Online gambling is more popular than ever. With countless customers to cater to, an array of casinos have sprung up online. I’ve noticed there are almost endless options. But which sites can you trust? Here are five signs you shouldn’t give an online casino a single cent. For more information about casinos you’re better off avoiding, check out AskGamblers, who have a dedicated page on blacklisted casinos.
Missing Licensing Information
One of the first things I would check for is whether the online casino has information on its licensing and regulatory status. In the US, regulations vary by state and there are different bodies operating in different states. These gambling authorities include California Gambling Control Commission, Ohio Casino Control Commission, Washington State Gambling Commission, and so on.
Some red flags to watch for include websites with no licensing information available, licences from offshore jurisdictions (rather than US authorization), and outdated or expired licences. Avoid using a casino site if it doesn’t provide clear information about its licensing. Remember there are many reputable casinos available, so there’s no reason to use an unauthorised site. Being careful about the sorts of sites you turn to is just another aspect of responsible gambling.
Withdrawal Issues
Modern casino sites offer hassle-free transactions, and withdrawals are now very quick (within a few hours and sometimes immediately). Warning signs of an untrustworthy casino include, but aren’t limited to:
- Excessively long withdrawal processing times
- High minimum withdrawal amounts
- Hidden fees and charges
Always make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully, even if it’s tempting to quickly scroll down and click “I agree”.
I wouldn’t trust a casino site if it seems designed to make you work to access your winnings – that’s a major red flag. Reputable casinos have well-designed sites that are intuitive and easy to use. Online casinos are particularly popular on mobile, and their mobile site or app should be just as easy to use as the desktop version.
Negative User Evaluation
Whenever I’m not sure of a company, I check online reviews. With millions of people now gaming online, there are numerous user reviews which can help inform you about reputable – and non-reputable – websites. Use a review site such as Trustpilot to see whether a casino is trustworthy.
Keep an eye out for any reviews that mention withheld winnings, reports of account closures, or possible rigged games – and if there are overwhelmingly negative reviews about various issues, stay away from that casino. It’s better to learn from others’ lack of fortune before something unfortunate happens to you.
Reputable casinos will have thousands of positive reviews on a site like Trustpilot. You can read them in detail to feel more assured that they are offering a secure service. A good way to see trusted casinos is by filtering reviews so that only 4.5 stars (plus) rated casinos are shown.
Unrealistic Bonuses and Vague Terms
Untrustworthy casinos may try and tempt you in with bonuses that either sound too good to be true, or have vague terms and conditions. You shouldn’t be confused about any terms you’re agreeing to. I’d rather know exactly what the terms and conditions are, whether I’m using a streaming service, marketplace, betting site, or any other kind of website. If a casino doesn’t clearly explain what you’re signing up for, stay away.
Another red flag is unreasonably high wagering requirements. If it seems like it’s going to be nearly impossible to win, you’re better off trying another site.
Unsecured Website
Since you need to give your personal and financial information to any casino you gamble with, make sure to use a secure and trustworthy website. Two major signs of a secure website are:
- SSL encryption (“https” in the URL)
- A padlock icon on your web browser
Trusted casinos will use reputable payment providers, such as PayPal. Platforms like PayPal are widely used for good reason – they have proved themselves trustworthy over many years and integrate security mechanisms for all transactions.
As mentioned, a casino’s mobile site or app should be easy to use and up to date. A poor mobile design is another sign of an unsecure casino, as any reputable casino will make sure their design and coding are continuously updated.
A Final Word
With so many reputable casinos available, luckily there’s no reason to have to use a site you’re not sure about. Just because you’re gambling doesn’t mean you also have to gamble on the casino being trustworthy! Whenever I’m online, I like to see the “https” in the URL and a reassuring padlock icon. When I’m not sure about a website, I check reviews online and make sure that others have had good experiences.
If anything seems too good to be true, or too vague – stay clear. Remember that everything in the terms and conditions should be straightforward. If you have questions, you can get in touch with a site’s customer service team (any reputable casino will offer help). But most of all, do your research beforehand, and don’t make the same mistakes others have.
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