Any smart punter should be asking themselves this question. After all, would you dive into an online banking service without looking into its credibility and reputation? Certainly not, and New Zealand gamers should be using the same keen caution when playing online casino games.
The good news is online casinos are generally safe. Reputable casinos have several measures for keeping you and your money safe, including state of the art encryption coding for all transactions, fair gaming practices and tests, and licensing requirements that keep casinos under strict guidelines for safety and fairness.
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The bad news is that there are scammers out there who will try to take your money and run. Rogue sites are run by con artists that do their best to swindle you out of your money. So, how can you tell if you’re playing at a legitimate site or not? Read through this comprehensive guide to responsible and safe gaming online, and you’ll find out what signs to look for in a reputable website, how to tell if a casino is playing honestly, and what to avoid when signing up.
Online Casino Licensing
One of the best ways governments keep gambling safe for gamers is by implementing licensing criteria. Any online casino that wants to hold a license under a government’s jurisdiction is required to follow certain fair gaming laws and safe practices.
There are several licensing jurisdictions, and not all are as reliable as others. Licenses from Alderney, the Isle of Man, and Malta are known to be reputable, and you can trust the online casinos that operate under these licenses. Some top name casinos that fall under this category include Mr Green, 32Red, and Ladbrokes.
Online Casino Auditing
Trustworthy online casinos go through a standard auditing process regularly to ensure all gaming practices are fair and honest, providing punters with the quality experience they deserve and expect. The largest auditing body for online casinos is eCogra, and when you see that symbol on a website, you know you are gambling safely. Spin Palace and Royal Vegas are some of the reputable casinos that carry this banner.
RNG
A random number generator is a computerised programme that randomly selects the outcomes of games. Reliable online casinos utilise RNGs to keep gaming fun and fair for everyone. There is no rigging systems, stacking odds, or manipulating games to the casino’s advantage since everything is run via this random and automated computer system. RNGs are also regulated by the licensing agreements held by the casino and are audited periodically.
Avoiding Rogue Casinos
Of course, for every legitimate business model, there is a counterfeit waiting to be made. That’s why online gamers need to be on the lookout for rogue casinos and avoid them like the plague. In addition to steering clear of any site with a Costa Rica licensing (notorious for total unaccountability), don’t go anywhere near the blacklisted casinos mentioned here.
Gambling Addictions
Gambling is an excellent way to make a little extra spending money or blow off some steam at the end of a long day. Punters have to play responsibly, though, and part of that means knowing when you’ve gone too far. Pay attention to these obvious signs that your leisure time activity has become more than you can handle:
- You are neglecting responsibilities or even wornk to play games excessively
- You borrow money from friends, family members, or savings accounts to fund your gaming habit
- You avoid socialising in favour of gambling
- You can’t stop even when the funding has dried up
- If any of these signs appear, sign out of your account and ask someone who cares about you for help.
What responsible online casinos do to help problem gamblers
Reliable online casinos are there to help. They want to make the gambling experience as much fun for you as possible, and that includes keeping gaming responsible. There are several ways online casinos can help keep gambling addictions and problems in check. For example:
Self-exclusion programs
Self-exclusion programs allow gamblers to stay away from temptation by excluding themselves entirely from this option. Responsible online casinos have this option on offer.
Over 18 only policies
Children don’t understand the severity of overspending or compulsive gambling. For this reason, reputable casinos enforce the strict over 18 only policy for their members.
Timed sessions
Capping the amount of time you spend in front of the screen will keep irresponsible gambling at bay. When your time is up, the casino will lock you out until the next available time slot opens up.
Spending limits
Allowing you to set spending limits is a smart way casinos ensure gambling doesn’t become excessive or detrimental. Set your limits or have someone else set them for you if you can’t trust yourself to do it responsibly. Responsible casinos like Super Lenny also have several gambling resources available on their site in case you need additional help.
Gaming Responsibly
Of course, smart gaming doesn’t have to automatically exclude you from the fun. As long as you are playing responsibly, most people can enjoy casual gambling without it ever becoming a problem. Aside from paying attention to the indicators we listed above, here are a few wise tips for keeping online casino gaming fun, responsible, and safe all the time:
- Only play with extra money you have
- Stick to your bankroll, and when the money runs out, walk away
- Set a time limit and keep to it
- Expect to lose, anything you win will be extra
- Only play for fun (Free slots)
Ready to play responsibly? Then head to one of these reliable casinos and have fun!