Technical Security

Legit online casinos use reliable encryption to keep your personal information safe, and your payment details are hidden. They also outsource their technical security to expert IT specialists who ensure the site is protected from hackers, and in the event of an attack, the integrity of games remains intact. Sites that have been hacked in the past or have had player information stolen should be avoided.

Licensing

Licensing is a major factor when determining if a site is legit and trustworthy. Trusted online casinos comply with strict regulations relating to security, fair games and encryption. To maintain their license, sites also have to be audited by gaming security experts who test all aspects of the site. Trusted betting platforms are licensed by well-known regulators such as Malta Gaming Authority and Gibraltar Regulatory Authority.

Deposits And Withdrawals

Trusted online casino sites make it simple to deposit and withdraw from your account. They process deposit withdrawals virtually instantly and withdrawals between 24 to 48 hours. They also give players a range of payment options, including Visa, Mastercard, crypto, bank transfer and e-wallets. It is a red flag if a site does not offer popular payment methods and has very slow withdrawal times.

Software

A key feature of a reliable online casino is being powered by software from established providers. Software providers with solid reputations such as Microgaming and Playtech typically only choose to partner with sites that also have strong reputations. Software providers do not want to subject themselves to fines and legal proceedings by being associated with rogue casinos. We only recommend sites that use world-class software.

Games Fairness

Trustworthy betting sites have their return to player percentages and random number generators audited by expert 3rd parties. This process involves studying the historical payouts of different games and the distribution of cards dealt or numbers rolled. The auditors then compare the site’s results to the theoretically expected figures and are able to conclude if the casino is running fair and random games. For example, they will study millions of hands of blackjack and see if the dealer is dealt 21 more than the expected frequency. Sites that consistently pass these audits can be trusted.

Slots

Slots appeared with the first online casinos. Their RTPs have been extensively studied and are often published by software developers. Gamblers enjoy slots due to the mouthwatering jackpots on offer combined with creative designs and captivating gameplay. At trustworthy casinos, gamblers can choose from thousands of different slot titles.

Live Dealer

It is a term used to describe games hosted at online sites that involve real croupiers. Gamblers connect to land-based casinos via video. During live games, the dealer will take bets and deal actual cards. Players can message the dealers who enjoy interacting with bettors. Live dealer games have proved a big hit with players as they blend the best of online and offline betting. Some bettors are convinced that these games are more trustworthy than standard casino games, but that is not true, both are completely random.

Baccarat

Baccarat is another game with a long history. Baccarat is a great game if you want to chance your luck as the house only has just over a 1% edge, meaning bettors regularly end up winners. Baccarat can be learned in minutes as players can either gamble on their hand, the dealer’s or on a tie and all of the actions of drawing cards are automated.

Blackjack

Blackjack might be the most studied of all casino games due to its popularity and the fact that strategic gameplay can influence the house’s edge. In blackjack, the goal is simple: you need to beat the dealer by getting as close to 21 as possible without going over by drawing a series of cards.

Roulette

Roulette has existed for hundreds of years, and the odds of winning each bet have been studied extensively. Roulette is a very simple game as you can either choose a number, color or both, then place your bet and try your luck!

Poker

Poker is a highly trustworthy game as it is powered by an RNG which ensures the hand you and the dealer are dealt is completely random. Poker is a lot of fun as players can use strategy to increase their chance of winning, but there is still an element of luck ensuring some wild swings.

Research The Casino’s History

The first step in finding a trusted online casino is looking into the site’s history. You should find out when the site opened, if they are licensed, read player reviews, what are the steps involved in registration and see if they are involved in any scandals. Sites with long track records of success who hold licenses and have numerous positive player reviews are likely trustworthy.

Test The Casino Games

The next step is to trial some of the games. Many casinos offer a demo mode where you can play without having to deposit. When testing games, you should ensure the site has common titles, including slots, table games and live dealer games. You also need to make a note of the software providers who are powering the games. Trustworthy sites offer popular games which are supplied by world-famous developers.

Make Your Deposit And Play Different Games

Once you have trialled some games, it is time to make a deposit and play for real. Don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus! Just enter the promo code when prompted. We recommend you start with a small deposit to protect yourself from losing too much of your cash. Once you successfully deposit, play some games and compare your experience to the demo mode. At a reliable site, the demo and paid mode should be exactly the same.

Test Customer Service

The next stage is reaching out to customer service. You should contact them through a variety of methods and ask them some relevant questions. When testing a site’s customer service, you want to analyze how quickly they respond, how easy it is to contact them and whether or not they are able to answer your requests. We find the top trusted online casinos have customer service agents that can be contacted via email, chat and phone, are available 24/7 and offer professional assistance.

Try Deposit And Withdraw Funds

After contacting customer service, you can now try a larger deposit and make a withdrawal. Before you make a large deposit, always ensure you can afford to lose the money without it impacting your life. If you feel you can not control your gambling habits, please head to Be Gamble Aware for free support. When depositing and withdrawing, keep an eye on the available payment methods, the speed and any fees incurred. Top sites process deposits and withdrawals very quickly, do not charge fees and provide an extensive range of payment options.

The Danger Of Using Unsafe Casinos

Using an unsafe casino can result in your funds and winnings being stolen, you being cheated when playing games and also your identity and payment details being misappropriated. Due to these risks, it is critical that you only play at a trusted online casino. To help you avoid registering at a scam site, we have described the characteristics of unsafe sites and compiled a list of blacklisted casinos.

Characteristics Of Unsafe Casinos

New gamblers often have trouble spotting unsafe casinos. With our list you will easily be able to spot shady casinos. Keep a look out for sites with the following characteristics:

• Unusual and limited payment methods – If a site does not accept Visa, Mastercard, bank transfer and well-known e-wallets, this is a sign that the site has been blocked by these providers and institutions over suspicious financial activity.
• Unknown software – Reputable software providers prefer to partner with equally reputable betting sites. If a casino is using unknown software, they may be running unfair games.
• Strange games – Casinos that only offer games you have never heard of are more likely to be rigged than sites offering classic games such as blackjack and roulette.
• False bonuses – Unsafe casinos will attract players with misleading bonuses. They will include bonuses that can only be unlocked with non-existent coupon codes or have impossible playthrough requirements.
• No license – Sites that are unlicensed are not audited by 3rd parties and are not subject to any regulations. This means there is no oversight over the fairness of their games and how they handle player funds.
• No track record – While brand new online casinos can be trustworthy, it is riskier to play at a site that has not established a strong reputation. Sites that have spent years delivering a highly rated service are less likely to be unsafe than new platforms.

If you avoid sites that meet the above criteria, you should be able to prevent yourself from accidentally ending up at a shady online casino.