Are you looking to place your bet online without being scammed?
Online betting is here to stay. It’s a huge business worth billions of pounds and it’s only getting bigger every year. The only thing is…
Not all betting operators are created equal.
Online gambling has exploded to a global audience of 882 million people. And while that’s great for legitimate operators who focus on safety and customer experience, it’s also opened the door to scammers, cheats, fraudsters and rogues.
The good news?
If you follow the right safety procedures you can protect yourself and still enjoy all the excitement of betting online. Including claiming legitimate free bet offers like the bet365 bet 10 get 30 free bet offer when they’re available from trustworthy operators.
In this post we’ll cover:
- Essential Safety Checks Before You Bet
- Warning Signs To Steer Clear Of
- Tips For Safe Betting Bankroll Management
- Betting Security Technology That Helps You
Essential Safety Checks Before You Bet
If you’re new to online betting or simply want to review your safety measures before you start then let’s run through some checks you should perform before you ever place a bet.
Fact: Most betting goes wrong due to lack of preparation before signing up or making a deposit.
Check The License
This one is obvious but you should always double check the license of any online betting site you plan on using.
Legitimate operators are licensed by reputable gambling commissions, such as the UK Gambling Commission in the United Kingdom and state specific bodies in the US (i.e. New York, Florida etc).
Make sure you can find:
- The license number listed on the website
- Links to the gambling authority or regulatory body
- Dates of when the license was renewed last
- Terms and conditions for using the site.
Walk away if you can’t find clear licensing info within 30 seconds of landing on the home page.
SSL Encryption Is Mandatory
Want to know if a betting site takes security seriously? Check the browser’s address bar for the lock icon (padlock symbol).
If it’s there, it means the site uses SSL encryption to protect your personal data and activity.
But here’s a little tip most people don’t know…
You can actually click on that padlock icon to view more detailed certificate information. Legitimate sites will be secured by certificate authorities such as DigiCert, GlobalSign or LetsEncrypt.
Independent Third Party Security Audits
The best betting sites not only tell you they’re secure, they get it independently verified. Check for the following certifications:
- eCOGRA – eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance
- iTech Labs
- GLI – Gaming Laboratories International
These external auditors evaluate sites on everything from game fairness to data security and more.
Warning Signs To Steer Clear Of
Even with all the due diligence in the world there are still some betting sites that are straight up wolves in sheep’s clothing. Here are the warning signs that you should steer clear of certain operators:
Unrealistic Bonus Offers
Bonus offers are a fact of life in the betting world. Legitimate operators regularly offer matched deposits and free bets to existing and new customers.
But be wary of offers that sound too good to be true because they probably are.
Red flag examples:
- Deposit bonuses of 500% or higher
- Promises of “guaranteed wins”
- Wagering requirements removed on huge bonuses
- Instant withdrawal of bonus funds
Remember: Online betting is for entertainment, not get-rich-quick schemes.
Dodgy Customer Support
You can test out a betting sites customer support for yourself before you even make a deposit. Legitimate sites will have:
- Multiple contact options (live chat, email, phone)
- Knowledgeable representatives
- Response times of less than 24 hours
- Clear, helpful answers.
Don’t bother with sites that are dodgy about customer support. If they treat you badly about resolving problems they’ll likely do the same with your winnings.
Missing Payment Information
Legitimate betting sites have nothing to hide about their payments process. You should be able to find the following info easily:
- Accepted payment methods
- Processing times for deposits/withdrawals
- Transaction fees
- Clear dispute resolution process
No Responsible Gambling Features
Here’s something that also separates the good operators from the bad ones…
Legitimate sites actively promote and enable responsible gambling. If they care about your wellbeing they’ll offer tools such as:
- Deposit limits (including self imposed)
- Self-exclusion options
- Reality check reminders
- Links to gambling addiction resources
If the site doesn’t offer these tools don’t use it.
Tips For Safe Betting Bankroll Management
The right safety measures still need to be taken even when betting with legitimate operators. Here’s how the experts do it:
Set Hard Limits Before You Start
Decide how much you’re going to gamble for this session before you even create an account or make a deposit.
Your gambling budget should be money that you can afford to lose completely.
Pro tip: Treat it like any other entertainment expense, not investment capital.
Nowadays the majority of safe betting platforms allow you to set daily, weekly or monthly deposit limits. Use them. Recent research revealed 68% of online sports bettors had at least one criteria of problem gambling.
Use Separate Banking
Open a separate account or payment method just for betting. This helps you better track and manage your spending and keeps your main finances separate.
Smart payment options:
- Prepaid cards with set spending limits
- E-wallets like PayPal or Skrill
- Bank accounts with limited funds
Avoid betting with credit cards as it’s too easy to overspend.
Keep Detailed Records
Track every bet placed, win or loss. This will help you better understand your overall performance and identify problem patterns early on.
The majority of legitimate sites will have a betting history feature but keep your own records too.
Betting Security Technology That Helps You
Online betting operators use a number of security technologies and tools to keep your money and data safe. Here are some of the ways you’re protected behind the scenes:
Advanced Fraud Detection
Betting sites use sophisticated AI to detect unusual betting patterns, account takeovers, and other suspicious activity. This software can:
- Detect when an account is being used by a third party
- Flag unusual betting behavior
- Identify attempts at coordinated fraud
- Block suspicious transactions in real time
Two-Factor Authentication
The best sites now offer 2FA as a standard feature for your account. This way even if someone gets your password they still can’t access your account without your phone or authentication app.
Enable this on any betting account immediately.
Regulatory Technology (RegTech)
Licensed operators use RegTech solutions to monitor and maintain compliance with rules and regulations like:
- Anti-money laundering monitoring systems
- Responsible gambling compliance processes
- Age verification systems
Extra Safety Tips For Bettors
Looking to take your safety measures to the next level? Here are a few extra steps the smart bettors take:
Read The Fine Print
Terms and conditions are boring but they contain vital information about the withdrawal process, bonus requirements and dispute resolution. Read them.
Use Reputable Review Sites
Check independent reviews before signing up with a new operator. Search for recent reviews from players talking about withdrawals and customer support.
Keep Everything Updated
Keep your device’s security software, browser and apps up to date. Never bet on public WiFi – use mobile data only.
Wrapping It All Up
Online betting can be a safe, entertaining and even profitable pastime if you know what you’re doing. The key is to only use legitimate operators, set strict personal limits and stay alert.
The best way to stay safe is to stay educated. If you understand what legitimate operators offer, what free bet offers are really worth and which red flags to avoid you’re already way ahead of the average punter.
Here’s your safety action plan:
- Bet only with licensed, regulated operators
- Set firm spending limits before you start betting
- Use secure payment methods and enable 2FA
- Take advantage of responsible gambling features
- Keep detailed records of your betting history
Online betting is not going anywhere. It’s a huge and growing industry that when played safely and with the right safety measures can be a great source of entertainment while avoiding the pitfalls that trap less informed bettors.
Stay safe and bet smart. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose.
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