Gambling has a complicated history both in the United States and in European countries. Things became even more complicated with the introduction of online gambling platforms.
Just like the states of the US, different European countries have different legislative stances on gambling and online casinos. But in general, European online casinos have much to teach the US online casino industry.
An Overview of European Online Casinos
Different European countries have different laws concerning online casinos. Some countries have seen gambling laws change several times, and in some European countries, online casinos are not legal. But they are legal, licensed, and regulated in the majority of European countries.
Each European country is autonomous in the way it legalizes and organizes its gambling services. However, each one must comply with the fundamental freedoms that were established under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union as interpreted by the EU’s Court of Justice. In some countries, all online gambling games are permitted, while in others, only certain types of wagering games are allowed, such as poker.
Looking at the European online casino industry as a whole, and taking market leaders in Europe like the United Kingdom and Finland into account, there is much the US online casino industry could learn.
However, that does not mean there are not some excellent and reputable online casinos in the United States. But it can take time to compare different ones to find the best. Thankfully, the best online casino sites in the USA are discussed here, so you can avoid doing the work of comparing sites yourself.
Prioritizing Responsible Gambling Is Important
If there’s one thing that Europe is united in, it’s making sure citizens gamble responsibly. That applies to both land-based casinos and online casino sites. Any new online casino launching in the US should carefully consider how it will promote responsible gambling and how it will help players who are suffering from addiction.
Responsible gambling is also about ensuring casinos are licensed, regulated, and fair. Online casinos that want to be successful in the US must demonstrate they care about their players and are being socially responsible.
Providing information about safe gaming and giving players the tools to help them stay in control of their gaming should be a top priority of any online casino.
Offering a Wide Selection of Games Equals Happy Players
The most successful online casinos in Europe offer players a wide variety of games. That includes traditional favorites like blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, and slot games as well as more modern games, such as video poker, and different versions of classic games, like French roulette and the form of blackjack known as Face Up 21.
Players in Europe not only look for a wide selection of both classic games and unique games. They also want those games to be of high quality. Furthermore, many players in Europe are beginning to play live casino games, in which you play a game like poker or roulette with a real dealer in real-time.
When US online casinos take inspiration from the game selections provided at many European online casinos, they can become more successful.
Transparency Is Key
While it’s important in all countries for online casinos to be transparent, many European online casinos ensure they are as upfront and transparent as they can be about the issues that matter to players.
That means having easy-to-access information about the site’s license, regulatory body, terms and conditions, the fairness of games, the chances of winning games like slots, and other information. European casinos always have FAQ sections too. Quite simply, the European casino industry knows how vital transparency is to customers. Honesty is always the best policy.
Excellent Customer Service Is Vital
Sure, the United States provides some of the best customer service in the world in certain sectors. But some countries in Europe arguably provide better customer service in the online casino industry. One of the ways Europe does that is by simply providing offline support as well as online support.
While any reputable online casino should provide a variety of communication methods for contacting customer service representatives and customer support members of staff, such as email and live chat, many US online casinos forget how important actually speaking to someone about an issue can be.
European casinos often provide telephone numbers as part of their everyday customer service, thus allowing customers to speak to an actual human being. US casinos should not forget to include the good old-fashioned telephone option in their range of customer service and support communications.