Security at Online Casinos UK

When you are looking at a new gambling site, there are a multitude of factors to consider. You can find some of the areas can be answered within our guides and we always like to throw in our suggestions for great betting sites. But if you like to go it alone then you’re probably thinking of a number of factors when making your choice. Questions such as, what are the welcome bonuses and regular promotions, do they offer my preferred banking option, is there a variety of gaming and what do they have in place for loyal customers? These are all legitimate things to consider, but one of the fundamental areas tends to be left off the list and that is the security at online casinos UK.

Have you ever thought about the security of your gambling site, and do you know how to make sure that the casino has taken it seriously? It should be noted that even those with the highest security software cannot guarantee that they are one hundred percent safe. But it makes sense to protect yourself as much as possible and to do that you need to understand the meaning of casino security. This includes being able to check that they have measures in place such as being properly licenced and establishing that all of their games are fair and accurate.

The crucial element to online gambling security is that the site is reputable. So not only will we give you a few of our recommendations, but we will provide you with the tools to check them out yourself.

Why Focus on Internet Casino Safety?

Let’s begin by stating that the possibility of your online betting account being hacked is rare. This is because the majority of sites have the same level of encryption software, that is used by the top finance companies. But you will still want to know that both your credit and winnings are safe in your gaming wallet, and your personal and bank details cannot be accessed.

We all know of other businesses who have had data hacks which led to their customers information being breached. This can cause significant problems for the company and the affected person, so it is important to consider security when you are working through the selection process for a new casino or betting site.

Which Online Casinos are Reputable?

For those of you who don’t want to know the details but you’re looking for a new site, then we have a few recommendations for you.

• Netbet Casino
• Vegas Paradise Casino
• All British Casino
• William Hill Casino
• Betfair Casino

What Steps Should You Take to Find a Safe and Secure Gambling Site?

Online Casino Licencing

This is not always an obvious aspect to consider, but it is probably as important as online security. If you find a gambling site you like, then your first step should not be to register, it should be to make sure it is licenced with the relevant authority. For those of you who are UK based then that will be the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).  If you head over to their site, then you will see they provide a register of licensees, and it is here where you can discover if your chosen betting site has been accepted.

This step is important because it gives you the reassurance that your site will have met the minimum standards required by the commission. Any gambling site which breaches the UKGC rules can be fined and have their licence removed, which means they cannot provide any services to UK players.

In addition to the UKGC, you should see if the site is registered with the Malta Gaming Authority. They again will only provide a licence to casinos that adhere to their strict regulations.

If you choose a site which is licenced, then you have the comfort of knowing that they have followed stringent rules on security, personal data collection, protection of vulnerable players and reducing the risk of money laundering.

Casino Security Certificates SSL

After you have checked to see if the site is regulated by the appropriate authorities, then it’s time to make sure they have the right security measures in place. This is where SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) comes into play because it is important that a site provides this to ensure they are safe and secure. Take a look at the bottom of the homepage and you will either see the SSL logo or the term ‘Secured by’ and then a company such as Thawte or Sectigo. This will give you all of the information on the SSL certificate and the company who delivers security to the site. Having SSL technology means that your transactions and personal data will be secured from potential hackers, using encryption software.

So, what exactly does all of this mean? SSL is a security technology which establishes an encrypted link between the server on the casino and the customer. In layman’s terms it helps your private information such as bank details, to be transmitted safely. But we’re going to break this down even further, because there are common features of SSL software, and they are:

• Passwords and Log In – When you are providing personal information through a registration process, then there will be a password needed to enhance protection. Even those additional security questions will improve your chances of defeating the hackers and of course they’re important should you forget your password. Although having to remember passwords can be a pain, it’s also an important line of defence.
• ID and Age Verification – The UKGC have introduced so many regulations since their inception, it almost feels like rapid fire. One specific change was the introduction of ‘Know Your Customer’. This basically calls for the gambling site to check the identity of the player and establish they are old enough to play and they are who they say they are. Adequate identification is mainly government issued documents, but it can also incorporate items such as utility bills. The process should occur when you register, but it can also be triggered when a player attempts to withdraw funds. The aim of know your customer was to protect underage players and to minimise the risk of money laundering in the gambling industry. Most sites will require that you upload your personal documents to their online portal, and this is where SSL comes into play. The encryption software will ensure that your documents are protected from anyone trying to access them, so only you and the betting site should be able to see them.
• Random Number Generator (RNG) Testing – In addition to protecting your personal details, the SSL software is also there for the site itself; more specifically the RNG. If you’re unsure of what an RNG is, then it is the software added by game designers to ensure fairness whenever you hit that play button. The RNG algorithm will produce a random result using a pseudorandom number generator. This is done via a seed number which changes every millisecond. It uses the last number or last two numbers and applies a mathematic formula to produce the random outcome. Regular independent audits are conducted on the RNG, to ensure it remains credible, and you should find the details of that audit on the site itself. The SSL will protect the RNG and the games from being hacked, which is essential to keep the industry trustworthy in the eyes of the player.

Deposit Limits

Limitations on how much you can deposit to your account, can be incredibly frustrating to all players, but especially high rollers. What you may not have considered is that it may be a benefit to any gambler whose account is breached. Alike credit cards and store cards, the introduction of a limit was to stop hackers taking advantage. The fact that you have limited money within your betting account means that they will only be able to bet with so much before the account is locked.

This is also the same for withdrawing your credit, because having a limit should mean that someone unscrupulous doesn’t clear out your bankroll.

Think About Your Payment Option

The majority of banking methods are incredibly safe, but you will find that some have better security measures than others. Thinking about your payment options is as important as the measures we have mentioned above. But to make life a little easier, here are a few of the top options:

• Bank deposits,
• Debit Cards,
• E-Wallets such as Neteller, Skrill and Ilixium.

One tip we can give you is that when you are depositing, look for the lock icon in the URL bar or app. This imagine shows that the site you have picked is using up to date SSL encryption technology.

Security Tips to Protect Yourself as You Gamble Online

With so much information, we’re sure that you will now know what to look for when choosing a reputable casino. But to make sure we have covered all bases, here are a few areas to ramp up your security.

• Regularly change your password – We know that most sites will prompt their users to change their password regularly. If not, then we recommend making it a new monthly routine. Your new login should be complex and varied so that hackers cannot simply guess it.
• Remove any winnings – We explored deposit limits above, but if you have any concerns about your sites security then keep your wallet balance low. Remove any winnings on a monthly basis, so if someone did access your account then what they removed or played, would only be minimal.
• Do not store passwords on a public machine – Don’t use cookies or cache on a public machine or one which isn’t private.
• Be careful on the gambling site you choose – You can establish how good a site they are by checking their records, for example how many payouts they’ve had in a set period. This should all be made available in an area of the site. Another aspect which we have mentioned is whether they are regulated by the appropriate authorities and do they have SSL software in place. Also, if the betting site keeps all players funds in specific segregated accounts, meaning that the winnings do not come from your deposits.
• Check players reviews before you register with the casino – You’d look at a review for a hotel, so why not your new betting site? Reviews can help establish whether a site is good or not, but more importantly why! Because sometimes the devil is in the details and what maybe ok for one player isn’t for another. Areas such as fair payouts, the level of customer support and the quality of the platform may seem insignificant now, but they will be important to you if it goes wrong. Look at it this way, you’re spending your hard-earned money, so make sure the betting site is worthy of it.

Summary of Security at Online Casinos UK

Online security isn’t necessarily the first thing that most people think about when they register on a new gambling site. When in reality it should be, especially when you consider what can go wrong.

Thankfully times have changed and whereas a site could get away with poor security in the past, they no longer can. Because of the need to be regulated by the likes of the UK Gambling Commission, many have ensured that they are up to code, which means viewing security as a priority.

As we have stated above, the first step should always be to check the site is regulated. Then if you want to investigate further, we recommend heading to the terms and conditions section to see what security measures are in place. Also look for that SSL and auditing certificate which you will find towards the bottom of the sites page.