Playing games of chance online is more fun when you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your money. The good news is—legit online casinos have been here for a while, and there are plenty of safe online casinos to choose from.
But, whenever there’s money involved online, you’re still the one who is most responsible for your safety. It’s true for e-commerce stores that sell Christmas gifts just as much as it’s true for online casinos.
The platform you are using can only do so much to protect you, even if they’re using the latest security tech. By exercising the right “online safety hygiene,” you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite game of chance in a carefree way.
Stick to Licensed Casinos
If you’re gambling at an unlicensed online casino, you can rest assured the odds will always be in their favor. To make sure everyone’s playing fair, stick to licensed casinos. In the UK, for instance, every legit online casino is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission.
So, if you want to play at a UK online casino, go to their website and check whether they have one of the GB Gambling Commission logos on the bottom of the page. If the casino is from another country, check which country it comes from and what regulatory body is charged with regulating and licensing casinos in the country. Check the “About” page as well.
In the US, online gambling regulations are even more stringent. Be sure to check your local state laws as well as which regulatory agency is tasked with dealing with online gambling.
Many casinos out there are actually unlicensed. And, if a casino is not licensed, they are not obliged to let you withdraw your money. While it’s true that not all licensed casinos play by the book, the regulatory agency can still protect you if the licensed casino you’re playing at starts acting up.
Read the Terms and Conditions
Reading the fine print on the website of an online casino is the least fun part of playing games of chance on the internet. However, it is necessary if you want to make sure you’re protected. Almost no one reads the fine print, true. But, if you don’t read it and you miss something important, the blame falls on you.
You don’t need to hire a paralegal to go through the terms and conditions, but it’d be a good idea to devote some time to reading the fine print before sharing your personal and credit card information, and not just skim through the document before hitting the agree button.
Look for potential drawbacks like reasons you might forfeit winnings or hidden fees. If you suspect the casino is counting on you not to read the terms and conditions, it’s best to go with a different one. By reading the fine print, you’ll know exactly what your rights are. It can help you in case there’s an unpleasant situation with the customer service.
Check Online Casinos’ Reviews and Rating
The “About” page of the casino should inspire trust, but you need much more if you want to feel safe using their platform. There are many reliable info portals and fellow players who can help you determine whether a particular casino is reliable and trustworthy.
All the most reliable and top online casinos have mostly positive reviews and ratings. Be sure to check the feedback of other players. Naturally, you’d want to see what they have to say about safety and the general customer experience, and not just about wins and bonuses.
Almost every online casino looks great when you’re checking out their website. But, if you ask the players, they may tell you a different story.
Don’t Download Software
There are online casinos out there that require you to download an app on your computer via which you can play. If you are not quite tech-savvy, this could put you at risk. Now, this doesn’t mean that every casino that uses desktop software is bad. It’s just that web-based casinos are considered to be safer.
Hackers and unscrupulous types can hide viruses and worms in software and use them to steal sensitive information from users. But, again, sometimes you can only play via software and not via a browser. In that case, make sure that the casino has an excellent reputation.
Use Only One Account
This is another reason why it is important to read the fine print. If you fail to check out the rules, you may break them inadvertently. Most online casinos don’t allow users to use more than one account. You may be playing under more accounts for innocuous reasons, but you can still end up with a permanent ban or even a lawsuit.
Make the Most Out of Legit No Deposit Bonuses
Many reputable casinos offer no deposit bonuses to new players. It’s a great marketing strategy. It can be a win-win situation for both you and the casino. But, this doesn’t mean you should jump at every opportunity. Some casinos may require you to submit sensitive information before they give you your sign-up bonus, so you still need to be careful.
Stick to reputable and trustworthy casinos. Free bankrolls just give you an opportunity to get well-acquainted with an online casino before you put forth any of your money. It’s also a great way for new players to get their feet wet without spending any money of their own.
Summary
Licensed online casinos are generally safe places to have a great time laying some of your favorite games. But, you can’t always rely on policies and anti-viruses to keep you protected. To make sure your funds and sensitive data are always well protected, stick to these online casino safety tips when playing games of chance on the internet.