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When choosing an online casino, the number on offer can be overwhelming. Before you know it, the glitzy games and shiny interfaces will have you sucked in. You may have signed up for one promising great welcome bonus, without even knowing who operates the website.

This is a recipe for disaster, as some online casinos are not as trustworthy as they would like you to believe. Yet the reputable ones are exceptional, providing help and guidance as well as being safe to use. Below, we give a guide on how to stay safe when choosing a new online casino.

Choose Casinos That Use Reputable Game Manufacturers

Trustworthy casinos will display a list of reputable manufacturers on the pages that advertise their offerings. For example, Betfair’s wide range of online slots UK provides listings of main developers at the bottom of the page. Including major organisations like Playtech, Red Tiger and Pragmatic, it is easy to see they have a list of world-class games. By choosing them you know that fairness and transparency are inherent, with a selection that has been audited by independent bodies.

One of the first places you will look when choosing an online casino is at the selection of games on offer. However, to stay safe, you need to dig a little deeper than just the types and variations they have. Make sure that the casino only has ones that are from reputable game developers like these. 

If you do not recognise the companies, it will only take a quick online search to find the world’s most popular manufacturers. If you look at multiple casinos, you may even notice the same games start to appear. This helps you get a feel for which are the most popular ones. All these games will have information such as how much they return to the player and their odds. 

How Are They Licensed and Regulated?

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The mark of a casino is in its licensing and regulation. When licensed, it will have policies in place that show information is kept safely and correctly. It will often have methods by which players need to verify themselves helping to cut down on fraudulent activity. 

Certain guidelines also have to be met on fair play. Signing up to unlicensed venues may have you taking part in games that are unfairly swayed in the house’s favour. By finding a regulated casino you know that the outcome of its games is wholly down to chance. 

Don’t get put off if the casino is regulated abroad. Many of them are in Malta but will be licensed and regulated by your residing country. In this case, they should follow guidance from the Malta Gaming Authority and have a designated license number. 

Check Its Deposit and Withdrawal Options

Not only do you need deposit options that are easy to access, but you also need safe ones. You don’t want to send your money to a fraudulent account or punch your details into an unsafe website. Make sure the casino has a variety of secure, well-known payment gateways such as PayPal, Skrill and other processors. 

Just as important as the deposit methods are withdrawal procedures. Underhand casinos, particularly unlicensed ones, make it hard for you to withdraw any winnings or money you have put in. Make sure you check the small print to see how much can be withdrawn and the average amount of time it takes to have it in your bank account.