As a global society, we’re becoming increasingly connected with one another, with this having much to do with rising internet penetration rates across the globe.
As of July 2022, the worldwide internet penetration rate had peaked at 64.4%, with this considerably higher in developed economies such as the US and UK.
This is also helping to drive iGaming expansion on a global level, with this market continuing to enjoy double-digit growth and expected to achieve a cumulative value of $114.4 billion by the end of 2028.
The rising popularity and accessibility of online gambling are also creating a competitive market that features a number of questionable or rogue operators. So, what steps can you take to get the most out of your iGaming experience and remain safe while betting online? Let’s find out!
Step #1 – Make Sure Your Internet Connection is Safe!
We’ll start with a universal tip, which is relevant whether you’re gambling online or paying for online goods and services.
However, it’s particularly important when transacting even small amounts regularly through an online casino platform, as unsafe internet connections may compromise your personal financial data and actual funds.
The biggest threat here is when you’re connected to a public Wi-Fi connection, which is likely to be unsecured and particularly vulnerable to the threat posed by hackers and cyber thieves. Even network managers and internet service providers (ISPs) can view your traffic and activity on public connections, so wagering in this way through your smartphone can put you at considerable risk.
Of course, one way to negate this is by only ever wagering when you’re connected to a trusted, private Wi-Fi. However, if you like to gamble during the daily commute to and from work, you may want to consider installing a VPN on your smartphone.
A VPN describes a virtual private network, which works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. It’s through this that all of your web traffic and data is funneled, creating an indecipherable string of code that cannot be read or intercepted by third parties.
So, when you install a VPN on your smartphone, you can securely connect to any network and wager freely, safe in the knowledge that your data won’t be hacked, sold or monetized. Ideally, we’d recommend that you prioritize paid over free VPNs, as even the market leaders tend to offer competitive subscriptions while they’re less inclined to sell your personal data as a way of generating income.
Step #2 – Identify Licensed and Reputable Casino Platforms
A safe online gambling experience is definitely an enjoyable one, and there’s no doubt that using a secure internet connection enables you to wager freely and with genuine peace of mind.
On a similar note, it’s also crucial that you compare the iGaming market in detail before wagering your hard-earned cash as you look to identify secure and reputable operators that are licensed to trade in your geographical location.
You can achieve this aim by using objective comparison sites, which review licensed casino sites from specific countries and jurisdictions in detail. For example, you can find on time2play.com comprehensive reviews of licensed online casinos in the US while seeing which states each brand operates in and finding yourself the best-paying online casino.
At the time of writing, six US states have legalized online casino gambling, while more than thirty have regulated remote sports betting since the Supreme Court struck down the controversial PAPSA legislation in May 2018.
When reviewing and analyzing these sites, there are three main criteria to keep in mind. Here’s a summary:
- Is the Site Licensed? Wherever you’re playing in the world, you should only ever wager at sites that are licensed and display their credentials on their website. Similarly, they should be regulated and licensed to operate in your geographical location.
- Is the Site Secure? While you can use a VPN to create a more secure and optimal iGaming experience, it’s also important to ensure that casino platforms are inherently secure themselves. To this end, they should boast 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum standard while taking a serious and compliant approach to data protection.
- Is the Site Well Received? In addition to analyzing objective, third-party reviews of individual casinos, you should also check platforms such as Trustpilot to read first-hand customer reviews. This offers additional insight into platforms and helps you to make an informed decision.
Step #3 – Manage Your Bankroll Carefully
Bankroll management is also key to a safe and enjoyable iGaming experience, especially when it comes to getting the most from your stake money and ensuring that you wager responsibly at all times.
To begin with, your bankroll should never exceed an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose. This should also cover a fixed and predetermined period of time, depending on how often you wager and the frequency with which you’re paid.
You can also practically manage your bankroll using so-called “deposit limits,” which all licensed iGaming operators are now required to offer players. These enable you to cap your deposits and manage your bankroll on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, once again depending on your activity levels and betting patterns.
By setting a realistic bankroll limit to cover specific timeframes and wagering in a responsible and disciplined way, you can spread your cash as far as you like and enjoy an optimal experience when betting online!
