Ultimate Safety Guide on Safe Online Gambling & Casino
The topic of consumer data privacy has been around for a few years now. One quick search yields a variety of results with acronyms that are hard to decipher and laws that are even harder to understand. They vary by location, and they have made large business rethink the way they handle the privacy of their users. These laws matter since one of the biggest strategies in the online gambling industry is collecting and processing user data, to personalize and improve their services, identify problematic gambling, and prevent fraud.
What is Gambling?
Any time you wager money or place any item that holds value on a certain outcome of an event, you have effectively engaged in gambling. But what does online gambling mean? With over two dozen nations legalizing its operation within their territories, it is important now, more than ever, to understand what safe online gambling means, is online gambling safe or it is inherently an unsafe practice? Do safe online gambling sites exist, and how safe is your information on sports gambling websites? With the variety of websites, how to know if you go to a website, it is safe gambling?
What is an Online Casino?
Some claim that online gambling is riskier than going to a land-based casino. Online scammers can pose as online casinos, losing money can feel less real than when you are handling cash, and ease of access for underaged individuals to online casino content is some of the reasons why online gambling is more dangerous than casino.
Live Casino Gambling VS Online Casino: differences
While there are the mentioned risks to online gambling, there are also benefits that has led to the growth of online gambling. Variety of games and methods of payment, from cryptocurrencies, to vouchers and bank transfers, make online gambling more appealing. It is important to know what type of risk is gambling. Gambling carries speculative risk; meaning there are three possible outcomes in gambling: you could gain, lose, or you could stay even.
The other major issue to look out for is the safety of your personal data. Assessing your online casino risks and online casino safety must always be your priority when choosing what is the best online casino for us players.
How Safe is Your Information on Sport Gambling Websites?
When thinking about gambling safety, you may think that it is all about what the website does and much less about the user behavior. However, the danger of not recognizing when and how to stop, loss of income and bankruptcy, are some of the biggest gambling risks users face. There are quizzes online to assess whether or not someone is struggling with their gambling habits. A problematic attitude towards gambling isn’t always about loss. Majority of these quizzes have questions where they list a group of seemingly harmless behaviors asking questions such as “which of the following is true about gambling addictions?”, in an attempt to explain that the addictive nature of the game is more appealing to users than the money they may win.
Laws & Regulations
Another issue to keep in mind for gambling safety and general safe online gambling is the laws in your country. Each nation now has their own rules regarding online gambling. Most of these governmental sites include information about how to report gambling winnings for tax purposes, how are gambling winnings taxed and what is the gambling age on each particular country.
How are Gambling Winnings Taxed
For instance, in Canada, Australia and the UK, there is no need to pay taxes on your winning from sports betting or online casinos. However, in countries such as France, Russia, Korea, and the US, there are taxes between 12 to 25% on your online gambling wins.
How to be Safe When Gambling?
Now taking all this information into account, how can one ensure gambling safety, or develop safe online gambling habits? There are thousands of videos and articles written about how to play casino games online.
Here are some tips for those who are wondering is online gambling safe:
- Think of gambling like any other form of entertainment. Always set limits on your time and money you would like to spend.
- Bet only what you can spare.
- Always look for the website’s license and make sure it is one of the safe online gambling sites.
- Be aware that having more knowledge of a game does not necessarily guarantee a win.
- Don’t chase a loss. Know when to quit to save further loss or troubling behavior.
- Avoid gambling when your judgement is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Never, ever, borrow money to play.
- And last but not least, know where you can get help if needed.
Gambling Safely: Guidance for Parents
With the ease of access to gambling content, online casino safety is not restricted to adults of legal age.
If you are a parent, here are some tips to ensure the safety of your child while they are online:
- Always know what your money is being spent on when your child asks for online purchases.
- Teach your kids about the risks and consequences of gambling.
- If you gamble yourself, show them safe practices.
Tips For Choosing Safe Online Casino
In order to protect yourself, and ensure safe online gambling, check for the small lock sign next to the URL when entering your credit card information, and use cryptocurrencies where possible to ensure that your banking data is not being saved on a website.
Blacklisted Online Casinos
Below are some of the websites that have been blacklisted by authorities such as askgamblers.com and casino.org for spamming, rigged games and payment issues such as slow paying or not paying at all:
- Tradition Casino (from Cyberrock Entertainment)
- Euro Fortune Casino (from Cyberrock Entertainment)
- OceanBets Casino (from Affpower Group)
- VIP Slots (from Affpower Group)
- Dafabet Casino
- Slots Capital Casino
- Indo Casino
- Devilfish Casino
- Casinoval
- Irish Luck Casino
Online Casino Licensing
If you have ever searched how to start an online casino, you have already seen that licensing is the first step. In order to obtain a license, the operator must provide financial information, incorporate their business, and pay a fee to maintain the license.
Online Casino Support: How it Works on Legit Websites
These authorities will also assist users who may have fallen prey to a fraudulent activity. Always read the site’s terms and conditions, contact their support and if all else failed, contact the license provider for the website so they can look into your issue. Majority of legitimate websites have live support, who would assist you in case you are having trouble.
How to Report a Fraud if You Have Fallen into a Trap?
While in this guide I attempted to demonstrate online casino safety practices, the dos and don’ts and ways to protect yourself and your information, remember that at the end of the day, gambling should only be done as a recreational activity and never as a source of income. Seek help if you feel like your habit is no longer in your control and protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.
Online Gambling & Casino Safety FAQs
Is it Legal to Gamble Online?
Online gambling laws differ by location. Always look at your country-specific guide to make sure you are following the specific rules.
Is Online Gambling Safe?
If the site is a trustable and licensed site, your money and financial information is most likely safe on their website. Always read the fine print and make sure you only play with money you have set aside for entertainment.
How Old Should One Be to Gamble?
This is also dependent on your location. In some regions, you can be as young as 18, and in some other locations you must be 19, 20 or 21 to play.
What Should I Look for on the Website to Make Sure it is Legitimate?
Always check the license. Check out the selection of games and the rules about payouts. It is always a good idea to check their welcome package/bonus as well.
Will I Get Taxed on My Gambling Winnings?
Most countries do not tax gambling winnings. However, countries such as France, Russia, US and Korea do place a tax percentage on earnings from gambling.
Are There any Benefits to Gambling Online?
The convenience, as well as access to a variety of games from the comfort of your own home, are some of the reasons why people prefer online gambling. Majority of online gambling sites also offer better odds and bigger bonuses!
What are Live Dealers or Live Casinos?
Live casinos allow a real-life experience of a land-based casino, on your electronic device! You get to play your choice of game with actual dealers who act based on your instructions.
Are Online Casino Games Fair?
Majority of online casinos provide fair games, using random number generators and ensuring that the outcome of games is random.
I Feel Like I Was Cheated on an Online Casino, What Should I Do?
Always make sure you can prove the wrong doing. Contact their support, read their rules and eventually report them to a watchdog and their licensing authority.
Is There a Set Amount of Time for Withdrawals?
The exact time needed for processing of withdrawals differs based on your withdrawal method. Most online casinos ask for a period of 24 hours before they can verify your request.
About The Author: John Duncan is a web operation executive at CannonBet. Born and raised in the cybersecurity world. He authors guides on cybersecurity and safety and loves sharing the best practices. You can contact the author via email.