As in any other industry, the online casino world has its own shady operators. We usually refer to illegitimate casinos as rogue casinos. Any casino that falls under this category wouldn’t be adequately licensed, which essentially means that you should avoid such operators like the plague. Because, really and truly, although finding a generous collection of free no deposit bonuses UK is all well and good, it means zilch if they’re advertised on a shady casino provider. So first things first: you need to equip yourself with the knowledge to know what the tell-tale signs of a potentially blacklisted casino are. We shall walk you through these signs and where to look for them so that you’re well-armed to spot a rogue casino from miles away.
Knowing which are the red flags you need to look out for is essential if you want to be able to tell whether you’re dealing with a genuine casino or an illegitimate one. If a casino has one or more of the following faults, it’s better if you stay away or confirm their credibility before dealing further with them.
All legitimate operators have a gambling license. When an operator has such a license it’s a guarantee that they’re regulated and monitored. As we shall see in the next section, it is your responsibility to verify the casino’s licensing authority to make sure that it is a reputable one. A licensed casino is regularly audited to ensure that their games are fair and random and that they’re not a scam.
If the casino’s website is not encrypted, then any personal data you divulge can be leaked anytime, and that includes your financial information. To make sure that a website is secure, look out for a closed padlock symbol on the left-hand side of your browser’s address bar. If the padlock is unlocked, then that website is not encrypted and therefore it’s not safe to share your information there.
If payouts are taking long or if the casino stops paying you, then that’s your green light to cash out immediately before the casino closes.
If you lose multiple times with a casino, it doesn’t mean that their games are unfair. Fairness is about how random their games are. Randomness of games is usually regulated through a Random Number Generator which ensures that your chances of winning are fair (although the house will always have an edge).
Test out the casino’s live chat or even try sending them an email, to see if they just talk the talk without walking the walk. Answers should be efficient and coherent and the information given must be consistent.
Now that you know the tell-tale signs of a shady operator, here is some information which you have the right to access to make sure that you’re dealing with a legit casino.
If a casino is fully legit they’d be transparent in their online presence and readily list the name and address of the parent company. If the operator is not transparent in its identity, then it’s best to stay away.
This should be readily displayed by the casino as proof that it is a credible and safe casino. You’ll be able to find this information at the bottom of the casino’s website.
Casinos usually show off their software providers, especially if they’re reputable ones like Microgaming, NetEnt, NextGen and the like. If there’s no way in which you can learn who their software providers are, then asking for this information directly might be the best option. If no relevant information is divulged, then that might be a red flag.
It is your right to request from the casino a proof of your account and the amount that it includes. You might even want to ask the casino how much money is in your account. If the casino can’t confirm either information, the likelihood is that you’re dealing with a rogue casino.
All credible casinos undergo audits by independent agencies to monitor their software, random number generator and their payouts. If you make sure that the casino is audited by an independent auditor, then that can put your mind at rest.
When it comes to information, Google is your friend. A simple search can go a long way, but also don’t underestimate the power of word-of-mouth recommendations.
When reading such reviews, you must exercise caution. You mustn’t look at one-off complaints, even if the comment seems to be genuinely expressed. A one-off complaint may very well indicate that a player has simply lost multiple times or that they failed to read the terms and conditions. However, when the same complaint is expressed by different players, that might be indicative of a real issue that’s not worth ignoring.
These often give a comprehensive view of the casino, listing both its pros and its cons. The vast majority of casino guides are often legitimate and reliable.
Don’t hesitate to ask friends and family who might have tried that casino. They might provide you with very useful information.
By going through the fine print you’d be able to tell whether the conditions are fair, and perhaps also gauge the company’s level of professionalism.
These can contain very useful information. If a casino has nothing to hide, they should make their financial and legal filings available for players’ perusal.
This is a paid guest post.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
