Online casinos have been getting more and more popular with Canadian players in recent years – as they offer convenience, all sorts of exciting games and, most importantly, the potential for big wins.
However, with so many options available, before doing anything, you need to know whether an online casino is trustworthy and safe – especially if you’re thinking about depositing your money on it.
Here, we’re going to look at the main factors to help you determine for yourself whether a casino is safe and trustworthy so you can make the most informed choice.
Licensing and Regulation
Any decent online casino should be licensed and regulated by a recognized gaming authority – for example, the UK Gambling Commission license is given to casino sites UK players can trust. Canadian players should be looking for a casino that’s licensed by authorities such as:
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission (Canada-based regulator)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
- United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)
- Curacao eGaming (most often seen in international casinos)
Having a licence means that the casino adheres to the strictest security, fairness, and responsible gambling standards. So, before you sign up for any casino, make sure you check the licensing information at the bottom of the casino’s homepage or in their terms and conditions to make sure you’re completely satisfied.
Excellent Security Measures
Online security is absolutely essential when it comes to signing up and playing at an online casino. The best casinos will use SSL encryption technology – which is in place to protect your personal and financial information. You can check for yourself to see if a website is secure by looking for a padlock icon in the address bar and/or checking whether the URL begins with “https://” instead of “http://”.
The Fairness of Games and RNGs
To make sure that every game is completely fair, an online casino will use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology, which basically guarantees unbiased game results. They should also be tested by third parties to ensure that they are working properly – and you don’t just have to take their word for it. As such, look for casinos that have certifications from independent auditing firms like:
- eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance)
- iTech Labs
- GLI (Gaming Laboratories International)
- TST (Technical Systems Testing)
A Good Reputation and Decent Player Reviews
Before signing up, it’s also a good idea to research what other players are saying about it. A decent casino should have a majority of positive reviews (bear in mind that all companies get the odd negative review) across various platforms, including:
- Casino review sites
- Forums
- Social media
If a casino has a lot of complaints – especially with regard to things like delayed withdrawals, unfair terms, or poor customer support, then think twice.
Payment Methods and Withdrawal Policies
A trustworthy casino should provide you with lots of secure payment methods, like credit and debit cards, E-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfers including Interac – and some might even offer cryptocurrencies.
Also, make sure the casino is transparent with its withdrawal policies, offers reasonable processing times, and there are no hidden fees.
Responsible Gambling
You’ll also notice that a legitimate casino will promote responsible gambling and offer tools and features, such as:
- Deposit limits
- The option to self-exclude
- Reality checks
- Time limits
You should also be able to access links to responsible gambling organisations like Gamblers Anonymous, GamCare and BeGambleAware, etc.
Good Customer Support
Most good casinos should make sure they provide you with 24/7 customer support that is contactable in a number of ways – including Live Chat, email and phone support. There should also be decent FAQs and a Help Center.
You might also want to test out their response time and helpfulness for yourself before you sign up. If they’re slow or unresponsive, it could be a red flag.
Clear and Fair T&Cs
Although online casinos attract players by promising them big bonuses, it’s important that you read the terms and conditions carefully. Look at things like wagering requirements, withdrawal limits and game restrictions, etc. If the terms are a bit vague and unclear, too complicated, or simply unfair, you should reconsider signing up.
So, there you have it, how you can make sure that the casino you choose is safe and secure and offers you a great overall experience.
The post How to Determine if an Online Casino is Trustworthy As a Beginner first appeared on The Yucatan Times.