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How safe are Online Casinos?
So, you want to try slots and card games but not sure whether you can trust online casinos?
10:43 28 August 2019
You’re not alone. Online casino safety is one of the most prominent concerns among people who want to gamble for the first time.
Some people fear losing their money to rogue casinos. Others are afraid their data could be leaked by untrustworthy casinos. Despite that, the online gambling industry continues to grow in popularity. So, have gambling platforms become safe or is it still risky to play on these platforms?
Casino Regulators Help Identify Scam Casinos
As more countries legalize online gambling, it’s become easy to access casinos for millions of people. But of more importance, governments now license casinos and monitor their operations. The best regulators vet new casinos meticulously so that only companies with experience in gambling can run online casinos.
For players, regulations mean you can identify a legitimate casino more effortlessly. It also means you have protection from fraudulent casinos. In the UK, for instance, rogue casinos get rooted out immediately they’re spotted. Those that mishandle players’ data or finances are also penalized stiffly.
Although there are still licensed casinos with dubious policies and unprofessional managers, they’re few. They don’t hold licensed from respected regulators like the UKGC. You also can’t find them on UK casino review websites like Gambla.
Branding helps identify the best Casinos
Gone are the days when online casinos were small businesses that barely made profits. These days, gambling sites have become brands that sponsor world class sports teams. They employ thousands of people and generate billions in revenues.
In many cases, brand casino, like those recommended by Beaver slots, have solid reputations for being professional. They’re trusted for providing engaging games and paying out quickly. Compared to new casinos, established companies also provide games from the best developers in the industry.
They have their flaws but the organizations are legitimate business. They’re licensed and follow strict regulations. Some might have poor customer support departments but they don’t do anything that could compromise your data or finances.
Free Games and Bonuses Help you Test Safe Casinos
With casinos giving out bonuses frequently, you shouldn’t deposit your money before you test their games. Find free spins for slot machines and playing credits for card games. Play the games and assess how the casino site feels.
Once you use up bonuses, find casinos that offer free games on websites like kiwislots.nz. The website curates all famous slot machines on its platform. So, if you have a favorite casino game you want to play for free, find it on the website.
Back to bonuses, how a casino presents it offers can also help you identify a scam company. If you find a deal that sounds too good to be true, think twice before you accept it. If you spot a bonus offer with exploitive terms, that’s also a casino you should avoid.
Fortunately, there are plenty of genuine casinos that offer helpful bonuses. Find them on review websites and forums and you’ll never have to doubt online casinos again.
Independent Security Audits Validate Fair Games
Back when online casinos were a new thing, people gambled without knowing whether the games they played were safe or not. These days, you can easily avoid unsafe casinos by choosing casinos audited by renowned auditors.
If you’re concerned about your data’s security, a seal of approval from Comodo, Norton Secured and McAfee Secure should confirm the casino is safe. The security solutions verify websites have the right security certificates and handle user’s data safely.
If you’re also interested in knowing whether a company’s slot machines are safe, look out for seals by eCOGRA, Thawte or iTechLabs. These companies audit all aspects of a casino. They evaluate how a gaming site resolves payment issues, its security certificates and its games’ algorithms.
So, when you play games on an audited casino, you can be sure your wins and losses are purely luck-based. You can also expect your issues to be resolved promptly because many audited casinos tend to be the best-rated platforms in the industry.
Protection from Payment Methods
While they don’t offer wholesome protection, banking options like PayPal, Skrill and Visa can help you identify safe casinos. PayPal, in particular, doesn’t work with casinos that hold questionable license. The e-wallet also doesn’t give out your financial data to gambling websites.
So, if you’re concerned online casinos could misuse your financial information; e-wallets can protect you. Some banks also refuse to make payments to offshore casinos with a history of duping players.
Additionally, you could protect your data by making deposits using digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Although they don’t always provide total anonymity, cryptocurrencies ensure you never have to expose sensitive credit card and bank account details.
Protection from Software Providers
Software providers are the companies that supply slot machines, blackjack and poker games to online casinos. But why should they care about your safety? Throughout the years, game developers have often come under sharp criticism for cooperating with rogue casinos.
Companies that care about their reputation, therefore, don’t provide games to just about any casino. They pick websites they provide games to carefully. And if one of the sites gets blacklisted by regulators for scamming players, the providers terminate their contracts with them immediately.
As a player, you still have a duty to do background checks before joining online casinos. But you have an easier job when you know software providers also help avoid unsafe platforms. For clarity, developers like Microgaming, Playtech, Netent, Playn’GO and Evolution Gaming have the respect of millions of players. So, when you spot casinos that acquire their games from these providers, you can trust them to offer fair games.
To Conclude
Online casinos haven’t always had the best reputation among gamblers. Too many companies have launched only to close down with people’s money. Lately, however, the scene is changing. Multiple countries have licensed gambling and become involved in regulating new companies.
Payment companies, software providers and security auditors also cooperate to root out fraudulent companies. Of course, you also need to do your research. But compared to ten years, ago, it’s much easier to find an online casino you can trust.