When it comes to online casinos, safety should be your number one priority. Unfortunately, not all online casinos are safe – some are even counterfeit. Online gambling has become a huge industry, and it’s only getting bigger. The average casino site has about 4 million visitors per month which means that if you’re interested in gambling online, then there’s a good chance that you’ll end up at one of these sites eventually.
Even experienced gamblers use online casinos to play their favorite games instead of going to the real-life version of the casino – some statistics indicate an up to 40% chance that regular players use both kinds of casinos on a regular basis. Research shows that there are millions of players out there who enjoy using both online and offline casinos for a variety of reasons – some want to play more games, while others want to escape the grey weather outside.
Online casino websites have been accused of being unsafe in the past due to the lackadaisical security measures put into place on these sites – oftentimes, hackers and scammers are allowed to break through the security almost effortlessly. Just this month, for instance, a well-known online casino was hacked and 30 million dollars were stolen from players’ accounts as a result.
Unfortunately, this also means that there is more room for trouble. Although most online casinos are fair and provide great service, there are still many out there who will try to scam you out of your money or personal information. Because of this, we’ve decided to write about how to spot a fake casino.
How can you tell if an online casino is legitimate? Here are a few tips:
1. Check the casino’s licensing and certification
Legitimate online casinos will have a license from a reputable licensing authority. They will also have certification from independent testing agencies that guarantee the fairness of their games. Casinos that don’t have a license or an independent certification should be avoided.
2. Check the casino’s background and history
Big casinos will have been around for years, so if you can’t find any information about a casino online, then it probably isn’t legitimate. If you do find information, make sure to check what other people are saying about the casino, especially on independent forums.
3. Check if the online casino is available in your country
If you’re located outside of the U.S., then it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to play at an American casino (unless it has a license from a reputable licensing authority). The same goes for other countries – if you’re located in Europe, then it’s unlikely that an online casino will allow you to play if it’s based in Asia.
4. Check the terms and conditions of the website before signing up
Many people have experienced being cheated by casinos after they signed away their life savings or received tons of spam mail afterward. Most reputable casinos won’t ask you to sign away any of your rights when signing up, so you should always read the fine print before putting in any personal information.
5. Read reviews about different casinos online
If you can’t find any information about a casino online, then it’s best just to avoid them altogether. Before making a deposit with an unknown casino, make sure to read some reviews to get an idea of what other people are saying about it.
6. Look for exact accreditation from industry organizations
Legitimate online casinos will have accreditation from respected organizations like eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) or GLI (Gaming Laboratories International).
7. Check the casino’s reputation
The best way to check an online casino’s reputation is by finding reviews written by previous players. You may also want to search for complaints or any other information that can prove whether the casino is legitimate or not.
8. Beware of free games
If you think that real money casinos offer tons of free games, then you’re wrong. Fake casinos will offer loads of “free” games and chances to win big prizes when in fact all they’re doing is stealing your personal information and banking details in order to empty out your bank account later on with unrecoverable charges and fees.
9. Review withdrawals and deposits carefully
Always look at the withdrawal and deposit policy before wagering a single cent – Make sure you understand what minimum and maximum amounts are required.
Do not ever allow a casino to debit your credit card without receiving the cash first. This is especially common with so-called “free games” and “no deposit bonuses”. Remember, every cent that goes into an online casino needs to come out as winnings – otherwise it’s nothing but free money for the house and they’ll track every move you make in order to ensure that their terms and conditions remain profitable (and hidden) at all times.
10. Subscribe only to those casinos recommended by major portals
There is some major portals like casinoscout.io which can recommend you reliable casino. Using these two resources will give you peace of mind because both maintain detailed records on suspicious online casinos which honest players should avoid at all costs no matter how tempting such casinos appear to be.
If you do encounter a counterfeit online casino, contact the licensing authority (and/or industry organization) that issued its license or certification and make them aware of your discovery.
The best way to ensure your safety when playing at online casinos is by doing your research first. Take the time to read reviews, compare policies, and scrutinize withdrawal and deposit requirements. If you’re still not sure whether an online casino is safe or not, then don’t hesitate to ask around or contact a reputable authority for help. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to protect yourself from potential scams and enjoy a safe and rewarding online casino experience.
The bottom line is that you should never gamble more than you’re willing to lose, and always be vigilant when playing at online casinos. By following the advice in this article, you’ll be able to stay safe while enjoying all the great games that online casinos have to offer.
Have fun and good luck!