Gambling online can provide hours of fun and entertainment, but only if you have a safe environment in which to do it. It makes all the difference if you find a good, secure casino as opposed to playing on one which may not be secure and you’re putting your device and potentially your financial information at risk.
There are thousands of casinos online and these include many which are blacklisted, operating fraudulently or designed simply to con you out of as much money as possible and therefore it is worth spending a little time to find a safe casino that ticks all the right boxes. Below we’re looking at some of the key areas you want to ensure is provided by your chosen casino.
Fully Licensed
The first thing to do when you land on a casino website is to look for its licence. We would always recommend only playing on white-listed casinos and to achieve white-listed status a casino needs to meet strict regulation set out by the UK Gambling Commission. Most casinos will claim to have some kind of licence but it is the UK Gambling Commission licence you should be looking out for.
Well Established
With the exception of new casinos launched by brands you recognise or as part of a larger company which is well known you should always look for casinos which are well established and have been operating for some time. Yes, there are fantastic new casinos but if you’re new to online gambling it does make sense to stick to the big, recognisable brands first. If you do fancy a new casino site, check out our reviews first.
Recognisable Software
Look out for the software brands you know, like Microgaming and Playtech. These software providers won’t want their product associated with fraudulent or black-listed sites and they are designed to ensure the optimal casino experience for every player. It is important to keep in mind that some sites have their own built and licensed software so it’s a matter of using your discretion. If something looks wrong, move on.
Well Reviewed
Can you find a review for the casino you’re considering? If not, think why not? Similarly, if the bad outweighs the good when you do a quick search then this should also set the alarm bells ringing. Reviews will let you know whether the casino in question has common problems to look out for and whether they have had to deal with regular complaints or have issues with honouring player’s withdrawals and other worrying issues.
Industry Recognition
Whilst it isn’t essential that a casino has a reputable agency seal backing up its credentials, it can help to instil trust and further their profile and therefore the chance that players may choose them. Recognisable seals and accreditations include those provided by Responsible Gambling Trust (RGT), European Sports Security Association (ESSA) Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS) and eCOGRA.
Finding a safe place to play ensures you can enjoy as much or as little gaming as you like without worrying about the security of each transaction you make or having to make a complaint at a later date.