What are the Characteristics of a Safe Casino?
Posted by Harry Kane on Friday, November 24, 2023
If you’re going to wager at an online casino in the UK, there’s no doubt that you’re spoiled for choice in the modern-day marketplace. After all, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) have issued some 3,368 licenses to around 2,439 gambling companies, creating a total of at least 175 online casinos for you to select from.
At the same time, the rising popularity of online casinos (and introduction of increasingly stringent regulatory measures) has driven a growing number of UK punters to black market gambling sites. In fact, some 250,000 are thought to have visited unregulated sites during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, up from the typical monthly average of 80,000 on these shores.
Of course, some of this number may unknowingly wager at a black market casinos, potentially exposing them to rogue operators and questionable banking methods or practices. But how can you distinguish safe and licensed casinos from black market alternatives? Here are some key identifiers to keep in mind!
Licensing and Regulatory Oversight
Let’s start with the basics, as safe and licensed sites should both showcase their credentials publicly and be listed with the regulating body (the UK Gambling Commission). The latter point is particularly important, as licensed brands that are under the authority of the regulator enable you to escalate complaints and resolve queries in a fair and prompt manner.
So, when you first find a potential site, click through to the ‘About Us’ page or scroll to the bottom of the home page, and keep your eyes peeled for the requisite licensing information. Companies are required to display this information accurately and in full, while making this relatively easy for punters to find when browsing online.
For example, the site’s unique license number should be displayed prominently and ideally hyperlinked, so that you can click through and verify the information through a trusted third party. The site should also display all of its licensing credentials and its official headquarters, along with viable channels through which complaints can be raised.
In the UK, you can also head straight to the UK Gambling Commissions register of public businesses. You can access this, while the search bar enabling you to verify the licensing credentials of specific online casino and their parent companies. You can also find out additional information about the operator, including their most recent licensing status.
This is important, as it will help you to identify previously reputable sites who may have subsequently had their licenses either revoked or seen it expire. If you see that a casino isn’t referenced here or doesn’t showcase its credentials on its website, this is a huge red flag that should encourage you to seek out an alternative operator.
Appraising Game Fairness and Transparency
When the UKGC previously announced its core strategic objectives through 2018, one of the key elements was improving the relationship of the iGaming industry and its various verticals and operators. The regulator has subsequently taken a number of steps to achieve this objective, with the promotion of fairer and more transparent games offering a relevant case in point.
For example, reputable casinos must now commit to having their games’ libraries and verticals tested by third party auditing organisation, such as iTech Labs or (more commonly) eCOGRA. This ensures that outcomes are determined randomly and using random number generating (RNG) software, which must be deployed by every licensed operator and developer.
Similarly, licensed operators must display each individual game’s average return-to-player (RTP) rate, which lets players how much they can expect to recoup for every £100 wagered online. By publishing this, players can make informed choices about to wager their hard-earned cash, while also identifying patterns and payout trends that may be irregular.
Site Security and Payment Methods
Perhaps the best way for online casino brands to build trust and win custom is by creating a completely secure and encrypted website. For example, licensed brands are required to operate 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum standard, as this helps to process individual deposit and withdrawal transactions securely and safeguard your sensitive personal information.
Such encryption protocols serve two key purposes. Firstly, they guarantee the integrity of each financial transaction and prevent hackers from accessing or stealing your funds. Secondly, they keep your underlying financial and personal details confidential and encrypted at all times, making them completely invisible to malicious actors and third parties.
Additionally, these encryption methods enable licensed operators to implement robust data protection policies, ensuring that they simultaneously protect their customers and comply with relevant laws and guidelines. These include the omnipotent General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which oversees precisely how iGaming brands collate, use and share consumer data.
In terms of payment options, licensed casinos will only utilise trusted and secure methods that include Visa debit cards, bank transfers and reputable e-wallets such as PayPal (the use of credit cards in now banned in the UK marketplace). Some may even provide cryptocurrencies, typically well-known, first generation tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Licensed casinos should also share detailed information about their unique deposit and withdrawal policies, including key datasets like processing times, limits and fees (where applicable). This information is key, as it prevents operators from delaying withdrawals or applying the type of excessive fees that are regularly applied by rogue casino platforms.
The Bottom Line
It’s also important to review each casino’s terms and conditions, especially those that relate to their welcome offer. More specifically, keep your eyes peeled for bonuses that feature wagering requirements that exceed 100x the value of the bonus (the industry average is around 40x) or those that aren’t detailed in full.
This, along with the other tips in this guide, can help you to distinguish between licensed and reputable casino brands and those that may operate in the black market. Just remember to conduct as many of these checks as possible, while also analysing reputable affiliate sites and first-hand customer reviews to inform your decision further.