Online gambling has seen a massive expansion in the past two decades. From simple slot machines players could enjoy on their computers, consumers now have access to advanced games, VR casinos, and live dealer studios. None of this is surprising, knowing that the global iGaming market is expected to surpass $112 billion by 2025.
However, new players can often become victims of various scams. While many operators claim to have licenses, fair games, and top support, not every brand can be trusted. Many casinos are out there just to get your money. That’s why it’s essential to know how to stay safe when playing casino games for real money on the internet. This article will help you with this by listing and explaining the essential steps to making smart decisions as a rookie online gambler.
Get Informed
Naturally, the first step is to get informed about online casinos, how they work, and how to recognize scam operators. Rookies often think that a fancy design and seemingly large bonuses are a clear sign of trustworthiness. However, quality casino websites are much more than trendy looks. For instance, the first thing to check is the licensing.
You want to play at legal and regulated gambling sites. Why? Because they must meet high operating standards. Plus, in case there’s an issue, regulated casinos are much more dedicated to resolving it partially because they are legally required to do so. If many customers complain about the same brand, it may lose the license and the right to work in a certain market. Reputable licensing bodies include the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Seeing seals of approval by respected and independent auditors is also a positive sign. eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs are the best options in this regard. They test the games, test the platforms, and certify that everything is secure and fair. Their interactive seals of approval are typically found at the casino’s footer section.
Check Out the Game Providers
One way to know that you’re safe while gambling online is by checking out the games. There are numerous trusted and reputable game providers on the iGaming market whose games are regularly tested and 100% fair. You want to play such picks because other unknown games may be rigged. For example, if you see slots that Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech developed, these are solid choices. These can’t be meddled with, and they often provide helpful information about their games’ volatility and return to player percentages.
Is the Website Secure?
This rule doesn’t apply to gambling online but also to doing anything online, really. You want to visit secure websites at all costs. You can recognize such websites by checking out their URLs. Namely, a site with SSL encryption and a valid security certificate has HTTPS, with the S standing for SECURE. Also, if you click on the lock symbol that stands left to the URL, you can check out the type of encryption and the certificate issuer.
Don’t Overlook the Terms and Conditions
Whether a casino operator bans you, voids your bonus, or rejects your withdrawal request depends on whether you disrespect the terms and conditions. This is the must-read fine print because it reveals the essential rules of using that casino site. The T&C usually hide all the tricky terms you don’t want to overlook. For example, this is where any unfair restrictions are found, or things related to high wagering requirements or even maximum wins. If there’s anything unfair or unclear in the terms and conditions of a casino, the operator probably isn’t a trusted one.
Use Trusted Payment Methods
It’s also logical to stick to dependable payment methods. Casino sites tend to offer various options, from credit cards to cryptocurrency. Your location often dictates which of those banking methods are available to you. In any case, you may want to start with a prepaid voucher or e-wallet. These don’t require that you provide your card number, for example. Also, such transactions won’t show on your bank statements. It’s also a good idea to possibly have a separate e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller that you’ll use for gambling only.
Be Reasonable
One may say that this is obvious advice, but many rookie gamblers somehow forget about some basic things. First, you need a strong password because you don’t want anyone to hack your casino account easily. Especially not if you have payment details there. Second, if you have second thoughts about a casino site, just avoid it. It’s always better not to take any risks with activities that involve real money. Finally, make sure you take good care of your funds by having a playing budget and starting small. If you start small, even if you lose everything or the casino ends up being a scam one, you won’t lose a lot of cash.
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