The dawn of the internet has brought about a whole new world of opportunities for gamblers to play casino games from the comfort of their own homes. And while there are a lot of legitimate online gambling sites out there, you’ll also find a lot which are unsafe to play at and should be avoided at all costs. With that said, it’s of utmost importance for you to check whether or not an online casino is safe to play at before you embark on your online casino journey. If the online gambling site you’re looking into does not tick all the boxes, you should definitely ditch the idea of joining it and start thinking of depositing your bankroll elsewhere instead. Below we’ve listed the 8 most important things to look out for before signing up and depositing your money.
1) The Name of the Operator
Rogue casinos will generally not list the ownership of the casino which clearly suggests that there’s something fishy about the site.Of course, this is probably due to the fact that the online gambling site is operating illegally and the owners of it simply want to go under the radar so they won’t be found out and possibly be arrested for running an illegal operation.
2) An Online Casino’s License
The licensing that’s used by an online casino site is a reflection of its credibility. Online gambling licenses are normally awarded by independent Gambling Authorities. In Europe, these type of sites are generally licensed by reputable gambling authorities in Gibraltar, U.K., Isle of Man and Malta. In the United States of America, you’ll typically find that online gambling sites are licensed by gambling authorities in Costa Rica, Panama, Antigua and Curacao. If the online casino doesn’t list the gambling authority it’s licensed by, it’s a sure sign to steer clear of it as it most likely a cover operation for an illicit business. Moreover, you should also look out for online casinos which falsely claim that they’ve got a license from a gambling authority too as it’s not unheard of.
3) Unfair Advertising Practices
In the online gambling industry, it is very common for internet casinos to advertise welcome bonuses and other sorts of promotions that are aimed to attract new and existing clients. Each gambling promotion is always subject to terms and conditions. And while many readers often skip them, it’s always advisable to read up on them prior to signing up at the gambling site. Provided that you’re still looking for a safe one to play at, we highly urge you to look out for unfair advertising practices and bombastic wagering requirements when it comes to bonuses and promotions.
4) The Listing on a Stock Exchange
Normally, an online casino brand is run by a parent company. And if that company is listed on the stock exchange, it’s usually a sure sign that the company running the online casino site you’re looking into safe to sign up and play at. In order to get listed on the stock exchange, a business will need to go public and a verification process to assure the general public that the company is legitimate will have to be done.
5) What Type of Online Casino Software the Casino Uses
Another thing to look out for before signing up at an online casino is the type of casino software it uses. Provided that a site is safe to play at, it will use well-known software by NetEnt, Playtech, Microgaming, Rival, RTG and other reputable iGaming software companies.Each casino game must be tested by independent game auditors including Ecogra, TST and the iGaming Labs.
6) The Casino’s Payout Percentage
A casino’s payout percentage is a sure indicator of whether you should sign up at the site or not. Typically, the best internet casino will commission a monthly report from an independent auditing service that specializes in testing games. TST, eCOGRA and iGaming Labs are among the largest and best names in the biz when it comes to auditing. Typically, online gambling sites will display a logo in the footers of their sites as proof that the casino games they have on offer are all verified and have been audited by professionals.
7) The Payment Methods it Offers
As you’ve probably already assumed in order to play for real money, you’ll need to deposit cash in the first place. And this is exactly why it’s important to look out for the online casino payment options that are offered by an online gambling site. Generally speaking, reputable online casinos will have an array of well-known credit/debit card brands, e-wallets, offline payment methods and sometimes cryptocurrencies too. When it comes to credit/debit cards, a few reputable ones that are definitely safe to use are Visa and Mastercard. In terms of e-wallets, PayPal, Neteller and Skrill all exemplify safe payment methods to use at casinos online. Provided that an online casino offers payments via cryptocurrencies, it’s always best to make sure that the site is licensed by a gambling authority, otherwise just steer clear of it as they might end up stealing your money.
8) The Casino’s Customer Support
Lack of customer support is a serious sign that an online casino doesn’t truly care about their clients’ issues. When choosing a site to play at, you should always make sure that the casino has at least one line of communication which is both effective and quick. Provided that they don’t, we recommend steering clear of the casino.
Our Advice: Don’t Sign Up at a Casino Before You’re 100% Sure it’s Safe
Prior to signing up at an online gambling site, you should always look out for a few tell-tale signs of whether it’s worth playing at or not. And of course, a quick way of finding out if an online casino is a stud or a complete dud is by doing a few checks here and there and reading some casino reviews. As a rule of thumb, you should never sign up to an online casino which you’re not 100% sure of, especially if you see a couple of red flags come to mind. If you’re on the hunt to find the right casino to play at, we recommend choosing a recognized brand.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
