July 7, 2021
Online safety is a big issue. It’s always been the case that there are those who would scam anyone using money online. This requires players to be aware of their own online security. And, at the moment there is a great deal of concern about the safety of online gambling, and particularly the dangers of gambling addiction.
This guide will help you get started with three types of security online so that you can enjoy live casino games safely: tech security, personal safety, and site safety.
Some of these issues are particularly pertinent to live casino games.
Tech security for live casino games
You should always be aware of the security of your devices and your online banking and of your own cybersecurity when you go online.
Tech security means keeping your devices up to date, with the latest software downloaded (the updates usually correct security problems).
You need to have malware or antivirus software installed, up to date, and signed in and running.
And you need to understand how to keep yourself safe online. You must understand how passwords work and the basics of setting safe ones – that you don’t reuse – or sign up for a password safe or service.
Site safety for live casino games
Gambling can attract scams and fake operators. The number of outright scams are relatively few these days and there are plenty of tools to keep players safe.
However, you use casino sites you should make your first check an examination of the site’s licence. It is illegal in the UK to offer gambling services without a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. This licence brings with it a number of other safeguards and it is the best and first weapon you have in the fight against dodgy casino sites.
Live sites are expensive to run, and this makes it much harder to spoof them. Most scams are set up quickly and cheaply, and it takes a lot of effort to actually run a fake live casino. Be very aware of sites that don’t allow you to see much or that ask you to sign up without seeing much. That’s a dangerous sign.
Most sites, though, are completely safe, and as long as you know how to check a licence you should be able to find safe live casino sites.
Personal safety on live casino sites
Personal safety is by far the biggest section here. This is the most important sort of safety in our view. The dangers of unsafe gambling are very real and the consequences of it – like any addiction – can be devastating. Please keep your personal safety at the front of your mind whenever you play live casino games.
The fact is problem gambling is a form of addiction and you need to understand addiction, just as you would if you were trying to keep yourself safe from drug or alcohol use, as you navigate the online world.
There is no short answer to this, other than to ask players to keep themselves in good mental health and to keep an eye on their behaviours and do some reading on how to spot problem behaviours.
Things that might be a warning sign include lying about or feeling uncomfortable about discussing your gambling behaviour, and particularly how much money you spend on gambling. This is supposed to be a fun hobby, not something to be hidden.
And you should keep an eye on how much time you spend on gambling and how much money you spend. Try setting time and money limits when you play. If this idea fills you with fear – and if the idea of never gambling again has the same effect – then that could well be a danger sign too.
There’s another dimension to live casino games that don’t apply to other online gambling. That is personal relationships and, well, sex.
Everyone knows that sex sells. And anyone who has been anywhere near a gambling site knows that sexualised imagery plays a role in the marketing of online casino games of all kinds.
You don’t need to see many promo pictures or videos for a live casino site to come to the conclusion that sexual attraction is also being used to sell live casino games.
That’s fine. We’re not puritans, and human attraction is a fact of life. However, you should be sure that you’re making decisions about gambling and how much money you spend because it is a good idea for you to play a game – i.e., you’re having fun – and because you can afford to lose the money you’re about to wager.
Don’t make decisions based on the reactions or perceived reactions of a member of the casino staff. We always remind our readers to treat online casino staff with the utmost respect, but also to be realistic about what their relationship to casino staff is.
Playing live games safely FAQ
To play live casino games safely you should make you’re on a safe, licensed site with proper encryption.
To play live games safely you should make sure you read the full instructions of the game and the specific table on which you are playing.
You should make sure that you are in an OK mood, that you’re not upset, or playing to try to avoid feeling upset. It’s not a good idea to play when you’re intoxicated.
You should make sure you have budgeted an amount of money that you know you can afford to spend (i.e. lose) all of. And you should set a time limit for how long you want to play.
If you feel like you’re not having fun, if you’re chasing money or feeling upset about your losses then stop immediately.
Give the game you’re about to play a spin on a free, simulator version if you can, so you know what to expect.
Make sure you understand the amounts you’ll be betting on and what they mean in real money for you.
And then cross your fingers, say a prayer to Mr or Ms Luck and play on!