How to Safely Play at an Online Casino

Whether you're looking forward to betting on slots, roulette, or the big game, you'll need to expose some personal information, like your address and birthdate, and financial details, like card or account numbers, to add real money to your betting account. Learning how to protect yourself and your online casino account from today's frequent data breaches is far more critical than reading another guide to blackjack, so let's get started.

Safety Starts With Playing By The Rules

While it's easy to blame the internet, casinos, or questionably friendly nations when personal or financial info is exposed, bettors can take a few steps to ensure they stay safe, regardless of who attempts to access their information.

First, gamblers must be of age. Lying about your birthdate is illegal, and circumventing the system is pointless when you consider that the withdrawal process will catch anything the casino missed the first time around. Depending on your location, gambling requires participants to be 18 or 21. Age limits on betting exist for a reason, so respect them.
Next, online casino bettors should know whether their country can legally play at the gaming establishment where they want to bet. While international readers will likely find many gaming establishments welcoming players from across the globe, bettors based in the U.S. may experience challenges finding the right place to play. Not only should the casino where you wager allow players from your country to bet legally, but your state must also allow gambling online. Rapidly changing laws impact sportsbook users, reel spinners, and table gamers across the U.S., so remain aware of the rules in your jurisdiction.

Choose A Casino Known To Operate Legally

The early days of online casino gaming made for some sketchy entertainment as unregulated gaming establishments flooded the market, abusing personal information and failing to issue withdrawals promptly. However, in the nearly quarter of a century since the first online casinos hit the web, many gaming establishments have worked hard and succeeded in earning a good reputation. Below, we've shared some things you'll want to consider when planning your first wager at a new casino.

Verifying that the casino where you wish to play holds the proper license is one of the most vital things players can do to keep themselves safe at online casinos. The high cost of gambling licenses, topping $40,000, ensures that solid operators apply for the certification and that they'll run a legitimate business once they do.
Although most casinos prohibit registrants from joining if they can't play legally, others will allow bettors to create an account either way. "Slipping through the system" is possible at online betting venues, but getting caught results in the forfeiture of your deposit, bonus cash, and winnings. So, save time, trouble, and money: Ensure you can legally play at a casino before registering.

Casino Banking & Betting: How To Protect Yourself

Any activity that requires a financial transaction online, like betting at an online casino, also requires gamblers to share credit card numbers, bank details, or other sensitive information, making it riskier than wagering in a land-based casino. Below, learn about how to stay financially safe at your favorite gaming establishment.

First, maintaining privacy during a financial transaction is easier if you connect securely; mobile or desktop, be sure you won't compromise your own information by depositing on an unsecured wifi connection.
Bettors can also better protect their privacy by choosing the payment method they're most comfortable using. While credit cards are historically the preferred payment method, modern gamblers will enjoy funding their accounts via third-payment services and cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin.
Finally, protecting yourself from data-snaking predators is easier if you play at a casino with two-factor authentication. Instead of logging in with just a password and an email address, enable two-factor authentication on your account; once you do, you'll need to respond to a prompt for a code the casino texted you to finish logging in. Whether or not you store your passwords in your browser, two-factor authentication puts one more barrier between your data and the bad guys.

Staying Safe Has Never Been Easier

Whether you're planning on only betting at reputable casinos, using two-factor authentication, or employing other fraud-prevention tactics, you'll find it easier than ever to stay safe while gambling. Head for your favorite online casino tonight to make your first safe real-money deposit.