Before you can play at any online casino, you need to become a member by signing up for an account and in most cases making your first deposit. Not sure what is expected of you at each point and what you need to do when you sign-up to a new online casino? Keep reading as we’ve put together this comprehensive step-by-step how-to guide that covers the process from start to finish.
What To Do Before Opening a Casino Account
Before you can register at a casino, you first need to pick a site to play on (find the best casino). When you’re looking for an online casino, it’s important to decide the criteria that matter to you, such as particular payment methods or bonus type, game criteria and so on. Then find a casino that matches your expectations and requirements.
Once you’ve decided, head to that casino’s site and click the Join Now or Sign Up button. To join a casino you will need a valid email address, home address, form of accepted ID and be 18+.
1. How To Sign Up
Once you’ve located the registration button on the casino site (if you choose a CasinoGuide recommended casino simply click the yellow button links in our casino reviews to make sure you get the best signup bonuses) click it, you should go through to a 3- or 4-page signup form.
The order of these steps may change slightly depending on your casino, but in general, they all follow the same process.
Step 1: Enter your full name, country of residence, email, gender and date of birth.
Step 2: Create your account username and password. You will use this to log into your casino account. Make sure to use details you will remember and a safe password. If you ever forget your account login details, a security question, which you will also select during this stage is used as a backup security measure. Click next or move to the next step.
Step 3: Enter your full address, mobile phone number, currency and occupation then click register.
Step 4 (optional): Many players opt to save their account username and password to their browser. In Google Chrome, this option will automatically pop up when you sign up. If it doesn’t click the key in the top-right of the browser bar. If you are using a personal computer it is fine to save this password as you are the only person with access. However, if you are using a shared or family terminal do not save your login details as this makes your account easy to access for strangers or underage family members.
Confirming The T&Cs And Your Marketing Preferences
During the signup steps, you will also be asked to confirm that you have read the casino’s terms and conditions, are over 18 years old, and given the option to opt-in to any casino marketing (you can see this is the 888 Casino demonstration screenshots of steps 1-3).
Confirming the casino terms and conditions means you’ve read them and agree to play by the rules, accepting the conditions which the casino has detailed. Whilst many players skip this step, you really do need to read the T&Cs. They will include details of any account limitations such as withdrawal limits and country restrictions. The T&Cs also tell you how your account data is stored and protected, as well as other general terms that can apply to your account or bonuses such as wagering requirements – all in all, essential reading.
2. Verifying Your Account And Claiming A Welcome Bonus
After completing sign-up steps 1-3 you’re not quite ready to start playing. Whilst you’ve given your details to the casino, they haven’t confirmed your account yet. They need to check both your email address, country of residence and age. To do this, you’ll receive an instant email to the account you gave during the sign-up process. Head to your email inbox and open the email.
Step 1: After completing sign-up steps 1-3 you’re not quite ready to start playing. Whilst you’ve given your details to the casino, they haven’t confirmed your account yet. They need to check both your email address, country of residence and age. To do this, you’ll receive an instant email to the account you gave during the sign-up process. Head to your email inbox and open the email.
Step 2: The email will contain a link asking you to click it- this will take you back to your casino account and verifies your email address. As you can see in the screenshot, it also offers you a welcome bonus, which is a no deposit deal and arrives automatically into your casino account once you’ve clicked the link.
Step 3: You may also be offered another type of welcome bonus, such as a matched deposit deal. If you want to take this deal or start playing without either onus, you’ll need to make your first account deposit and complete the age verification checks. Luckily, you’ll usually find both by heading over to the cashier.
Completing Age Verification
It’s best to get all of the legal stuff out of the way early on. To confirm that you are of legal age to gamble in the UK you must submit a valid and government-issued photo ID. Valid documents are usually either your passport, European identity card or a driver’s licence. You submit a copy of this document via a secure link and you can find an option to submit your ID under the cashier tab (as in the screenshots) or your casino will reach out to you by email and ask you to complete the process. It’s a quick, safe and secure procedure that helps protect vulnerable players from accessing gambling, and deters money laundering.
3. Making Your First Deposit
All deposits and withdrawal requests take place with the casino cashier.
- Decide how much you want to deposit and by which method.
- Make sure you’ve read the casino terms and conditions regarding payments and are aware of any fees or limitations regarding your payment method.
- Click ‘cashier’ -this will be someone on the homepage or your account area and will take you through to the payments processing page.
- Fill in the details requested such as the amount, and details of your payment method. For a card you need to input the card details, expiry and CVC – just as usual. For an e-wallet, you’ll need to sign in when the casino redirects you.
- Once the deposit is confirmed by you it should arrive in your account instantly.
When you make this deposit with a view to claiming a welcome offer, some casinos may ask you for a bonus code, others apply their welcome bonuses automatically. The casino will inform or send you the bonus code if one is needed, in which case you’ll need to input the code and opt into the bonus.
4. Start Playing Great Casino Games
Once you’ve followed all the steps up to here, your account is ready to roll; you’ve opened it, verified your identity and email address, topped it up with either free credit or your first deposit and are ready to start playing!
Next, simply locate the games lobby or return to the home page and pick a casino game!
5. How To Withdraw Your Winnings
To make a withdrawal you must first request it from the casino. Usually, the casino will process your request within 24-48 hours. After which, you will also have to wait for the time it takes for your bank or payment method to deposit the withdrawal (you can find specific details of this in the general or payment terms and conditions) before the withdrawn funds will arrive in your account.
To request a withdrawal:
- Go to the cashier and select withdrawal.
- Input the amount you would like to withdraw
- Select your withdrawal method and input your account details.
- Click withdrawal and await confirmation from the casino.
Things To Note About Making Your First Withdrawal
- You may be asked to verify your ID again.
- Your withdrawal and deposit methods may need to match.
- Before withdrawing any bonus funds or winnings you need to make sure you’ve met the time limits and wagering requirements. You will stand to lose the bonus and associated winnings if you try to make a withdrawal before you have.
6. Tracking Your Transactions And Monitoring Your Gambling
Under the cashier menu, you’ll also find your account history and responsible gambling information and tools (in the screenshot below, see the last two tabs of the cashier menu).
Here you can keep track of all your deposits and withdrawals, and also learn about, or use responsible gambling tools like deposit and playtime limits.
As gambling is an addictive behaviour, it’s best practice for new players to know about these tools to monitor their gambling.
If at any point you’re struggling to join a casino, or require extra assistance, get in contact with the support channels at the casino you are trying to become a member of – they’re there to help with exactly these kinds of issues!
Time To Get started!
Now you know how to sign up, the next thing to figure out is where to sign up. That’s what we’re here for – below we’ve listed the very best online casinos available in the UK.
All listed casinos have been reviewed by our experts. They also all hold UK Gambling Commission licenses and are mobile-compatible.
If you have further requirements, for example you are looking to make your deposit with a specific payment method, you can specify this using the filter.
Good luck and enjoy the games!
