There are an estimated 2,000 online casinos currently operating in cyberspace. The vast majority of these are professionally operated, are licensed by one or more regulatory bodies and follow industry best practices to provide an entertaining experience and to keep your money and your personal data safe.
But this is an industry in which tens of billions of dollars are transacted every year. It is inevitably a magnet for scammers and fraudsters. If you are choosing an online casino for the first time, take care to make sure you choose a reputable one, and look out for these warning signs that could indicate something is not quite right.
Bad reviews
If you are looking for a plumber or an auto mechanic, the best way to find a good one is through recommendations. The same applies with an online casino. Be cynical about reviews that are quoted on the casino site itself, if it is a scam site, they won’t hesitate to write fake review. Instead, check an independent casino review site. For example, Legit Gambling Sites has a handy blacklist of online casinos of which you should steer well clear.
Dubious licensing
The top online casinos in the world comply with the most stringent regulators, such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. They are proud of their licenses and will want to shout about them from the rooftops, so you should see licensing information somewhere obvious, typically near the foot of the homepage. If a casino is licensed by a more obscure regulator, such as Curacao, that is not necessarily a red flag in itself, although you should look at other aspects closely. The real concern is when it is not immediately obvious where or by whom a casino is licensed. If they are evasive on the subject or you have to search the website to find clues, that should certainly raise suspicion.
Lack of direct contact
Shady casinos are fronts that go as fast as they appear. They have no real foundation. A good clue here can be found by checking their contact details. If all you can see is a contact form or an email address, it is cause for concern. Genuine reputable casinos care about customer service and will be happy for you to talk to a real human support agent 24/7 by either phone or webchat.
Outrageous giveaways
Online casinos operate in a highly competitive environment. There are some generous offers out there that are designed to tempt new players through the door. However, some have been known to appear that simply make no sense. A 100 percent deposit bonus is one thing. But 300 percent? 1,000 percent? When you see an offer that seems vastly superior to what most reputable brands can offer, remember the old aphorism that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Examine the bonus terms very carefully, as well as carrying out the rest of your due diligence before you even think about signing up.