The online gambling industry has grown significantly in recent years thanks to the many opportunities it offers. From accessibility and flexibility to game variety and enticing bonuses, these online platforms trump their land-based counterparts. As a result, their numbers keep increasing almost daily. However, these sites are not all the same.
The increased regulation in today’s iGaming market is indeed encouraging. However, there are still loads of unlicensed gambling casinos and sports betting sites. While these unregulated platforms typically offer enticing features and have few restrictions, they pose significant risks to players.
Therefore, this article explores why you should avoid unlicensed gambling sites, analyzing the dangers involved.
Understanding Licensing in the Gambling Scene
Gambling sites are much like any legitimate business. They need to be registered to be permitted to operate legally. Any legitimate operator that wants to set up an online gambling site must first obtain a valid gaming license from an appropriate gaming authority within the jurisdictions they wish to operate. For a site to receive this license, it must comply with the established laws and guidelines put in place to ensure fairness, integrity, and security.
So, legit gambling platforms like this site hold one or more valid licenses from reputable regulatory agencies. Some of the popular iGaming licensing bodies are the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Gambling Commission of Great Britain, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), and the Kahnawake Gaming nCommission.
Reasons You Should Avoid Unlicensed Sites
An unlicensed site is a platform that doesn’t hold a valid gaming license to operate legally within any jurisdiction. And without a valid license, such a site will operate without any regulatory oversight. From unfair gaming to payment issues, security threats, and much more, there are many obvious reasons to steer clear of these sites. Let’s get into it.
Fairplay is Unguaranteed
One of the most vital requirements that a valid gaming license mandates for casinos is fairness in gameplay. This means the casino must use a random number generator to ensure game results are fair. They must also engage the services of third-party auditors who will regularly check the platform for fair gameplay.
On the other hand, unlicensed casinos are not bound by any rule and don’t prioritize fairness. This means that these sites can manipulate the results of games on their platforms. For example, you may find that you can’t seem to win any spin while playing a slot game. Ultimately, fair play is not guaranteed at these unlicensed platforms.
Security and Financial Concerns
Security has always been a major issue in the digital scene, especially in online casinos. However, licensed sites are required to implement advanced encryption technologies and robust security measures on their platforms. This helps protect players’ transactions and personal and financial information on the platforms.
On the other hand, unlicensed gambling sites often lack these security measures. This exposes players to possible personal and financial information breaches, resulting in identity theft, financial loss, and other disastrous outcomes.
Payment Issues
Unlicensed gambling sites are infamous for problems with payments. Players often experience delays in withdrawing their winnings from the site. In more extreme cases, these sites make it impossible for players to receive their winnings. This happens due to their lack of transparency and oversight.
Responsible Gaming
Due to the increasing rate of problem gambling, responsible gaming has become a vital issue. As a result, regulatory agencies mandate licensed sites to implement tools, resources, and measures that promote responsible gaming. These include deposit limits, self-exclusion, and access to support services.
Unlicensed gambling sites typically lack these responsible gambling features as their only goal is more customers. As a result, players who sign up on such platforms are at risk of gambling addiction and financial ruin.
Absence of Complaints and Dispute Resolution
One of the benefits of playing at a licensed gambling site is that you get someone to come to your aid whenever you get unfair treatment. Licensing and regulatory authorities typically provide a platform for customers to address any conflict they have with their operators. For example, if an MGA-licensed casino refuses to pay your winnings for too long, there are guidelines MGA put in place to ensure the conflict gets addressed and resolved appropriately.
You will not get this protection shield from an unlicensed gambling site. After all, without any regulatory oversight, these sites often have no fear of repercussion.
Conclusion – Choose a Licensed Gaming Site
Though unlicensed gambling sites can be appealing in several ways, the risks often far outweigh the benefits. These platforms are fraught with dangers, from lack of financial security to payment issues, unfair gameplay, and more.
This is why you should always pick a licensed and regulated site for a safe, fair, and enjoyable gaming experience. Before you choose any platform, first check for its licensing information and security endorsement and verify them. You should also read the site’s reviews from both critics and customers to confirm its trustworthiness.