As of 2024, the iGaming market is sitting just above $100 billion, with millions of users worldwide utilizing online platforms to play their favorite games, slots, and place bets on various sporting events. But just because the iGaming market has been getting bigger over the last few years, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s getting more secure.
There are many industries where cybersecurity has not been a priority, only for a well-publicized cyber attack to wake them up and get them to update their systems – if it isn’t too late by then. So is this the same story with the iGaming industry? When you click onto an online casino, are you assured of a secure online gambling experience? We’re going to take a look and find out.
The Regulation System
The first thing to note is that reputable online casinos are licensed and regulated by gaming authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority.
This ensures that they adhere to strict security and fairness standards, providing a safe and trustworthy experience for players. If you’re a new player looking for an online platform, all you need to do is go to the bottom of the casino’s homepage and verify the licensing information. This, at least, will give you an early indication that you’re playing in a regulated, secure environment.
The Payment Methods
It isn’t just regulation that makes these casinos safe, however. Over the last few years, real money online casinos have implemented numerous payment methods into their site, giving the players the option to choose how they pay. Avenues such as credit cards, e-wallets, and PayPal have been implemented. Even crypto is becoming a popular new option – with Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum all popular casino tokens in 2024. This puts the emphasis on the user to choose the most secure and convenient method for them.
The Advanced Encryption Technology
Safe online casinos are also using the best IT professionals to implement advanced encryption technology. This technology includes:
- SSL Encryption
- TLS Encryption
- 256-Bit Encryption
- Firewalls
- Secure Payment Gateways
Together, these measures ensure that personal and financial data remain as safe as possible from cyber threats, and given the fact that cyber attacks have been on the up – in the US alone, nearly 400 million individuals were affected by data compromises – it’s crucial that prime targets like online casinos implement the technology to prioritize proactive protection over reactive remediations.
The Data Protection Policies
Speaking of data, online casinos also implement robust data protection policies, making sure to safeguard players’ personal information. This is important in the current climate, where well-meaning companies are collecting user data only to misuse it or fail entirely to keep it safe from a breach.
The best online casinos will be transparent about their data policies, what data they’d like to collect, what they plan to do with your data, and how they will keep it secure. This will only help to develop and personalize your gaming experience, and while you can still opt out, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your data is protected if you opt-in.
The Audits and Assessments
Lastly, because these online casinos are regulated and have to adhere to strict safety measures, many regularly go through audits and security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities. Once again, measures like this are crucial in the current climate that we’re living in. While cybersecurity tech is getting better, so too is the tech utilized by attackers, and any company that doesn’t regularly analyze its processes will only fall behind and get punished for it. By regularly analyzing their security and policies, the best online casinos keep themselves ahead of the pack and make sure that they don’t miss a beat. This – along with the other reasons on this list – demonstrates how online gambling can be secure in 2024; all you have to do is find the right, reputable casino.
