Though some people like to think that gambling over the internet presents various dangers, that is not accurate. The interactive gaming sphere got birthed in the mid-1990s, and even instantly upon its inception, it implemented state-of-the-art security features that enabled gamblers to conduct financial transactions safely with their chosen operator. Many of the threats connected with people enjoying this pastime stem from online casino users not taking sufficient measures, such as failing to install anti-malware software and falling prey to phishing scams.
That said, casino platforms have gotten hacked in the past. However, such scandals are from years of yore and primarily revolved around low-end gambling hubs. Not top brands. These days, while cybercrime is still a serious threat to this sector, safety measures have reached such a degree that hackers face insurmountable obstacles en route to gaining access to gamblers’ private information. That is if internet gamblers have opted to use a secure site.
The outlined criteria below represent a decent benchmark regarding if an online casino is safe. If the one you are considering meets these standards, there is virtually nothing to worry about regarding your data.
License & Regulatory Compliance
Gambling sites have always gotten regulated. Yes, unlicensed sites exist, and these are ones that game of chance enthusiasts must look to avoid. While online casino regulation is not airtight by any means, international licensing bodies like those operating from Curacao and Panama do vet operators for financial stability and mandate that they follow specific guidelines when offering gaming services to residents of a wide network of countries.
To check and see if a platform has a gaming license, potential users need to view its home page footer. All sites approved by a reputable regulator will have their badge there and clicking it will lead to the licensor’s validator website, which informs casino users of the brand’s current regulatory status. Casino licenses are not the end or be-all, but they are an indicator that an operator answers to someone, giving peace of mind to players that an overseer is monitoring the provider of games of chance and is ready to step in when foul play emerges.
Proper Data Encryption
Data encryption is a technology that translates information into a new form/code that only specific individuals/parties with access to a secret key can decipher. Many gaming review sites like to say that casinos use the Secure Sockets Layer protocol, better known as SSL, for the authentication and ciphering of player info. However, this is inaccurate, as virtually all platforms have moved to utilize the more evolved form of SSL encryption called Transport Layer Security, or TLS.
Everyone that is curious to learn if their casino implements this or any other data ciphering technology can click on the lock icon in their browser’s address bar and look at the information presented there. Chrome users can select the browser’s drop-down menu, choose the more tools option and pick developer tools to discover this.
Adherence to Modern Data Handling Policies
Operators’ privacy policy pages dictate how these businesses handle the information gamblers must share to get their offered services. It is paramount that this document lists what laws or procedures the selected app follows. EU’s General Data Protection Regulation is the preferred choice for many. It is essential to point out that many of these pages are quite bare. And if they do not refer users to specific countries’ laws or international regulations, it is likely that such websites do not adhere to any pre-defined privacy rules. It is best to avoid such brands.
Fair Games
It is impossible for gamblers nowadays to manipulate online gambling games through software use or tricks. The only exception is incorporating proven blackjack card counting systems on live dealer tables that do not implement continuous automatic shufflers.
Software products utilize random number generation algorithms that indiscriminately produce round results. Players cannot influence the behavior of this software, and the same can get said for operators if they work with an independent testing agency that conducts QA and fairness analysis on these pieces of software. Trustworthy entities include TST, iTech Labs, and eCOGRA. When working with a gambling site, they conduct regular audits of its hosted games to ensure that everything is on the up and up. Gamblers can discover if their casino works with a legit testing body by looking at its homepage footer or looking for an agency’s name getting mentioned in a platform’s general terms and conditions.
Timely Payouts
In the past, it was usual for internet casino and sportsbook withdrawals to take over a week to process. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Today, credit/debit card withdrawal requests take around three to five banking days to go through and rarely incur any fees. E-wallet ones happen in around two days, and crypto transfers occur in minutes.
If an operator drags his feet concerning payouts or it has super complex identity verification procedures, know that those are red flags. Hence, it is wise to switch the selected brand with one that looks to provide players with their winnings quicker, hopefully with as little hassles as possible.
Adequate Customer Care
The current golden online casino/sportsbook support trifecta is the combo of live chat, email support, and a dedicated FAQ page. Some platforms licensed by country-specific regulators, like the UKGC, also opt to include phone support. Though, many see this as an outdated help method.
Someone should be on standby 24/7 in the live chat window, ready to provide customer assistance. Emails should get returned within twenty-four hours, and the FAQ sections should feature in-depth answers to a myriad of common issues casino users may encounter when testing their good fortune online, in general, and on a specific hub.
Final Word
The most reliable signs to tell if a gambling site is secure are: to check and see if it has a credible license, incorporates high-tech encryption, follows novel data protection laws, provides timely payouts, fair gaming software, and quality customer support.
