Although many people choose an online casino to play at based on the games that are available and any welcome bonuses that might be on offer, it’s more important to look for signs that your new gaming site is one you can trust.
Believe me, there are plenty of red flags and green lights to look for when it comes to choosing a safe, reputable casino to play at online! However, some of these can be easier to overlook than others.
In this guide, I’ll take you through:
- Five red flags that suggest you should stay away.
- Five green lights that suggest a casino is reputable and safe.
Let’s get started!
Register and start playing regulated slot and casino games at Tonybet.
Red flags: warning signs
Shady online casinos aren’t as easy to spot as you might think. That said, once you know what the red flags are, you’ll be in a much better position to avoid gaming sites that might have a few tricks up their sleeves.
1. They’re not clear on licensing
Always look for certifications, regulations and licensing when you first visit an online casino. A casino with nothing to hide will clearly list its licence front and centre at the bottom of the main page, for example.
Licensing gives you the reassurance that a casino is playing things by the book. A lack of licensing badges, meanwhile, suggests that this particular site is not to be trusted, and that there’s no regulator overseeing things.
2. Terms and conditions either don’t make sense, or there’s not enough detail
Before you take up any bonus codes or even register at a casino for the first time, you should always read the terms and conditions supplied. While they can be long-winded at times, they’re there to protect you and the casino.
If a casino’s terms and conditions are too long-winded and confusing, or even vague, however, it might be a sign that they’re hiding something and intend to trip you up.
What’s more, some sites will even avoid giving you too much detail in their terms. For example, there might be:
- No mention of wagering terms in bonus offers.
- No mention of age limits.
- A lack of contact information in case you want to query the terms.
If you are in any doubt regarding terms and conditions whatsoever, either reach out to the casino before you sign up, or even better, just back away.
3. There are zero responsible gambling tools or features
At Tonybet, we genuinely want to make sure that our players are completely comfortable and that they are in control of their money, time and gameplay. Therefore, we offer a range of responsible gambling features, such as time and deposit limits, to help curb your activity if you want them.
Casinos that don’t offer responsible gambling features might not have your best interests at heart.
Again, you can usually spot these features towards the bottom of most casinos’ front pages.
If it’s unclear how a casino intends to support you while you play, you have every right to back away completely.
4. The site doesn’t use HTTPS
A website that uses HTTPS instead of HTTP in its address or URL indicates that it has a valid security certificate installed, and that it encrypts the data you send and receive through it.
You should never register and spend money at an online casino that doesn’t use HTTPS.
HTTP is an outdated standard that doesn’t protect data transfer. This means that hackers can hypothetically leapfrog the connection between you and the website, and steal any sensitive data you share. As you’re playing at an online casino, that’s likely to include payment details!
5. User reviews are highly negative
You should, above all, always trust what legitimate players at a casino have to say. Always try to check out feedback on site safety, games selections and payment handling.
For example, you might see that a casino has an interesting selection of games, but there might be a surplus of feedback regarding bonus terms, or the speed at which money is transferred.
Look out for negative feedback regarding:
- App usability and mobile site responsiveness.
- Money handling and withdrawal speeds.
- Bonus terms and conditions.
- Customer service standards.
Green lights: signs of a trustworthy casino
Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to spot a legitimate casino such as Tonybet! However, if you’re on the lookout for a new games catalogue, here are some green lights you’ll want to keep in mind.
1. There are lots of recognisable payment options
A casino with plenty of legitimate payment and withdrawal options is highly likely to be operating above board. The best casinos make it easy for you to spot these options before you register and get too deep into the process.
For example, here at Tonybet, you’ll easily see that we accept popular banking methods such as Mastercard, Visa and PayPal.
2. It’s easy to get help
Some online casinos make it really difficult to find help from customer support! It’s something we’ve never been able to understand – which is why you’ll always find a floating chat and help window available to use at Tonybet, even before you register and log in!
We also make it really easy for you to find responsible gambling options. As mentioned, a lack of these options suggests that a casino may not have your best interests at heart.
3. Games are from recognised developers
Now, everyone has to start somewhere, and while there are plenty of smaller sites that have slots and tables from up-and-coming operators, a mark of a reputable casino is a stack of games from providers and developers that have been on the iGaming scene for years.
At Tonybet, we make it simple for you to filter games out by developer! You can explore slots and instant wins from developers such as:
- Pragmatic Play
- 4ThePlayer
- ELK Studios
- Play’n GO
- Blueprint
- Red Tiger
- NetEnt
- Spinomenal
4. Terms and conditions are thorough, but easy to understand
Again, no one likes reading terms and conditions, and they can be a lot to take in. However, trustworthy casinos will provide conditions that are easy to understand and that don’t overwhelm you.
Look for T&Cs that cut to the chase but answer all your questions about bonuses and other site features.
5. There are lots of genuine and positive reviews
Players who have a great time at an online casino will be all too willing to leave a positive review or two. These should be pretty easy to find, either on Google or via the main site itself.
Just make sure to take any reviews you come across with a pinch of salt. The best reviews are those that list pros and cons – balanced reviewers are likely to be legitimate!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of telltale signs for good and bad casinos. Above all, keep your eyes peeled for regulation badges, responsible gambling features, top games developers and reliable payment methods.
Register and play at Tonybet, an online casino you can genuinely trust!
