Online casino is the internet version of gambling, with many sites offering a wide range of real money games. Some sites also have live dealers, allowing players to interact with their favourite table games in a more personal and engaging way. There is a lot of concern about online casinos, but much of this can be dispelled by choosing only to play at legitimate and regulated websites. These sites will be subject to regular testing by independent agencies to ensure that the random number generators used by their games are working correctly. They will also uphold strict responsible gambling and player protection measures.
There are two main ways to gamble online: by downloading a casino program or through your web browser. The downloaded programs are usually more reliable and have faster graphics, but they only work on the computer that you install them on. A web browser-based online casino is more flexible, allowing you to log in from any computer with an internet connection.
Most online casinos offer a variety of different games, including popular slot machines and table games like blackjack and roulette. Some even have their own in-house developed games that are exclusive to their site. They will often offer loyalty bonuses to their most frequent players, which can be anything from free money and credit to tournament tickets and merchandise.
The best online casinos will have a secure SSL certificate and use encryption software to protect your personal information. They will also have a range of tools to allow you to manage your gambling habits, such as deposit, session and wager limits. Some will also allow you to take a self-exclusion or temporary break from your account, which can be very helpful if you are finding it hard to control your gambling habits.