How To Spot An Illegal Online Casino
Most internet users always have one question at the back of their minds? Are online casinos legal?
And it is a good question to ask. We've heard horror stories of people losing their hard-earned cash through online gaming sites.
In reality, a few exist to defraud people. With this in mind, it's essential to identify and avoid such casinos.
Nonetheless, most online casinos provide secure environments and pose little risk to players.
In this discussion, we look at how to spot an illegal online casino, some warning signs of online casino scams, how to avoid them, and how to identify a legit casino. Read on.
Fraudulent Casinos Won't Allow You to Withdraw Your Winnings
One prominent feature of an illegitimate online casino is the failure to allow users to withdraw wins collected on gaming tables or slot machines.
It is a red flag if a casino asks you to deposit money and offers no option to redeem your earnings. Before you register, it's important to read user reviews.
If many users are unhappy with the activities of such a casino, then you should avoid registering with it.
Casinos With Dubious Affiliate Links
You're likely to find casinos with questionable affiliate links on social media platforms that direct users to suspicious websites.
Some may offer you an opportunity to train to optimize your winnings on online poker, roulette, or blackjack. Generally, these are known ways fraudulent gaming websites scam people out of their money.
Casinos That Direct You To Join Fake Chat Groups
This method is common with influencers who form groups on social media platforms and encourage people to join. These tricks may include attractive slogans such as "How to win all your online slots games."
Subsequently, some fraudulent users may comment positively about how they've been winning to sway unsuspecting users. Don't fall into their trap, as you may lose your money.
Hidden Clauses in Their Terms and Conditions
Most casino players don't read the terms and conditions and only click through the multiple tabs during registrations. It's essential to take time and read through the document, which may include terms of bonuses and withdrawals.
For example, a welcome bonus appeals to many players because a casino typically offers you some money before you start staking. Some online sites can offer up to a 200% welcome bonus with a deposit of up to $4,000.
However, a casino may sneak in some clause that the offer is only valid for specific playthroughs. If you're not careful, you may deposit a considerable amount only to fail to qualify for a bonus due to the clause.
Poor Security and Lack of Privacy
A casino should have strict security to safeguard members' data and money. An illegal casino may not offer such assurances because they don't follow the law.
Giving out your personal information to such casinos can expose your privacy.
There's also a possibility that they may sell your private data to third parties for promotional purposes.
Because the casinos are illegal, you'll have no protection under the law. Even if you win in such casinos, the feds may come after you for failure to disclose your winnings.
How To Identify A Legit Casino
Now that you know how to identify an illegal casino, let's explore how you know if a casino is legit.
- Look At The Licenses
A reliable online casino has globally-recognized licenses. Some of the most well-known licenses include;
- Curacao
- Malta
- Bingo
- Poker
- E-Gaming
By looking at the license, you can evaluate if a casino is legally allowed to operate. A licensed online casino is closely watched, assessed, or audited and has security systems to protect players' data and money.
Further, licensing guarantees fairness and reliability on online platforms.
- Check for Collaboration With Reputable Game Software Providers
Another thing to evaluate is whether the casino has existing partnerships with reliable game software providers.
Check whether the types of software products offered are from trusted software providers such as; Microgaming, Vegas Tech, Playtech, and RTG, which provides a wide variety of slot games, including;
- Blackjack
- Fortune Finder
- Roulette
- Sic Bo
- Baccarat
- Casino Hold 'EM
Game developers must have their products validated by regulatory authorities for game fairness.
- Check the Payment and Withdrawal Methods
A legit casino offers you multiple ways to deposit and withdraw your money. Some common options include bank transfers, e-wallets, debit, and credit cards.
The best methods to secure your transactions are e-wallets such as Skrill, Paypal, and Neteller.
- Reliable Customer Service
A legit casino should have a reliable customer support system to respond to users' concerns. Currently, most legit casinos have 24/7 service where you can get answers from bots.
For detailed answers, you should be able to contact support via email or phone. If your message is answered for several days this is a red flag that the casino is fraudulent.
Conclusion
Hundreds of online casinos are available today, and it can be overwhelming to know which is legal or not. Stopping an illegal casino is avoiding the risks that can cause you to lose money. Luckily you can use the above tips to identify if the online gambling platform you're about to sign up for is legal.