If you are looking to get started playing your favourite casino games in an online environment, then you have loads of different great platforms to choose between. If you are in the UK or looking for a non-GamStop casino, there is an abundance of choices right in front of you.
Choosing a safe casino site can be relatively straightforward. However, there are plenty of platforms out there that do not fit the bill, so you should be aware of some basic areas you should look at before committing to one platform. This article will walk you through the set of criteria that dictate what a safe betting site should look like and what you need to consider when whittling down your shortlist.
Security and Licensing
One of the very first areas that you are going to need to look at is the licensing arrangement that the given online casino has in place. There are many different regulators in the global gambling space.
If you are in the UK, then the chief regulator will be the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is one of the very best in the world today when it comes to gambling regulation. It is always ensuring the licensees are staying above board and treating their users in a fair manner. Therefore, if you see that a casino site has a UKGC license, you will usually be in good hands. There are many other solid gambling regulators also out there today, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
Then there are certain regulators that will not really inspire confidence, such as the government of Curaçao. Then there are certain casino sites that have not bothered trying to get any sort of gambling license whatsoever. These are the platforms that you should not be dealing with.
Then there are security protocols that you will want to keep in mind. This is because you want to know that your funds and data are always well protected by the operator. This means you should check to see if encryption technology is being used and if player withdrawals are getting processed in a timely manner.
Variety of Payment Methods
Another area of consideration is checking to see if an operator is providing payment options that are safe and secure. You would like to see reputable credit and debit cards being accepted, as well as e-wallets, and bank transfers. This gives you a good range of secure payment methods.
Other things to look at are any fees associated with using certain options, as well as the processing speeds and transaction limits. This allows you to have a good idea as to which payment option would be best suited for your needs.
Bonuses and Promotions
While the promotions and welcome bonuses that are a part of most casino sites are not the be-all and end-all, they are some things that can be useful to differentiate between similar offerings. Most platforms will have some sort of welcome offer.
These can range between deposit bonuses, no deposit offers, and cashback deals. The regular promotions will also be something to keep an eye on, allowing you to get continually rewarded for using a site. Finally, you might have an interest in a loyalty program that might be offered.
Catalogue of Games
It is vital that you are only using casino sites that have a good range of quality games. This means that you are going to be kept always interested and not get bored. This includes making sure that your favourite types of games are going to be well supported.
A useful way to easily figure out the quality of an offering is by checking to see which game studios are contributing titles. At the end of the day, you can deal with the safest casino site in the world but if the games are not conducive to your needs, then you are wasting your time.
Customer Support and Responsible Gaming
For anyone who ever runs into an issue with an online gambling account, they like being safe in the knowledge that the customer support team is going to be close by to help them out. This means that you should look to see what different contact options there are. You also should check the response times and opening hours of these contact options, in addition to the quality of the responses.
Responsible gambling is also another important area. You might want to have access to certain types of account tools that can limit your gambling. These include caps on your deposit, bet sizes, losses, and playing session time. There will also often be cool-off periods and self-exclusion programs in place. Some regions such as the UK offer self-exclusion programmes through third-party providers like GamStop. Check to see if your region offers such options, and if so – the duration other limitations associated when signing up for one.
Casinos Not on GamStop and UK Players
One of the things that have been growing a lot in recent times is people using casinos not on GamStop like those available on non-gamstop-casinos.com. These are platforms that are not licensed by the UKGC and are a lot looser with their offerings. The sites will often have a bigger selection of games, larger bet sizes, a wider collection of payment methods, and much more.
However, there are concerns that gambling addicts are going over to these casinos not on GamStop and will no longer be under the careful eye of the UKGC. Therefore, the authorities are looking at ways in which they can stop this outflux of people towards these types of platforms. While you can still play at a non-GamStop casino while living in the UK, you should be aware of the risks associated with doing so. For international players, but sure to check that the casino not on GamStop is still regulated by a reputable organisation.
A lot to like
There are tons of great betting sites and online casinos that are completely safe for you to use. Now that you are aware of what you should look out for, you can get started with some great playing experiences through safe and secure sites.
