It goes without saying that the gambling industry is growing. More and more casino platforms are making their way into the industry, promising gamblers an amazing experience on their websites.
Casino review sites have even taken it a notch higher by compiling detailed reviews of the best casinos around. This makes it easier for gamblers to decide which casino website is the ideal one for them.
But, with the extensive range of these platforms, it can be challenging for gamblers to determine which ones are licensed and which ones are not.
An unlicensed casino is one that has not been vetted and given a valid operating license by the relevant gambling authority.
Below are several reasons why gamblers should steer clear of these casinos.
Gamblers’ Confidential Information May Not Be Safe
One of the main requirements most gambling authorities ask for before issuing a license to casino platforms is proof that gamblers’ personal information will be safe on their sites.
A casino may put several safety features to safeguard gamblers’ vital information.
The most common one is the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, which encrypts the data shared between the server (casino website) and the user(gambler.) However, the casino platform has to install an SSL certificate for this feature to be effective.
So, an unlicensed casino may not have the necessary safety features, putting its customers’ confidential information at risk of landing in the wrong hands.
What’s more, some unlicensed casinos may intentionally fail to set up the necessary data safety features so that they may use their customers’ information for illegal activities.
Fair Betting Outcomes Isn’t Guaranteed
Typically, gambling authorities require casinos to have a technological system that gives players a fair chance to make profits from their bets.
A common system is the Random Number Generator technology (RNG.) This system is designed to produce results of various casino games randomly.
Most casinos use pseudo RNGs because they don’t necessarily need anyone to input any data or numbers to produce results.
Although a casino may have this technology, the relevant gambling authority still needs to test it regularly to ensure that it is not manipulated.
Unlicensed may not use this technology to ensure that gamblers have a fair chance at winning the games they play. And if they do, they may not allow gambling authorities to test it regularly to ensure that it is fair.
This enables them to manipulate their games to work in their favor, making gamblers incur so much loss.
Access to Funds Isn’t Guaranteed
Normally, gambling authorities require casinos to prove that gamblers on their sites can access the money they make from winning bets before getting a license.
Some casinos may not get a license to avoid the vetting process. This enables them to block customers from accessing the profits they make from winning bets. Sure, a gambler may see the money they’ve made indicated on the screen, but they will not be able to withdraw it.
They Don’t Show Any Responsibility for Their Customers
In most countries, gambling authorities should prove that they vet gamblers before joining their websites. Doing so will ensure that the customers signing up aren’t joining the platform for any other business besides gambling.
The vetting process may entail asking a gambler for proof of their preferred payment method. This ensures that they are obtaining money from a legitimate source. There might be individuals who use money from offshore accounts to gamble, which in most cases is criminal money.
Almost all licensed gambling sites also ask gamblers for proof of their age. Many countries don’t allow individuals under the age of 18 to gamble.
Unlicensed gamblers may not vet their customers before allowing them to open an account. This not only allows underage individuals to participate in gambling but also opens doors for fraudsters to steal confidential information from unsuspecting gamblers.
Gamblers Don’t Have Any Protection If Any Disputes Arise
Most licensed casinos have a straightforward procedure on how a gambler can file a complaint. And if they’re not satisfied, they can go to the necessary gambling authority and file a complaint.
Doing this may be impossible with unlicensed casinos. Most starters may not have a procedure or customer service to tend to their customers’ complaints.
Moreover, a gambler cannot report them to a higher authority because they are not licensed.
Conclusion
Unlicensed casinos are bad news to gamblers since they often exploit gamblers for their benefit.
An excellent way to tell whether or not a casino is licensed is to check their “About Us” page. Most licensed casinos display license details in that section.
