The industry of online casinos has flourished over the years as the evolvement of technology has facilitated the creation and development of virtual betting sites. At present, the online gambling market is valued at over $59 billion and is predicted to be worth $92.9 billion by 2023. However, with the online gambling market expanding a rapid rate, it also means that the risk of these businesses is also higher. This is why it is more pressing than ever to implement solid cyber security measures to prevent this from happening.
The primary aim of cyber security is to reduce the risk of cyber-attack. This can range from anything from stealing personal information to committing fraud and taking money from those who use online casinos.
The rise of the online casino industry
Now more than ever there are throngs of people betting online. With the online casino market booming, there are more games available to choose from. Games like poker, blackjack, pokies and roulette are among the favourites in the virtual realm. Many of the games are also customised to have different themes and even include soundtracks to make it even more exciting.
In fact, physical casinos are limited in the number of games that they provide as there is limited space. However, with online casinos, the number of games that they can provide is virtually limitless. Specific casino game sites have also launched, for example sites specifically offering pokies games are popular as they have the ability to focus solely on pokies and offer a wide range of themed games to their players.
Indeed, the introduction of live casinos and features have also made it an interactive experience for the user. This means that bettors no longer have to make the journey to a traditional brick and mortar casino to play their favourite games.
Where does cybersecurity come into play?
In this sense, putting cybersecurity operations in place is crucial for online casino operators to protect their business and their players. Firstly, if an online casino is known to have been hacked and information stolen from its customers, then new customers are unlikely to sign up with it. This is because people begin to no longer trust the online casino operator in fear that they will lose their identity / money and therefore the reputation of the business will become tarnished.
How to identify if an online casino site is secure
This is why it is important to look out to see if the online casino is licensed. Although it can be tempting to get started right away and pick any online casino that first catches your eye, it is important to remain vigilant and choose the correct online casino. Taking steps like these will help protect you from scammers and ensure your safety in the long run.
The most safe and secure online casinos will be authorized and licensed by a trusted and reputable governing body. You can check if an online casino is licensed by looking at the website. It should display all of the information on the homepage of the online casino, and you should read this carefully before registering an account. The most important thing to look out for it the licensing certificate and if this is not displayed on the website, there is a high likelihood you will be scammed.
There are also other ways that online casinos can implement cybersecurity into their business. Hackers may try to mess with the games on an online casino and influence the game results that can be damaging to the casino. It is extremely crucial in this regard for casinos to only feature games that have been certified for fairness and safety by third party agencies such as eCogra.
It isn’t enough to simply check if an online casino is licensed or not. You should also have a thorough read through their rules and protocol. Moreover, it is worth taking a look at the reviews left by other people who have used this casino. If an online casino is the subject of many negative reviews, then it may be best to avoid it. You also need to be aware of positive reviews that have been left by bots as they could be a trap in order to make you trust the casino.
The most important security measure you should also look out for is SSL encryption. SSL encryption is one of the most vital aspects of all websites. Online casinos that are SSL encrypted typically offer the safest gambling games. If an online casino is SSL-encrypted, you can be sure that personal, confidential data as well as your information is protected and will not be hacked.
On top of this, when it comes to making payments at an online casino, there needs to be safe and secure payment options available. This means being cautious when you are making deposits and withdrawing from a casino. It is best when you are choosing a payment option that you opt for well recognised services for example MasterCard and Visa or if you are paying from your phone, PayPal is usually one of the best options.
In conclusion, in today’s society where advancing technology has facilitated the creation of online casinos, it is more necessary than ever for online businesses to implement solid cybersecurity measures. This includes offering customers valid payment options, displaying their licensing certificate, having SSL encryption and ensuring that their games are safe. If an online casino does not put these measures into place, there is a high likelihood that their customers will be scammed or hacked. It is also the responsibility of the customer to research a casino so that they can ensure they are depositing their money with a reliable and trustworthy casino.