Online casinos can be safe, convenient and affordable. The only condition is that you need to choose the right casino for you. The online gambling industry is worth over $70 billion and attracts tens of millions of players yearly.
This means a lot of people trust online casinos. Despite that, you might have your doubts regarding a casino’s ability to keep your data and money safe. Below is an overview of what modern casinos sites do to keep you safe.
Securing Your Data and Account
Nowadays, browsers like Google Chrome and Firefox warn you before you visit an unsafe website. Browsers deem a site unsafe if it lacks SSL/HTTPS encryption. You’ve probably seen it on multiple sites: it’s denoted by a locked padlock at the address bar.
Every safe online casino site comes with a HTTPS website. This helps encrypt your data to keep it safe from hackers while on a site. Besides SSL encryption, casino sites provide a myriad of tools to secure your account.
There’s the standard password. Then there’s Two-Factor Authentication. You could also set a special password for authorizing withdrawals. Many casinos have a lot more security tools, including web firewalls and data protection policies.
Speaking of data protection, casinos must protect your data by law. In Europe, the must adhere to GDPR rules, giving you the authority to approve or cancel data collection.
Social Proof
Ever bought something after you saw it with one of your friends? Perhaps it was a pair of shoes from a particular brand. Or maybe it was a beautiful dress. Regardless, you bought it because a friend, family member or celebrity looked great in it.
That’s what social proof is all about—evidence that something is genuine and would work great for you. In the casino space, social proof comes in the form of word-of-mouth recommendations.
Positive ratings from fans and experts could be a great indicator as well. It is good to know that top-rated casinos, according to the research shown at safe betting sites Ireland, tend to deliver high-quality services and amazing bonuses. Most people won’t hail praise at a gambling site if it’s unsafe or provides terrible bonuses.
When it comes to new casinos, there are a few ways to find social proof. First, look for a valid license from a respected regulator. Then look for a certificate from an independent casino auditor like eCOGRA or iTechLabs.
Regulators license casinos with secure websites. On the other hand, auditors certify safe and trustworthy casinos, providing proof you can trust a company with these certificates.
Fair, High-Paying Games
Some people are afraid casino sites rig their games. Or they worry the games have low Return to Player (RTP) rates. Here’s why you shouldn’t worry about game fairness. First, online gambling regulation has improved.
Not only does every genuine casino site require a license but also software companies need licenses. Regulators audit every game available at licensed casinos by checking the RNG software used to produce winners and losers.
In doing so, you can be certain slots and table games from NetEnt, Microgaming, Evolution and other respected developers are safe. As we mentioned, independent auditors also check popular casino games to verify they’re safe.
That being said, there’s an increased focus to provide high-paying games. After all, what’s the need for fair games if casinos have a steep house edge? The best online slots payout at rates of between 95% and 99%. On the other hand, table games have a house ledge of 0.5% to 5%.
Safe Deposits and Withdrawals
Many people afraid of online gambling fear getting scammed by fraudulent casino sites. That’s understandable—no one wants to lose their money. But here’s the thing. You can deposit and withdraw money safely at leading casino sites.
Today’s casinos partner with a wide range of trusted payment providers. From credit/debit cards like Visa to digital wallets and crypto, there’s no shortage of ways to bank safely at casino apps.
Now, every casino makes the rules of payment companies to use, limits, fees and banking speeds. For example, a casino could decide the minimum deposit is $10 while the maximum is $10,000.
While finding a safe website, read these policies. Learn whether you can withdraw your entire jackpot windfall. Or whether the casino pays out small amounts per month. Also, learn about the fees and how long it takes to process money.
A lot of people who complain about scam casinos fail to perform due diligence. Or they ignore red flags like poor reviews and ratings.
Fair, Transparent Bonus Policies
Safe casinos sites provide fair, transparent bonuses. They don’t lure you with generous promotions only to hide crucial terms and conditions. Instead, they show you their welcome and loyalty bonuses.
And they reveal anything you should know about the freebies. For example, you can find information on how much to deposit to claim a bonus. You can also read about the wager terms, games you can play, withdrawal limits and validity period.
Essentially, safe casinos don’t use shady tactics to market their products. This is something to keep in mind while gambling online.
Functional Customer Service
One of the many signs of an unsafe casino is inept customer service. If you can’t find a contact channel. Or the communication department takes weeks to respond, that’s a sign the casino could be fraudulent.
Safe casinos have easy to find contact channels. You can send a message through a live chat feature and get help immediately. You could communicate via email, social media or phone contact. The bottom line is that you can receive valuable help when you need it.
Naturally, casinos vary in the quality of their customer service. Research around to discover operators with the best customer service.
Summary
Although not every online casino is safe, many of them are safe enough. They have licenses, data encryption tools and policies that depict their trustworthiness. While finding safe gambling apps, use the factors we’ve mentioned above to identify a reliable casino. Crucially, read reviews to compare and pick the best rated companies.
