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Whenever the internet is combined with money, it becomes a bit of a safety minefield, with fraud, scams and data security all major concerns for users. Therefore, it’s absolutely crucial that online casinos are able to protect their player’s funds.
In this article, we look at how they do that, and why you should feel safe playing with them, provided, of course, they are fully licensed and regulated. Any legitimate online casino will take these concerns extremely seriously and have strict policies in place. This will hopefully put your mind at ease and help you to focus on the fun.
It’s not only the best casino sites that work hard to protect player funds. Here are five things that all legitimate online casinos do:
They use strong SSL encryption and secure payment processors. Internet security is everything in this day and age, so online casinos use encrypted code to keep player details - especially financial information - safe from hackers.
They carry out KYC checks. As annoying as Know Your Customer checks might be, providing a valid form of ID and proof of address document is infinitely preferable to having your identity stolen and your bank cards used without your knowledge. These checks also help to prevent money laundering.
They follow national and state laws. There is a great selection of licensed online casinos out there, including some that offer no deposit casino bonuses. Taking a risk on an unlicensed operator just isn’t worth it. Among other things, their player fund protection will almost certainly be below par.
They require withdrawals to be made to the same payment method. By preventing players from depositing with one method and withdrawing from another, online casinos can prevent money laundering and also protect players from having their funds stolen.
They use RNGs and trusted software developers. Random Number Generators and trusted software developers give players confidence and ensure that, win or lose, their gameplay is fair and unbiased.
Here are some top tips for keeping your funds safe at online casinos:
| What the casino should be doing | What you should be doing |
|---|---|
| They should be fully licensed and comply with all local and national laws | Always make sure you are playing on the official site by using the correct URL |
| Their website should be secure and not trigger safety alerts on your internet browser | Look up operator reviews on websites like Trustpilot and Google the parent company to check that it's legitimate |
| They should use RNGs | Use a complex password |
| They should carry out KYC checks | Don’t keep large amounts of money in your account that you are not prepared to lose |
Fund protection is paramount at online casinos, and the good news is that, provided you are using a properly regulated and licensed operator, your funds should be just as safe there as on most other online platforms.
Strong SSL encryption is used, along with secure payment processors, to protect against hackers, while KYC checks help prevent identity theft, and RNGs ensure fair gameplay.
The two main caveats to this are that protection is severely limited at rogue, unlicensed operators, so we would strongly recommend against depositing any money on those platforms, and that player funds are not protected against bankruptcy. Keep these things in mind, and you should be able to have the safest experience possible.
Although the responsibility is partly on the player to set a secure password and not divulge it, online casinos also use automated fraud prevention tools to lock accounts after multiple unsuccessful login attempts. They also don’t allow players to withdraw to a payment method that isn’t in their name.
Identification checks are carried out via the KYC (Know Your Customer) system. These require players to provide a valid form of ID showing that they are old enough to play, plus a proof of address document showing they live in an unrestricted territory.
No. Unfortunately, unlike banks and some other financial service providers, your funds don’t have the same level of protection in the event of an online casino bankruptcy.
Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following responsible gambling guidelines such as:
Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.
Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.
Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.
Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.
Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.
Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.
If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Bevilacqua as part of our fact-checking process.
Disclaimer: All of the information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. We do NOT accept bets of any kind. The information we provide is accurate and trustworthy to help you make better decisions. When you click or tap on a link on Dimers that leads to a third-party website that we have a commercial arrangement with (such as an online sportsbook), we may earn referral fees. Dimers does not endorse or encourage illegal or irresponsible gambling in any form. Before placing any wagers with any betting site, you must check the online gambling regulations in your jurisdiction or state, as they do vary. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-MY-RESET or 1-800-GAMBLER.
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