Are Online Casino Games Safe?

In all the years we’ve been helping players around the world gamble on the internet, one question keeps cropping up: “are online casino games safe?” The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. 

The truth is the security of casino games depends on what and where you play. If you play at a safe, respected and regulated gambling site like the ones we recommend at Gamble Online, you can rest assured that the games are safe. If you choose to gamble elsewhere, we can’t say for sure. 

Keeping your identity, privacy, and bankroll safe should be your top priority when playing online and make no mistake, rouge casino sites do exist. However, when you know what to look for it is easy to separate the wheat from the chaff and find safe, secure sites. Here are the five factors you’ll need to look out for in order to keep yourself safe when gambling online:

1)License

Before you play at any USA online casino, you should check that it has been granted a casino license by a reputable organization. The UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority are examples of such bodies. For offshore casinos, licenses by the Government of Curacao, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and the Panama Gaming Control Board are more common.

Each of these bodies has slightly different rules and regulations that online casinos must adhere to in order to be granted a license. These often include financial regulations through auditing, filing statements, and player funds being held in a secure, separate bank account. Many also include mandatory game testing, background checks for employees, and protection for vulnerable groups. 

As well as ensuring that the gambling site is following appropriate regulations, licenses are a sign of the casino’s commitment to customer safety. Legitimate licenses like the ones mentioned above are not cheap and the ongoing audits of each site cost a significant amount of money. For safe online casinos, the benefit of having a full casino license outweighs the cost. 

If an online casino has a license, the registration number will usually be visible in the footer of the website. We highly advise heading to the licenser’s website and searching for the casino in order to verify that the license is legitimate. Fraudulent sites often claim to have full licenses when they don’t. 

2) Software Testing

If you’re playing at a real money online casino, it is vital that the games you play are fair. Like with licenses, casinos that have their games audited by third-party bodies often display this information in the footer of their site. Some of the most respected online casino game auditors include eCOGRA, GLI, and iTech Labs.

When hired, these auditors rigorously test each game on-site to ensure that it is fair to players. In particular, they test for Random Number Generator (RNG) software. This software ensures that the outcome of each event in a casino game – for example, the result of a slots spin or which card will be dealt in blackjack – is completely random. The auditors also ensure that each game and the funds spent playing it are secure. 

Again, casinos which are regulated by respected bodies are usually eager to show it off. If you can’t find this information easily on the casino site, it’s likely that they are not working in partnership with any respected auditors.  

3) Reputable Software Provider

There are hundreds of software providers which develop games for gambling sites. Our favorite casinos often use more than one and thus offer an awesome variety of games to play. It’s pivotal that the casino you choose uses reputable software providers because the security of each casino game lies in their hands. 

Our top choices when it comes to game development include the likes of RealTime Gaming, Microgaming, NetEnt, Betsoft, iSoftBet, Evolution, and Playtech. These are some of the biggest and most respected developers in the gambling industry. That said, there are many smaller software providers who also produce top-quality games. As a general rule of thumb, look for casinos that have one or more of the above companies providing game software.

4) Security Measures

While it’s not a certainty, casinos that have strict security measures in other aspects of their operation tend to also have secure games. In the first instance, you should look for industry-standard SSL encryption on the site. When the site is open on a desktop, laptop, or mobile casino, look to the top left-hand side of the address bar. If there is a locked padlock symbol, the site is encrypted. If the padlock is open, the site is not encrypted and you should steer clear. 

When signing up for a casino, the site should require a strong password. Long passwords which are a mixture of characters, numbers, and symbols are best. If a site does not have any such requirements, that would be a red flag. You should also look for casinos that have mandatory ID checks. Sites that require verification to withdraw funds are keeping your money safe, which is always a good sign!

5) Popularity, Reputation, and Reviews

One of the best ways to tell if a casino site is safe and fair is to study its popularity, reputation, and reviews. Well-known, established sites are popular for a reason. Great online casino bonuses, fair rules, and industry-leading customer support are just some of the things you can expect to find at the top online casinos. 

It’s worth searching the web for reviews of the sites you are considering. Avoid casinos that do not have many reviews, or only have suspicious-looking ones. As always, you can find independent, expert reviews of the top-ranking casino sites at Gamble Online.