With so many financial transactions taking place online, it is only natural the online world is going to be a target for criminals. Digital piracy continues to be a problem but online gambling brands have taken steps to keep iGamers safe, the most important of which we have detailed below.
Licensing and Regulation
Licensing and regulation are key aspects of keeping players safe when gambling online. This is not so much a technology based step but more of a safeguarding step to ensure players know they are protected when using a gambling brand. Should there be any issue with the gambling brand, such as their website goes down while you are playing, the regulator will be on hand to help you if you have lost any money. You can also contact the regulator yourself if you have noticed a problem with the website and they will step in on your behalf. Regulators conduct regular audits of iGaming brands to ensure they are following all the guidelines in terms of fairness and security. Licenses from the leading authorities, including the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority are not handed out without thorough investigation of the brand.
Of course, not all secure gaming sites have a license, especially if they are operating on the blockchain. All games are provably fair at crypto casinos and every transaction is recorded. So, you may not find a license or regulator when playing at a crypto casino but that does not mean the brand is not taking your safety seriously.
Technical Security
Crypto casinos, as highlighted above, operate on the blockchain and that means all financial transactions are recorded and safe. However, that is not the case at online casinos where more traditional payment methods are accepted, such as credit and debit cards. The leading iGaming brands will always have a valid SSL certificate and this is what keeps transactions safe at online casinos and sportsbooks. Encryption technology is arguably the most crucial step iGaming brands make in keeping players safe. It makes it almost impossible for cyber criminals to intercept sensitive information, such as card numbers. It also stops hackers from getting your personal data, such as telephone numbers and addresses, which are often required when registering at an iGaming website.
KYC Checks
The leading online gambling brands implement ‘know your customer’ verification. KYC checks take place when a person registers at an online casino or sportsbook. These checks are often used by financial institutions to prevent fraud and money laundering and with money regularly flowing in and out of gambling websites, it makes sense to include KYC verification for iGamers. Not everyone is happy to have to provide identification to the gambling brand when signing up but it is worth it in the long term for player safety. By using KYC checks, gambling brands can assess if the new account is a real person wanting to use the website or a bot.
Licensing, regulation, technical security, and KYC checks are some of the vital steps brands take to keep iGamers safe. As innovative technologies emerge and digital piracy threats develop, we are sure to see the introduction of new measures but for now, these are working well to keep iGamers safe.
