Gambling on digital platforms offers you fun and often rewards, but this is only when you are playing on a licensed site. Gambling on an unlicensed site is like going to war unarmed; anything can happen, really. No unlicensed site will display an “I am not licensed” banner on their homepage, which means players must do their due diligence to ensure security.
If you find yourself on a rogue casino, you may expose yourself to unethical gameplay, identity theft, privacy problems and possibly financial fraud. This article will show you how to identify licensed online casinos so that you can play without worrying about safety.
What are licensed online casinos?
A licensed online casino is one that has obtained official approval from a reputable licensing organisation and is also regulated by the same. Licensed casinos are only authorised to operate after conforming to strict guidelines prescribed by a licensing body. These guidelines are set to ensure that the online casino operates with fairness, financial stability and user safety, and implements responsible gambling features. There are various licensing bodies spread across the globe but let’s briefly discuss a few of them.
Most reputable gambling licensing bodies in the world
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission
This is one of the world’s elite licensing bodies. It operates under the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sports. The commission commenced operation in 2005 when the UK Gambling Act was signed into law. Fundamentally operating in Britain, the organisation issues three license levels. It issues personal management licensing, operational licensing and personal functional licensing. The commission is responsible for authorising both digital casinos and on-site casinos in the United Kingdom. Most of the best online casinos UK are registered with this body.
The Gambling Control Commission
Now known as the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, this body issued its first operational license to an online platform in 2009. It licenses both on-site and online gambling platforms and was created in 1962 in response to an increasing call to end the exploitation of players. Some gambling platforms prefer this licensing body due to its flexible tax policies.
Malta Gaming Authority
This is one of the earliest online casino licensing bodies around. Offering solutions to online and on-site casinos, it introduced a feature that unifies verification processes to look after minors. It is also known to perfectly protect players’ interests while maintaining collaborations with operators.
How to know if an online casino is licensed
These guidelines can help you stay safe and secure while playing on an online casino:
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Check for license information on the site
Most credible platforms will be more than happy to show you their licensing credentials because it improves their credibility. Most times, these details are uploaded on the “About Us” section of websites. What details should you look out for?
- The name of the licensing organisation.
- The authorization number (every licensed platform is issued one).
- You may even find a hyperlinked text sending you to the platform of the licensing body.
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Confirm the claims
It is not enough to see a licensing claim on a gaming platform. You may need to visit the licensor’s website to confirm the online gambling platform’s claim. Most licensing organisations have a list of gambling platforms they regulate, as well as their licensing number. This may take you an extra minute, but it could save you several moments of frustration in the future.
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Look out for security features
Security is an important criterion for online casinos for reasons such as the protection of customers’ personal details and finances. One breach can cause irreparable damage to you. This is why you should check for SSL encryption on the gambling site. A site that has SSL encryption usually starts with https instead of http. In addition to security features, you should also look out for tools that assist responsible gaming. Such tools include deposit limits and self-exclusion programs.
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What other users say
Customer reviews can give you insight into how safe a platform is. If you have the time, you can check review forums to find out what others think about the site. Honestly, it is difficult to find a platform without negative comments, but if the negative comments are recurring and outnumber the positive ones, it could be a sign that the platform doesn’t follow regulatory standards.
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Look for accreditation from independent auditors
Beyond operating under licensing bodies, some online casinos often contract independent auditors to verify that their games are fair and that outcomes are randomly generated. Usually, you can find these auditors’ logos at the bottom of the site’s homepage. You may want to look out for the seals of Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), eCOGRA and iTech Labs, among others.
How to spot an unlicensed casino
Spotting an unlicensed casino is pretty easy if you can be a little careful to observe the following:
- They use the lure of outrageous bonuses, which come with difficult wagering requirements.
- They have no certification from independent testing firms.
- There are widespread complaints about unreachable customer support.
- They display a license that doesn’t reflect on the regulator’s website.
- There’s a recurring problem of delayed or denied fund withdrawals.
Why should you play at licensed online casinos?
You can be assured of compliance, as you can easily report discrepancies to regulators. Also, your mind can be at ease that outcomes are randomly generated and not manipulated by online casinos to cheat players. Talk about reliability for timely payouts, and licensed casinos can be trusted due to accountability clauses. It is also worth noting that your financial and personal details are protected.
Ready for safe gaming?
Identifying a licensed casino is very important to players. It can save you from exposing your personal details to potential fraudsters and it can also shield you from manipulative operators. To identify licensed online casinos, check for license information in the “About Us” or “Terms and Conditions” section of the website. You may also want to go through the regulator’s list to authenticate the claim of the operator. Also, it is important to check out customer reviews and other security features. These checks will protect your interests, your data and also the outcome of your games.
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