While people may have no reservations about gambling at a live, on location casino, some are hesitant about getting involved with online gambling because they believe the myth that casinos do not offer safe and secure environments. Because there is a stigma surrounding online casinos that they are seedy, unscrupulous organizations; which is not the reality, people seem to believe that online casinos do not use the same security measures to keep financial and personal information safe as the websites that they use to make online purchases. The truth of the matter is, that not only do virtual casinos use stringent security measures to ensure that every financial transaction is safe and secure, just like online retail sites; they also have increased security because of the nature of the business they’re in.
All reputable online casinos must be licensed as gambling institutions in the country that they operate from, which includes abiding by strict business standards and best practices to ensure that their clients are protected and that they have an enjoyable experience. All casinos use 3rd party software manufacturers, like big names Boss Media, Cryptologic, Microgaming, and World Gaming that employ their own high standards. The software manufacturers allow casino players to set their own login names and passwords when they register to play at the virtual casinos, and a specialized PIN number provided must typically be used in order to confirm the identity of anyone asking to process a withdrawal. Often, before a withdrawal from a casino account can be carried out, a virtual casino will ask the player to provide additional pieces of identification in order to process the request.
Since individuals have the tendency to be concerned about providing their financial data to a business that they feel is not a brick and mortar one; it’s important to understand that online casinos are a business, just like any other. However, in order to address these concerns since people make such large financial contributions at online casinos, they do use 3rd party businesses to audit their financial transactions and ensure that they are providing a safe and trustworthy environment to their players. Price Waterhouse Coopers is one company that completes these independent audits in the name of fair gaming for online casinos.
Perhaps the most important way that online casinos keep their players’ financial information safe, is through their website security, which prevents hackers from getting into their database from client financial information. Online casinos use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) data encryption protocols, which automatically scrambles any financial information before it is stored on their servers. The receiver is only then able to decode the information with specialized software and specific information at the time that a financial transaction is in process. At all online casinos, only the top staff members are granted access to the financial data of their clients, and all access is automatically recorded and audited to ensure there is no illegal activity. A Firewall is also used to protect from unauthorized access to the casino’s website by intruders.
While any online transaction can be intimidating, casino players can rest assured that if they play with a reputable virtual casino, their financial information will remain safe and secure, with the highest standard of business practices employed at all times.
