Launch Checklist

Before any mission, the crew runs through a checklist. Not because they expect trouble, but because a few minutes of preparation makes everything that follows calmer. If you are new to online slots, casino games or sports betting, or new to this magazine, this page is your pre-flight list.

Step one: check the ground rules

• Are you old enough? Gambling is for adults aged 18 and over, and higher age limits apply in some places.
• Is online play permitted in your area? Laws vary widely between countries and even regions. Check before signing up anywhere.
• Is the operator licensed? A licensed site displays its licence details and lists a complaints process in its terms.

Step two: set your limits

1. Choose a budget for the session that you could lose in full without it mattering.
2. Decide how long you will play, and set a reminder.
3. Switch on deposit limits and reality checks in your account settings before your first deposit.
4. Agree with yourself that when the budget is gone, the session is over.

Step three: learn how the games work

A little understanding goes a long way. These articles make a good first reading list:

• Online Slots for Beginners walks through reels, paylines, volatility and demo play.
• How to Choose the Best Online Slots with High RTP explains what return figures do and do not mean.
• What Is the Gambler's Fallacy? clears up the most common thinking trap in gambling.

Step four: read the offer before you take it

Welcome offers can be generous-looking and complicated. Before opting in, find the wagering requirement, the games that count, the maximum stake and the expiry date. Check whether the bonus is sticky or non-sticky. And remember that declining a bonus is always an option.

Step five: if you are betting on sport

Start with simple markets and small stakes. Learn to read prices as implied chances, and avoid long combination bets until you understand how quickly they become unlikely. Our Sports Betting section is a good place to begin.

Step six: know where the exits are

Every flight plan includes an emergency procedure. For gambling, that means knowing how to take a time-out, how to self-exclude, and where to find support if play starts to feel like a problem. Our Stay Grounded page covers all of this. Read it once now, while everything feels fine.

If you get stuck on a term along the way, the Star Chart of Terms has short definitions for the words used across the site.