Choosing safe online casinos can be a challenge as more and more gambling sites enter the iGaming market. In addition, there are many factors and features to consider. So, are you worried about how to choose safe online casinos? Our experts have checked many gambling platforms in Canada and have prepared a list for you with the most reputable brands. You'll find it below and learn everything you need to know.
The first step to finding the most reputable casino sites is to research the casino’s history thoroughly – this can provide you with a lot of information. Take a look at their origins and early days; have they had several rebrands or changed hands several times? This can indicate some kind of corruption or negative aspect to the site, and you are best to avoid it. You should also take a close look at the casino ownership; are the company legitimate and recognized in the industry? Are their business details and information clear and accessible, or is it hard to find accurate information? This kind of data can be very useful in helping you determine whether a particular casino is above board.
As the adage goes, this proof is in the pudding, which can be particularly true for casinos. In asking the question, “are casinos safe?” you are also subconsciously investigating the quality of the games, and these can tell you a lot about the authenticity and legitimacy of the site. In addition to reading reviews and doing research, make sure you head over to the casino and try out the games yourself; this will give you a chance to make sure they are high quality, value for money, and suitable for your preferences. You will also understand which games you can play for free and which you will need to put down a deposit to enjoy.
When considering, are online casinos are safe to play, the answer depends on the casino – and you can only really explore this by trying it out. Some games will not allow you access until you have placed your first deposit and unlocked the requirements, so give this a try with a minimal deposit. See which games you can access, whether any promises are kept and lived up to, and make sure that any promised bonuses or advantages are fulfilled – failure to do this is a critical element of many blacklisted casinos.
Any safe online casinos will allow you to deposit and withdraw funds with minimal fuss; this includes the reasonable withdrawal of your winnings, easy deposit methods, and a wide range of options for users to choose from. There should also not be any unnecessary fees or charges; if these appear, it is best to give the site a swerve.
Having access to reliable, high-quality customer service is a must for many casino fans and a vital element of the most trusted online casino sites. Many blacklisted casinos fail to offer this. Test out the various customer service methods available, such as Live Chat, email, or telephone, and gauge the response you receive; are you satisfied? Does customer service professionally answer your query? These can all offer critical insights into the safety and suitability of the casino.
Separating legit online casinos from unscrupulous scam sites can be tricky, but there are a few total no-nos that should be avoided altogether. These are known as ‘blacklisted’ sites, and this means that they have been flagged by experts as being dangerous, scams, or simply looking to separate you from your cash. The main reasons a site finds itself on the blacklist include:
Any legit online casino in Canada will have plenty of technical security to reassure its players. Any online gambling site will contain a vast amount of personal information, including names, addresses, transactions, and financial details, and customer habits. This makes online casinos popular with cybercriminals and potentially dangerous for users.
A legit and safe casino will have plenty of safeguards in place to ensure that customer details are totally safe and secure at all times. This includes firewalls and other protections against malware and potential viruses and offers total support and transparency to users, ensuring terms and conditions are clear, using SSL encryption on-site alongside back-end security, transaction protection, and a valid software license.
All games in a casino are legally required to be fair – and this is determined by an independent, external body such as eCOGRA. A safe online casino Canada will use Random Number Generators (RNG) in all games, alongside complex algorithms designed to keep things fair for all players. The RGN uses mathematical calculations and algorithms to ensure that everything is fair and random, making the game fun and safe. Ensure that the casino you plan to play includes this, alongside official identification and certification from the necessary legal, regulatory bodies.
Licensing is another important element of a reputable online casino; no legit, legal site would ever operate without one. Ensure that the license information is clearly displayed and accessible on the site and that you have the information to contact the relevant authorities and check this. Remember that there is more than one legit license, so double-check that your site uses one which is in date and legal in the region in which they operate.
As we have seen, many casinos on the blacklist got there due to a lack of transparency surrounding their deposit and withdrawal methods – this is a clear sign of the best safe online casinos. The site should display a range of methods and have sensible withdrawal and deposit times, which keep any extra fees and costs to a minimum. Most importantly, this information needs to be clearly displayed on the site, even before signing up or playing. If the data is not available, be wary about proceeding.
The software company used to develop and create a game can also be an issue; once again, this is a factor that you need to check carefully to determine whether a site is legit. The most trusted online casinos in Canada tend to use the same group of software developers – and for a good reason. These guys are known to be experienced, qualified, and fully licensed, allowing the casino to then pass that guarantee back onto their customers and help to reassure them that everything is safe and above board.
Slot machines are among the most popular games you can play in safe online casinos, and for a reason. These games provide the perfect combination of excitement and fun. The best thing about slots is the fact you won’t ever find them boring! Playing is easy, and jackpots make everything even more enjoyable.
Those who prefer casino classics will undoubtedly enjoy playing Blackjack. The game that is also known as the game of 21 is considered to be a phenomenon. It became available with the launch of online casinos and it quickly became one of the favourite games that could be played in casinos online. That remained the same till this day, and now, many variations bring fun and intensity.
Video poker is one of the games that adds a special touch of excitement to those who like card games. The game’s pace is nice, and the players need to use their own strategies to win, which makes the whole thing even more fun. This is one of the games players around the world love, and nowadays, there are many different variants of video poker, each with its own set of perks.
Sometimes, the simplest games could bring the most to the table, and that could be said for roulette. It is one of the games that is in the group of oldest casino games, and its place will forever be at the top. When it comes to online variants, there are several of them, such as European, French, and American Roulette.
Those who love lottery games, such as Bingo, will love Keno as well. It is a classic game and the rules are pretty simple. The player needs to pick several numbers and then wait for the numbers to be drawn by the RNG. How big the win will depend on how many numbers match the ones the player has.
Another indication of a safe casino is it offers various payment methods rather than just one or two. Some of the most popular options include:
One of the most commonly recognized and secure options, PayPal is a popular option for withdrawals from many safe casinos. However, it is less common for PayPal to be accepted as a deposit method, so make sure you check with the casino before signing up if this is important to you.
Neteller is an e-wallet that offers a safe and secure way to make deposits and withdrawals, which is very common among higher-ranking casinos.
EcoCard is a popular deposit method found across Canada and Europe, which allows players to make deposits in a wide range of currencies – a significant reason for its high adoption levels in many casinos. It is also very secure and safe.
EcoPayz forms one of the most popular methods of making deposits in Canada and allows players to make deposits in up to 45 currencies in total, making it a top choice for many casinos.
PayNearMe eliminates the worry and risk of using your cards online by taking the transaction into the physical world. You can simply deposit cash at an actual life store and then use it online to make deposits to your casino account. This is an extra secure method which is great for those with privacy concerns.
Citadel acts as a third party between you and the casino, allowing you to make your deposits without having to reveal any potentially sensitive information to the site – this helps make it extra secure and offers peace of mind.
Staying safe online should be fairly straightforward, but few responsibilities fall onto your shoulders. Some of the most important aspects to consider include:
As we have seen, selecting an unsafe or blacklisted casino could have a negative impact not only on your enjoyment of the site but on a far more serious level, opening you up to risks of fraud, theft, and being scammed.
We are all guilty of simply selecting ‘Accept’ when faced with T&C’s, but in the case of an online casino, you need to take the time to read them thoroughly – this helps to eliminate any surprises.
