It is no question that online casinos have benefitted punters and bettors by making the craft more accessible, convenient, and easy. On top of this, online casinos also come with hefty bonuses that make them even more alluring.
Several virtual casinos can offer match-ups as high as 100% and that could go as high as $1,000. Such offers could be enticing, but the reality is that despite how pleasant they may sound, they can also be breeding grounds for scams and cybercrimes to take place.
Scams are not new, and it is especially not new in the online casino space. While several punters were able to successfully play and earn from an online casino, some ended up in ill-fated scams. For instance, some virtual casinos encourage deposits yet prohibit withdrawal.
This specific scheme is also known as outright deposit theft—and it is not uncommon. Other than this ploy, schemes such as rigging the games and ransomware attacks may also result in scams.
That being said, virtual gamblers and punters need to ensure that they are navigating through safe waters. If one may question whether the site or platform is legitimate or not, it is better to forego it altogether. Gamblers should only go for legit slot sites like casinowhizz.com, casinos, and betting platforms.
However, the dilemma is not a matter of going for safe or unsafe. The dilemma lies in identifying a safe or unsafe platform. Hence, here are some things that signal that a virtual casino is indeed legitimate and legal.
1. Prominent certifications and/or licenses
Like every other legitimate business, a legitimate online casino should also be regulated by reputable authorities. There are authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority that license online casinos. Such licenses ensure that the casino company is legally operating and that there are measures at hand to protect players from fraud and other unfair practices.
If the virtual casino is indeed licensed by a reputable authority, it would typically include the logo of such authority in its landing page’s footer. In most cases, the license number is also shown alongside the logo and will also be linked to the official website of the authority.
Other than checking the landing page footer, gamblers can also go through the official website of the authority and provide the license number or operator name. By doing so, punters can see firsthand if the information provided on the online casino’s website is indeed factual.
2. Reasonable banking and payment channels
The deposit and withdrawal options can also solidify the company’s legitimacy. If reputable methods and brands such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal are included, this may reflect that the site is indeed legitimate. Businesses that offer such options have to maintain their reputation and deal with the consequences that come with non-compliance.
While this is true, gamblers must also understand that it is an easy feat for scammers to feign legitimacy by including such methods. The most evident sign can be seen when a transaction is about to be closed. Gamblers must pay attention to whether the casino site accommodates payment gateways that are routed through the actual companies.
Alternatively, if a player chooses a reputable option and is directed to a questionable payment gateway and link, the legitimacy of the website may be questioned.
3. Supported by reputable software providers
The software provider of the online casino may also add to its credentials. If it was developed by renowned software providers, like Playtech or NetEnt, punters can be assured of its legitimacy. Casino games that are backed up by well-known providers would boost the overall credibility of online casinos. Because there are such big names involved in the game selection, players can rest assured that the casino has established connections with such well-known firms.
4. Reasonable bonuses
In most cases, new players are greeted with generous and hefty welcome bonuses. However, it is quite logical—especially from a business perspective—that no one would like to simply give money away for free. Thus, if bonuses seem too good to be true, the casino may be questionable.
In several instances, online casinos offer match-up bonuses that can be as high as 100% within a specific range. If the casino matches a $300 worth of deposit with a $300 worth of bonus, it is quite fair play. However, if the guaranteed bonus can be as far stretched as 100x or 10x the deposit, it is quite a sketchy sign. Gamblers should think twice about it.
5. Positive reviews
Reviews are usually customer-generated, so they may serve as a good basis for legitimacy as well. A virtual casino that is legal and legitimate will have members that share their positive experiences with the platform. Such reviews can be spotted in several places, but some of the most genuine ones can be found on Casino Bonus Club and similar forums. When browsing through reviews, punters can be on the lookout for comments that pertain to things like banking methods, game collection, and customer support.
Reviews can also be spotted in the Google search results. However, the risks of these reviews are that they can be paid and worse, be backed up by actual scammers. A recommended general rule is that if there are no reviews on the first two Google pages, the casino may not be worth the time and effort.
Online casinos that are illegal and illegitimate are constantly on the lookout for people to prey upon. While it may be hard to stop their operations with brute force, gamblers and punters may protect themselves by avoiding these companies and their services altogether. All the alluring bonus offers and games will not be worth it if the gamblers eventually become a victim of a scam of some sort.
Hence, before trying out a new online casino, gamblers should first check for any signs of legitimacy or illegitimacy.
