Online slot sites are required to ensure the privacy and protection of customer details as part of their licensing agreements. The gambling regulations for slot sites in the UK can change fast, meaning operators must constantly be on top of the latest UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) rules and guidance to remain compliant. Despite the two areas often interacting, the requirement to keep customer data private is additional to the responsible gambling and player protection rules, which ensure the safety of online gamblers and the industry’s integrity.
Let’s look at the most common ways online slot sites achieve data privacy and online security.
Advanced encryption
SSL encryption is indicated by the padlock at the start of a web address (look at the far left of the URL bar). If there’s a padlock, the site is safe. If there isn’t one, don’t play because your connection isn’t secure.
SSL encryption means that information sent while on the casino’s site is encrypted and can only be unlocked with the key that the casino has. To all other parties, if they intercept the information (hack it), it appears as jumbled information, so they can’t access it.
At the most basic level, SSL encryption ensures information used and transferred while you play, like your account details, name, address and spending information, isn’t shared with anyone but the slot site. It’s an essential feature of secure and legitimate gambling platforms and websites.
Multi-factor authentication
You may have noticed that slot sites have upped their game over the last two years when it comes to casino logins. Many now use 2-factor authentication requiring, for example, a username and mobile phone passcode. This means even if someone accesses and tries to use your username and password, they still need your mobile phone to enter the site, making it much harder to hack gambling accounts. DraftKings even offers mobile fingerprint login at their mobile casino.
When two-factor authentication is provided, you should use it. If a slot site isn’t using two-factor authentication, you’ll likely be asked to add security questions to your account; these are used to identify you if needed (say you’ve forgotten your password). However, two-factor authentication is more secure.
AI and machine learning
Slot sites are responsible for analysing player behaviour and intervening or engaging with players if unusual activity occurs on their account. Slot sites use AI and machine learning for this, with algorithms highlighting suspicious or potentially harmful (from a responsible gambling point of view) behaviours and activity. To be more accurate, they point out anomalies that warrant more investigation, at which point the casino team can investigate. This keeps your information safer, as slot sites can quickly spot potential fraud on player accounts through analysis of betting and banking patterns.
Independent testing
Independent testing bodies, like eCOGRA or iTechLabs, may be better known for the work they do regarding games testing and RTP and RNG certification (the elements that ensure casino games are fair in their results and payouts) than data protection, but this is also an area they cover.
When slot sites undergo impartial certification, they can, and in most cases do, include website and software testing that looks for weaknesses or problems, including a complete security and anti-fraud audit.
Essentially, these testing bodies put slot sites through their paces and ensure their product and service meet the technician standards required by the UKGC. Platform testing includes privacy, account registration, player protection, network and comms, and security application at the network and host levels.
IP Address Tracking
Online slot sites and casinos track player IP addresses. Slot sites can see your IP address whenever you log onto their website; they need it to send the website content to your browser. All websites need your IP address for this reason. Still, unlike other sites, UK-licensed gambling sites are required to track IP addresses to ensure you are located in the same jurisdiction as the casino (i.e. UK players are accessing UK-licensed platforms in line with the law). They also use the information gained to learn more about your playing habits and improve their customer service and the products they offer you.
User Guides
Great slot sites produce all kinds of communications for players that help keep them secure while playing online, from guides on how to stay safe online and setting solid passwords to avoiding casino phishing scams and the security advantages of using different payment methods, like e-wallets (heads up, there’s no sharing of bank data, adding a further layer of data protection).
As well as blogs, and the information on the main website, slot sites use on-the-spot communications, like pop-up windows, emails and texts, to relay security information and check in with players they may be concerned about.
A large part of these communications is responsible gambling education and awareness – an essential staple of player protection. Slot sites use different forms of information sharing to ensure players know how to gamble responsibly and what tools, like reality checks and budget limits, are available. They even encourage players to assess their gambling behaviours for addiction. All of these communications are designed to keep you and your information secure while you gamble online.
Secure payment gateways
Lastly, UK-licensed slot sites provide secure, safe and regulated payment methods, each with its own level of data and payment security, including SSL firewalls and fraud prevention systems.
Secure payment methods with protocols that protect you include debit cards, e-wallets, and online transfers (in most cases, these services offer fraud protection, so even in the worst-case scenario that your account is defrauded, they’ll refund your money).
The effect of the casinos’ and financial services’ protections is that your money is safe while you transfer it to or from a gambling platform.
The security roundup
As you can see, UK slot sites use many features to protect your security while you play online. These security features, along with other player protection protocols, make the UK one of the safest online gambling jurisdictions in the world.
The post What Are the Most Common Security Measures Used by Online Slot Sites? appeared first on iGaming.org.