How Safe are Online Casinos in 2022?
Playing online casino games is convenient, easy, and often more affordable than taking a trip to a brick-and-mortar casino. But similar to most Internet activities, online gambling comes at the cost of privacy and personal security.
So, is it worth it to gamble online? How safe are you when playing slots and poker on the Internet? The simple answer is that many gambling sites have adequate security measures.
The long answer is that online security is a continuous practice. If you want to be safe at online casinos in 2022, follow these tips:
1—Gamble at Secure Online Casinos
In this era of Internet scams, you’re bound to come across a gambling site that just doesn’t look right. It might feature a dozen slots on its homepage. Maybe it accepts crypto.
But it’s ridden with grammatical errors. Its webpages crash and your browser claims it’s insecure. Don’t take a risk with your money. Avoid unsecured websites like a plague.
Instead, join sites with SSL encryption—an address with a locked padlock sign. Also, ensure the casino is licensed and has a good online reputation. If you’re worried about revealing your personal information to casinos, find the best no verification casinos.
Picture this. No verification casinos don’t ask for your email address, names, home addresses, or banking information. Yet, they allow you to play your favorite casino games for real money. How cool is that?
2—Avoid Public WiFi
One of the beauties of online casinos is that they support both PC computers and mobile devices. You can play slots through your iPhone while tucked in bed. Or you could enjoy poker while on a vacation in the Bahamas.
Although convenient, it’s essential to access the Internet safely. Use your phone’s data bundles or home WiFi. You could also use office Internet if it’s secure. But avoid the WiFi at your local coffee shop, airport or public park.
What’s wrong with public WiFi? Anyone can access it. Worse, Internet-savvy people can intercept your web traffic. And in doing so, they can see your personal information—emails, credit card information, cell phone number and addresses.
That said, there’s a safe way to use public WiFi—VPNs. Short for Virtual Private Network, a VPN can help you hide your computer address. It can also encrypt your data to make it impossible for third parties to intercept it.
3—Secure your Online Accounts
When you think about it, many hackers target people with weak online accounts. Maybe you use 1,2,3,4 as your email address password—yes, some people still do it. Perhaps you use the same password for all accounts. So, if someone hacks your email address, they could also breach your PayPal and casino accounts.
The point is, use strong, separate passwords for your email addresses, payment apps, online casinos, shopping sites, and everything else you do online. Make it hard to be a victim of cybercrime.
Speaking of making things difficult to cybercriminals, consider installing an antivirus program. Find a top-tier program that can detect and neutralize threats in real time.
Also, ensure it can handle multiple threats, from phishing attempts to worms and ransomware. Additionally, use your VPN always to hide your IP address and also to encrypt your data.
4—Update your Apps and OS Regularly
As already mentioned, cybercriminals don’t target people with solid security systems. They go after people with outdated operating systems and apps. Some companies update their apps and operating systems automatically to make your work easy.
However, there are many cases where you need to update programs manually. Ensure you keep your systems up to date to eliminate possible vulnerabilities.
5—Play Games from Trusted Developers
In the casino space, safety isn’t just about your data. It also refers to the safety of games you play. Are they fair or rigged? Do they have high or low Return to Player rates?
Let’s start with game fairness. If you join a licensed casino, chances are that you will find fair games. That’s because gambling regulators audit casino games for fairness. They also audit game developers like:
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- Playtech
- Betsoft
- BTG
- Evolution Gaming
These software developers some of the best-rated games online. The games include Starburst, Mega Moolah, Thunderstruck II, Bonanza and live poker. The games are fair. And more importantly, they have high Return to Player rates: this increases your chances of winning.
6—Beware of Bonus Scams
One of the most common casino scams target people who love bonuses. In all fairness, most gamblers love bonuses. A scammer could email you with a message claiming you qualify for a no wager bonus.
But once you click the link provided, you’re directed to a site full of viruses and malware. To avoid this scam, don’t click links or open email addresses from unknown sources.
Some scams claim you’ve already won money at a casino you’ve never heard of. Their goal is to make you click their links and lead you to shady sites. Don’t for these traps.
7—Consider Your Banking Options
Some payment methods are safer than others, especially in the casino space. For example, a credit card makes use of credit money. With debit cards, you use money from your bank account. Due to this, it’s better to use a credit card.
When it comes to digital wallets, companies like PayPal and Google Pay take extra measures to keep you safe. PayPal has chargebacks and One Touch. Chargebacks mean you can ask for a refund if you get scammed.
On the other hand, PayPal OneTouch offers to keeps your personal data in one place. In doing so, you don’t have to reveal your information to multiple casinos. Of course, there’s also crypto, which doesn’t require providing personal data as well.
Conclusion
Online Casinos are generally safe. Legislation requirements, new data encryption techniques and consumer awareness have forced gambling sites to secure their platforms.
However, the Internet isn’t entirely free from scammers and cybercriminals. Due to this, you need to put an effort in keeping yourself safe. Choose casino sites wisely. Avoid public WiFi, phishing and bonus scams.