular motion picture, and the perfect theme for an online video slot that brings players hours of pleasure, complete with the movie’s favourite characters. There are also scarabs, a range of relics and firearms, all adding to the atmosphere of the game. Players can look forward to seeing the top stars from the movie, including The Rock, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, not to mention playing for some serious wins.
We have to make mention of the Lost City Adventure Bonus, a random reward that begins with a short clip from the film. This Bonus Feature allows you to look into six cartons on screen. Each of the containers uncovers a monetary prize. You can keep choosing cases until you find the Collect image. Each time the bonus round is activated, you can look forward to opening another element in the game.

• Star Trek: Red Alert

If you love space adventure and the opportunity to win big, this is the slot for you. Star Trek has followers around the globe and its already motivated an array of slot titles. Red Alert is a 5-reel, 25-payline slot that boasts images of the original cast and the stunning Star Trek logo serves as the Wild Card. Hit the “Turn” catch and you’ll get to see more of your favourite characters which can spin into an array of winning combinations.
With such great titles to choose from, and more bound to be on the way, 2018 is stacking up to be a red carpet year for the online slot industry.

Understand these Online Casino Regulations Before Diving Head First Into Gameplay

Thanks to the age of the internet, the opportunities for fun and windfalls have moved online. But, there are still rules and online casino regulations that differ from one country to the next. Here’s a look at how things work across Europe.

Online Casino Regulations in the UK

With Brexit just around the corner, the United Kingdom remains subject to EU laws for a short period of time. Even so, the casino gaming culture and regulations that surround it are well established.

With many sites offering top casino games, slots and casual gaming to British citizens, it should be noted that most of the sites are internationally renowned, operating from other parts of the continent. This means the operators can benefit from favourable tax rates and host of regulator advantages.

However, sites that cater to UK players must be licensed by the Gambling Commission.

Spain

Spain has 17 regions, each of which is autonomous. This means that casino operators that want to offer their services must get licenses from each region, even if the operator is purely based online.

In 2011, the Spanish government introduced the Gaming Act which ensured the same rules that applied to land-based casinos were consistent and enforceable online, too. The bill failed to factor in unlicensed operators based in other countries, though, so there are a couple of loopholes.

The Nordic Countries

The availability of internet in countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway are greater than just about anywhere else in the world. Yet, the expansion of the online casino industry in this part of the world has been greatly disadvantaged by state-controlled monopolies.

However, we are starting to see all that change, especially with the new legislation set to be implemented in Sweden.

Germany

The latest casino gaming bill introduced in Germany actually doesn’t distinguish between real world and online casinos, leaving a gaping grey area around the industry.

German online players can play on sites operated in other countries but legally, operators may not host sites in Germany. In turn, this means Germans don’t have legal protection if they do choose to play online.

It’s an odd scenario which is why people tend to choose to play according to the reputation of the online operator’s country of origin. Countries like the UK, where online gaming is legal and regulated, along with Malta and Gibraltar, give German players greater peace of mind.

France

Like many of the Nordic states, there are government-imposed restrictions on casino gaming in France. One act introduced in 2010 outlawed casino games like roulette and online slots.

While authorities cite that chance-based games are addictive and not acceptable, there is legal support for the skill-based games such as blackjack and poker.

We are increasingly seeing calls to improve access to online gaming services and use regulations to manage operators directly. There’s no doubt that as more online casino regulations come into play in Europe, the state of play will be altered. For now, though, players must remember to take a close look at the laws impacting their own country before they open a new player account with a site.

Overview of the Best NetEnt Slots You Just Have to Try

NetEnt is a leading online gaming developer, most well known for its innovative slot games. NetEnt slots are always created with players in mind, making them some of the most engaging and entertaining games around.
The slots provide everything you need, from 3D slots to TV or movie themed titles to keep you glued to your screen. NetEnt can be relied upon to create slots with colourful graphics and games that can be played across several platforms, including mobile casinos and Instant Play. They also come with crisp sound and sleek animation that captivate players time and again.
Best of all, the company releases new slot games nearly every month.
So, what are some of their most popular titles?

NetEnt Slots You’ve Got to Play

1. Fruit Spin

If you love traditional slots, try your luck at Fruit Spin. The 5-reel, 40-payline slot features free spins and Lucky Wheels, making for an entertaining game and plenty of chances to win big. You’ll trigger the Lucky Wheel when part of a 3×3 scatter appears bumps the reels. You’ll also get instant cash and maybe even free spins if luck is on your side.

2. Archangels: Salvation

This is an incredible mobile slot complete with 6 reels and 100 paylines. The tagline is “good takes on evil,” so players can look forward to a visually engaging battle between good and evil. You get to choose sides, too! The game offers wild bonus features and free spins.
The most rewarding symbols are the angels and demons, giving you up to 150 coins for 5 symbols on a payline.

3. Gonzo’s Quest

If quests are more your style, you’re sure to love looking for lost reassures in the City of Gold. The Avalanche Reels can reward you with some serious cash. The game has 5 reels and 20 paylines and there is a Free Falls bonus where you may be rewarded with up to 10 free spins.

4. Starburst

By far one of the most unique offerings from NetEnt, Starburst is an arcade-style game where the goal is to get Starburst Wilds symbols. The slot features 5 reels and 10 paylines complete with vibrant graphics and fun music. If the Wild Symbols appear on either of the 3 middle reels, it will trigger the bonus feature and expand your reel, while the remaining reels will go into a spin.

5. Jack and the Beanstalk

This fairytale-themed online slot has all the magic and delight of the beloved tale. The 5-reel and 20 payline game feature a Walking Wild symbol which will plunge you into an enthralling experience. It will also give you free spins!

These are just 5 of NetEnt’s greatest offerings. They have hundreds of titles in their portfolio and you can find NetEnt slots both at online and mobile casinos. Keep playing – you may just be 2018’s, next big winner!

The Ultimate Microgaming Online Casino Slots of All Times

Microgaming has certainly made its name as a trendsetter in online casino gaming development. The company has gone above and beyond to introduce the world to a superior online gaming experience. In fact, the software developer has produced a wide array of products that include poker, live dealer table games and even bingo. But, by far, the most popular with online casino players are the superior Microgaming online casino slots. The software giant has developed a myriad of online casino games suitable for both desktop and mobile play along with some of the most impressive progressive jackpots and unbeatable gameplay. You can also try the slots out for free but you’ll need to wager real money to win real money.

So, which are the best Microgaming slots for you to play?

The Top Microgaming Online Casino Slots

The company remains consistent in expanding its capabilities and continually bring out a variety of innovative slot titles guaranteed to attract new players and immerse existing online casino players alike. Staying ahead of the competition is all about hard work, quick trend predictions and making sure content works with emerging technologies, including virtual and augmented reality.

Today’s immersive slot games are simply incredible. They offer the same immersive experience seamlessly online as well as on tablets and smartphones. If you’re looking for action-packed titles, unbelievable imagery and seriously major bonuses, Microgaming slots are definitely for you.

1. Mega Moolah

This safari-themed slot has made some very happy winners in the past and continues to offer big chances to win. The game boasts 25 paylines, with lions serving as the Wild Symbols. Get at least three monkeys during gameplay and you will win a load of free spins where everything you happen to win is not doubled but tripled. This game is truly a thrilling walk in the wild with the chance to win one of the most infamous progressive jackpots in the world of online casino gaming. The smaller wins aren’t too bad either.

Take a look at our review on the Infamous Megah Moolah slot game.

2. Thunderstruck II

If you love all things Viking, Thunderstruck II will keep you entertained for hours on end. The slot is arguably one of the best to play this year. The second instalment of the game from Microgaming is nothing short of impressive.

Similar to Hall of Gods, the game requires 3 Bonus Hammers to unlock the bonus game. While this isn’t a game with a progressive jackpot up for grabs, it’s one you’re not going to want to miss out on. The

bonus game in Thunderstruck II, The Great Hall of Spins, has four stages. In order to unlock each stage, you must collect a certain number of hammers. Unlock the Thor Bonus and you can enjoy 25 free spins. You’ll also get to enjoy the Rolling Reels feature which means that each of the winning icons will explode once they’ve paid out and will then disappear. New symbols then drop from the top to fill in the gaps.

These are just two Microgaming online casino slots that players favour. Do you have a preferred slot game?

The gambling regulator in the UK wants to ban the use of credit cards for online gambling

A brand new 63-page report from the UK gambling regulator suggests that gambling online with credit cards increases the risk of players spending more than they can afford. The report is considering banning the use of credit cards for UK players who want to play casino games or place sports bets online.

The report dealt with the ways in which online gaming can be made safer in Britain for consumers. This is in light of the fact that online casino industry profits have grown 10% to £4.7bn ($6.6bn) in the past year and this growth is expected to continue. There is also increased public participation. It’s estimated that 9 million Britons play casino online, participation has risen from 15.5% in 2014 to 18.3% in 2017.

Credit Cards Can Be Risky

Credit cards are part of most people’s everyday lives to purchase all sorts of goods. They’re easy to use and secure but it can also be taken for granted that you’re making purchases on credit. This can be a slippery slope, especially for vulnerable individuals. Some lobbyists believe that limiting the use of credit cards in the UK online casino industry will make conditions safer for problem gamblers.

Labour MP, Carolyn Harris who is an advocate for safer online gaming, said: “The idea of gambling on credit cards terrifies me. Debts for gamblers can be a major concern not just for individuals and their families who often pay the price for a family member’s problem.”

The idea is that banning gambling with credit cards will protect players who pose a risk of gambling beyond their means.

Other safety measures discussed in the report also want to address dishonest marketing tactics, improving age verification, unfair terms and conditions and implementing measures to identify customers who are at risk of problem gambling.

Britain is the biggest regulated online casino industry in the world. Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Neil McArthur said: “With the proposals we’ve announced—we want to protect children, reduce risks to vulnerable customers and generally help partners identify ways to intervene in situations before they become harmful.”

$1 million fine for Sky Bet

The failure to protect vulnerable customers cost the sports betting company Sky Bet a £1m fine from the Gambling Commission last month.

The BBC reported that a Gambling Commission investigation uncovered the fact that 736 players who self-excluded from Sky Bet, were able to still use copied accounts. Additionally, 50,000 self-excluded customers still received marketing emails, marketing text messages, and push notifications. Also, nearly 36,500 self-excluded customers did not have their account balances returned to them.

The UKGC programme director called this a “serious failure” and that the “£1m penalty package should serve as a warning to all gambling businesses.”

888 Holdings also landed a £7.8m fine in 2017 for permitting around 7,000 self-excluded customers to continue making deposits that came to over £3.5m ($5m) over a period of 13 months.

New Online Casino Advertising Rules in the UK

The Committees of Advertising Practice in the United Kingdom is soon to introduce new online casino advertising regulations, set to change the way that online casino operators are allowed to promote special offers on their websites.
According to reports earlier this month from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the advertising watchdog, responsible for putting together all of the advertising rules in the UK, revealed its updated regulations that are earmarked to come into force as early as April 2. The new regulations aim to protect online casino players that might be vulnerable.

What’s Brought on the New Online Casino Advertising Regulations?

The BBC reports state that the announcement of the online casino advertising rules come in the wake of the Gambling Commission regulator’s recent decision to levy a fine of $488,600 against a company called ElectraWorks Limited after the seven major online casino operator’s sites were discovered to have breached existing rules in terms of promoting free bonuses.
The broadcaster further reported that the new regulations will include a complete ban on the popular phrase “bet now.” They are also set to institute stricter restrictions on advertising special offers. This will apply to all UK-licensed online casinos and even sports betting sites during live matches. What’s more, the Committees of Advertising Practice explained that it plans to limit ads that promote recklessly suggest “risk-free” deposits or promote repetitive play. That’s not to say you won’t still enjoy free spins and great offers, it’s a matter of changing the way these will be advertised.
The BBC also reported that the new regulations will be used by the Advertising Standards Authority when it comes to considering complaints and levying fines. The new rules will further place greater restrictions on ads that prey on a player’s financial concerns and self-esteem.

How Promotions Must Be Worded

The Daily Telegraph reports that the new rules are to make clear that any “money-back” promotions are to be for cash and not a bonus whilst risk-free offers have to involve the consumer not incurring any financial loss.
What’s more, the newspaper reported that the rules will stipulate that “matched bets” offers are to treat stake limitations as a significant condition that’s advertised from the get-go.
The biggest change, though, will involve the advertising of “free bets.” The Committees of Advertising Practice will enforce a provision that requires all licensed online casino operators to prominently list their free offers’ terms and conditions.
According to Director of the Committees of Advertising, Shahriar Coupal, the committee will not tolerate online casino ads that in any way exploit people’s vulnerabilities or those that are deemed to play fast and loose with enticing bonus and free bet offers. The new casino ad regulations take account of the best available evidence to strengthen those protections that are already in place and to ensure that gaming is presented in a responsible manner, minimising the potential for any harm.

Four online gaming operators licensed in the UK are having to incur their advertising activities being scrutinised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for promoting online casino games expected to appeal to minors.

According to a report in the Sunday Times, the Authority has begun a review of these companies following a complaint made by the Campaign for Fairer Gambling. The four companies are Letou, Fun88, M88 and 138.com. Letou are also well-known shirt sponsors for four major football clubs in the United Kingdom.

What Have the Online Gambling Operators Been Up To?

The ASA is ready to conduct its investigation into the gambling operator’s advertising activities to determine whether or not online casino games like Fairytale Legends and Santa Paws are really aimed at children.

Of all four online gaming operators, Letou has been the only one to provide comment on the investigation, telling news outlets that customers can play games on its website once they have verified their age.

Typically, online gaming operators offer free versions of their most popular or latest casino games to entice players. A lot of the games feature cartoon characters or fairy tale themes that some fear is especially attractive to children and are trivialising gambling among some of the most vulnerable members of our population.

Free versions of games, especially blackjack, slots and the latest video poker releases, are often a great way for adult players to hone their skills or try out a game before playing for real money.

Last year, the UK Gambling Commission ordered licensees along with their third-party advertising partners to remove any and all promotional content that could entice children into the world of online gaming.

Children’s Commission Insists on Crackdown

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Anne Longfield, has further called for the implementation of new rules that are set to make it harder for minors to gain access to gambling-related sites and, in particular, free-to-play games.

According to Longfield, the effortless access to these games is likely to trigger the worst kinds of addictions amongst minors, as they normalise gambling amongst this demographic.

A report recently commissioned by the UK Gambling Commission purported that more than 370,000 children between than ages of 11 to 16 gamble every week. Further, the research showed that about 25,000 children are already addicted to online gaming or some form of gambling-related issue, with another 36,000 children at risk of becoming gaming addicts.

The UK Gambling Commission has therefore presented a number of proposed changes to the License Conditions and Codes of Practice. The changes focus mainly on regulations involving advertising and marketing, unfair terms and disputes and complaints.

The regulator has invited UK online casino players, industry stakeholders and online casinos themselves to participate in a consultation period to voice their opinion on the suggested changes.

Those who are interested in taking part have been given until mid-April of this year to submit comments on changes that could occur in the UK online casino sector.

Self-Exclusion at Land Casinos

Self-exclusion; “a facility for those that have decided that they wish to stop gambling for at least six months and wish to be supported in their decision to stop.” Gambling Commission.

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) aims to implement further measures to deal with the inefficacy of current self-exclusion provisions that are in place.

BBC Investigates

The decision to do so follows an investigation by a BBC reporter, Rob Cave. Cave paid a visit to the UK town of Grimsby to evaluate the self-exclusion schemes that are currently in place. The analysis found that the current provisions were not stringent enough to assist a problem gambler curbing their gameplay.

Grimsby was chosen because of its dense concentration of betting shops. The current provisions set out by the UKGC means photographic images of problem gamblers are circulated between land-based betting shops. The focus of this practice is to guarantee the player is asked to leave the casino by a member of staff, however, the documentary proves this isn’t always followed closely.

Cave proved this by pretending to be a problem gambler and enrolled himself in the self-exclusion scheme. His image was circulated to 21 different betting shops in Grimsby and on arrival, only 5 turned him away. This lax attitude towards the scheme has led to the GC question the efficacy of the provision.

Identifying Problem Gamblers

The Association of British Bookmakers described the results as ‘disappointing’ and said Cave was a stranger to the employees. The majority of players are locals and the employees can identify them easily.

Self-Exclusion and Online Casinos

Online casinos are now promoting self-exclusion among self-confessed problem gamblers. If you choose to remove yourself from gambling at online casinos, you fill out a form and submit it to the casino. Once upon a time, players thought they may be able to move from casino to casino. However, now much more stringent policies have been implemented and the casino will circulate it to partner online casinos.

Following this report, the GC will indefinitely look at ways of improving the current self-exclusion scheme at both online casinos and land-based sportsbooks.