How to Save Money and Still Enjoy Top Casino Games

John Bonello

Updated by John Bonello

Content Editor

Last Updated 24th Oct 2024, 08:39 AM

How to Save Money and Still Enjoy Top Casino Games

In this guide:

  • How low-risk casino games can save you money
  • The truth about online casino bonuses
  • Why setting limits helps you maintain control over your spending

No risk no fun? Wrong. When it comes to online gambling, I prefer to use another saying: Less risk, more fun!

James Bond went all in on the poker tables, but hey, was that real money? Real life is nothing like in the movies. And I am no James Bond. I play online casino games regularly. My main goal is to keep it entertaining. I only play the games I like, and spend only the amount I can afford. You could use that sentence as a definition of responsible gambling.

In a way, online casinos make it much easier for players to spend more than they intend to. There are three main reasons for this. The ease of access from any location. The multitude of high-quality real money games. And the availability of safe casino payment options. Yes, online casinos offer a great deal of convenience. Which is why you should be more alert about your spending.

But can you still enjoy playing real money casino games and save money at the same time? That might be a million-dollar question. Let’s look at some interesting options.

Best Strategies For Saving Money When Playing Online Casino Games

Let’s face it. Every casino player wants to win big. And if those big wins come from little bets, then it’s even better. But although possible, big wins on little bets are rare. In between those rare moments, you need a strategy to help you manage your money and the risks involved.

Risks can be mitigated by choosing reliable and trustworthy online casinos. That is the easy part. Here on casinos.com you will find plenty of online gambling sites that are totally trustworthy. My colleagues and I have reviewed each site, to make sure of that.

Then there are other factors that can help you save money. And you have total control over each one of these.

Money Management

If you’re gambling online, it is imperative that you learn to save money. Never spend more than you can afford. You can decide on the amount to spend before you start playing. Or, choose an online casino that offers responsible gambling tools. Using these tools, you can set a limit on how much you want to deposit, an never go beyond that amount.

If you start losing, it’s always best to take a break. You need to avoid the impulse to chase losses. That’s when gambling stops being fun.

And if you start winning, you also need to decide when to stop. Online gambling should always remain a form of entertainment. Knowing when to call it a day ensures that you keep it so.

WARNING: Without caution, gambling may cause significant financial losses.

Play Low-stakes Casino Games

Have you ever wondered what’s the smallest bet you can place online? Some games let you start with cents. That’s not an opportunity to be missed. With smaller bets you can play for longer. And you’ll also learn the ins and outs of the game you’re playing. The gaming experience will still be the same, irrespective of the bet size. Risking small amounts means you’re drastically reducing the chance of rapid losses. There are many slots that let you place very low minimum bets. In The Book of Dead slot for example, the lowest bet is just 10 cents. Some table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and even some money wheels, also give the chance of placing low bets.

Play Slots With a High RTP

RTP stands for Return To Player. It is measured as a percentage. The RTP of casino games quantifies how much the slot is expected to give back to the players for every $1 they play on it. It’s an estimation, not a guarantee. And it’s not per single player, but as a collective. So you might not get even one win, but Jack, playing on his smartphone next to you wins a hefty prize from the same game. That's Chance. Despite this, playing slots with a high RTP means you’re again lowering your chances of losing all your bets.

Pick games That Minimize the Casino’s Advantage

The House Edge, or Casino Advantage, is a feature present in all types of real money casino games. It works like RTP in slots. However, the House Edge is a percentage of profit that a casino expects to make out of a game. It can be a fixed percentage (for example, in Craps, the ‘Don’t Pass’ and ‘Don’t Come’ bets have a house edge of 1.4%), or it can be variable, according to certain conditions in the game (for example, in Baccarat the Casino Advantage shifts between 1.01 and 15.75%). Logically, games with a low house edge tend to be more bankroll-friendly. And avoiding games with a high house edge means you can save money while still enjoying a game of blackjack, baccarat, or roulette.

Set Limits

By setting limits on your gambling activity you can ensure that you don’t overspend. Consider limits as the lane-keep assist on your car - they can help you keep your gambling habits straight. Here are a couple of popular limits that help you control spending:

  • Deposit limits - When playing at a casino that offers this feature, you will be able to set daily, weekly or monthly limits on how much you can deposit. This way, you can stick to your budget. It’s a great way to save money when playing online casino games. Most reputable online casinos let you also track your spending.
  • Time limits - Keeping track of the amount of time you spend playing at an online casino is important. You can keep track manually, by jotting down the time you start gambling and when you finish a session. Some casinos help you by offering tools that track the time you spend on their site. Some sites also allow you to set time reminders. Popups appear after the time you set, and ask you if you would like to take a break.

Play Demo Games

You can play table games and slots for free and many online casinos. Some sites require you to log in before launching a demo version of the game. Others let you try the game for free even when you are not signed in. The gameplay of a demo is the same as when playing for real money. The experience is fun. You learn the game without spending any money. If you like it, then you can switch to real money play. This way, you have saved some money while familiarising yourself with the game and its rules.

Claim Bonuses

The great majority of online casinos offer some kind of bonus. The most common types of bonuses are extra funds given on deposit and free spins. Both of these can be used to your advantage. Whether you can save money when claiming a deposit depends on the bonus wagering requirements. These are rules that tell you how many times you need to wager the bonus amount you claimed before you are able to collect any winnings. If the wagering requirements are too steep, you will not be able to save money. In fact, in that case, NOT claiming the bonus is the smart move to make to save some dough.

Cashback bonuses are another type of casino bonus that can help you save money when playing online. Through a Cashback Bonus, the casino refunds you a portion of the money you’ve lost. Usually, it is valid only on specific games and during a specific period.

Join A Casino Loyalty Program

Not all online casinos have a loyalty program in place. But those that do award their players for their loyalty. Some sites require you to opt in to a loyalty scheme. Others enroll you automatically the first time you play on their site. From that point on, every real money bet you place awards you a bunch of points. When you’ve gathered enough points, you can then exchange them for a casino bonus or other reward, such as free spins or a free bet.

Keep Gambling Under Control

By keeping gambling in check, you can save a lot of money. Don’t set any expectations. Simply aim to enjoy yourself with a limited budget, and that’s it. When playing for real money, you can win, but there’s no guarantee you will. To keep your gambling under control you should be mindful of the following at all times:

  • Don’t chase your losses by trying to win back money you lost
  • Don't keep playing until you score a win
  • Sometimes it’s a good idea to quit if you’re ahead

EXTRA! Two More Tips To Help You Save Money When Gambling Online

  • Select reputable online casinos. By this I mean casinos that are licensed by recognized authorities. Online casinos that operate under licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA),  Curaçao eGaming or the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are committed to fair gaming practices. They offer security measures and safe payment options that reduce the risk of fraud. 
  • Use fee-free payment options. When it comes to online casino payments, you should avoid bank transfers or other forms of payment that charge you for transactions. Instead, using Debit Cards, PayPal or Neteller means you don’t pay anything when you fund or withdraw money from your casino account.

Meet The Author

14 Years
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John Bonello
John Bonello
Content Editor Content Editor

With a passion for words, John is always thinking about what to write next. He has over 12 years of experience working with online content and as an Editor at Casinos.com, John makes sure that readers get the latest and most accurate information about the online gambling industry.

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