There are many anxieties concerning online gambling. Many players think that they are less secure than their land-based iterations. The biggest concerns are about payouts and the money that may never come. To alleviate this unease, we made a list of features that all legit casinos must have.
The essential safety checklist
Each secure casino must:
- Operate under a license
- Have responsible gaming resources
- Test its games for fairness
- Display every game’s RTP (return-to-player rate)
- Have clear promotional terms
- Have an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution)
- Feature secure payment methods.
We will discuss each point to make sure that your iGaming experience is the best of all worlds. And since more rogue casinos started to appear, you may check other useful tips here to make sure you stay away from those.
How to identify licensed casinos
The most fool-proof method is to check their footer. If they display the name of a gambling authority, you will generally be good to go. You can also open the Terms and Conditions – the contract must include the gambling commission’s name. Still, you should look for the most reputable authorities. If a gambling website operates under the UKGC or the Malta Gaming Authority, rest assured that it checks off most marks on our list.
The importance of responsible gaming resources
A secure gaming platform acknowledges that a small percentage of its clientele may develop problem gambling. To help those in need, it must provide self-assessment tests. It should also link to support groups and organizations that handle these issues. Another thing to look for is GAMSTOP certification. The most gamble-aware and secure websites generally receive their seal of approval.
Game testing
Several authorities test games before they can feature at online casinos. The best-known and most reliable tester is undoubtedly eCOGRA. If you see its name, you know that the games have RNGs (Random Number Generators), so no way they are rigged.
RTP and why it matters
RTP, short for return-to-player rate, tells you how much you can expect to get back when you place a bet. For example, a 96% RTP rate (the average for secure online casinos) means that for every C$10 you wager, you may receive C$9.60 over 10,000 or 100,000 games. Think of it as a posh synonym for the house edge. Although it is not set in stone, it can help you make informed decisions, and top online casinos must provide these rates. Volatility also plays a role in a game’s outcome, so we encourage you to look for websites that display it, too.
Promotional terms and transparency
Online casinos’ biggest perk is the frequency of bonuses. While land-based casinos sometimes feature them, it’s on the World Wide Web that promotions genuinely shine. And you should know precisely what you get from them. Many licensed websites got under hot water for misleading terms. Our recommendation is to verify the conditions with the support team. Another tip is to check casino reviews from experts and all news releases you can find on the matter.
ADRs will keep you safe
An Alternate Dispute Resolution is a platform where you can escalate your casino-related complaints. Most licensed casinos partnered with one, although not all of them are obliged by license to. The problem with ADR-less websites is that the team may give an unfair verdict to your complaint, and there is nobody else to offer a second opinion. eCOGRA is one of the most reliable ADRs, although many others will protect your rights.
How to pick the most secure payment methods
We generally recommend looking for casinos with plenty of banking options. Out of them, those that have been on the market the longest are also the safest. Besides the classic credit cards, look for e-wallets with a long history, like Neteller, Skrill, or iDebit. We advise against cryptocurrency, especially for withdrawals. Most cryptowallets are not particularly secure, and this money is highly volatile. As a result, you might withdraw less than what you indeed won.
In conclusion
There are many things to look for when choosing an online casino, especially from a security perspective. Thankfully, safe gambling is more than possible if you follow our essential checklist and look at expertly written reviews.
