How to Avoid Online Casino Scams

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Online casinos have come a long way since their inception and are a significant part of the entire gaming industry. The online gambling sector is as developed and regulated as it’s never been before.

Unfortunately, there are still far too many online casino sites trying to scam unwitting customers and steal their money.

The tips you’ll learn on this page will help you steer clear of any online casino scams and protect your gaming bankroll and sensitive personal information.

1. Look Out for Reputable Licenses

The quickest way to determine if an online casino is legit or not is by going over its online gambling licenses.

Every licensed and regulated casino that wants to operate above board must comply with a long list of stringent gambling rules.

Gambling authorities like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority stand out as the two most reputable online gambling authorities. They don’t give out their gambling licenses to just about any online site.

Online casinos regulated by these often carry a seal of approval in the footer of every page and a link to the license number.

Oppositely to this, if an online casino doesn’t have any licenses from a well-known gambling authority, it might not meet the necessary requirements. Moreover, if the online casino is based in a country with relaxed gambling laws, you should avoid it altogether.

2. Read the Online Casino’s T&Cs

Let’s face it, most of us don’t read the long and annoying Terms and Conditions when signing up for a service or platform. However, thoroughly reading through the T&Cs and understanding what they mean can save you from many headaches down the line.

Terms and Conditions are often difficult to understand and wrapped with a lot of unnecessary wording. It’s okay not to understand every single stipulation.

Just make sure you know the critical rules regarding your profile, deposit and withdrawing, bonuses, and all of the essential wagering rules. Also, double-check if you’re not allowed to play some games like blackjack or roulette.

If you don’t read through the T&Cs, the casino might slip in predatory terms that could end up damaging you in some way.

For those who don’t feel like doing the research themselves, there is a different way to go about it. You can find many trustworthy casino reviews online, providing all the important facts and details in a very clear and concise manner.

3. Play Games from Well-Known Providers

Just like there are many online casinos available, so are many software providers that create online casino games. And, you’ve guessed it, not all software providers can be trusted.

There have been many incidents of game developers rigging their games to draw out money from unsuspecting players.

Of course, not all unknown software providers mean bad news. Some small companies are still making their name in the industry and are certainly worth your time and money.

This is why it’s crucial to do a bit of research and know the provider’s background before you play their games.

If you don’t want to spend your time digging up information online, it’s best to just stick to the top names. Software providers like Playtech, Microgaming, and NetEnt have been on the market for years and are known to produce safe and fair video slots and other games.

4. Don’t Accept Bonuses Blindly

Bonuses are common marketing tactics online casinos use to attract new customers. Whether it’s in the form of a deposit match, free spins, or any other reward, they are a great way to start your gaming experience at your new online casino site.

That said, not all bonuses are worth your attention, no matter how good they look at first glance.

A general rule of thumb is that if a bonus seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Most online casinos offer similarly valued promotional deals, with some better than others.

You can find a bonus offer a couple of times better at one site than another, but not one that’s a dozen or more times better.

If an online casino offers you a 500% deposit match bonus or hundreds of free spins upon signing up, there’s something shady going on. The only way it can afford such an amazing deal is by stealing on the other end.

This could be either by rigging games, setting unrealistic wagering conditions, or stealing your money altogether as soon as you deposit it. For this reason, it’s best just not to pay attention when prompted with such offers.

5. Look Into the Site’s Payment Section

If you've chosen the casino bonus and checked that everything is on the up and up, you're almost ready to sign up and make your first deposit into the site.

But, before you do so, you need to check one last thing to make sure you’re dealing with a trustworthy gambling platform.

Illegal and fake online casinos often won’t offer reputable and well-known services like PayPal, Visa, or MasterCard. This is because these companies hold their partners accountable and are very strict regarding financial transaction control.

If the online casino only accepts cryptocurrencies or some barely-known online payment services, it’s best to save your money for a different site.

Additionally, be careful if the online casino charges unusually high fees on deposits or withdrawals. Although this isn’t a scam on its own, it’s still an underhanded tactic that could unnecessarily cost you money if you’re not paying attention.

Avoiding Online Casino Scams – Key Takeaways

Although online casinos have been around for decades, they’re still a fairly novel thing to most gamblers. Plus, playing online and conducting business over the Internet always comes with its own set of risks.

But, online casinos don’t have to be such an intimidating thing that you should avoid them altogether. If you take time to learn and understand the potential threats and scams you can face online, you can protect yourself more effectively from these issues.

In return, you’ll enjoy the convenience of online gambling even more without worrying about the security of your money or private information.

Make sure to remember the tips you’ve learned on this page, and you’ll undoubtedly have a fantastic experience playing your favorite online casino games or online poker on one of the best sites out there.