Are you tired of giving your personal details to fraudulent sites that only deny your winnings after taking your hard-earned cash? If yes, this post will help you avoid future scams and choose casinos that offer the best real slots online.
Look for a Gambling License
Legitimate online casinos always share their gambling license for all to see. If the gambling license isnât available on the site, most casinos will also share their company ownership details for you to find the companyâs gambling license.
Most online casinos share their licensing details on the website footer. Scroll down the homepage until you get to the bottom and look for a link to a license or a logo of a license, which usually opens the full document and the license number. You can visit the licensing boardâs site to confirm the casinoâs registration number. If the casino is compliant, it will say so on the regulatorâs site.
A license is proof that an online casino has a legal mandate to operate within certain jurisdictions and is subject to certain standard rules. Licensed casinos operate under strict rules to ensure data privacy, financial security, fair gaming, and data protection.
The licensing body may change depending on your jurisdiction and the licenses permitted there. Common licensing bodies for online casinos include:
- UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- Curacao Gaming Control Board
- Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission
If a casino doesnât mention the licensing or ownership details, itâs best to walk away. Remember, gambling at a licensed casino gives you legal recourse should you run into problems with your deposits and withdrawals. You can reach out to the regulatory body for investigation and restitution.
Read Player Reviews
Many casino players share their experiences with online casinos on review platforms and social media to assist other players in the community. The reviews often highlight challenges faced when playing at an online casino and include warnings about scam sites. Visit review sites and look for player reviews for the online casino you wish to join. Check whether the reviews give a positive or negative opinion before making your decision.
Fake online casinos often withhold playersâ winnings, refuse to communicate, or fail to honor bonuses to begin with. Youâll also notice complaints about unfair games and player accounts being blocked without a reasonable explanation or notice from the online casino.
Reliable casinos take pride in their work and will go out of their way to address problems professionally. Check if the customer support responds to negative reviews on common review sites and addresses them. A reliable casino will also pay out on time and fulfil any promises of bonuses. Look for evidence of good customer service before signing up.
Check for Secure Payment Methods
A legitimate online casino secures your funds by partnering with trusted payment platforms in your region. When you explore the banking section, you should look for common payment methods. Dubious online casinos often use unscrupulous payment methods.
However, remember that if youâre signing up for a no-verification casino that depends on cryptocurrencies, some of the payment methods may not be the most popular, but they should still have longevity and be available on reputable trading platforms.
Common payment methods include:
- Cards: Visa, American Express, Discover, Mastercard
- E-wallets: PayPal, Neteller, Payz, Astropay
- Checks
- Wire transfers
- Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin Lightning
When you review the banking section, pay attention to the terms. Legitimate casinos will specify or give an estimate for how long each payment method takes, whether for deposits or withdrawals. Theyâll also state the withdrawal limits per payment method and the maximum withdrawal a player can make per week or month, depending on factors like their VIP status. A reliable casino will also be transparent about any fees and transaction costs, especially if you exchange currencies on their site.
If a casino doesnât specify its payment terms, fees, or payment limits, thereâs probably more than meets the eye, and itâs not good for you. Walk away.
Look at the Security Features
Illegitimate online casinos sometimes operate without critical safety nets for users.
- First, look for the small padlock found before the beginning of a https link to signal SSL encryption. This is a global standard for all secure websites, and it indicates that a website transmits data in an encrypted form to protect it from third parties. Usually, your browser will warn you when you visit an unsecured site. Do not give your personal details to an online casino without SSL encryption.
- Second, look for the online casinoâs privacy policy. Privacy policies are terms that dictate how a business collects, stores, and uses your data. The policy should go into great detail about the parties with access to your information to prepare you for the risk youâre about to take. The best privacy policies allow you to opt out of certain data uses.
- Third, check for multi-factor authentication. Most legitimate casinos will require you to provide a phone number and email address to verify your identity.
Examine the Customer Support
A trustworthy online casino will invest in its customer support because it wants to retain clients. Fake sites may share customer support channels, but they might not respond when you contact them.
When you visit an online casino, take time to talk to the live chat option. However, since some of the features may be automated, we recommend sending an email. Most online casinos donât offer a direct number but allow you to set an appointment for a call. Take the extra step and make an appointment.
Check how long you have to wait for a response, and if itâs professionally crafted and handles your specific issues instead of shifting blame. Listen keenly during the phone call to determine if youâre dealing with a trained team that can respond to your queries.
Zero responses, automated answers, and missing contact information are the tell-tales of a fake casino.
Look for Player Limits
Legitimate online casinos help their customers practice responsible gambling. Youâll notice the âResponsible Gamblingâ page on the website footer. This page shares any information you need to analyze your gambling habits and determine if itâs time for a break or help.
Most trustworthy casinos provide options to limit your gambling through daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits. You can also ask for a break, during which the casino will not send you promotional information. Lastly, youâll also notice links to gambling support sites within your country to help you access direct counseling for problematic gambling.
Fake casinos will not offer channels for gambling support. They may mirror legitimate sites in design, but if you inquire, youâll realize that there arenât concrete foundations to protect your interests.
Put Your Safety First
When you gamble slots online for real money, safety should be your priority. Take time to investigate an online casino and check for licenses, reviews, payment methods, and active customer support before signing up. The fake casino will put their interests first, so why shouldnât you?