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Key Highlights
In this blog post we cover the following topics:
It is probably safe to say that all online casino players no matter how seasoned or new they may be share something in common. Every savvy online casino player wants to know that their personal data, as well as their winnings, are safe and secure. Every player shares a concern for fair play, and wants assurance that game outcomes and winnings are fair, and will be paid out in full in due time.
How can you be sure that your winnings will be fair and paid out in full? The best way to make sure that your winnings will be paid out in full within a reasonable time-frame, is to play with verified, real games offered by a licenced and legitimate online casino.
This begs the question - how can you be sure that the online casino you have selected to play at is a legit and fair one, and not one of those dreaded rogue casinos?
Game verification is the process of checking the authenticity, fairness, and security of online casino games. By verifying your games with a reliable game verification service, you can rest assured that you are playing with real games.
Whether you are a serious gambler who seeks detailed verification for the games they spend considerable time and money on, or a new gambler who is learning the ropes - Gamecheck has got you covered.
The iGaming industry has been one of the first to embrace digital technology and the internet to bring video slots, table games, and sports betting from land-based venues into the digital realm. But with this shift, a whole set of new issues arose. Both for companies and the customers they serve.
From betting on horses to playing virtual roulette, the online gambling industry is rapidly growing. It is estimated that more than one billion people use online gambling sites and apps worldwide.
In 2024, the European gambling market reached a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of €137 billion, with online gambling accounting for approximately 35% of this total, equating to around €47.95 billion.
Therefore, it is easy to see why online gambling has attracted the attention of fraudsters involved with money laundering.
With several major sporting events on the horizon, such as the Women's Rugby World Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, the issue of online betting is likely to intensify in the coming months as more consumers place bets online.
As with any other online business, online casinos can also become victims of cyberattacks. The Internet is a global network, so geographically-speaking, anyone anywhere may attack an online casino. Those who target the iGaming industry aim to obtain money, either through ransomware or by stealing sensitive player data, which can then be sold on the dark web or used for further crimes.
This underscores the importance of robust online casino security. Most of these attacks are motivated by profit and often originate from organised crime networks, which possess the necessary tools and infrastructure to execute them.
If there is one thing you should know about rogue casinos, it is this – they do not pay out winnings.
Most of these fake sites do not intend to pay out any winnings. What is worse, they may try to steal your personal information for fraudulent activities.
Increasingly, fraudsters are using Fake ID documents and stolen identities to create new accounts or gain access to existing ones. In many cases, fraudsters are using these account details to syphon off money from their unsuspecting victims’ bank accounts.
While some delays in withdrawals are normal due to payment processing times, you should never have to wait more than 30 days to receive your money. If a casino keeps stalling or suddenly claims you have failed to meet some obscure “requirement” it is a clear sign of an online scam.
If you play at an unregulated online casino, your winnings are completely unprotected.
Since these rogue casinos operate without a valid license, they are not bound by any laws or regulations, meaning there is no legal obligation for them to pay out your winnings. If you encounter any issues - such as withheld pay-outs or unfair practices - you have no legal recourse to file complaints with a regulatory authority or to take legal action against the online casino.
In the early days of online iGaming, thanks to the actions of certain bad actors, the entire field was in danger of getting a bad reputation. Reports of online casinos with rigged games, and without any licensing whatsoever, flooded online message boards where punters gathered to discuss their favourite pastime.
These days, however, the online gambling landscape is very different, thanks to laws and regulations that have come into force, and the presence of independent audit firms.
In 2002, eCOGRA was formed by 888 (an online casino operator) and Microgaming (a game provider) and since then, it has awarded its Seal of Approval to online gambling operators that meet its standards in casino cybersecurity.
eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is one of the most recognised independent testing agencies, offering certification and player protection services for online gaming operators. iTech Labs is a certification company specialising in the online gaming industry, providing testing for RNG (Random Number Generators), games, and compliance with gaming regulations. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) provides a wide range of testing and certification services for gaming devices, systems, and online games, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Certification by independent audit firms such as eCOGRA guarantees that the operator meets the required regulatory standards in security of information storage, that their random number generators are fair, that they process payments in a timely manner, and act responsibly in general.
As part of their certification process, licensed online casinos must follow the rules on data and privacy protection. To keep their good standing, online casinos must agree to regular audits by these independent companies.
eCOGRA also has a dispute mediation department that helps players with issues they could not resolve through regular support channels. Overall, an online casino that has an eCOGRA seal has dedicated itself to being secure, and is a good choice for players.
Always choose licensed online casinos to ensure your funds and winnings are safeguarded. Make sure the online casino’s licence information is up to date and valid. Fake sites sometimes use fake badges to appear legitimate.
Check if the license displayed is clickable and leads to the official regulator’s website – if it does not, it is probably a scam site.
One of the best ways for online casinos to protect themselves and their players is to use security technology. As hackers modify and advance their strategies, so do security companies come up with new countermeasures. Regular updates of all software that is used is paramount for security. Oftentimes attackers rely on exploits and vulnerabilities that exist in older versions of software.
Security is a key factor in online gaming. Check for HTTPS in the site’s URL – a missing lock icon means the connection is not secure. Enable two-factor authentication whenever it is available, keep your passwords strong, and of course – do not give out your credit card information!
Check your account statements and game history to ensure that everything aligns with your expectations. If you notice any unauthorised transactions report them immediately to your payment provider.
Licensed, legitimate and regulated online casinos list their game providers.
Double-check their names and logos with official developer websites.
If a Game Provider displays the Gamecheck Seal, it is a good sign.
An online casino that sports the Gamecheck Seal is a safe bet.
Once the Gamecheck Seal is granted to an online casino it means the games on offer have been verified in collaboration with our partners, and you can rest assured they offer real games provided by genuine game providers.
When a website is flagged as having "fake games", it signifies that the online casino is offering fake games, probably without the permission of the original game providers. These fake games could be modified to negatively impact your chances of winning.
Those players who suspect that they are playing fake games can submit a verification request through Gamecheck’s verification portal. Players can also report a suspicious casino via the Gamecheck website or social profile DMs.
In its ongoing mission to fight fake games, Gamecheck is now set to launch the Gamecheck Seal - a blockchain-integrated clickable and scannable verification tool that enables players to instantly verify an online casino’s legitimacy and to be sure it offers real games within a few moments.
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Game verification before you play is essential to protect your winnings.
Search for the Gamecheck Seal for reassurance that your game is real before you play.
If you are still unsure and suspect that an online casino is offering fake games, you can use our free search tool to check an online casino’s verification status before playing. Enter the online casino's URL in our platform, to see if it offers real games, or has been flagged for fakes.
Verifying a game’s authenticity before you play is a simple way to prevent unfair financial losses and frustration in future. Always remain vigilant, play smart, and Gamecheck before you play.
