The popularity of online gambling websites has been on an upward trend in recent years. This has largely been brought about by the proliferation of smartphones and the advancements in internet technology. The days when people needed to access a land-based gambling venue so that they can play their favourite games are long gone. Nowadays, many players prefer online casinos which allow them to gamble in the comfort of their houses, while still winning huge sums of money.
Although online casino gaming is fun and entertaining, some people are hesitant to try it out. This is mainly due to security issues that come with the provision of personal data and banking details on these websites. Besides, there are plenty of scam sites that may try to swindle players of their hard-earned cash. So, how do you recognize which online casino is trustworthy and which one isn’t? In this article, we will show you how to go about this in three easy steps.
1. Licences
Normally, online casinos are closely regulated to ensure that they adhere to laid-down gambling laws. Additionally, a casino receives a licence only after it has proven that it's committed to the highest standards of player protection. Therefore, to avoid any online scams, always ensure that you sign up at a licensed online casino. To ascertain this, go to the footer of the respective website and check for any licensing details. If you cannot find anything, then it's likely that the platform is a scam, hence you should avoid it.
Apart from that, always confirm if the licence is from a reputable and trusted gambling regulator. There are various authorities that provide licences to gambling operators in different jurisdictions. For example, in the United Kingdom, you only need to look for a
UKGC or MGA licence to ascertain the trustworthiness of a casino. The logo of the regulator is normally displayed at the bottom of the page. By clicking it, you'll be directed to the register that authenticates the casino licence.
2. Legitimate payment methods
You can also identify a trusted online casino by checking its payment methods. A top-rated website will offer the best banking providers to facilitate your deposits and withdrawals. In addition, it will have a wide range of options to allow you to make your preferred choice. These include credit/debit cards such as MasterCard, Visa and e-wallets the likes of PayPal,
Skrill and Netteler. If you see that the casino offers few or unknown payment methods, then it's highly likely it isn't reliable.
Besides that, always make sure that the online casino processes cashouts in reasonable times. Trustworthy gambling operators tend to process players' withdrawal requests faster than scam sites. Most of the time, the average time ranges from two to five business days. If a platform has unnecessarily lengthy transaction times or waiting periods, then it's advisable to stay away from it completely. This way, you will avoid any inconveniences and disappointments that may come later on.
3. User reviews
Reading user reviews is one of the most effective ways of ascertaining the trustworthiness of a casino site. Since reviews say a lot about a particular website, you should always read them before signing up. Every legitimate online casino should generate positive feedback from players who have experienced it. Because such platforms have nothing to hide, many of the reviews you'll find will be positive. On the other hand, you'll recognize the dubious gambling websites from the negative feedback they get from players.
Even as you check out reviews, it’s worth noting that not all of them are genuine. Some illegal casinos can post fake feedback in order to lure potential players to their platforms. Thus, it is important you find a way of ascertaining whether the reviews are authentic or not. Fortunately, there are numerous online casino comparison websites such as
Winvio which you can trust and rely on. Here, you will find comprehensive and honest reviews of casino sites that will allow you to make an informed choice.
Conclusion
Having said that, your security should be the top priority when looking for an online casino. In fact, as long as you are playing games with real money, never take any risks to your online safety. Luckily, there are plenty of trustworthy gambling platforms where you can get the thrill of online gaming in a safe environment. By doing thorough research before registering at any of them, you can gamble with utmost peace of mind.
