Slot machines have long been a popular part of the casino landscape – any Vegas casino will have hundreds of one-armed bandits in their gaming rooms for players. They can be found in bookmakers and even in pubs.
But like anything on the internet, you need to make sure that you are staying safe while you play, and in this article, we will help you find the safest ways to enjoy playing slots.
1. Find a Reputable Online Casino
If you search the term ‘online slots,’ you’ll get thousands of hits – not to mention all the sponsored results, too.
Sorting out the right place to play is the first step to being safe. There are many ways that you can decide how to choose, from the best variety of games to the online casino that offers the best new player incentives like free spins – but what you need to look for is that it is licensed and regulated in your location.
In the UK, that means it must be under the jurisdiction of the UK Gambling Commission. Online casinos that want to provide gaming services to players in the UK must meet different criteria to be licensed, and that includes using the best security for players and their financial information.
You can find out if an online casino is regulated by searching for it on the Gambling Commission site, or looking for the licence information which is usually featured in the footer of the website.
2. Use Safe Payment Methods
Most online casino sites will offer several different ways for you to fund your account. These can range from the usual debit cards through to bank transfers and even using eWallets like PayPal, for example.
If the site you are using is regulated and licensed, your financial information should be safe. Many online payment experts would recommend that you add an extra layer of distance to your purchases by using something like PayPal, however – because that means that you are not sharing any identifiable financial information with the casino, just your email address for your PayPal account.
3. Choose the Right Games
There seems to be an endless amount of slot games available at online casinos and choosing the right one can make all the difference to your safety online.
If you are a beginner, look for simple slots that do not have too much chaotic gameplay so you can get a feel for the way the games work before you get too stuck in. Another tip here would be to look for demo games that you can play – these offer you the opportunity to learn the game so that when you start playing with real money, you know what you are looking for.
4. Set a Budget
Regarding real money, it can be easy to forget that the cash you are using in an online casino must come from your bank account – so set yourself some limits and stick to them. You need to be prepared to lose every single penny that you fund your account with.
5. Be Careful of Personal Information
One of the most intriguing features of online casinos is that you can build relationships with other players through in-game chat options. This does tend to be truer when you are playing games like Bingo and even poker, but it can also become part of your slots playing if you engage in a tournament.
While moderators and croupiers might keep an eye on what is being said in chat, remember that the person on the other side of the screen might not be who they say they are – so don’t give too much away, especially anything that might be identifiable.
This is also true of the information that you share with the online casino, too. They need to ask you certain questions to be able to identify you properly – it is part of the licensing conditions that they must follow – but don’t use the same password that you use for social media or your email account.
Take your safety online seriously so you can continue to enjoy your slot gaming for longer.