Online Casino Security
Many recreational online gamblers choose new casinos largely based on the size of their promotions, or the high RTP of certain games. And these are both essential elements if you want to create huge profit potential—but it’s not the place to start your search. Before anything else, it is absolutely pivotal to find secure online casinos.
Online casino safety is paramount:
- Will these games payout fairly?
- Will I be able to withdraw my winnings?
- Is my credit card information safe?
- Can I trust the casino to be honest?
- What’s stopping the casino from “fixing” outcomes so they always win?
These and so many other questions are rendered obsolete with a solid understanding of online casino security. Once you know exactly what to look for and what it all means, you’ll be a pro at identifying safest online gambling sites—ones where you can still make an absolute killing!
Top Secured Non-Stop Casinos 2024
Casino Security: Background and Evolution
The first ever online casino was launched by Microgaming back in 1994. As with most ventures of that era, security typically played second fiddle to novelty and profitability—it was like the Wild West. The UK Gambling Commission wasn’t formed for another ten years!
As the number of players (and consequently, the financial value of the industry) grew spectacularly, so did the need for regulation and oversight. Safe casino operators were required to submit an increasing number of documents; lawyers and accountants became more involved; online security began to take precedence.
The difference between today’s ultra-regulated, safe and secure online casinos couldn’t be more different from those 30 years ago—and it is an unequivocally positive change!
How to Guarantee Online Casino Safety
There are 3 keys areas to check when looking for a fair and trustworthy online casino:
- Online casino regulation
- RNG verification
- Payout reliability
Regulatory and Testing Bodies
Gaming Control Boards (or regulatory bodies) are government agencies responsible for regulating online casino gaming to make it legal, fair and safe for players. The most prominent is the UK Gambling Commission, but the Isle of Man, Malta and Curaçao are also popular.
When safe casino sites submit to rigorous checks and ongoing inspections from a Gaming Control Board, they can become ‘licensed’, meaning that they are a verified secure online casino. It’s interesting to note that every regulator has different rules and regulations.
Random Number Generators (RNG)
All non-live games at online casinos (including video slots, jackpots, blackjack, and roulette) act totally unpredictably. Every time you spin or wager, it is impossible to know what symbols or cards will appear—even the games and developers themselves do not know. This eliminates any “fixing” from casinos and is integral to online casino safety.
Independent authorities examine and verify RNGs for every licensed casino and non licensed casino. Players should avoid online casinos that don’t clearly and obviously state RNG verification, as these may not offer safe online casino games.
Payout reliability
While the main goal of online gaming is enjoyment, it’s crucial that any winning a player does generate can be withdrawn. It is therefore essential that you only play at casinos with a ratified history of paying out fairly—no matter the amount.
Some rogue casinos will allow you to win huge sums on jackpot games, for example, but never payout. Playing at established, licensed and verified casinos, with a majority of positive reviews, means that your life-changing paydays will always be honoured.
Online Casino Gaming Licences
Every country has its own rules regarding online gaming, but in essence, online casinos obtain licences by adhering firmly to the long list of requirements for their chosen Gaming Control Board.
There is a formal application process which requires casinos to produce a huge amount of legal documentation (including business plan, company structure, customer T&Cs, proof of funding and rules of play) as well as paying an annual fee.
This rigorous process can take months and only genuinely legitimate casinos would ever persevere through it all. That’s why licensed casinos are so much safer for players!
Security Protocols
There are various ways in which online casinos eliminate cyber threats and keep players safe on their platforms.
Here are a few of the key solutions:
Firewalls
Safe and secure online casinos use firewalls the same way most of us do on our personal computers—to restrict access from malicious traffic. Anti-malware, spyware and phishing systems are essential for keeping players safe at online casinos.
Many online casino platforms utilize firewalls to secure consumer data and prevent unwanted access to their players’ accounts. These firewalls provide criteria that decide whether or not to allow web traffic from a certain source to enter an online casino’s server, preventing the site from being attacked with codes that may be used to steal vital information. Firewalls also safeguard online casino websites from excessive and unwanted traffic, which might expose them to hacker assaults (DDOS).
Anti-Fraud System
Online casinos also have sophisticated anti-fraud mechanisms in place to safeguard their players’ information and payments. These systems utilize algorithms, machine learning techniques, and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor player behavior, detect suspect activity, and report it for further investigation. This helps to avoid identity theft, credit card fraud, and other illegal activity.
SSL
Every online casino today (when playing in a browser) should be SSL encrypted. This is a form of encryption that prevents hackers from accessing crucial data such as personal information, payment details, or ID documents.
Third Parties
Secure online casinos will work with any number of third parties as a normal part of their service.
These can include:
- Responsible gambling resources
- Game fairness verification
- Customer support
- Dispute resolution
Secure Banking
Online casinos can permit anywhere from dozens to a single payment method, at their discretion. In general, players can have access to debit cards, online bank transfer, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency payment options. Every method will be verified before being offered to players.
Online casinos employ secure payment channels to safeguard their clients’ financial information. Payment gateways are specialized services that guarantee the secure transmission of payments from players’ accounts to online casinos, and vice versa. They operate as a mediator between the two parties in digital financial transactions. Payment gateways are frequently connected with several means for players to add or remove funds from their accounts, such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrency, and bank and wire transfers.
Why people prefer online casinos
One simple reason that most players prefer online casinos is that instead of walking around with huge stacks of chips, they can simply transfer money to and from their secure bank account. With totally reliable RNGs, the games are absolutely incorruptible—something which can’t always be said for physical casinos!
Online casinos take data security very seriously. Because they handle users’ personal and financial information, virtual casino platforms employ complex security procedures to keep their clients’ data from falling into the wrong hands. Firewalls, secure payment systems, encryption, and anti-fraud systems are some examples. When selecting an online casino, you may be lured to certain casino platforms for their game diversity, but it is critical to ensure that your selected online casino has safeguards in place to protect you from identity theft, fraud, and other nefarious actions.
Fair Gaming
When we talk about “fairness” in the context of iGaming, we’re talking about everything in the previous two sections, from regulation and testing to banking and security. For a casino to be classified as fair, it must tick every box on safety and security.
When you read online reviews, “game fairness” often refers to RTP—the payout rate of specific games. An unfair casino or unfair game might claim a 97% RTP when in fact, the game hardly pays out at all. This is a very real and common risk that comes with visiting rogue, unlicensed casinos—and why we always vet casinos before listing them on our site.
Rise of Cryptocurrency Transactions in Casinos
The last few years has seen a meteoric rise in the number of online crypto casinos offering cryptocurrencies as a valid payment method, predominantly Bitcoin. Transferring cryptocurrency tends to be cheaper compared to traditional online banking fees, but it’s the financial privacy that attracts players most.
We should issue a warning though: cryptocurrencies are still immensely volatile. It would be very easy to deposit €1,000 of BTC and its value to plummet overnight to €500. Then you need to win twice as much to breakeven! We love seeing casinos adopt cryptocurrencies, but they should always be used with caution.
FAQ
Hello, I’m Kith Brown, a seasoned online gambling expert with over a decade of experience in poker, casino and sports betting. With a 1st Class Honours degree in Sport Journalism from 2006, my work has been published in top industry publications such as Poker Player, Bluff Europe, Gambling Online Magazine and Gambling Insider.
I recently returned from a four-year stint as a Senior Copywriter and Copy Team Lead at Entain, where I led the production of written content for renowned brands like bwin, PartyCasino, and Sportingbet. My extensive experience writing for and about the biggest names in online gambling gives me a unique perspective on the industry. I look forward to sharing my insights with readers on NonStopCasinos.com.
Have a question, comment or topic suggestion? Please reach out to me through the contact form.