Factors to Consider with a New Gambling Site
When it comes to new gambling sites, we look at many of the same criteria we would for more seasoned operators. We pay extra attention to any unique aspects of the site and what differentiates it from the rest of the pack, along with diving deep into the areas below.
Licensing
No matter the age of a gambling site, one thing is always true — new or old, sportsbook or casino, all gambling sites must hold correct and up-to-date licensing. That’s the first thing our reviewers look for at TopRatedCasinos.ie, and we’ll only ever recommend licensed sites.Â
Licensed gambling sites are regulated by governing bodies such as the Revenue Commissioners or UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to ensure players are protected, and that the games hosted on the site are fair. It’s not a 100% guarantee of player safety, but operators who break the rules face severe penalties and risk losing their licence.Â
New Games and Collections
If the gambling site offers online casino games, a large selection is essential. We expect to see all the familiar table games such as blackjack, poker, roulette, and baccarat, as well as a healthy choice of slots titles. Players should have access to popular games from the best-known developers — think NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech — but the best online casinos promptly offer the latest releases alongside lesser known developers and slots.
Sportsbook Depth
For online bookmakers, we like as many choices as possible. The range of sports should include horse racing, football, rugby — all the major sports and their associated events at a minimum. Different betting options give punters more variety in how they wager, so we’ll also favour sports betting sites that support in-play betting, accumulators (accas), and early cash out.Â
User Experiences
If it’s impossible to find what you’re looking for on a gambling site, it’s going to be hard to have any fun. Providers who set themselves apart with a great user experience are more likely to find themselves in our good books. Players should have intuitive access to everything they need without being overwhelmed.
We love to see player-centric functionality such as detailed filtering of games and betting markets, modern features such as live streaming, and a simple banking flow for effortless transfer of funds.
Customer Service
Responsive customer service is a vital lifeline for players who find themselves in any trouble when using the site, whether it be a banking problem or a technical issue. The best new betting sites make use of modern communication methods such as live chat and social media as well as telephone and email, preferably available around the clock.
Mobile
A well-rounded mobile experience from all gambling sites is expected as standard. Indeed, our players want flexibility in how they gamble — we’ll look for a mobile-optimised site built with HTML5 as the bare minimum, but the best new operators support a bespoke mobile app for iOS or Android devices that’s on par with a desktop experience.
Banking Options
We like to see as many banking options as possible with any provider we’re reviewing on top of the usual methods of debit card and bank transfer. More choice for players is the name of the game.
Banking options can be patchy at new gambling sites as they may still be integrating certain payment methods, but you’re also more likely to see support of Apple Pay and Google Pay, or cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Instant deposits are becoming more and more common across operators, and our players love sites with fast withdrawals too.