People are enjoying gambling more than ever, especially online. The UK, which has long had a more liberal attitude towards gambling, is one example of this. The consumer and market data company Statista reports on its website that, according to research conducted in the UK 2024, a third of participants had participated in online gambling activity in the four weeks before the survey. Sports betting was a popular activity: 47% of participants had taken part in online sports betting in the month leading up to the survey.
Playing safely and responsibly
One thing to remember when playing at an online casino or sportsbook is to play safely and responsibly. Wagering on outcomes is highly entertaining, but it’s also easy to get carried away, so it’s important to be mindful of this.
Thankfully, there are several ways to do this. Igaming service providers want to keep their players safe, too, and place tools at players’ disposal to help them keep safe. Below are some measures to take to remain safe and responsible when using online gambling services.
Check for encryption
Encryption technology is an important tool for keeping both the operator and players safe. Look for “https://” and a padlock symbol at the start of the website URL. This indicates the website has incorporated a secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol into its operation. SSL encrypts information sent between two servers or between a website and a browser, which stops malicious third parties from viewing details of transactions and more between the player and operator.
Check for a licence
It’s essential when using an online gaming service provider to ensure they’re licenced. This is a sign they’re regulated and that you have somewhere to go if you have an issue with an operator. Service providers must display on their website that they’re licenced. Often, they’ll indicate who regulate them. You’ll also be able to check on a public register somewhere that they’re licenced. This protects you from shady operators.
Use trusted payment methods
Whenever playing on the website of an online gambling provider, always use trusted payment methods that offer protection against fraud. Digital wallet PayPal is one. Avoid entering any sensitive information such as a social security number or credit details on the sites or unknown or unverified casinos.
Research and read reviews
If someone has had a bad experience at an online casino or betting site, they’ll be sure to warn others about it! Spend a little time reading reviews and see what others had to say. Be aware that some may be sore losers who are writing bad reviews out of spite, so if the review is light on facts, treat it with caution. Also be aware that some people leave fake reviews, so check the wording of reviews and see if the wording is similar.
Use customer support
A site’s level of customer support is a good way to gauge how safe or reliable the operator is. Legitimate service providers make it easy for players to contact them. They offer 24-hour support and are quick to respond, knowing that players are keen to get back to their gaming. If a site takes a long time to answer your query or simply doesn’t answer at all, this is a bad sign. They might not be trustworthy.
Learn how games and wagering works
Elementary as it sounds, understanding how games and betting work is fundamental to play responsibly online. If you don’t know, at the very least you’re not going to enjoy playing as much. At worst, you could end up spending more than you’d intended to.
Control the time you spend on an igaming website
Time flies when you’re having fun, but it’s important to keep track of time while playing. Often, gambling sites offer pop-up reminders and other tools to let you know how long you’ve been playing. In the case of slots, you can set a maximum time limit or loss limit per session. Operators keep a record of the time you spend on their site, which you can request to monitor your gaming habits.
Set budget limits
Decide how much you’re willing to spend, especially how much you don’t mind losing, and stick to this budget. If you hit this limit, don’t try to win back anything you’ve lost. Just log out of your account and play another day.
Take regular breaks
It’s easy to spend hours on a device or in front of the computer using igaming services. Make sure you take regular breaks. Get a cup of coffee. Get some fresh air and go for a walk.
Keeping safe and playing responsibly is important when using an online casino or placing a bet on a sporting event at an online bookies. You should take every care to do this so that you can get as much enjoyment out of your gaming as possible.