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Editorial: Secure online gambling: playing it safe
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In many ways, the introduction of real money online gambling was something of a Pandora's box. While online gambling has many advantages and makes the casino experience more accessible to gamblers around the world, it's also had some growing pains. As with anything new, the largely unregulated online gambling industry has attracted some dishonest people. Rumors of cheating and exploitation have made some would-be gamblers rightfully skeptical about playing online games. How can you protect yourself from online gambling opportunists, whether it's fly-by-night casinos or cheating poker players? In this article, we offer up nine important guidelines for gambling safely.
Our first seven secure online gambling pointers deal specifically with gambling site selection. Not all sites are created equal, but it's up to you to separate the good from the bad. Before you send money to any site, be sure that they meet the following criteria.
Licensing
Any online casino or poker room that's in it for the long haul will pursue proper licensing. Licensing may be granted through the country in which a company has its base of operations (like Antigua), or it may be issued through an online authority (like the Kahnawake Gaming Commission). Most gambling sites proudly post their licensing information on their home pages.
Responsible Gaming Affiliations
There are other non-biased non-profit organizations that have taken it upon themselves to establish responsible gaming standards within the online gambling industry. The most popular of these associations include: eCOGRA, GamCare and IGC. Gambling sites must earn the approval of these organizations by adhering to strict fair and safe gambling guidelines and by undergoing regular audits. Once again, most sites are proud to post these affiliations on their home pages.
Reputation
Even if everything else about a site checks out, be wary of online casinos that carry a bad reputation. Sometimes word of mouth travels faster than the law.
History
A site's reputation goes hand-in-hand with its history. Popular sites like PokerStars and Europa Casino have earned a loyal following by adhering to the same high standards year after year. Alternately, some other well-established casinos and poker rooms have lost members after repeated scandals.
Security
If a gambling site's security is good, then you'll likely never hear a word about it. The best gambling sites keep their clients safe by utilizing the services of outside security companies that specialize in SSL encryption, firewalls and other security technologies. If you want to know how a site is protecting your personal information, then check the security/privacy section of their site or contact their customer support staff.
Customer Service
The most responsible gaming sites know that accessible support is an important part of making their members feel safe. Should other security measures fail you, customer support is your last line of defense. That's why it's important to play at sites that offer 24/7 customer service.
Many players get so caught up in what the sites are or aren't doing to protect them that they forget to protect themselves. Here are three important rules to follow when playing real money games online.
Never Gamble on a Public Computer
This rule also includes computers at hotels and at your place of work. When you gamble at a public computer, you have no control over that machine's security settings. Furthermore, you may not be able to erase a computer's history, which means that later users could have access to everything from your player account to your bank account.
Double Check Transactions
Whether you're depositing or withdrawing funds with your player account, always double check transactions, at least initially. You'll learn how quickly the site and your preferred funds transfer service process every step, making it easy for you to spot problems in the future. This is also a good way to ensure that you're getting exactly what you asked for and that you aren't being charged unnecessary fees.
Protect Yourself
Be vigilant about beefing up your own online security. Keep your anti-virus software current and change your passwords regularly.
Perhaps the easiest way to find a secure online casino is by using a guide site like Gambling Planet. On our casino and poker room review pages you'll find dozens of trustworthy gambling sites, and GP recently earned the eCOGRA seal of approval, so you know our opinion is one you can bet on.
06-Nov-2009, 13:40
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