Casino gaming has never been more popular as changes in regulations and better technology have made it more accessible to a wider audience. However, the main driver in this surge in popularity is the rise of smartphones and online casinos.
Lots of operators allow people to play for free online and sample a selection of popular games with no financial risk involved. Once they see how much fun can be had with classics such as poker, roulette, craps, and slots, players are keen to sign up and try and win some real money.
Understandably, a lot of people are wary of handing over their personal and financial details online, which is why we’ve put together a guide to staying safe when visiting a real money online casino.
How to play safely online
Look out for Licensing
Before you consider handing over any details it’s important to check that the online casino you’ve chosen holds an authentic license that allows it to trade like a casino. Licensing means the site has passed certain regulatory checks and can be held accountable for any misconduct. Playing with non-licensed sites greatly increases the risk of fraud and potentially losing your money.
Read Reviews
Another way of checking the validity of an online platform is by checking out reviews online. While not a one hundred percent guarantee of a site’s trustworthiness, it will help you narrow down your search for a reputable site.
Encryption
The best and most secure platforms will use the latest SSL Encryption software to ensure that players’ personal and financial details are secure. SSL certificates should be clearly displayed in the URL bar. If you don’t see it, don’t sign up.
Trusted Payment Methods
Whether you are making payments or withdrawing winnings from an online platform, it’s important to know that those transactions are safe and secure. In short, the process must be simple, transparent, and quick. Look out for trusted names such as PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for the padlock symbol which proves that the platform’s payment method is secure.
Protect yourself
Once you have signed up to an online site, do not share your password with anybody, and do not leave yourself logged in on your account on multiple devices, such as phones and computers. It’s always a good idea to regularly change your password too, just to be safe.
Budget
Setting yourself a bankroll or amount of money that you can afford to lose, is a great way to ensure that playing remains fun and ensure you don’t go chasing any potential losses.
Deposit limits
A reputable operator will allow you to set deposit limits to ensure you don’t overspend or chase losses. It is also a great way to protect you from possible fraud should your account or payment details fall into the wrong hands.
The difference between real money and normal casinos
With the growth of online casinos showing no signs of slowing down any time soon, we take a look at some of the key benefits of playing online versus visiting a brick-and-mortar casino.
Play whenever you want
One of the main advantages of online casinos is that there are no opening hours on the internet. This means you can play any time and any place you want. Simply open up your laptop or pull out your smartphone and start playing.
Game Variety
Traditional casinos are limited in the number and variety of games that they can offer due to their physical size, however on the internet, there are no limits. Thanks to advanced technology, online casinos offer players a huge variety of the latest and most popular games, with updates constantly added.
No Queues
If you’ve ever traveled to a bricks-and-mortar casino to play your favorite game and found yourself at the end of a queue, you’ll definitely want to try playing online where queues are a thing of the past.
Speed
Another online casino benefit is the speed of play. Computer dealers are far quicker than their human counterparts meaning you aren’t wasting precious leisure time waiting around. Also, if you want to try the slots or move tables, you need to physically walk there in a land-based casino. Online, it’s all the click of a button away.
No Dress Code
Traditionally, land-based casinos will have a dress code for customers which can be frustrating and provides an extra obstacle to playing. Online casinos have no such issues, you can dress up or dress down, it’s entirely up to you.
Cashing out
While you may not get the thrill of cashing in a stack of chips when playing online, it does have the benefit of providing instant payouts and a variety of safe payment options.
Whichever platform you choose for your gaming, make sure you follow our simple guide to staying safe and enjoying your time at the casino.
