Online casino safety tips 101: How to avoid scams and play safe?

Welcome to the era of online gaming – where the games are entertaining, the stakes are high, and the scams are abundant!! You heard that right. Certainly, there are legitimate online casinos ensuring you a seamless gaming experience, but there are also dozens of others that can rip you off your hard-earned money. 

Yes, online gaming scams are real… like any other online-based activities that involve money. And not to forget the identity thieves flooding the Internet who will jailbreak your personal information and use it for unscrupulous activities. But worry not!! In this blog, we will arm you with the knowledge and essential tips you need to have a safe and enjoyable experience when playing at an online casino.       

The primary reason why the online gaming industry is growing exponentially is because casino sites mostly operate securely. But on the other hand, there are a handful of illegitimate sites that are spoiling the casino industry’s reputation globally. So, how do you know which online casino operates lawfully and which one is prying on your winnings or personal information? Here are some red flags you should watch out for – 

• Pushing too much for your personal information: Is the online casino forcing you to share your personal information with them, or do you feel they are rushing unnecessarily? This sense of urgency and asking you to provide your personal data unreasonably is a big red flag. It is because a fraudster will never give you enough time to realize that something fishy is going on. 
• Unsolicited calls and emails: Is a gaming site making calls and persuading you hard to sign up with them? Are you not expecting a call from this casino and you feel it’s unsolicited? You haven’t subscribed, but still receiving emails with attractive joining bonuses and reward programs? Such casinos are more likely to be a scam than a lawful business. 
• Pressure to deposit money: Whether or not you want to play by depositing money is absolutely your discretion. Most legitimate casinos provide a wide range of games that you can play for free. However, if a gambling site is pressuring you to deposit money before you can play, it may be engaged in some fraudulent activities. 
• Untrusted payment methods: If the online casino wants you to pay via unreliable or unusual payment methods, chances are it is a scam. Most legitimate casinos accept payment via PayPal. It has a stringent verification process and if the casino site passes it, then it is likely a lawful business.         
• No contact information: Did you browse through the entire casino website, but could not find their contact information? Have you tried contacting their customer support team, but it seems unresponsive? Stay cautious. 

When you play casino games online, you may face a wide range of security vulnerabilities and scams. As technology is advancing rapidly, hackers are identifying advanced ways to break into your sensitive information. But in addition to that, you may also be scammed by illicit online casinos. Here are the most common scams that you can face in a casino. 

• No licensing: If a casino is not licensed, then it is likely to be indulging in unfair practices or is a scam.
• Rigged games: Scam online casinos design rigged games, so a major share of the bet goes to the house. 
• Clone casinos: Scammers often design websites that will give you the look and feel of a legitimate casino. This helps deceive victims into sharing their personal information or depositing money. 
• False promises: Scam online casinos often use the bait of offering significant rewards, free spins, etc. if you sign up and deposit money. But as you register and make the necessary deposits, you will no longer find the offers.  

The popularity of online casinos is rising significantly – thanks to the fast-paced proliferation of the Internet and mobile technology. Today, you can sit in any corner of the world and indulge in the top-notch gaming experience. However, with convenience comes responsibility – especially when your sensitive information is on the brink of being compromised at any time. 

There are several scammers who are ready to take advantage of players who take things casually and don’t do enough research before signing up with the casino. If you think you are a responsible player, here are some tips for you to stay safe and enjoy casino gaming online. 

Before you get too excited to play at a casino, make sure you research it thoroughly. Check if the casino has proper licensing from relevant authorities and adheres to the gaming regulations of the state. You can find this information on the casino site or you can also search on Google. You must also check if the license and relevant certifications are valid and up-to-date.   

Genuine feedback and reviews from other players can help you determine the online casino’s reliability and reputation. Check if there is any particular issue that most players are pointing out. If you see a lot of negative reviews mentioning lack of customer support or unreliable payments, then you might be dealing with a scam casino site. 

A key step to identifying scammers and playing safe is to understand the signs of a deceitful gaming site. The initial look and feel of a casino site will give you an idea of its professionalism and legitimacy. If you do not have any idea in this field, check out for signs such as a suspicious domain. Best online casinos will have an [https://] in their web address with a padlock [🔒] to ensure all your transactions are secure and cannot be intercepted. Web addresses that do not have a https:// connection are likely to be unsafe.    

You should check if the online casino has clear terms & conditions and a privacy policy listed on its website. A good gaming site will provide terms & conditions that are easy to access and understandable. Their privacy policy will clearly outline how the website uses your personal data. If you are unable to find this valuable information on the site or if it is misrepresented, then it might be a scam. 

As we mentioned in the warning signs, shady online casinos will never want you to contact them. So, if you want to know if the gaming site you choose is lawful and reliable, then check out their customer support service first. Does the website provide accurate contact information? If yes, try to get in touch with them via phone, chat, or email to verify the legitimacy of the company. 

A reputable casino site will offer fully encrypted and reliable payment methods such as PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, or bank transfers. It is a red flag if the website uses unguaranteed and unfamiliar payment methods. You should never share sensitive information like your credit card details or social security number with unverified and unreliable casinos. 

The competition is cut-throat in the casino industry. In this scenario, it is not unlikely for casinos to get into the catfight of promotions to lure you to their site. However, you should avoid sites if you think their promotions are too good to be true. It is important to read through the terms & conditions of these promotions carefully. For instance, some promotions may require you to make a deposit or play a specific number of games before you can use the promotions. 

Most online casinos run on software from third-party providers. Some of the top names in the gaming industry are Microgaming, Playtech, Pragmatic Play, Novomatic, and NetEnt AB. Before you sign up with an online casino, check who their software provider is. Online games by these developers undergo stringent testing for safety and fairness. So, you can have peace of mind knowing that the casino games are not rigged. 

Nothing can beat the importance of following certain personal safety rules when you play with an online casino. Here are some best practices to ensure security – 

To prevent falling prey to ransomware or viruses, make sure you install the latest antivirus software and activate firewall protection on your device to safeguard your personal information. 

Secure your online gaming account with a unique and strong password that is hard to decrypt. You may also set up multi-factor authentication to ensure your data is safe. 

You should never share sensitive information related to your identity or bank details with third parties. A lawful casino site will never ask you to share your One-Time Password (OTP) or SSN via call, private messages, or email. 

No matter how much you love playing in a casino, online scams and fraudulent activities may leave a bitter taste in your mouth. But it does not have to be that way. By knowing the warning signs and following some essential tips, you can reduce the chances of falling prey to deceitful online casinos. Always stay cautious and play responsibly to have a safe and enjoyable casino experience online. 

This article was written in cooperation with Darren Zayne