Can you trust online casinos?

Mar 23 2023

A few years ago, there were numerous fraudulent sites on the internet that posed as online casinos. Users caught in their network were not receiving payouts, even when they won. However, that time has passed. Nowadays, there are virtual club ratings that can guide users in selecting a good gambling portal with favorable conditions in any country. Additionally, the country is implementing a policy of liberalizing legislation regarding gambling. Therefore, it is safe to say that there is no reason to distrust online casinos today.

What you should pay attention to when choosing a club:

Reviews from players and experts. Independent thematic resources evaluate casinos in practice and provide an objective rating, which can be used as a guide before registering. A large number of complaints from players is a reason to avoid a casino.
Technical support. The service is available to all visitors to the site, and the staff responds quickly and honestly.
Bonus program. Motivation for customers should be reasonable and moderate. If beginners are offered overly generous no-deposit bonuses or a huge percentage for depositing funds, then it is likely a scam.
Rules. Limits, bonus policies, withdrawal times, verification procedures, certified casinos and other parameters are described in detail and are freely accessible.
For mobile players, reliable casinos offer an adaptive version of the site and/or a mobile application.

Slot machines for money

The assortment of games in a gaming room is an indicator of the club's status and financial capabilities. A collection of outdated, unknown origin gaming machines is a reason to search for another web resource. The lobby should feature games from world-renowned developers such as Amatic and Spinomenal, as well as young studios that offer innovative slots like Cyberslot and Zillion Games.

Classic 3 - 5 reel slots;
with progressive or fixed jackpot;
On fruit theme;
slot machines, books;
With Buy Bonus and megaways;
With bonus options;
With a built-in game of doubling;
With cascading reels and others.

Winning largely depends on the RTP, so 90% of the institution's machines should have a return rate to the player at least 95 percent.

Casino license

To legally provide online gambling services related to sports betting, poker, and casino games, online casinos must obtain a license. Without it, the successful operation of an online platform is in question since the operator cannot open a bank account or host video slots and table games, which requires a contract with the manufacturer of gaming software. Moreover, obtaining a gambling license often accompanies a lighter tax regime and other benefits.

However, getting a license does not mean that any country will readily open its doors to a new operator. Some countries, such as almost all US states, Poland, France, and others, prohibit the activities of online casino operators entirely or partially. Fortunately, the situation in the US is beginning to change as more states recognize the possible benefits of licensing gambling operators. More than 15 states have already legalized online casinos and established local gaming authorities to oversee and regulate them.

Nonetheless, local legal regulations are fluid, and a country that was once casino-friendly may issue a law blocking gambling sites from operating in its territory. For example, Australia was a fertile place for online casinos until 2017 when new legislation outlawed overseas casinos without a specific Australian license, leading to a massive exodus of gambling operators from the country.

For gambling fans, there is also Soccer Transfer News available, providing the latest updates on soccer news. It is essential for every player to keep up with the latest news to develop a strategy for their bets.

Having a license increases players' confidence in online casinos and automatically removes concerns about "tweaked" RTP (return rate) in slots and non-payment of large winnings. A licensed institution conducts regular audits of the random number generator, and the results are usually issued a certificate of compliance. Online casinos usually insert brief information about their license in the footer of the site, and experienced players visiting a casino for the first time scroll down the page to see what jurisdiction issued the license.

The most popular casino licenses

Curacao

There are several advantages to setting up a casino on this small island in the Caribbean Sea, including a zero percent tax rate on casino profits, fast processing times (usually around 1.5-2 months), and low operating costs. Online casino owners are required to locate their computing facilities (servers) in Curacao. The internet gambling industry is a significant contributor to the budget of Curacao, resulting in an attractive taxation system for casinos. Companies are only required to pay 2% corporate income tax and have the opportunity to obtain a favorable general license, which costs no more than $150,000 and allows them to offer all types of games at once.

Kanawake

Canada is known for its permissive attitude towards gambling at the legislative level. In 1996, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established, which is responsible for licensing online casinos, among other things. The Commission issues a total of four types of gambling licenses. Those who wish to provide interactive gambling services, such as online casinos, based on local hosting, must obtain a Client Provider Authorization. The initial license fee is $40,000 per year, while the cost of technical software verification is $15,000. Additionally, the annual license renewal fee is $10,000.

Malta

The Malta Gaming Authority issues two types of licenses (B2B and B2C) valid for five years. Operators who obtain a prestigious license in Malta are placed on the "white list" of the UK gambling regulator, allowing online casinos to offer their services to British players. Casino operators are required to adhere to several requirements, such as providing financial statements, protecting players' personal data, and developing a Responsible Gaming Policy.

The licensing procedure takes place in several stages: The Commission reviews the application for 3-4 weeks, after which the online casino receives a temporary license for six months. Then, based on the results of a thorough analysis, a gaming license is issued that is valid for five years. Under the new tax rules that came into force on January 1, 2018, online casinos with a "B2C - Type 1 Gaming Services" license, which includes slots, table games, and live dealer games, are subject to an annual tax rate of 1.25% (if the casino income does not exceed €3,000,000), 1% (up to €4,500,000), 0.85% (up to €5,000,000), 0.70% (up to €7,500,000), and 0.55% (up to €10,000,000).

Gibraltar

In order to obtain a Gibraltar license, the online casino owner must prove financial stability, provide a business plan and be prepared to conduct foreign exchange transactions (payouts of winnings, processing of players' credit card details) exclusively through Gibraltar banks. License holders pay 1% of gross profits, but not less than £85,000 per year.

UK Gambling Commission

The UK Gambling Commission is one of the largest gambling authorities in the world. In order to get their license, you need to provide a number of data including a business plan, proof of financial solvency and financial security, criminal record and other information. Remote casino license holders must pay a tax of 15% to 50% of gross revenue. Also need to pay the cost of the license, which, incidentally, has recently increased: since October 1, 2021, the amount of the annual fee rose by 55%.

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