Internet gambling can be a pleasant pastime, but you also have to beware of online casino scams. Safety should be a top priority for every player, be they a land based casino or an online site. Unfortunately, even the most experienced gamblers can fall victim to scam. These scams not only cost players money, but also make them feel unsafe gambling in the future.
BestAuCasinosOnline tells you how not to go wrong at a casino and how to choose one that guarantees you fair play.
Know the types of online casino scams
One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is to know the common types of casino scams. There are dozens of scammers, and you don’t need to know them all. However, becoming familiar with the most common types of scams can help you in the long run.
Here are some common scams to look out for: dishonest games, poor customer service, delayed payments.
Online gambling sites must use random number generators (RNG) and other methods to ensure the integrity of their games. However, some establishments tweak their games to increase casino advantage and make it harder for players to win.
One of the easiest scams to avoid is unfair terms of service. Most sites allow you to review their terms of service before you create an account. This can help you avoid sites with unfair restrictions, such as high wagering requirements or low withdrawal limits.
Speaking of withdrawals, another common scam worth mentioning is delayed payments. Fraudulent sites may not have the funds to process payments. This can lead to players having to wait for months to receive funds from their accounts.
Use only safe online gambling sites
One of the best ways to avoid scams is to play only on safe and secure gambling sites. But how do you know if a site is safe or not?
Checking a website’s security rating isn’t as hard as it sounds. Many reputable sites will advertise the security methods they use. For example, you may find sites with SSL encryption software.
This software will encrypt your personal information so that hackers cannot steal it. Without SSL software, it is easier for scammers to steal your personal banking information. Make sure your site uses the latest SSL software available.
You can also find out about the site’s security measures from other players. If there are many complaints about the insecurity of the site, it is probably best to avoid this casino. You can easily find customer reviews of various sites in forums and other resources.
Do your research before you make a deposit
One of the best ways to avoid scams is to do your own research. There are too many dishonest operators around not to research the site before making a deposit. Fortunately, much of the information about reputable sites is readily available.
Safe and secure online casinos have no reason to hide information from potential players. Some of the common areas to research are: terms and conditions, licensing information, and player complaints.
You should read the terms and conditions before you create your account on the site. Also, you should read the restrictions for any bonuses before you accept them. Otherwise your funds may be blocked due to high wagering requirements.
Another area that players often overlook is checking the site’s licensing information. If a casino is licensed by a reputable gambling authority, this is a good sign that they can be trusted. On the other hand, less reputable bodies have been known to licence unsafe gambling sites.
Avoid offers that are too good to be true
Finally, one of the best ways to avoid being scammed is to avoid accepting offers that are too good to be true. Almost all sites offer tournaments and promotions, but no gambling site is going to just give away free money. If they did, they wouldn’t be able to stay in business for very long. Bonuses will have many conditions, such as wagering requirements.
Another common tactic is to limit the games available to players using bonus funds. Some bonuses give you funds that can only be used in certain types of games, such as table games. Others, such as free spins, can only be applied to one specific slot.
Players should also be wary of bonuses that require multiple deposits. You often see this with welcome bonuses that claim to offer huge bonus funds in the casino. In most cases, these offers are actually a few bonuses grouped together.
By themselves, such offers are not fraudulent. However, you must be willing to play for a long period of time in order to meet the wagering requirements for each bonus. In addition, you will need a large enough bankroll to make multiple deposits.
Watch out for warning signs
You won’t discover every potential scam until you set up your account. As a result, it’s also important to watch out for the warning signs of online casino scams. If you catch yourself thinking, “what if it is a scam?” then you better find a new site.
One of the main warning signs to look out for is a change in policy. Most establishments will send emails to notify players of any changes to their policies. If a casino makes changes without informing the players, it could be a sign of dishonest activity.
Another sign to look out for is how often the casino makes major changes. For example, if a site frequently changes its banking options, this could be a sign of fraud. Expanding banking options is a good thing, but reducing them can deprive players of the ability to withdraw their funds.
Players should also watch out for longer than usual payout times. Let’s say you normally get a payout in three days, but it’s been two weeks and you’re still waiting. This could be a warning sign that the casino doesn’t have enough money to pay players.