Online Casino Beginners: What are the Signs of a Trustworthy Casino?

Anyone who is thinking of joining an online casino to gamble real money for the first time should always be careful before signing up anywhere. Fortunately, I’ve never encountered any issues on the sites I’ve joined, but that’s because I’ve always known what to look for in a trustworthy site that won’t let me down. 

Also, although the vast majority of sites (there are over 2,000 out there) can be trusted not to let you down, there are still a few bad eggs out there that are either completely unlicensed and unregulated or have obtained their operating licenses by what are referred to as rubber stamp (bottom tier) licensing authorities, and must be avoided at all costs.

Most newcomers don’t have a clue what to look for when determining if a site might be worth their time, so I’m here to change all of that. Here are the most important things to look for in a site that will tell you if it’s trustworthy or not. 

What makes a trustworthy site in 2024?

In all my years of experience, I’ve discovered that there are a few tell-tale signs that hint at how trustworthy a website is, so if you’re looking to play your favourite online fruitys, tables, cards, scratchies, video poker, slingo, video bingo, or live dealer titles, always pay attention to the following:

If you’re a beginner/newcomer/inexperienced player who wants to find a safe and secure iGaming website that won’t let you down, the best place I’ve found to go for a complete list of trusted and safe casinos in 2024 is the official Ask Gamblers review site. 

I always head straight to this website whenever I’m looking for somewhere new to join. They only ever recommend trustworthy sites, and I will only join their highest-rated sites that have achieved a score of 8.00 on their CasinoRank rating system. 

Having such a high score also tells me they have achieved the ‘Certificate of Trust’ seal of approval, which enhances my trust in that site and tells me it will be worth my time. 

I’m based in the United Kingdom, so I will only ever join ones that are fully licensed and regulated by the UKGC (the United Kingdom Gambling Commission), and I don’t use a VPN to visit this review site, so their system detects exactly where I’m from to provide me with the most relevant selection of sites to choose from. 

They also cater to people in most other regions, so I would suggest switching off your VPN to get the best possible service. For example, if you live in Ontario and visit their site, you will be presented with a list of sites that are fully licensed and regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 

If you live in Michigan, then I would suggest only playing at the featured MGCB-licensed sites (ones licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board). People can also find hundreds of perfectly secure brands on this same reputable review site that are licensed/regulated by the following mid to top-tier licensing authorities:

• Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board
• Swedish Gambling Authority
• Malta Gaming Authority
• Danish Gambling Authority
• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission
• Alderney Gambling Control Commission
• Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner

If you find a brand licensed by one or more of these authorities, then you know that you have found a trustworthy website worth registering a new account with. You know that it will be controlled by a reputable operator with excellent standing in the industry. 

Key factors to consider when comparing online casino reviews

Besides licensing and ownership, the other things to look out for that indicate it’s a good site are the following:

• The expert reviews and feedback from people who have joined that site will be overwhelmingly positive
• The website will have the necessary cryptographic encryption certificates, meaning my bankroll/transactions, personal details, payment method information, and other sensitive data (such as the conversations I have with the live chat agents) stored on that site will be protected by 128-bit or higher SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption)
• Software – the best sites will have several thousand titles (online fruitys, blackjack, roulette, scratchies, etc., both live dealer and computer-generated) from multiple industry-award-winning software providers, and they will all have high or above average RTP% payout rates
• They will accept a range of tried and tested online payment methods, including bank transfers, credit and/or debit cards, eWallets, mobile wallets, prepaid cards, and possibly even cryptocurrencies. Deposits will be instant on a trustworthy site, and you should be able to get your winning withdrawal processed in under two or three hours
• The bonuses and promotions will be plentiful and should come with low to medium wagering requirements attached
• The customer support levels will be above par, and it will be easy to get in touch with the friendly and professionally trained live chat, email, and toll-free telephone support agents 24/7

The other signs of a trustworthy site are that it will work well in almost every web browser and on any PC or mobile device, and it will have attractive bonuses and promotions with low or medium wagering requirements.

It will be transparent in its funding (so it will fully comply with international Anti-Money Laundering policies) and day-to-day operations, meaning it will also most likely be monitored and have its systems tested regularly by one or more internationally accredited online casino testing agencies, such as Technical Systems Testing (TST) or eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA).

Final note

The other tell-tale sign of a trustworthy site that I always look for is that the operator of that site will actively promote responsible gambling by providing me with things like session time reminder controls, win/loss limits, spending caps, and [daily/weekly/monthly] deposit limits, known as safer gambling tools. 

To sum up, when looking for a safe site to play your favourite hit titles, trust the experts and always look for the key components that tell you the site is secure and will be worth your time.

By GamesAndCasino