Most players who are new to the interactive gaming experience are wary of registering at online casinos and making payments to play the available games for real money. Such concerns are entirely justified, given the number of rogue casino operators that have emerged in recent times, with players complaining of slow withdrawals, rigged software, inadequate customer support and a lack of security measures regarding personal and banking information.
New customers of web-based casinos often question the fairness of the available games and wonder whether the results are indeed governed by a random principle. In this article, we will explain how the outcome of online casino games is determined, what security measures are in place to protect payments and personal information, and which key traits to look for when searching for a safe online casino with which to set up a real-money account.
How the RNG of Online Casino Games Works
All types of games available at online casinos run on the so-called Random Number Generators (RNGs). The only exception to this rule is the live dealer games, which are hosted by flesh-and-blood croupiers and streamed in real time from the floors of prestigious land-based gambling venues or from the studios of well-known software developers. Other than these, the outcome of each spin of the virtual roulette wheel or slot reels, and of every blackjack hand you play, is determined by special software programmes known as RNGs.
The purpose of this elaborate piece of software is to imitate random outcomes. This is achieved by the RNG generating long, random sequences of numbers that lack any logical pattern or predictability whatsoever. Since true randomness is rather difficult to mimic, online casinos have adopted what are known as “pseudo” RNGs because they generate outputs without requiring any external inputs.
It all starts with a seed number. The RNG then uses a complex mathematical algorithm to calculate another random number based on the initial seed. This new random number becomes the next seed and yet another number is produced using the same algorithm. This process repeats endlessly, with each number being based on its predecessor. Because of this, there is no way for players to predict the outcome of online casino games – to do so, one would need to discover the initial seed number, and nobody has access to such information except for the person who input the starting seed.
Another thing worth mentioning is that these numbers are indeed quite long and often consist of six or more digits. What is interesting is that this sophisticated software is always at work, producing random numbers. The RNG is, in fact, generating outcomes even when no one is betting on a particular slot or virtual roulette game.
Some players may ask themselves, “Is there a way for online casinos to rig the RNGs of their games?” This is indeed a valid question, as rogue operators have been known to adopt such practices in the past to skew the games in their favour. This is where independent auditing agencies come in handy. Such third-party auditors test the RNGs of casino games to ensure true randomness is in place.
More importantly, all secure online casinos that value and respect their customers willingly publish the results of these audits on their websites for all players to see. The games’ theoretical return-to-player percentages (RTP) are also readily available at secure gambling websites, with the information being updated on a regular basis.
Players who open real-money accounts at online casinos that have received certification from reputable independent testing agencies, such as TST or eCOGRA, can rest assured that the games they play comply with the highest security and fairness standards in the interactive gaming industry.
Security Methods Used by Online Casinos for Player Protection
Another question that arises among some players concerns the security measures that protect financial transactions and the sensitive personal information shared with the casino during registration. Highly esteemed gambling operators are committed to player protection and tend to utilise the below-listed methods to ensure a safe gaming environment for their customers.
Identity and Age Verification
Licensed gambling operators are required by law to verify the identity and age of all players who sign up for real-money accounts at their websites. This is done to eliminate the risk of underage gambling. Since there is no way for operators to visually assess the age of their customers, the latter are expected to send scanned copies of personal documents for age identification.
Another viable reason that calls for verifying the identity of online casino players is the prevention of fraud, such as identity theft and money-laundering practices. There have been instances of unscrupulous individuals trying to rid themselves of illegal gains by staking them online and then withdrawing the winnings as “clean” money.
Because of this, registered players are asked to provide documents for identification, such as copies of their ID card, driving licence or passport. The name on the document must coincide with that on the credit/debit card used for processing payments. Players are also expected to go through a proof-of-address procedure, which involves sending scanned copies of recent utility bills.
The goal is to check whether the address on the ID matches that on the bill. This demonstrates the player has indeed provided a valid address during registration. Such verification is typically required when a player requests their first withdrawal, but you may be asked to undergo it again if you attempt to cash out a substantial amount from your online casino account.
Secure Socket Layer Data Encryption
Players who register at regulated and licensed online casinos have absolutely nothing to worry about regarding the security of their personal and banking information. All big names in the industry have adopted what is known as Secure Socket Layer Data Encryption Protocols (SSL). This is a standard security technology also used by millions of financial institutions and payment service websites to process banking transactions securely and dependably.
SSL technology establishes an encrypted connection between an Internet browser and a web server. In most instances, either 128-bit or 256-bit encryption is implemented. Two keys are necessary for the encrypted connection to be established successfully. One of them is public and is used to encrypt the information. The second key is private and decrypts the encoded data.
This encryption guarantees that all sensitive information between the browser and the server remains private. SSL technology also prevents malicious third parties from gaining access to sensitive data. Even if such a person succeeds in accessing the information, they will not be able to use it without decoding it with the private key. Websites using this technology are easy to recognise, as they display a small padlock icon in the address bar of your Internet browser. This indicates the information is safely encrypted. Another way to tell is to look at what precedes the website’s address – it needs to have “https” in front.
Firewalls
Reputable online casinos use state-of-the-art firewalls to control the traffic to and from their websites. These firewalls establish specific parameters and then determine which incoming and outgoing traffic to allow. For interactive gambling websites, the firewalls aim at preventing unwanted traffic from reaching the casino’s server.
Traits of Secure Online Casinos
With hundreds of web-based casinos to choose from, many players struggle to differentiate between secure and rogue gambling operators. We have listed a few common traits all trusted online gaming providers share. If the casino you have registered with meets all of these criteria, you have practically nothing to worry about.
Licensing Information
All trusted online casinos must undergo rigorous testing of their software and background before they open their virtual doors. There are regulatory bodies whose job is to ensure online gambling operators are legitimate and to provide them with licences allowing them to offer their services legally. In addition, these regulatory authorities are responsible for overseeing whether the licensees are complying with the licence conditions. Another important function of licensing authorities is to resolve any disputes between players and online gambling operators should they arise.
Adequate Customer Privacy Policies
An adequate Privacy Policy is among the most important traits of secure online casinos because it serves as an indicator of how gambling operators intend to use the sensitive information players share with them. Because of this, it is essential to read the Privacy Policy of your preferred online casino before you sign up for a real-money account there.
A legitimate online casino normally states in its Privacy Policy that the personal and financial information players provide during registration is not to be shared with any unauthorised third parties, especially not for marketing purposes and spam. When player information is shared with third parties, these are authorised by the casino (such as their licence issuer, auditors and contractors) and the data is typically used for promotional communication, research and technical diagnostics.
Clearly Stated Terms and Conditions
Another way to distinguish a dependable online casino is by taking a quick look at its Terms and Conditions page, where the operator lists the terms of use of its website and services and provides essential information concerning the available promotional offers players can partake in. These terms and conditions should be stated in a clear-cut, comprehensive manner that all players can understand. Any promotional information presented in a way that renders it open to more than one interpretation should serve as a serious warning sign for players.
Transparency is a trait all players need to look for when choosing which online casino to deposit and bet at. Before claiming any given bonus, one must at all costs read and understand the conditions and wagering requirements attached to the promotional offer. Some casino players go as far as taking screenshots of the said bonus conditions. This may seem odd at first glance, but there is actually a very good reason for it.
Some rogue casinos tend to modify bonus conditions and playthrough requirements whenever disputes concerning players’ winnings ensue. The said Terms and Conditions section can be found at the bottom of each online casino’s homepage, so make sure you read it in detail before you register an account or claim any bonuses.
Regular Software Audits for Fairness and Randomness of the Games
As we explained at the beginning, online casino games run on pseudo Random Number Generators, which do not require any external input to generate outcomes. A seed number in combination with a complicated mathematical algorithm is used instead. A problem may arise because these algorithms are, by their very nature, mathematical formulae and, as such, are hackable provided the person knows the algorithm and the initial seed number. In other words, they may be tampered with and rigged.
This is where independent testing agencies intervene. The job of such third-party agencies is to perform thorough tests of the casinos’ software and RNGs to ensure the offered games are actually fair. Some of the most well-known agencies dealing with these audits are Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), eCOGRA, Technical Systems Testing (TST) and Gaming Associates, among others.
Some of the responsibilities of these auditors include evaluating the casinos’ Random Number Generators, verifying the payout percentages of the games and auditing poker systems. If a certain online gambling operator passes the rigorous tests successfully, it is provided with a small seal of approval to publish on the homepage of its website. The results from the games’ payout verification are often published as well. Some testing agencies, like TST, have established a practice of publishing up-to-date information about their clients’ results on their websites.
Broader Range of Secure Banking Methods
Reputable gambling operators can also be recognised by the broader range of secure payment options they offer their customers. The aim is to allow customers a wider choice, as players normally tend to lean towards banking methods they feel confident about. Thus, the greater variety of deposit and withdrawal options aims at ensuring a higher level of convenience for all customers.
Some secure casinos list widespread and commonly known payment solutions that have built a reputation for being safe to use and dependable. The options normally include credit and debit cards by Visa, Mastercard and Maestro; digital wallets such as Skrill, PayPal and Neteller; as well as prepaid virtual cards by EntroPay and vouchers by Paysafecard. Of course, many of the available options, like Giropay and Nordea, are region-specific but have proven themselves locally as reliable and secure. The aim is to enhance the convenience of players from different countries and allow them to use a method with which they are familiar.
Payments to and from online casinos are conducted in line with the same security standards banking institutions comply with. In other words, processing a deposit into your casino account is as safe as purchasing a product online, provided that the website uses 128-bit or 256-bit SSL encryption.
Efficient Customer Support
Another trait of trusted gambling operators is treating their player community with due courtesy and respect. This courtesy is expressed through the provision of efficient customer support, with trained professionals available at all times to answer queries, clarify the terms of promotional offers when needed, and assist players in solving various issues related to their payments, account management and gameplay. After all, operating an online casino is a business like any other, which is why adequate customer support is among the key ingredients for success.
The importance of adequate customer care is actually twofold. Since it is players who put their money at stake, they have every right to demand expedient assistance and answers to their enquiries. Established casino operators understand this very well, which is why they always offer a dedicated live chat facility where support agents are at hand around the clock, including at weekends and on public holidays. This increases both convenience and confidence because players are not required to wait around for an email response – they can get in touch with a representative of the casino directly and ask for advice and assistance.
Of course, resolving errors (which occur only on extremely rare occasions at respected casinos) is far from being the only benefit of immediate customer support. Sometimes, a player may be unable to understand how to claim a bonus or may simply wish to know how the progressive jackpot on a given slot is awarded. If the player in question fails to find the information they are looking for, they can always ask customer support for the answer. This works to the advantage of less-experienced online casino players in particular because it gives them greater confidence that they have registered with an operator they can actually trust.
Ensuring quick and friendly support is beneficial for gambling operators as well. Providing one’s customers with the highest-quality service possible translates into higher levels of satisfaction for players, who, in turn, will readily recommend the casino and attract more new members. In other words, excellent customer service helps casinos increase their player base.
Encouragement of Responsible Gaming
Customer care is often expressed through the encouragement of responsible gaming, which is something all big names in the interactive gambling industry advocate. It is a well-known fact that betting on the outcome of various games is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of recreation in the world. It remains so to this day. Yet, a certain level of self-control should always be maintained, otherwise players risk falling prey to problem gambling.
Because of this, online casinos are required by their regulators to commit to the promotion of responsible gambling and, therefore, protect their customers. This is achieved by the adoption of the so-called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies all online casino operators are expected to implement.
There are several aspects of responsible gambling encouragement, the first one being the protection of minors. This is achieved by the rigorous identity and age verification procedures all players go through when registering an account. This way, the risk of underage individuals partaking in online gambling activities is reduced to a minimum.
Another important aspect of promoting responsible gambling is enabling registered members of the casino to set deposit limits for themselves. In some instances, there is the option to choose between weekly, monthly and even daily limits – once you deposit a specific amount, you are not allowed to make more transactions to your account, at least for the time being. Some online casinos also offer a “game time reminder”, which informs players of the amount of time they have spent playing a particular game. Many video slots have an Autoplay feature that makes it easier for less cautious players to get carried away. They can, however, set loss limits for themselves during Autoplay to solve this issue.
Another important responsible gambling practice is the introduction of self-exclusion tools. When a player feels they are starting to develop a problem, they are allowed to self-exclude from the casino, where access to their account will be completely blocked for a specific period, usually six months, although this time-frame depends on the gambling operator. Once the exclusion period ends, the player can request access to the account by contacting a member of the support team. It is also possible to self-exclude permanently, in which case the account will be terminated and there will be no option to reactivate it.
Finally, all secure online casinos that value their players and care for their well-being provide lists with the phone numbers, websites and addresses of organisations helping gambling addicts deal with their problems. Some of the most well-known organisations of this type include GamCare and Gamblers Anonymous. This information is typically published on the homepage of the gaming operators’ websites, in the Responsible Gaming section.
