Staying Safe Online
How do I know if a casino is safe?
"Safe" online casinos have a license from government regulatory bodies. You may find this license or approval seal on the casino's official website. Safe or licensed sites also have a license number. So, you can verify the license number by contacting your State's gambling regulatory agency. For example, Penn residents can verify a casino's license number by contacting the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Furthermore, you can verify your preferred online casino via these features:
The Website's Security Feature
All licensed or safe casino sites must have an SSL certificate. Secured websites have a padlock icon in the search bar before the domain name.
Absence of a Book to Book Transfer
You can transfer your funds from one sportsbook to the other in a book-to-book transfer. Book-to-book transfers are quite common in licensed sportsbooks. However, unlicensed or fraudulent sites lack this feature since other licensed sportsbooks do not wish to liaise with them.
Bad Website Design
A wrong website design is also a tell-tale sign for identifying unlicensed sites. Licensed sites often invest in a professional and efficient UI/UX design. So, it's best to avoid placing bets** if the website has a lot of spammy links, slow loading speed, and non-functioning pages**.
Is Making a Deposit Safe?
You can safely make deposits on online casinos by using E-wallets or cryptocurrencies. E-wallets add an extra security layer to protect your banking data. Some of the popular E-wallets include Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, and ecoPayz. Furthermore, gambling sites now accept bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
What are Playthrough Requirements?
A playthrough requirement is the number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you can cash out. It is also referred to as a wagering requirement. Online casinos set different playthrough requirements for online bonuses. A 1x playthrough requirement means you only have to wager the bonus amount once before the withdrawal.
What is a Gambler’s Fallacy?
A gambler's fallacy is a wrong belief that there is a pattern in a set of random events. For example, gamblers may expect a red after a series of blacks in a roulette wheel.
How do I Know if I'm Addicted to Gambling?
You are probably addicted to gambling if you have one or more of these symptoms:
- Constantly thinking of getting more money to gamble
- The need to increase your wager after every game
- Trying to recoup losses by gambling more
- Lying to loved ones about your gambling habits
- Using gamble to escape anxiety or depression
- Stealing money to gamble
How do I Help Someone with a Gambling Addiction?
You can help those with gambling addiction via these steps:
- Ask them if there's a problem with their gambling habit.
- Don't be judgemental, and encourage gambling addicts to get professional help.
- Let them know they are not alone, and tell the table their actions affect you.
How do You Quit Gambling?
You can quit gambling by following these steps:
- Understand you have a problem. Check if you have more than one symptom of gambling.
- Join a support group like gamblers anonymous.
- Avoid temptations by avoiding activities and people that remind you of your habit.
- Find healthy alternatives to gambling. Immerse yourself in activities like traveling, meditation, physical exercises, and volunteering.
What does a Rogue Casino look like?
Rogue casinos are unlicensed and unsafe for online gambling. You may lose your financial and personal data by using these fake casinos. Here are a few tell-tale signs to identify a rogue casino:
- Non-existent Security Feature
All licensed or safe casino sites must have an SSL certificate. Secured websites have a padlock icon in the search bar before the domain name.
Outrageous Bonuses and Offers
Unsafe casinos lure players with extremely high bonuses or promotions. Always compare the bonus with other gambling sites. Note the difference between their offers. Don't use it if there's a massive gap in bonuses or promotions.
Delayed Payment
Popular payment platforms do not liaise with unlicensed gambling sites. This makes it difficult for these platforms to send your payments on time. Sometimes, the platforms may intentionally delay your winnings or add bogus charges before sending funds.
Absence of a Book to Book Transfer
You can transfer your funds from one sportsbook to the other in a book-to-book transfer. Book-to-book transfers are quite common in licensed sportsbooks. However, unlicensed or fraudulent sites lack this feature since other licensed sportsbooks do not wish to liaise with them.
Unresponsive Customer Care Service
It is a sign that you are dealing with an unlicensed site if you don't get a fast response after sending an email. Undoubtedly, most licensed betting sites have a well-equipped customer care department to attend to all complaints within a day.
