Enjoy Real Money Casinos Safely With This Detailed Guide
Millions of people enjoy real money casino games online safely every year. With any industry there are unreliable operators; however, with some simple steps you can make sure that your deposits are safe and that you’ll get paid your winnings quickly. This guide to safe online casinos looks at different areas of casino safety and shows you how to make sure you have the best possible experience.
You’ll find an overview of regulated and unregulated casino operators below, along with an explanation of how the US forced internet casino operators to operate from offshore. This includes some information on depositing safely at casinos, as well as a section on withdrawals. The article also examines the integrity of the games – before finishing with a note for potential players who are worried that they might get in trouble with their local law enforcement agencies.
Regulated and Unregulated Sites
In much of the world, casino gaming for real money is legal, regulated and taxed. This includes protection for players via the licensing process. The best casinos are often parts of companies who are listed on major stock markets in London – adding another layer of financial oversight via accounting rules.
Unfortunately, the US has made banking transactions between casinos and domestics banks illegal. This has forced those casinos still welcoming US players offshore. Countries like Netherlands Antilles are happy to license casinos, though there would be little recourse for the average US citizen in the case of a dispute.
This makes ensuring that your casino has a good reputation more important than ever for US-based players. There are some excellent brands that have a very good track record in offering safe gaming and reliable cash-outs. There are also many new names popping up who do not yet have that kind of reputation.
Is It Safe to Deposit?
Again we need to make a distinction between regulated worldwide casinos and offshore US-friendly places. In much of the world you will have access to a wide range of deposit options including credit or debit cards, eWallets and bank transfers. For anyone concerned about using their credit card, eWallets (electronic wallets) are a great solution. These provide a buffer between your bank and the casino site. These will also allow you to move your bankroll around quickly – for example to take advantage of bonus offers.
In regulated environments you have a great chance of getting your money back through the financial authorities should something go wrong. This adds a layer of security to your online casino experience.
For US players, there are still come deposit methods open to get your money safely on board. Visa credit cards have a great track record via their ability to make international purchases. If you are concerned about the safety of using your card, then Money Transfer services are a viable and 100% safe alternative.
You can withdraw from online casinos either via paper check, or the Money Transfer services. Checks do face delays for cutting, posting and then clearing at your bank. While Money Transfer withdrawals can be with you in just a few days. The speed and safety of your withdrawal really depends more on the casino than the method being employed. Make sure you stay with the larger and more reputable brands, many of whom have very solid reputations for processing withdrawals in a timely manner.
Are The Games Rigged?
The answer here is simple: casino games have a built in house edge. As such, casinos really don’t need to rig any games in their favor. The human brain is well designed for seeing patterns, and we can spot unusual losing sequences very quickly. Statistically, these are just noise, with the real profit defined by the house edge.
To make sure your casino is as safe as possible, you should check for external certification of their random number generation software. This should be prominently displayed on their website, together with contact information including a phone number. If any of this is missing, then find another casino.
Can I Be Sent To Court For Gambling Online?
No, nobody in the US has ever been indicted on any charges relating to playing real money casino games online. Currently only the banks and payment processors are covered federally, with some States having statutes which make online gambling a misdemeanor. A court case involving an individual player would test laws which the Federal agencies seem reluctant to set any court precedent on – adding an extra layer of security for those players happy to exercise their right to gamble online.