The internet itself is somewhat infamous for things like identity theft and other dubious dealings, so it should come as no surprise that online gambling is also frequently subject to suspicion.  We at Expert Players can confirm that scams do occur within the industry and that disreputable casinos do appear somewhat frequently.  Unfortunately with no way to consistently police the internet there is little that can be done to prevent these occurrences.

With that said, an informed online gambler has nothing to fear.  The industry’s more upstanding casinos (and there are many of these too) put a lot of work into protecting their reputations and their customers.  Virtually all major casinos implement security software that is safer and more complex than the software used by most online retailers.  All the casinos reviewed by Expert Players have exhibited a high commitment to offering a safe playing environment for their members by working in association with a number of outside security experts.  To ensure that your casino of choice is protected, simply look at the front page of their site.  Most reputable casinos proudly display these professional affiliations.

If you’re wondering about a casino’s motives, there are associations that monitor fair gaming practices too.  eCOGRA (e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) for example is one of the industry’s leading casino watchdog groups.  To attain approval from one of these groups, casinos must submit to a strict audit and review process performed by an independent company.  Once they’ve passed, you can expect to see the association’s seal of approval on their casino site.  If you can’t find a fair gaming affiliation, then contact the casino’s support department for complete details on their most recent audit.  Avoid any casino that cannot or will not provide this information.

Some players also worry about the fairness of the games.  In this case, it’s not the casinos that you should be questioning.  All of the major casinos use randomization software (which is also audited by the above companies to ensure accuracy) that mimics the odds offered by the live versions of their games.  Most of these casinos also readily advertise their payout percentages, so you know the house edge in advance. 

The most common threat to your money at an online casino is cheating players.  While you won’t have to worry about them at luck-based games like slots or craps, collusion is a serious problem in the world of online poker.  Even so, casinos work hard to identify these players through both live and mechanized surveillance.  If you suspect you have been cheated by a casino, then contact eCOGRA.  If you suspect you have been cheated by a player, then contact the casino’s support staff.

While unsafe practices do occur online, thanks to technological advances when it comes to online gambling they are quickly becoming a rarity.