How to Protect Yourself from Fraud in Internet Casinos
There are cases, when the online casino simply runs out of operating capital and disappears with as much player money as possible. Some warning signs of an online casino that may be scamming players.
Slow Withdrawal (No Pay)
This is when you request a withdrawal and it takes weeks to receive, or you never receive it. Casinos that are planning to close often have customer service stall players in order to keep as much for themselves as possible.
Note:
If you live in a country that doesn’t have legalized online gambling (such as the United States) you WILL experience cash out delays. That’s because the casino itself has to jump through more hoops in order to get you the money.
Blocking your account in the online casino without explaining the reason.
Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed by Online Casinos
Make sure the online casino uses reputable software. There are several companies dedicated to providing casino software.
Play in online casino that uses casino software of well-known companies who are committed to programming quality casino software that is fair, safe, and secure.
After you’ve been around online casinos long enough, you will develop a feel for the differences in various casino software. We strongly recommend playing at live dealer casinos instead of the standard RNG games, even though at a trusted casino, it shouldn’t matter.
Most online casino players have their favorites. Based on my 10+ years of experience with online casinos and in the online gaming industry and listening to other players, here is our list of the best online casino software providers: Betsoft, Cryptologic, Elk Studios, Microgaming, Nektan, IGT, Quickspin, Rival, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, WGS Technology.
Play in licensed and regulated online casinos within the jurisdiction that they conduct business and operate their computer servers. Common countries with online casinos are Gibraltar, the Isle Of Man, Malta, Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Curacao. There are also online casinos that operate in Kahnawake, a small Indian reservation in Canada.
If the casino you’re interested in doesn’t provide a location where they are licensed and regulated, stay away. There are plenty of safe & reputable online casinos where you can play for real money.
Besides making sure the casino is regulated by a local jurisdiction, look for online casinos that are endorsed by 3rd party watchdog sites such as eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming regulation and Assurance). These watchdog sites act as a mediator between the casino and the player should any dispute arise.
Read the online casino’s terms and conditions. This is an important tip that many new online casino players overlook (because it’s a pain in the butt). Every online casino should have a link to their terms and conditions. NOTE: If you can’t find the T&Cs or the casino will not send it to you, avoid them at all costs.
Things to look for in an online casino’s terms and conditions
Jurisdiction and age requirements
Because of uncertain laws in countries such as United States, not all casinos accept all players. Just to avoid the frustration of downloading, installing, and trying to set up an account, it’s important to verify that the casino accepts players from your country.
Also, some casinos allow 18 year old players, while other casinos require players to be 21 or older. If you’re under 21, save yourself the frustration and verify the casino’s age requirements in advance.
Withdrawal Limits
Some online casinos limit the amount you can withdraw on any given day or week. Casino withdrawal limits are not necessarily an indication of the casino’s ability to pay. However these limits are still the source of a lot of frustration and complaints about online casino scams.
Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements and Game Restrictions
Casino bonuses used to be a lucrative way for players to gain back a lot of the house edge. Other the years, many bonus hunters abused the system to make some quick money. Now, online casinos have implemented a lot of restrictions and requirements for online casino bonuses.
Wagering requirements are used to prevent someone from accepting a bonus, betting big a few times, and then cashing out. You are required to wager or roll over your deposit plus the bonus money a certain number of times before requesting a cash out.
For example, lets say you sign up for a 100% bonus offer. You deposit $100 and get another $100 free ($200 total).If the wagering requirement is 10x deposit + bonus, you must wager a total of $2000 ( 10*($100+$100) ) before cashing out.
Many casinos also have game restrictions when you use bonus money. Sometimes these are reasonable and sometimes you find online casinos that don’t allow bonus money to be used on any game except slots and keno. That can be frustrating to players who didn’t know about the restrictions.
Look for online casinos without plenty of deposit options. Honest online casinos will have a decent variety of casino deposit options. The most popular options include Visa, MasterCard, (credit, debit, and prepaid cards), eChecks, Paypal, Neteller, eWalletxpress, and Moneybookers.
Beware of online casinos that only accept cash payments. Safe and secure online casinos should give players plenty of casino deposit methods to choose from.