Anyone newly exposed to online gambling has been wondering if gambling sites are safe. Or if there is a risk of developing a gambling problem while playing casino games? And it’s totally normal to have these thoughts in your mind.
For years now, there’s been a lot of discussions regarding offline and online gambling. There is still a fuss about this industry, whether on the Internet, TV or media. While many individuals still reject the idea of gambling, many realize that this is just another way to have fun. However, it can be damaging for those who do not practice responsible gambling and make all sorts of wrong choices.
So, is gambling safe? Well, it can be if you’re using it for the right reasons. This means that you should use it as a way to have fun rather than developing a second income.
Don’t forget that you should also be safe and responsible at all times. Just like other pleasures in our daily lives, excess can harm us. Thus, if you want to call it “safe gambling” or anything else, there are some things that you should always keep in mind if you want a great online casino experience.
Safe Gambling Includes
What you didn’t know is that safe gambling applies to everyone in the industry, not only to players. This means that all involved, including online casinos, players and even affiliates, are directly responsible for safety.
When it comes to players, safety relies on personal limits. This means that you should only bet the sum you can afford to lose to enjoy the game and avoid developing obsessive behaviour that might affect other aspects of your life.
For online casinos, things are a bit simpler as they only need to be transparent, fair and in agreement with the law, just like all reputable businesses are.
As for affiliates, their duty is to educate players and avoid promoting spammy casinos. They should also offer the best resources to solve players’ issues or keep them to a minimum.
We are sure that unsafe behaviour and problem gambling are not easy to determine; thus, we made an entire list of indicators. These will help you spot any issues and find a solution right away. Just check out our responsible gambling guide.
In case you find some of the signs familiar, then you should seek assistance. There are several organizations and hotline services that will help you overcome addiction.
If you didn’t find those signs alarming, this doesn’t mean you can’t be cautious. For a safe betting experience, we advise you to use self-help tools that all trusted casino sites have ready for their users.
These reputable sites will have all the essentials to provide you with a safe and responsible gambling experience.
Deposit Limits
The first tools you’ll ever experience are the ones that help you set different limits. With the deposit limit, you get to choose the amount you want to deposit daily, weekly, or monthly.
In case you achieve that limit and try to place more wagers, the operator will deny your transfers.
Usually, even if you request to increase your limits after you reach its peak, the operator will grant any changes only after 24 or 48 hours. This is a good time to cool off a bit.
Many gamblers prefer to use this deposit tool to manage their finances in a much healthier approach. It all starts with the budget.
You set a fixed amount for gambling (make sure the funds are separate from those for rent, food, medical expenses, etc.), and then you make the budget your monthly limit. You only pay once, and then you can use the amount for the entire month.
Cooling Off Period
This is a limit that gives you some time to take a break from gambling. It is usually the step before the self-exclusion (which is more drastic).
This sort of option works best for players who think they’ve spent too much time gambling while neglecting other activities. The same applies to those who feel they spent too much money or feel they might develop an addiction.
When you use the cooling-off period, the operator will block your access and stop you from placing bets for a specific time frame. When that time passes, you will get to use your account again. In case you have mixed feelings about going back to gambling, make sure you’re getting some help.
Self-Exclusion
For those, the small bark the cooling-off period brings might be helpful, yet some players need more time. This is where the Self-Exclusion option comes into play.
This tool provides a long-term break that might take up to 6 months or even years, banning your gambling access. What you should do is that once activated, there’s no way back. It’s a permanent decision.
In Canada, if you self-exclude from one casino destination, you will automatically block your access to any licensed and regulated online casino in the country.
The Safety of Gambling Websites: What a reliable casino would never do
There’s always a doubt in the heart of every new online gambler when looking to register themselves on a new betting site. You should know that at SlotsCalendar, we will only promote legal and trusted online casino sites. However, there are a lot of websites on the internet that are unsafe.
If you know how to identify an unsafe betting site, it will be much easier to sign up with a safe one. To do that, we’ll tell you a few things that reliable casino sources will never, we mean never ever do:
Changing terms often or suddenly
Reliable online casinos will never change their terms without first sending you a notification. This is a common practice among unreliable sites as they often change their terms to back up their situation against a customer. They will do this to avoid paying the player.
This is why we insist it is so important to check the terms of a casino before joining or to verify the bonus policy before claiming, and so on. And while all casinos have the right to change them, a safe one will never do it in the middle of a promotion.
Applying bonuses without the player’s consent
There are some scammy casinos that will force bonuses on you. This means that they will grant them without making a request. And this is when they take advantage of you. Most of the time, these offers have exaggerated T&Cs and impossible wagering requirements, making you lose all the invested money.
Promote corrupted games
There are software providers that create games that are almost impossible to win. There are also online casinos that modify games to list them as their own and make you play and invest with the promise of winning great amounts of money. The truth is that they will find a loophole in the T&Cs that will never grant your winners. So, you should pay attention to any signs or follow your gut. If a site feels dodgy, it’s best to stay away from it.
No payment for players
There are online casinos on the market that will drag out payment and not even payout at all. Just think about this: When you play for a while, and you can’t get any of your cash, then you should just stop spending your money. This is a situation where the casino takes advantage of you and your investments. Just cash out if possible and close your account.
You’ll never have to experience this anxious feeling on reliable online casinos as they will allow you to choose whatever payment you want and protect your data with advanced SSL encryption technology. If the online casino lacks a license, SSL certification or a good range of payment methods, it’s best to stay away from it.
What Elements Describe a Good Online Casino
If you got here, it means that you’re already familiar with the elements that describe a terrible casino choice. To give you a hand, we will now discuss the things that describe a sage betting site where you can play your favourite games without worrying about your safety. A good online casino will always have:
- A license: This certification is mandatory as it states the website works according to the industry’s standard. It should have one of several to work for different jurisdictions.
- SSL encryption: This encryption technology certificate protects all your data (financial and personal) from unauthorized access.
- Good online reputation and trustworthiness: These words should define a reliable gambling site. An excellent online casino will give you access to vital information and take action and responsibility regarding your experience.
- Legit software providers: They should offer a rich game collection from top developers in the industry.
- Several payment methods: With new payment systems popping out, online casinos should always follow trends and provide their users with the best payment options.
- Payment and time limits: Preferably, the casino should have a small minimum sum for withdrawal and a maximum of as large as possible. At the same time, the entire payment process should be hassle-free.
- Casino bonuses: There should be several promotions ready for players of all levels. However, you still need to check those terms and conditions to ensure you agree.
- Excellent customer support: If you need help at 1 AM, then you should have it. You need a casino with a team that is on duty 24/7. You should also be able to contact me through various means of communication.
- Accessibility: As digitalization has hit hard lately, the website should also be user and mobile-friendly.
Before starting your casino adventure, we’d like to remind you that safe gambling is vital, and you should make a little effort to practice responsible gambling. So, be safe and enjoy your casino experience to the fullest!
