Games of chance have been entertaining people for thousands of years – but even the ancient Greeks didn’t have as much fun as we can have today.
In fact, we think gaming has never been as popular as it is now.
All over the globe, millions are now enjoying everything from a quick game of slots on the way to work to a long leisurely session of poker on the sofa at home.
It’s all thanks to the amazing internet gaming revolution. With our smartphones, pads and laptops, we can now all enjoy access to brilliant quality games any time, any place.
And there are even high-quality free sites where a beginner can have fun playing games with no risk or worries.
To cope with the enormous boom in demand for internet gaming, hundreds of online casino sites have opened. Each is packed with loads of different games to play – the choice today is enormous.
In fact, there are so many ways to have fun it’s a bit mind-boggling – even for an experienced player. If you’re a beginner, it’s even more confusing.
So we’ve looked around the net and talked to industry experts and experienced gamers to find a selection of the best sites to visit if you are a beginner.
We think these are the easiest and friendliest casino sites – and the most useful gaming guidance sites.
Jackpot Party Slots
This is a thriving international casino site. Jackpot Party Slots offers a great chance for new players to try the whole online gaming experience for free.
Experts say it’s the best place to find free slot excitement anywhere online.
It gathers iconic Las Vegas slot games into a party-like format – and then gives away dozens of free spins to welcome beginners on board.
That’s the best way to find out how slots work – without risking your precious playing budget.
While you’re there, look out for some of our favorite classic games like Aftershock, Dragon Spin and Jungle Wild.
Gamespot
What to know what’s really happening in the world of online gaming? Interested in what’s new and which games are causing the biggest buzz online?
Gamespot is the best blog for any beginner to follow what’s going on in the online gaming community. And if you’re there, don’t forget to check out the interesting comments and feedback from its followers too.
Metacritic
Do you simply want to know which are the best games to play? Head to Metacritic for the most comprehensive free and independent reviews.
The site has become the go-to zone for all-new entertainment. You’ll find it also covers a great range of movies, TV shows and music.
Metacritic works by using excellent professional reviews – plus combining them with reviews by ordinary gamers and viewers like you. The verdicts are all rounded up to provide an overall realistic view of what each game or show is like.
Humble Bundle
This is a site that has become a real online cult favorite. Only the savviest users seem to know about it.
That makes it a great way for beginners to jump into the coolest areas of gaming.
Humble Bundle is a low-profile shop for little-known indie games.
It has good pricing, is very customer-friendly and is a very generous donor to charities. Gamers can buy or even subscribe to bargain bundles of games.
Game Rules
Game Rules gives the best online introduction to how to play slots. All the aspects of gameplay are explained for beginners.
Find out exactly how the game works with sections like: What are paylines? What do wild symbols mean?
It certainly makes sense to know what scatter symbols and multipliers are before you start risking any money. This is a great place to find all the little aspects of slots that will come in handy if you want to become a winner.
We’ve all heard of Reddit – but probably don’t realize it has anything to do with helping beginners get into online gaming.
Yet, if you explore the deep recesses of Reddit, it’s a great place to find thriving gaming communities. You can learn a lot and meet players like you from all over the world.
You’ll get tips and reviews and have some fun chats – and it’s all completely free, of course.
There are so many gaming and casino sites now on the internet that it’s hard even for experts to find their way around. Beginners can easily struggle – and seriously risk being lured to the wrong sort of sites.
Our advice is to stick to familiar names and titles, reputable and established operators – and take the recommendations of people you trust.
As always, stay safe – and remember you won’t win every game you play.
Stay calm and enjoy the online ride. Don’t forget it’s all about having fun.