Online casinos are some of the greatest offerings in the modern entertainment market. The convenience of gambling from anywhere at any time is unmatched. However, as with anything that happens on the web, gamblers have to be careful about security. Concerns about the safety of players are warranted, given the numerous threats that lurk in cyberspace. Online gambling is one of the most affected industries when talking about security and safety. As the sector enjoys surging popularity, cyber threats are becoming a bigger problem.
Gambling sites facilitate transactions worth millions through online banking, credit and debit cards. So, it makes sense that cybercriminals would target these platforms. Gamblers also provide a lot of information to online casinos. Without safety policies and protections, operators can fall prey to different attacks. Another concern that closely ties to security is fairness. You want assurances that the games you play are fair. For this reason, players should know how operators guarantee safety and fairness to customers. When you comprehend the different solutions that casinos implement, then you know what to look for when picking a suitable gambling site.
Random Number Generators and Fairness
Claims of online casinos rigging games are rampant. If you are a newbie and don’t know how casino games run, you can easily accept such accusations without question. It’s not to say that some operators don’t cheat customers. However, learn how credible sites guarantee fairness before making a final judgement. All online casino games, except for live dealer, use random number generators. An RNG is a computer program that simulates random outcomes. It works by generating a long string of numbers when combined with an algorithm. The numbers, which lack any pattern, are generated through complex mathematical formulas. Once a seed number comes up, it uses the algorithm to create another seed number, and so on. This process continues forever.
You might wonder, can’t an algorithm be hacked? Yes, it can, but only when if you know what it is. Casino games avoid this risk by keeping the seed number and mathematical formula anonymous. Only the person who provided the original seed knows what it is. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for players or anyone else to tamper with the system. Even when a casino game is idle, the RNG is working in the background. If you are playing on a legitimate and regulated platform, then you can be confident about the randomness of game outcomes. Therefore, verify the licence of a gambling website before using it. Read more on casino.guide to find out how else to identify a reputable casino.
Independent Game Testing
Regardless of the complex setup of RNGs, some operators still try to interfere with casino games. In an effort to get as much as possible, unscrupulous casinos attempt to mess with game results. The industry has a solution for this as well – third-party audits. Game testing companies exist for the sole purpose of ensuring the fairness and security of gambling sites. These agencies conduct independent audits on games and gaming software. The scope of an audit depends on the company.
Typically, a testing body evaluates RNGs to verify their randomness and authenticity. They also check games and the mathematical programs they use. Despite live games having human dealers, an audit evaluates their fairness as well. In regard to safety, an auditor will do penetration testing and examine the entire security system. By checking different elements, testing companies ensure that gamblers can play safely. Operators that pass these audits receive badges they can display on their websites. So, players should look out for such certificates when determining the suitability of a casino. TST, iTech Labs and eCogra are some popular testing agencies.
How Operators Protect Players
Now that you grasp how online casinos provide fairness, what about the security of your money and data? After all, if a platform is unsafe, it doesn’t matter how fair the games are. Data encryption is the bare minimum that an online casino can do to protect users. Almost every reputable website has a secure sockets layer (SSL). These data encryption protocols ensure that a site can receive and send data safely. The technology encrypts the connection between a server and a browser. It uses a public key to encrypt data and a private one to decrypt it. This system prevents information access to authorised parties. A casino can have 128- or 256-bit SSL encryption. You can tell if a platform is encrypted by checking if it has a padlock icon on the address bar. Also, sometimes a browser informs you if you are about to enter an unencrypted website.
Gambling sites also use firewalls to safeguard the data coming in and out. Due to the large amounts of information that casinos carry, they are popular targets for DDOS attacks, malware and phishing. Therefore, they need to eliminate any vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit. Robust firewalls prevent unwanted traffic from transmitting through the platforms, hence, allowing customers to play safely.
The importance of licensing and registration cannot be exaggerated enough. Regulatory agencies such as the MGA, UKGC and GGC have requirements for casino fairness and security. Thus, you can gamble peacefully knowing that a licensed operator has implemented various measures to satisfy the necessary standards.
Online gambling is a multibillion-dollar industry, with projections showing an upward trend for the next several years. So, operators and players should expect cyber-attacks to increase in frequency and sophistication. As new players continue joining online casinos, cybercriminals have chances to exploit their inexperience. Hence, learning about security and fairness helps because it tells you how to spot problematic websites.
