Safe Online Casinos The virtual world has opened up all kinds of exceptional opportunities. While they’re mainly positive, you know some dishonest people are looking to exploit it for some quick cash.
Some such people operate in the online gambling industry. If you’re not using the safest online casino sites, you could fall victim to them.
The good news is that there is an abundance of trustworthy real money online casinos. Secure casinos that have proven to be reliable and provide first-rate customer service. You don’t have to take risks with operators who may or may not pay you your winnings. But you should still choose wisely if you want to ensure your online safety.
Do you know what the most trusted casinos online all have in common?
Every single one of them is licensed and regulated by a legitimate gambling commission or authority.
Safe Online Casinos Regulation for Safe Casino Online Gambling commissions and control boards provide oversight for safe online casinos around the world.
Among other things, they monitor finances and test the casino’s equipment to ensure the games are random and fair.
Here’s what you need to know about how these organizations keep you safe when gambling online for real money.
The Website Footer Tells a Story The footer is an important and telling area on all casino gambling sites. That’s because pretty much everything you need to know about an operation is included there.
The safest casinos online typically include the following in their footers.
Licensing and regulation Game testing certification Payment methods Ownership Terms and conditions Problem gambling information Online gambling commissions address each of those areas. Top-notch regulation is a lengthy process that never ends.
Safe and fair casino gaming through licensed software and consistent testing is just the start.
Safe Online Casinos Licensing for Online Casinos The best safe online casinos tend to be licensed by the most respected gambling commissions.
Here are some of the reputable regulatory agencies for real money online gambling.
Commission Website
UK Gambling Commission gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Malta Gaming Authority mga.org.mt
Alderney Gambling Control Commission gamblingcontrol.org
First Cayagan Leisure and Resort Corporation
ARJEL (France) arjel.fr
Danish Gambling Authority spillemyndigheden.dk
Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission gov.im
Authority of Customs and Monopolies in Italy adm.gov.it
New Jersey Casino Control Commission nj.gov
When you’re looking to play at safe online casinos, scroll to the bottom of the page and look for an agency logo.
The most reputable and secure operators link those images to their official licenses.
Safe Online Casinos Role of Online Gambling Commissions Regulatory bodies issue licenses to legitimate online casinos to provide their gambling services legally.
But before they do, they require the following from each applicant.
Criminal background check The operational model includes bonus implementation, deposits, payouts, jackpots, server, site security Third-party providers – fraud detection, age identity, geolocation Financial records Software technical standards – submission of independent game testing Safe Online Casinos A significant deposit or license fee Every bureau has different rules and regulations.
An authority like the UK Gambling Commission is hands-on, continuously updating its guidelines and safe casino practices. Others are less proactive but still have procedures in place to protect players.
Here are some of the actions they take to ensure player protection.
Assess and monitor the casino’s financial standing Approve software providers Require game testing by an independent lab Settle player disputes Provide problem gambling information and resources Many readers ask us questions like, “How do I know an online casino is legit?” Our answer is almost always the same. Look at their licensing.
What does this do for you? It gives you confidence.
If an operator is licensed and regulated by reputable agencies, it has provided financial documentation, partnerships, and marketing and operational plans.
You know you’re looking at a safe real money online casino. You know that the casino is secure. You know you can trust them with your hard-earned money.
And while you hope to never run into an issue, you also know that you can file a dispute through most gambling commissions regarding an online casino’s alleged misconduct.
How the UKGC Leads the Way in Online Gambling Regulation You can’t get much better than UK Gambling Commission backing when it comes to safe online gambling.
It’s a proactive commission governing gambling in land-based venues and online casinos.
Beyond the licensing procedure, the Commission is consistently evolving its rules and practices to ensure gambling is safe and secure for UK casino players.
Here are a couple of examples of recent changes the UKGC has made.
In 2020, the UKGC took credit cards off the table, so players can’t gamble “on credit” anymore. They imposed a limit on slot speeds. The UKGC is prohibiting any feature or reward that speeds up play. They’re forcing casinos to prominently display total losses and wins for players. The UKGC wasted no time putting these new regulations into action. They told online operators that they had until the following October to comply.
The safest casinos online in the UK did. Those are the types of secure online casinos you want to join.
Safe Online Casinos Websites Promote Their Regulation While gambling commissions play similar roles for land-based and online gambling, there’s one significant difference.
It’s easy to identify and monitor safe brick-and-mortar casinos but tougher to do with online casinos. This makes it easier for rogue online casinos to operate under the radar.
How do you avoid rogue casinos online? We’ll give you a few tips later, but here’s one tip: legit real money online casinos that are safe promote their certification.
Most of them list their different licenses and license numbers in the footer of their website. Other legitimate online casinos display the logos of the agencies that licensed them.
What Else Do Safe Casino Sites Do? Licensing and regulation are essential. But there’s more than just that involved with secure real money online gambling.
Problem gambling controls Game audits Segregated funds Privacy policy Site security Trusted partners Fair bonuses Transparency Updated software Let’s talk about each one of these now.
Safe Online Casinos Problem Gambling Controls You might see a logo or ad for problem gambling agencies posted on your favorite betting sites. But trusted online casinos go well beyond an ad. They offer a variety of self-imposed limits or exclusions.
There are a few ways that safe gambling sites help keep players within their means. Low deposit limitsAverage daily deposit limits are somewhere in the 2,500.00 range, and safe casino sites stick to that relatively lower limit. If you’re worried that you’ll go over your budget, steer clear of high-roller online casinos, that allow deposits of 10,000.00 or more. Player tools The safest real money online casinos provides each user with various gambling control tools in their account area. Players can restrict the frequency and amount of their deposits and should also be able to set session time limits.Self-exclusionOne of the top gambling control tools is the option to self-exclude for a period of time. That means that players want site access denied for ten days or a month, or even longer. Of course, there’s no stopping someone from opening a new betting account and playing elsewhere. Nonetheless, reputable online casinos still offer the service.No withdrawal reversal some gambling commissions have taken reverse withdrawals off the table. In other locations, trusted online casinos don’t allow players to change their minds after submitting payout requests.
Safe Online Casinos Game Audits While game audits are also necessary for fair gaming practices, you need to know those safe casinos are more than the operators or websites.
They encompass the game providers and software, too. When you see recognizable games from top developers, like Microgaming or Playtech, you’ve already got a measure of assurance.
But game audits ensure that operations stay on track. They include technical testing, regulatory requirements, a review of jackpot disbursements, random number generation accuracy (RTP and RNG audits), and data integrity.
The bottom line is that game audits verify that real money gambling online is fair for every player.
Safe Online Casinos Segregated Funds If you’ve ever paid a deposit to move into a rental property, you know that the owner or landlord is required to put that money in a separate account. It’s supposed to stay put until you move out.
If the landlord uses it, there’s no guarantee you’ll get what’s owed to you.
It’s the same scenario for betting sites. The most reputable casino operators have separate accounts for player deposits and winnings, with enough funds to cover payouts.
Safe Online Casinos Privacy Policy The safest casino gambling sites will post a privacy policy, whether through a separate link or within the terms and conditions.
The privacy policy should mention whether your information will be sold or shared at any time.
In many parts of the world, like throughout Europe, a privacy policy is mandatory for all websites.
Safe Online Casinos Site Security This aspect of finding safe casino sites online should apply to any website you visit.
Site security encompasses the website itself and payment processing accomplished through the site. One of the first things to look for when you pull up any online casino is a lock next to the URL (at the top of your screen).
If you don’t see that lock, or worse yet, if you get a warning about site security, it’s best to move on and find a secure casino. The lock indicates that the site has a valid security certificate in place.
Another way to identify a secure casino is to check the URL for “HTTP” or “HTTPS.” If a website has an SSL (secure sockets layer), aka security certificate, it starts with HTTPS.
Site security also extends to payment processing. Even some of the safest real money casino sites don’t always list payment processing information in the footer area.
Still, you should see some mention of secure transactions in the terms and conditions or banking page.
Trusted Partners Who you associate with tells a lot about your character, and that same principle applies to casino websites. That’s why part of the licensing and regulation requirements include a list of partners.
We’re talking about the entire partnership “team.” Online casino partners include software providers for the games, age identity, fraud detection, geolocation services, payment processing, and customer service. Online casinos that are safe and secure work with reputable, trustworthy, and legitimate partners.
Trusted partners also extend to the banking solutions offered by the casino. Your deposit options can also be reassuring if you’re trying to figure out which online casinos actually pay out and are legitimate.
For example, an e-wallet service like PayPal is discriminating with its partnerships. If a gambling site lists PayPal as a banking option, it’s much less likely to be a fly-by-night service.
Fair Bonuses (No Predatory Terms) The safest casinos aren’t out to cheat their patrons with banking, gaming, or bonus programs.
Rollovers are just a fact of life in the virtual gambling world, so it’s almost impossible to get around them.
However, really high playthrough requirements like X60 on your deposit and your bonus don’t give you a warm and fuzzy feeling about the operator.
That’s borderline predatory. And predatory terms on bonuses and other player incentives are enough to put a casino operator on our casino blacklist.
Transparency One of the first things we look for when reviewing an online casino is transparency. It’s easy to tell when a gambling site has something to hide, as that footer area is relatively empty or filled with broken links.
The safest casinos are online for real money action prominently post-licensing and regulation, banking options, and fair gaming practices.
The terms and conditions page should be legally and easy and cover everything you’d want to know, too, including banking options, fees, and turnaround times. You should also see policies for jackpot wins, bonuses, and playthrough requirements,
If you pull up the terms and conditions page and the information is limited or vague, it should make you pause.
Updated Software – Website Maintenance When you’re looking for legitimate online casinos, you’re not going to take a deep dive into website programming.
However, you should know that the best operators provide fast-loading secure sites with modern graphics and up-to-date information.
If the casino isn’t attended to, players are at risk for security breaches. Sometimes all it takes is a glance to see if a website is maintained or just left on its own to generate cash for the owner.
Trusted Software Providers for Online Casinos When you walk into a land-based casino, it’s a safe bet that you’re not looking on the sides of the slot machines for technical information, like the manufacturer.
But when you play in online casinos, a helpful tip to ensure you’re using the best safe casinos online is to know the game providers.
The top-rated casino software providers are licensed for multiple jurisdictions and have excellent reputations. You can look to Microgaming as an example.
Microgaming is the studio that started it all in online gaming. It was the first out of the gate for safe mobile casino gameplay and millionaire-making virtual slots.
Their Mega Moolah series has broken Guinness World Records for the biggest online slot jackpot awards of all time (over £13 million and climbing).
And even more impressive yet – players who win big-money prizes on Microgaming games receive their cash in full without jumping through hoops.
Benefits of Online Casinos with Reputable Software
Progressive jackpots are paid on time and in full RNG (random number generator) and RTP (return to player percentage) certified Multi-platform development Top software companies are discriminating about casino partners (safe casino + safe software) Provide players with relatively high RTP slots (96% and higher) Most games are included in bonus programs A modern, high-tech gaming experience Games are free of malware The Safest Online Casinos Are Only as Safe as You It doesn’t matter if you’re using the safest online casinos or trusted real money casino apps. If you’re not doing your due diligence, then you’re still open to hacking and data theft, including your banking information.
You could call this a guide to “safe online (fill in the blank)” instead of just “safe online casinos,” as you play a prominent role in how secure you are when you use the internet.
There are a few things to consider before you register and use an online gambling account.
Let’s talk about each one now.
Keep Your Computer or Mobile Device Secure It’s not necessary to have the latest iPhone that just rolled out or buy a new computer every year.
But if you have older equipment, you’ll want to be mindful of software updates, anti-virus protection, and other security measures.
Older hardware or software that isn’t continuously updated is vulnerable to hacking. If your casino login and banking information is exposed, you could have quite a mess on your hands.
So, you might be using a top-rated, legitimate online casino to keep your information safe and secure, but it’s unprotected on your end.
Use a Safe Wi-Fi Connection It doesn’t matter if you’re accessing online casino sites or mobile gambling apps from the comforts of home, using your private Wi-Fi connection.
If you haven’t secured your connection with quality passwords, you’re asking for a virtual invasion.
There are quite a few people who plug in their modem and Wi-Fi router, believing it’s secure. Meanwhile, the whole neighborhood has access.
Avoid Free Connections It’s enticing to sit in a coffee shop or waiting room and take advantage of free Wi-Fi to save some data on your smartphone.
If you’re planning to use casino apps for real money, though, you might want to rethink your plan.
Using a public internet connection isn’t wise in many cases, as it eliminates a few layers of site security right off the bat.
Use Strong Passwords Another best practice to keep your information secure is to establish your casino betting account using a complex password with different types of characters.
Then, follow up by changing that password frequently.
Activate Privacy Settings on Your Browser Online casinos use various security measures, so this tip won’t always work.
If possible, though, access your go-to betting site from a browser with all the privacy settings turned on.
It’s another measure of security to ensure you do everything possible to enjoy safe casino gambling online.
Turn Your Bluetooth Off You might not even give this a second thought if you’re used to having your Bluetooth on to connect to your car or other equipment.
But if you’re in a public place or have neighbors in range, you’ll want to turn your Bluetooth off. It can expose you even while using secure online casinos and safe casino apps.
How to Find a Trustworthy Online Casino We’ve covered online casino licensing and regulation, measures that the most secure online casino sites employ, and what players can do to avoid hacking and data theft.
You now know what to look for and do to ensure safe online gambling with real money. The next step is narrowing the field to arrive at the most reliable and honest casino operators.
To do that, you’ll want to distinguish between findings, reviews, and recommendations worthy of your time and attention and the ones that are fluff, disgruntled players, or just website filler.
Do Don’t Rely on reviews backed by facts and figures Trust vague or reposted reviews Check out Reddit or player forums Believe everything you read Select online casinos with good reputations Take a chance on a casino with patterns of payout (or other) problems Look for patterns of similar feedback Have complete confidence in a single player’s impression Have reasonable expectations Expect all players to have the same opinions Use the tips we’ve provided (scroll to the bottom of the homepage for licensing, banking, contact information, and transparency) Register a betting account with an online casino without clear terms and conditions and safe practices When to Rely on Player Impressions An isolated review by a single player might not always be the best resource. Keep in mind that we live in a world where people love to express their views – and loudly.
It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a children’s charity. Someone is going to have something negative to say.
And remember, we’re talking about gambling here. You could operate the most honest online casino with superior gambling and customer service. But, if someone loses money in your casino, they’ll complain about it.
Does that mean that you can’t rely on player feedback?
No. But patterns of feedback are much more reliable.
If you see multiple posts about slow pay or spam emails, or any issue that detracts from a safe online casino experience, give them merit.
But a one-off is not always reliable unless it speaks in facts and figures and tells a complete story.
Not All Online Casinos Reviews are Reliable Not all player reviews are trustworthy, and neither are all review sites. We know a little something about this because we’ve been in the industry for years and take pride in accuracy and reliability.
On your quest to find safe online casinos for real money gambling, you might have already come across vague or inaccurate reviews or noticed the same information rehashed on several different websites.
There are review sites that don’t even conduct their own evaluations, which doesn’t inspire confidence in the data they’re providing.
They intend to generate hits for their website, so they recycle other people’s work without fact-checking or, even worse, publish fabricated information.
Our Process for Finding Safe Online Casinos You’re reading this to find the safest online casinos, so recommendations matter. We take our endorsements seriously and only arrive at them after an extensive (and ongoing) process.
We’ve got an entire page dedicated to our rating and ranking process, but our general review procedure covers the following.
Background check of owners and operators Identification of sister casino sites Licensing verification Certification of fair gaming (RNG testing verification) Documenting first impressions of the casino Evaluation of site security, payment processing, and other safe casino practices Software providers Banking options Financial fees, turnaround times, limits Transparency of terms and conditions Customer service quality and availability Range of real money casino games Payout limitations – are jackpots paid in full, with weekly payout restrictions? Promotional opportunities Bonus playthrough requirements If you look through our site, you’ll come across recommendations for top-rated online casinos, best casinos for fast payouts, and, of course, safe casino gambling sites online.
We keep our rankings short and concise.
And all the casinos on our lists are backed by detailed reviews.
Our evaluations are prepared by experts who have gambled and followed online gambling for decades.
They have comprehensive knowledge of the industry and stay current on all of the comings and goings of new casinos, owners, and game providers—the team’s expertise factors into each casino evaluation’s quality. They know what safe online gambling sites look like.
However, one review isn’t the end of the story. We continuously re-review and update our information so readers always have the most accurate findings.
How Do You Know You Can Trust a Casino Review? It’s all about the details. Proper online casino reviews itemize all aspects of the operation instead of providing vague impressions or copying details from another website.
The best casino reviews online cover the following information.
Ownership and licensing Jurisdictional information Accurate banking Current player incentives Bonus conditions Gaming software Quantity and variety of games Mobile access Customer service details Overall assessment Avoiding the Online Casino Rogues Gallery The term Rogues Gallery dates back to the 1800s. The Pinkerton Detective Agency and then the New York City Police Department used it to describe their mug shots collections.
In the 20th century, comic book heroes like Batman faced off against their own Rogues Gallery with supervillains like The Joker, Penguin, and The Riddler.
These days, there’s a new Rogues Gallery comprised of online casinos that are anything but safe. It’s a mugshot book of sorts for players warning them to steer clear.
This online casino Rogues Gallery is also known as a casino blacklist.
There are quite a few reasons why a gambling site could be added to a “Rogues Gallery.”
No payouts (players or affiliates) Slow pays Bonus manipulation Selling or sharing players’ personal information Pirated software False licensing Malware To make sure you’re selecting the safest online casinos for real money, you’ve got to steer clear of rogue online casinos.
The best way to do that is to refer to our casino blacklist before you join a site not recommended here.
Of course, you won’t even have to do that if you only join the most trusted casinos online – such as the safe and secure casinos and real money gambling apps listed at the top of this page.