How the Best Online Casinos are Kept Secure and Safe

By Brodey Sheppard - October 29, 2016

Across the world, online casino gaming has become a popular pastime and source of recreation for various people. Some people play casino games online just to be entertained, while some play so they can win money. Of course, when playing online real money casino games, the number one concern of players is if the site they choose is secure and safe to use. There are so many casino sites in the market and it can be quite difficult to differentiate a rogue casino from a legitimate gaming site. These rogue casinos' ultimate goal is to make more money, neglecting the security of their customers’ information and money.

So, how can you tell if a casino is truly and absolutely secure to use? There are a number of security identifiers that you should consider when determining the safest casinos online. Keep reading this article and find an in-depth analysis of the security features of casinos that are widely trusted and used by players across the world.

Look for the Seal of Approval

The best way to ensure if an online casino is secure and credible is to look for the seal of approval. When you go online, you will see that most of the top-rated casino sites have an eCOGRA (e-Commerce and Online Gaming Registration and Assurance) seal. This name is known to be one of the major international watchdogs for online gaming. What eCOGRA does is to give independent reviews of online casino sites in order to let the players know about their level of reliability.

eCOGRA offers three types of seals:

• Safe and Fair Seal
• Certified Software Seal
• Affiliate Trust Seal

Along with those certification seals, eCOGRA also provides three additional reports including the Percentage Payout Report, a Randomness Review delivered by an independent auditor and the Certification of a Live Dealer. If the casino you chose acquired any of these three important eCOGRA seals, then you can rest easy knowing that it is secure and that they follow fair gaming standards.

Disputes Resolved Through eCOGRA

When you choose a site with an eCOGRA certification, you will also enjoy the benefit of dispute resolution services. This only means that when you come across a disagreement with an online casino, eCOGRA will act as a mediator between you and the casino operator. This organisation has been known for providing unbiased and independent services. Needless to say, they will come up with a solution that will be fair and balanced for both parties. This is especially important because it can be quite difficult and frustrating to work something out with a casino operator by yourself. Add that to the possibility that you may not fully understand what your rights are under the law.

Playing at the best UK online casinos can be fun and exciting. You just have to be careful when it comes to choosing the online casinos you would create an account with. Take your time and thoroughly review each site before you decide to play for real money. Do not forget to look for the eCOGRA seal of approval to ensure that the online casino is secure and credible. Other reliable security testing organisations include TST (Technical Systems Testing).

Check if an Encryption Technology is Present

Another thing you have to review when choosing an online casino is whether they use an encryption technology. Leading casinos online typically uses 128- or 256-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Data Encryption Protocols which are almost absolutely impenetrable. This technology is backed by extensive mathematical data. The data is so enormous that even if you use the entire world’s current income, even the accumulated debts as well as each and every computer to work mainly on cracking the key, you would not even achieve a thousandth of your goal. Moreover, with a 256-bit encryption, cracking the key is roughly 340 billion times more difficult than attempting to crack the 128-bit key. It goes without saying that when an online casino employs 128- or 256-bit SSL data encryption, you can rest assured that your financial and personal information are extremely secure.

The Secure Socket Layer Process

The SSL process starts when you visit an online casino and your web browser asks for the casino’s server to determine its identity. By this time, your browser will be sent a copy of the casino site’s security certificate. The exchange will move further when your browser determines that everything is in order. After that, an encryption channel will be established using two keys. The first key is public and will be used to encrypt information. The second key is private, and it will be used to decrypt the information.

The process happens almost instantly. Moreover, it gives way to secure exchange of information between the client and the casino without being interfered or compromised. Even if a hacker finds a way to somehow access the data while it is being transmitted, the encrypted data would only transmit gibberish without the private key. 256-bit encryption is the current standard in the industry. However, financial institutions, online casinos and anyone else who daily deals with big amounts of sensitive information are always working to discover improvements on the technology.

Now that you know how secure and safe your personal information is, the next thing you have to review is where your data is physically stored. Your sensitive financial and personal data are physically stored on hard drive servers which are owned by the online casino you have an account with.

Casinos with secure software use technology that involves cutting-edge firewalls as well as around-the-clock security tech personnel who prevent data thieves and hackers from penetrating the system and stealing any of your data. Also, it is worth mentioning that licensed and regulated online casinos mostly do not handle their security management. They typically turn to licensed and reputable third-party security companies like VeriSign and Thawte. So, do not forget to search for these logos in the site’s lobby. Having these logos add another layer of security and safety to your online casino gaming.

Other Factors to Review When it Comes to Casino Security

Aside from the encryption technology and testing certification, another factor you have to consider when determining a secure site is their privacy policy. Reliable casinos also ensure the safety of their players by following any and all data protection laws provided by the country in which they operate in. They make sure that only relevant people in the casino are the only ones to see your personal information. They also make sure that no other party will be able to access your data. Needless to say, it is highly recommended that you review the online casino’s privacy policy so you can have a better understanding how any information you provide is used. Moreover, do not forget to carefully study the Terms & Conditions so you can understand how the casino operates. This section also allows you to learn about the restrictions for players from certain countries, withdrawal policies and more.

Another factor you have to consider is whether the casino site uses random number generators (RNGs). RNGs are the heart of a fair and secure casino site. Without it, you will not be able to know whether the games featured in the casino are fair. Since online casinos use virtual slot reels and decks of cards, the RNG is vital in ensuring that the spin of the slot and the deal of the cards are based on chance and cannot be rigged. You will know that an online casino takes security seriously when they offer information about their RNG. Moreover, they even share how their certifications from third-party testing companies who verified their RNG.