Online casinos are the most popular form of gambling in the world today, and it is easy to see why. They offer an excellent opportunity for players to enjoy their favourite games without having to leave home or travel anywhere. However, there are some things that you should be aware of before signing up with any new site. Below are some ways you can use to identify a bogus online casino.
Operating licence
The first thing you need to look at when choosing an online casino is whether they have been licensed by one of the major regulatory bodies such as eCOGRA (Electronic Commerce Online Gaming Regulation & Assurance). This ensures that all sites adhere to strict guidelines set out by these organisations which ensure fairness and security. If you want to know more about this then check out our guide on how to choose an online casino.
Customer support
Another important factor to consider is customer service. You will find that reputable online casinos provide 24 hour phone support and live chat facilities so that customers can get help whenever they need it. In addition, many sites also offer email support which means that if you ever have problems you can contact them directly.
Security
Security is another key issue that you must take into consideration when looking for an online casino. It is essential that you only play at a site where your personal details are kept safe and secure. Many people prefer to play from the comfort of their own homes but this does not mean that they cannot be targeted by hackers who may try to steal their information. Therefore, it is vital that you make sure that the site you choose has robust security measures in place.
Bonuses
One of the biggest draws of playing at an online casino is the chance to win big money bonuses. These are often offered as part of promotional campaigns and give you the chance to win huge amounts of cash simply by playing certain games. The best way to spot a bogus online casino is to look out for offers that seem too good to be true. There are plenty of websites that claim to offer free spins or other types of bonus deals but once you sign up you will discover that they do not actually exist.
Games
Finally, you should always make sure that you are able to access the games that you like. Some sites offer a range of different games but others restrict what you can play. Make sure that you read through the terms and conditions carefully before signing up so that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
Check Reviews
You should never trust everything that you read on the internet. That is why it is important to check reviews from previous customers. By reading through testimonials, you will gain valuable insight into the quality of the services provided by each site.
Reputation
Reputation is something that you should never overlook. A reputable site will have a long history of providing high-quality gaming experiences to its players. Look for feedback from current and past customers and see if there are any complaints against the site.
Payment Options
When searching for an online casino, you should always look for those that accept a wide variety of payment methods. Most reputable sites will accept credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, prepaid vouchers and even cryptocurrencies. However, some sites limit themselves to just one method of payment while others allow you to use multiple options. This gives you more flexibility when making payments and ensures that you can continue playing no matter how much money you have left.
Late or no payments
It goes without saying that you want to avoid gambling with money that you do not have. If you are worried about missing a payment then you should ensure that you set up automatic withdrawals every time you deposit funds. This will ensure that you receive your winnings promptly and prevent you from having to worry about late fees.
Game providers
As mentioned above, you should also consider whether the site provides a large selection of games. You don’t necessarily need to play all of them but you should be able to find a few favourites among the many available. Check if the games offred are from reputable organisations like Microgaming, NetEnt and Playtech.
Slow websites
If you are looking for a fast website then you should definitely steer clear of casinos that take longer than 10 seconds to load. Slow loading times mean that you lose precious time waiting for pages to load and this could cost you real money.
Conclusion
If you follow these simple tips then you should be able to avoid falling victim to rogue operators. Remember though that even legitimate online casinos still require you to gamble responsibly so make sure that you stick to the rules before you start playing.
