One of the surprising growth industries to emerge from the past couple of years has been the UK multi-billion-pound online gambling sector. People are places bets online like never before, with innovative casinos and sportsbooks fighting hard to capture market share and even launch daring takeovers of rival companies.
As a consumer, you might have only begun trying out only casino games recently. Whether you are a seasoned player or a first-timer, it is important to know how to stay safe. As with any digital industry, scams exist within the online casino world.
However, staying safe requires little more than some basic knowledge of what constitutes good practice. With that in mind, here are the important ways that you can stay safe when gambling online in the UK.
Look for the license
No matter what kind of games you want to play online, you should always look to see if your casino of choice holds a valid gaming license from a real national authority. If you are in the UK, you should check to see if your casino holds a license from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which you can check on the Commission’s own website. Other trustworthy and commonly-used gaming licenses include those issued by the Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Consult third-party review sites
Even if a casino brand is relatively well-known, never take their word for it. If you want to play online slots UK, you can consult expert third-party review sites that provide detailed, up-to-date information on all major platforms. These sites will tell you if a platform is safe, whether it has a bad reputation and all of the necessary licensing and regulatory information you need to know. If a casino you are considering using is not mentioned on a review site, consider staying clear.
Always use a VPN
This applies to pretty much any online activity these days, but it especially applies to online casino gaming. When you are gambling online, you are providing your sensitive financial information and personal details, as this is usually necessary to place wagers and withdraw your casino winnings. The last thing you want is for bad actors to identify you based on your IP address or your activity, as this can result in theft and fraud. Use a VPN to keep yourself as safe as possible when gaming online.
Know your red flags
In addition, it pays to know the most common online casino red flags that should sound alarm bells. If a casino you are using exhibits any of these features, consider closing the tab immediately:
By following these tips, you can ensure safe, secure, and fun online casino gaming.
