Online gambling is a pastime that has grown in popularity over recent years. Nowadays, you no longer need to dress up and head to the casino, but you can play your favorite games from the comfort of your couch.
As demand for online gaming opportunities continues to grow, the marketplace has become saturated with online casino portals, each vying against one another to win the custom of potential new players.
Now, while there are plenty of legitimate online casinos around, the internet is also full of predators and scammers. And what better place to take advantage of people than through an online casino where players are betting with large sums of money.
It is essential that players exercise caution when choosing an online casino website. Remember that choosing where to gamble isn’t something that should be left to chance. Thankfully, it is fairly easy to recognise rogue websites if you know about the red flags to look out for.
To make life easier, we’ve come up with five red flags you should be aware of when exploring the world of online gambling.
No Registration Required
The most obvious and straightforward sign you are dealing with a malicious casino operator is when you find that players aren’t required to fill out any forms prior to trialing new games. This is an indication that the site isn’t regulated by any relevant external authority, leaving them free to do as they please.
Bonuses That Are Too Good To Be True
Almost every online casino will have a promotion or incentive to attract new players. These bonuses or free spin offers are a great way to try out a new portal. However, if you feel a bonus is too generous, the chances are you may be dealing with a rogue casino.
Of course, a reputable online casino should not be all fluff and stay true to its word when advertising bonuses. However, it’s also important to keep an eye out for other subtle hints that indicate shady or possibly fraudulent practices. This is particularly true if you’re looking to play at a new online casino – because you’re still trying to find out whether it’s really worth playing at.
No License Information Provided
If there is no license information available on the online casino’s homepage, this is a sign that the establishment doesn’t want to reveal where they are based and an indication that there could be something dodgy going on.
In Europe, for instance, casinos are required to display their license on the homepage so potential customers can ensure the operator is abiding by local laws. Operators without are license should be avoided as they are likely to con people and steal deposits.
With that being said, however, a license isn’t enough to guarantee safety. Players also need to practice due diligence to ensure a license isn’t fake either.
No Customer Support Information
There is always scope for something to go wrong when you are dealing with a service provider – and this isn’t just online gambling we are talking about. Every good business needs to have some sort of customer support function.
You should see at least one form of communication channel displayed on an online casino’s website. Customer support channels can include a phone number, live chat agents, or email addresses. If you don’t see any of these, then it is a good idea to steer clear of that particular casino portal.
No Responsible Gambling Protocols
We all know that gambling comes with its risks, and there is no shortage of horror stories related to gambling addiction. However, responsible casinos will take steps to play their part in providing customers with information about gambling risks and some sort of support for those that may have an addiction.
If a casino has no responsible gambling protocols, it is a bad sign. Since websites are less regulated than bricks-and-mortar casinos, it is important for them to implement responsible gambling protocols to ensure players’ safety by providing guidance on how much money they should bet at any given time or implementing a maximum bet limit per session.
Any legitimate online casino operator will always display the responsible gambling policy within their terms and conditions section as it is crucial in terms of maintaining fairness. By dismissing these rules, online casinos are being untrustworthy and setting their customers up for trouble by not acknowledging how gambling addiction can be a problem.
Final Thoughts
With the advanced nature of the technology we have available to us today, online gambling can be a highly entertaining pursuit. However, it also comes with its risks.
It is crucial that gamblers stick to reputable online gaming platforms that can guarantee data protection. This isn’t always easy when you are dealing with a saturated market place though.
However, if you are aware of some obvious red flags that indicate that you’ve come across a rogue operator, you can save yourself from falling prey to a malicious actor and prevent your gambling experience from becoming a nightmare.
So the next time you come across a new online casino, be sure to keep these red flags in mind to ensure your gambling experience is as safe and enjoyable as possible.