There are three things I think about when I’m checking out a new online casino.
The first is the variety of games on offer – I want to know that there are plenty of games for me to sink my teeth into. The second is what bonuses or promotions are being advertised – I want to know that I have plenty of chances to win big. And the third is what actions are being taken to ensure player security – I want to know that when I’m playing on an iGaming site, I am as safe as possible.
When it comes to that last point, over the last few years, it has gradually moved its way up the ranks, to the point where it is the first thing I think about. I might be browsing through johnslots.com/en/ to find casinos with free spins and promotions, sure, but I’m also doing it because I know the platforms are reputable and trustworthy – and that means they’re going to be built on three very important cornerstones.
Number One: Licensing and Regulation
The first cornerstone is the fact that these companies are licensed and regulated, often from reputable authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. This means they have to adhere to strict guidelines regarding fairness, security, and responsible gaming.
Unlicensed iGaming companies, on the other hand, don’t have to adhere to these rules, which means the users are at the mercy of the specific company to keep their best interests in mind – something that you cannot always depend on. If a company is licensed, it’s a strong indicator that it operates within legal frameworks designed to protect people first.
Number Two: Encryption Technology
In 2024, nearly every reputable iGaming platform will be using advanced encryption technology to protect people’s personal and financial information. This often involves SSL – Secure Socket Layer – encryption and 256-bit encryption, both of which will work to secure data transmission between the device and the servers, and make sure that the user data is kept safe.
In terms of data, specifically, this is a critical – and very topical – point. Just last year, it was estimated that the data broker market was worth around $245 billion, and this is projected to grow to nearly $500 billion by 2032. Across the internet, user data is being taken and sold onto the highest bidder, often without the user’s consent to do so, and so it’s become a key cornerstone for iGaming companies to make encryption technology – and specifically, data protection – one of their main priorities.
Number Three: Secure Payment Methods
The third cornerstone for reputable iGaming platforms involves offering a variety of secure payment options to ensure every deposit and withdrawal is done safely. This includes popular methods like credit and debit cards, as well as PayPall, Neteller, Skrill, and even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These payment options not only facilitate quick transactions online, but also come with several robust security measures that work to protect sensitive financial information. When I see a platform providing multiple secure payment methods, it tells me that they’re aware of:
- Potential fraud
- Payment interception
- Identity theft crisis
that are rife online, and are giving the player the choice to use the most secure payment method for them.
This doesn’t mean pointing them in the right direction, it means accepting that every user has a different preference and should have the freedom to choose their preferred payment method as much as possible – especially in an online gaming environment, where payments and withdrawals are part of the everyday process.
While I myself might favour a secure platform like PayPal, another user who trades crypto might want to take advantage of the transparency of blockchain, and therefore should be allowed to use their digital tokens. Complete with a number of stringent verification processes – including KYC protocols – this is perhaps the most integral cornerstone to fight against fraud and ensure funds are always released to their rightful owner.
Conclusion
The iGaming world is built around speed and convenience, so it’s understandable to want to get straight to playing, and not have to bother doing your own checks. But for me, I always make sure to conduct a little investigation before I sit down to play on a new platform. That involves checking the platform’s licensing, their privacy policies, their security processes, and the payment options they have available.
Once I’ve ascertained that they really are doing everything they can to protect me as a user, only then do I feel comfortable enough to click on a slot or join a poker table and play comfortably. Sure, it might take up around a minute or two of your time, but that’s nothing compared to the damage that hackers or data brokers could do if the casino has not taken the precautions needed.
