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Using an online casino or betting website to place a bet can be a really fun way to pass the time. In fact, over the last 18 months, more people than ever are using online gaming websites as an alternative to visiting a bookmaker or land-based casino. The great news is that there are now plenty of casino websites to choose from, which means that whatever you’re looking for you should find something that suits you without too much hassle. However, just because there are many options it doesn’t mean that they’re all suitable.
As with any service where you are sharing personal and/or payment details, you should always make sure that the casino website or app you choose to use is one that is legitimate and safe to use. Don’t let this worry put you off visiting these and playing a few games – it just means keeping your wits about you and approaching iGaming with the right attitude.
Use Regulated Sites or Apps
In order to offer any gambling services in the UK, you need to be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This generally means that they have checked your services are legitimate and safe for people to use. When you are looking through the various online casino options, you should ensure that any you are interested in using are registered and licensed in this way. This gives you peace of mind that not only are your details safe but that the odds on their games are fair – after all, no one wants to gamble on games that they have no chance of winning. Top affiliate sites should only list regulated and licensed operators, so if you play at one of these gaming sites you’ll have the confidence it’s in line with government regulations and the UKGC.
Keep Your Details Secure
This advice works across the board when it comes to using the internet – always keep your details secure. This means using a password that no one else knows and try not to use the same one for everything. It can be tempting to use a password that is easy to remember, but you run the risk of being hacked if your password isn’t extremely secure. Licensed operators should operate in a way that keeps your password safe, but if you are using a website that doesn’t promise security then there is a chance that they will share your password with others and that is most definitely something that you want to avoid. If you set your device to remember your password then it is important to make sure that the device itself is protected by a PIN or password. If you don’t do this and you lose your device then you are potentially putting your personal details in the wrong hands, which can lead to all manner of problems.
Check Reviews Before You Use a Website for the First Time
The good news is that the internet gives us access to customer reviews and opinions in a much more accessible way than in the past. In fact, if you have an idea of a casino you would like to use online then a quick Google search of their name should give you an idea of what their previous (and current) customers are saying. Although one of two negative reviews shouldn’t put you off, if a company is continuously slated over the internet then they are probably one to avoid. The good news is that there are so many great, regulated casinos to choose from so you should never be in a position where you are forced to use an online casino that you are not 100% comfortable with using. Check the social media profiles or places like Trustpilot to see what review people are leaving before you sign up to any new casino website.
Keep Your Habit Under Control
Although the UK Gambling Commission and the Government are continuously taking steps to ensure that only regulated gambling websites get exposure and are able to operate, some responsibility for safe gambling must lie on the user. A big part of this is down to how you bet and how often you use these services. For example, you should never bet more than you can afford to lose and you should never spend money chasing bets that you have lost in the past. Gambling in this way should always be fun and once it becomes something that is worrying you or causing you anxiety
What Are The Government Doing To Keep Gambling Safe?
The Government and the UK Gambling Commission are consistently working with the gambling industry and adapting rules as things evolve and develop. For example, there are strict rules around what gambling advertising can take place and where casinos can be advertised – including the ages of people that can be involved. As social media and online platforms become a more popular way to promote gambling services they are likely to ensure that these rules are adapted and changed to take these changes into account.
In order to operate gambling services in the UK, you should be regulated. This means that the gambling service has gone through a number of checks to make sure that they are offering customers a fair gambling experience – their money is safe, odds are fair and jackpots are not exaggerated for example. Although it could be the case that an unregulated company is perfectly legitimate, you have no guarantee of this. As such, for peace of mind, it is a far better idea to use gambling websites that are fully regulated and licensed.
When using a website or app that is regulated you can bet in confidence that you have a fair chance of winning. In order to be regulated online casinos and lotteries must display the odds of winning on their games and these must be accurate. This means that you know in advance what your chances are of winning and you know that the odds claimed are not fabricated in any way.
