How to Find a Safe Casino
Today millions of people play at online casinos. Playing at online casinos requires players to do some homework. At a land based casino players are assured that the casino is licensed and subject to strict regulations. Online casinos are a different matter. Millions of players play at online casinos that are located in other countries. In many countries the same consumer protections and licensing requirements may not be in place. It is the player’s responsibility to make sure the online casino is located and licensed in a reputable jurisdiction. Most licensing jurisdictions have strict regulations and software testing requirements. In other jurisdictions regulations may be lax or nonexistent. When considering an online casino it is always a good idea for players to check the licensing jurisdiction and its reputation.
Shortly after online gambling became popular the United Kingdom established licensing requirements and regulations for online casinos. The UK gambling commission oversees all gambling sites licensed in the UK and today gambling sites licensed in the UK are probably the safest in the world. Unfortunately many of these sites do not accept players from the United States due to federal laws prohibiting the processing of gambling related transactions in the US.
Review sites are a great resource for players. Players should be aware that some ‘review’ sites have been set up for commercial purposes but generally these are easy to identify. Reviews written by actual players are the best source of information. Online gambling forums can also be a good source of information.
Many online casinos display various seals at the bottom of their home pages. The most reputable and coveted seal is that of eCOGRA. ECOGRA is a London based player protection and standards organisation. ECogra continuously monitors and publishes reviews of various gaming websites. Players should be aware that there have been cases of fake certification organizations issuing ‘seals’ of reliability to less than reputable websites. Be aware that any graphic artist can design an authentic and official looking seal.
Players should always check the casino’s license. If the casino is unlicensed it is best to stay away no matter how many generous bonuses and promotions are offered. Players should also check the company behind the casino. Look for well-known and established names like Microgaming and Real Time Gaming.
As the old saying goes it is always better to be safe than sorry. By doing some basic research players can protect themselves from being ripped off by a shady online casino.
Notice
This website is intended for informational purposes only and we will not be held responsible for the consequences of your use hereof. It is critical that you understand the laws that apply to online gambling in your country before proceeding to gamble online. For further information click here.