The largest poker rooms are stable and respectable companies.  Poker software is very complicated and demands large investments in development and maintenance. A lot of knowledge and experience is needed to run a successful poker room. It is a very demanding business that quickly weeds out the weaker companies and secures good quality for the customers. Poker rooms have been free from scandals which is more than can be said for other casino games.
 

At the moment there are over 2500 casinos online that offer all kinds of games of chance; video poker, slot machines, blackjack, roulette etc. Most of them have been established in tax heavens and are thus badly regulated. It is cheaper to get your hands on a ready made casino package with software than it is to buy a real poker table. No licence is needed and anyone can qualify as an owner. It is not surprising that you can find complaints about non-payment of winnings, unclear bonus terms and nonexistent customer support in many international discussion forums. In spite of this it is possible to try out these games if you choose the casino with care.
 

When choosing a casino you should consider three main points:

	Reliability: If the casino is unreliable then everything else is beside the point. In real life you only win if you can actually claim the winnings.
	Payout: The higher this percentage is the better. One should not trust the casino’s own statement. The payout has to be reported by an independent auditor.
	Bonuses: The highest bonus isn’t always the best alternative, no matter how enticing the advertising is. In the world of casinos less is often more, the terms have to be so straightforward that it is possible to compare different offers.

It is important to understand the difference between poker and other casino games. In poker you play against other players and the poker room that organises the game takes a small provision (rake) from the pot. Because poker is very much a game of skill the good players win and the less experienced lose. The more a player that is better than average keeps playing, the more he will win (and develop).
 

With other casino games it is the other way round. You play against the casino which, of course, never loses in the long run. Furthermore, skill has minimal or nonexistent influence on the proceedings. The more you play, the higher the probability that the payback moves towards the statistic percentage, which is always negative.
 

Yet it is possible, to some extent, to defend taking part in these games. Poker isn’t for everyone. For those who are born under a lucky star these games offer a much higher payout than local lotto, bingo, Jack Vegas etc. One good way is to decide beforehand how much you are prepared to lose if the tide should turn, and stop there. A few short games, once in a while, for fun and recreation have never hurt anyone. If, on the other hand, it becomes hard to keep the playing under control it is important to recognise the problem and seek help. Gamblers Anonymous gives professional advice and are a good place to start.
 

Below we present two casinos who comply with all the selection criteria. They have been in business for a long time, their payout is among the highest in the business and it is audited by the international accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers. Both of these casinos have signed up to eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurances guidelines for online casinos, and have the eCOGRA seal. eCOGRA is an independent control organisation for online casinos.

 

 

Casino On Net

Established: 1996

Payout: 97,6%

Sign-up bonus: 100 % of the deposit, maximum $200.

More bonuses: Yes

Number of games: about 90

Games: Video poker, blackjack, slot machines, roulette, baccarat, craps, keno etc.

Demo games: Yes

The world’s largest online casino with over 2 million players. Possibly the highest payout and best bonuses in the business.
 

 

 

Lucky Nugget

Established: 1998

Payout: 97 %

Sign-up bonus: Deposit $50 and get $200. The total amount of the deposit and the bonus must be wagered 20 times (not including wagers on baccarat, craps, sick bo and some video poker games). Bonus must be applied for within 72 hours. An application form and the full terms and conditions can be found here.

More bonuses: Yes

Number of games: about 100

Games: Video poker, blackjack, slot machines, roulette, baccarat, craps, keno, sick bo etc.

Demo games: Yes