The gambling industry has no plans to stop growing and it appears it will always find new and exciting ways to improve and appeal to a wider player base. Although the traditional games have been around for centuries, and gambling itself for as long as modern humans have been walking the earth, novelties are constantly appearing and the players cannot get enough of it.
The latest such improvement and the one that is now the dominant form of gambling is doing it online. Online gambling services and web-based casinos have taken the crown from the regular brick-and-mortar establishments players know and love. Thanks to the convenience and ease of access, more and more players prefer to shop online instead of going to their local casino to have their daily poker, blackjack, roulette, or slot fun times.
Online Gambling and Safety
Despite its popularity though, many of the players, both newcomers and those with a certain amount of experience, could use a few tips when it comes to safety on the web. The internet can be a tough place to navigate and if you are not careful, you could be taken advantage of and lose your money, personal information, or both. While the gambling industry continues to soar to new heights even during these uncertain economic times for most industries globally, we must take action and educate those looking to become a part of it. It comes as no surprise that white collar criminals are targeting unsuspecting gamblers today more than ever before because it is easier since there are more newbies to target and successfully scam.
TransUnion recently published a report based on research findings they had previously obtained from a study of the future of digital fraud prevention. The study conducted by TransUnion found that identity fraud and theft were on the rise in the online gambling industry. Things like this have always been an issue in the online world, which is why the experienced internet users know exactly who not to trust. A new generation of fraudsters and hackers is on the rise now as everything moves to the digital world, so a new set of rules is necessary for you to stay safe. This article seeks to inform you of some basic safety precautions that can keep you safe from being a victim of online fraud and scams.
Seek Out Reputable Online Casino Operators
Before you register anywhere in order to open a new account, you have to think about what kind of a service you have come across. Always be careful with the very first casino your search result returns, as it is not always the best route to take. This is especially true now that there are many ads online that search engines place at the very top of the list. It is important to do a bit of a background check on the casino.
Always conduct proper background checks on every single online casino you are thinking of playing on. Not all online casinos are the same and as in all industries and commercial sectors, there are unscrupulous operators, few and far between but still out there. The internet is full of stories of people losing money to fraudulent websites posing as reputable casinos that are purposefully trying to rival the likes of legitimate trusted operators such as Duelz Casino for example.
More often than not, people, who do not conduct a proper background check on the casinos they sign up with usually find things about the operator that are not in agreement with their personal wants and needs.
Verify The Website’s Safety Protocols
Besides checking if the operator that you have registered an account with is legitimate or not, you also want to make sure that your chosen operator’s website is SSL encrypted and that the certificate is up to date. This is an important part of the process that you should definitely not forget about.
Create A Strong Password
It is important to make sure that once you have covered your bases by checking your chosen operator’s safety protocols, you also self-check for potential security leaks. The first order of business is to make sure that you have a strong password.
You do not need to come up with one yourself if you are having trouble with it, as there are now plenty of free-to-use browser extensions that are password managers that you can use to generate a strong password and securely store the generated password within the said extension.
Having a strong and above-average password is a no-brainer no matter what kind of an account you are opening online. You now need a username and password everywhere and for everything, so the practice of thinking of a strong password is a crucial skill of using the internet.
Never Use Public WiFi For Financial Transactions Online
This tip is by far the most important one on the list because there is a good chance you will be using all sorts of networks during your gambling sessions. Public WiFi networks can be lifesavers, especially when you need to get information such as directions and local recommendations. However, there is always some cause for concern.
There is an old adage that goes, “no good deed goes unpunished”. While public WiFi networks can be a source of good, they can also be your worst nightmare. Some, although not all, have little to no security protocols and this is definitely a problem for the practice of online gambling.
Black-hat hackers are known for spoofing public networks as a means to steal sensitive data from unsuspecting victims. As a general rule of thumb, never share any login credentials over a public network and try to limit your gambling time on very public and open networks around the city.
Stay Away From Casinos That Require You To Download Software
A reputable online casino makes it easy for its users to gamble on their website using an internet browser instead of having to download and install the software. Playing online versus installing software on your computer is better because software can pose security threats. If a service wants you to download anything really, it is probably something you are far better without. Search for a real online casino, since it is not really an online service if you have to install something on your device.
Conclusion
We have looked at how you can keep yourself safe when you are gambling online by making sure that you use a reputable operator. We also looked at the importance of SSL encryption and the need for a strong password.
Lastly, we also established the importance of staying clear of public WiFi networks and downloaded casino software. Following these simple guidelines is the first step to ensuring your safety and security while enjoying the game. It could actually be the only step you need to stay safe for however much you play your favorite gambling games.
