Online casino games are fun, entertaining and provide the potential for big wins. Yet many people are reluctant to try them out owing to concerns about safety. When it comes to providing banking details and other sensitive personal data, many people question whether such information is kept secure and protected by casino operators. There are others who wonder if games are fair. Whether you are new to online gambling, or if you have had a bad experience playing online in the past, this article will show you how to identify the truly safe online casinos that can be trusted.
Whilst it is true that there are some dodgy dealers on the net that are out to scam players, there are plenty of others that provide a great gaming experience in a secure environment. This post will show you how trustworthy casinos protect their players and what to look out for to ensure you only play at a reliable and reputable casino.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SAFE ONLINE CASINOS
Reliable online casinos treat player protection as a priority. It is important to understand how to recognise such operators to ensure that you are in safe hands when you play online. There are a number of factors that make an operator dependable. Truly safe and trustworthy online casinos all have these 3 things in common:
- They are licenced and regulated by respected authorities
- All games are fair
- Encryption technology is used to protect transactions
Let’s now look more closely at each of these factors, why they are important and how you can use them to verify that a casino is safe to play at.
Licencing and Regulation
There are a range of respected authorities that provide remote gambling licences to online casino operators. A licence will only be granted when the operator proves that they adhere to the strictest standards of player protection. Casinos are also closely monitored and regulated once their licence has been issued to ensure that these standards are upheld. Some such respected authorities include the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, the Isle of Man Supervision Commission, the Gibraltar Gaming Commission & Authority and the Gaming Commission of Malta.
When it comes to British players, you need only look for a licence from the UK Gambling Commission to confirm the validity of a casino. It is a legal requirement for any operators providing services to players in the UK to obtain a licence from the Gambling Commission. Such a licence is only awarded when the casino has proven that their games are fair, that player privacy is protected and that the company operates in a socially responsible manner. The Commission’s logo will be displayed in the footer of the casino website, and by clicking on it, you will be directed to the official register that confirms the casino is licenced.
Independent Testing of Games
Fair games are clearly an important factor in identifying a legitimate casino. Genuine operators provide transparency when it comes to the integrity of their games. Their random number generators (RNG) are regularly tested by independent, commission approved specialists. Intensive testing is performed over thousands of rounds of games to verify that the results are truly random and that game results are not rigged. Some such leading testing agencies within the industry include eCOGRA, GLI, TST and Gaming Associates. These companies also analyse how much of all money bet across all game types at an online casino is paid back to players. They produce reports indicating the payout percentage of all games at the casino, and these reports are readily available to view on the websites of reliable casinos.
Cutting-Edge Technical Security
Ensuring that your private information is protected is a top priority when playing online. After all, in order to play real money games, you will need to provide sensitive banking data, as well as personal details such as your full name, address and date of birth. Reputable casinos use sophisticated technical security to ensure that such data is strictly protected. Financial transactions are processed securely using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) protocol. This ensures that any sensitive data passed between your pc and the casino website is encrypted and cannot be hacked or leaked. Reliable operators also use top notch computer security software to ensure their websites are free from spyware, malware and viruses, ensuring a safe and protected experience.