Online casinos are all over the world, but with different regions come different styles and formats. With that in mind, it’s important to note that European online casinos are rated differently from Asian, North American or South American ones.
This means sometimes you might come across rating systems or review aggregate websites that discuss European online casinos differently.
If you’ve been considering registering with a European casino but aren’t sure where to find the best ones, you’ll want to read ahead.
What makes European online casinos different?
One might think that an online casino is just an online casino and that it makes little difference where its proprietors originate from.
As a general rule, European online casinos tend to have games, sounds, and menus that are less flashy and less focused on spectacle. Instead, many of them provide an atmosphere and a selection of games that are calmer and more relaxing. They are sometimes described as being sleeker, modern, and minimalist.
Due to these cultural differences, European casino games tend to be rated differently. If the reviewer of the European online casinos is also European, they may give extra points for games and menus that are in this style. On the other hand, an American or Canadian reviewer may find European casinos and casino games lacking in pizzazz.
Outside of these sorts of differences, most European online casinos are judged according to the same standards as non-European ones.
Legality and licensing
Like any online casino on the planet, European online casinos are rated based off how well they follow regulations and how many licenses they have, if they have any at all.
Legality is extra important in Europe since it has many countries. This means there are many more rules to follow. What might be fine in England may not be in Germany or Austria. Whether the rules are region-based or age-based, all great European online casinos need to abide by them to earn a strong reputation.
Consequently, European online casinos have more hoops to jump through. Juggling these extra national regulations is important if they are trying to create a base of Europeans, not just specific countrymen and countrywomen. For example, if an online casino from Ireland follows the rules not only of its own country but of continental Europe in general, then it could soon be recommended to Europeans at large.
Game selection, size, and diversity
An online casino is nothing without a proper gaming selection. This is true anywhere, including in European nations.
Though trends differing from country to country have been observed, the same rules tend to apply when it comes to finding the best and most popular European online casinos: they all have plenty of games with extensive replay value.
Quality is still better than quantity, but both will always be better than just one, and the best European online casinos understand this. There should be hundreds if not thousands of games, including a couple dozen must-play titles that act as the site’s flagship games.
Mobile app functionality
Most people do their online gambling on portable devices and smartphones, so European online casinos should have a mobile app to tap into the juiciest part of the industry’s market.
Mobile apps need to be as widely compatible as possible. They should be available on all the major play or app stores, be regularly updated with patches and look fantastic on a small screen. This includes typography, colors, menus and 3D graphics.
The best apps look clean, sound sharp, have minimal to no glitches and load quickly every time they are booted up. Any European online casino app that meets these standards is bound to get reviewed well and recommended.
Payment methods
Online casinos providing access to multiple payment methods matters all over the place, but it arguably matters more in Europe due to its use of both euros and pounds as main currencies.
Payment methods matter because the more that are available, the more choice a player has regarding how they will spend their cash. There are many factors at play, including conversion rates, payout speeds and hidden fees. When someone is allowed to select their preferred payment method, it is an opportunity to take advantage of as many of these factors as possible.
Spotting European online casinos with good payment methods is easy. There should be a decent selection of major credit and debit cards, such as Visa, American Express and Mastercard. However, with more people using online banking and other similar methods, online casinos should also have a good selection of e-wallets and cryptocurrencies too.
E-wallets such as PayPal, Apple Pay and Skrill are great for their speed and efficiency, whereas cryptocurrencies are excellent for their speed, privacy and security features. The availability of crypto has been on the rise among European online casinos, especially Bitcoin as it continues to hit new peaks.
Promotions and offers
Whether it’s welcome bonuses or loyalty VIP programs, promotions make up a huge part of the landscape when reviewing European online casinos.
An online casino’s offers are rated by several different factors — not just the prize itself but also the terms, conditions and requirements that are associated with each prize or bonus. If the prize is something especially desirable, such as a no deposit bonus, then the casino will earn extra marks, but that alone isn’t enough. It must also feel fair and balanced to acquire the bonus, with little to no strings attached.
There also needs to be a strong selection among the different kinds of offers. Welcome bonuses, free spins and cashback bonuses are welcomed, but so are weekly lotteries, exclusive programs, referral bonuses and multitiered loyalty rewards.
