For many people, online casinos are all the rage today. They are legal in several states and have become a way for bettors to make money on their mobile devices or simply as a way to have a little fun without having to travel to a brick-and-mortar casino. The popularity of online casinos has grown by leaps and bounds in just a few short years and isn’t likely to slow down anytime soon.
The only caveat for these platforms is lingering concerns among some people about their personal and financial information staying safe and secure. The good news is that reputable online casinos are able to use the latest technologies to ensure the security of their platform and give all users a safe and reliable experience. But how do you know an online casino can be trusted? Let’s look at some of the easy ways to tell that the online casino you want to use is safe and secure.
Proper Licensing
The first thing to always check with an online casino is its licensing. Legitimate casinos will always operate under the regulations of a governing body like the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. The exact governing body will vary based on the region, but there should always be some credible organization that gives an online casino a license, ensuring that the casino has proper oversight. Most of the time, online casinos will display a badge or logo of the governing body that provides their operating license.
Deposit Methods
You can tell a lot about the credibility of an online casino from the methods available for depositing funds with withdrawing winnings. Casinos that are safe and secure will almost always be partnered with recognizable credit card brands and trusted e-wallets like PayPal. If there are deposit methods that you don’t recognize and aren’t compatible with companies you use and trust, that probably isn’t an online casino you can trust.
Platform Security
The name of an online casino when you go to its website will also help you recognize that a platform is secure. The web address of a safe and secure casino will always begin with “https://.” On your web browser, you will also see a graphic of a lock, and when you click on it, you will see a certificate that verifies that your information will be kept private. If you’re using a mobile app, you can also check that proper encryption technology is being used to keep all information you input protected.
Gaming Providers
Credible and trustworthy online casinos will almost always work with brand-name game providers. Proven gaming companies like NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, and Micrograming aren’t going to get involved with online casinos that aren’t legitimate and accredited. Therefore, if you see an online casino that offers games created by these types of companies, the casino can be trusted. Likewise, you’ll also know that you’ll be playing high-quality games while using that online casino.
Positive Reviews
Before choosing an online casino, it’s always a good idea to read reviews of that casino from a variety of sources. This is the best way to find out potential flaws with the casino and if any other users have encountered serious problems. Keep in mind that you can’t trust every review. This is why it’s best to read reviews on several sites, particularly sites that are authentic and trustworthy. If you don’t find any reviews that show any red flags, you should be able to trust the casino.
Bonuses and Promos
All online casinos offer bonuses and promotions to attract and maintain customers. There will almost always be a bonus offer for new users. Just make sure you read the fine print of these bonuses before you agree to anything and decide to trust the site. If there is a deal that sounds too good to be true, it might be a ploy from a site that lacks credibility and won’t be safe to use.
Emphasis on Responsible Gaming
Most of today’s credible online casinos stress the importance of responsible gambling practices. They will provide links to information for people who might be developing a problem. Credible online casinos don’t want to create or enable gambling addicts. They will have tools in place to prevent users from gambling beyond their means and will encourage responsible gaming. If you notice an online casino isn’t doing this, it may not be a trustworthy platform.
Offline Partner
In fairness, some online casinos that operate exclusively online are safe and secure platforms. However, some of the most trusted online casinos have an offline partner. This makes it a little easier to operate a safe and secure site. Therefore, if you recognize the offline partner of an online casino, you can feel good about it being a platform that’s safe to use.
