Online gambling is one of the fastest-growing leisure pursuits in the US. This is thanks to the increasing liberalization of gambling laws, which was accelerated by the 2018 Supreme Court decision on PASPA. In 2022 for example, it is now possible to bet with sportsbooks, internet casinos, online lottery sellers, and many more outlets as a US resident.
This is also true in many other parts of the world, where online gambling has really taken off in the last few years. Thailand is a great example of this and a country which seems to love not only gambling but also gambling at offshore iGaming platforms. Casino games are particularly popular in the country and this sees top casino sites such as casinotopsonline.com/th, in Thailand attract many customers. When you see the range of fun games they carry, the convenience they offer and the cool bonuses Thai players can bag, this is no surprise.
While online gambling has exploded in places like Thailand and the US, there are growing concern about the risks to customers who take part in online gambling. There are pitfalls out there, and it is important to be aware of the dangers to stay safe.
Always Bet with Licensed Sites
This is one absolutely essential tip for staying safe when you are gambling online. No matter how convenient it may be, you should never bet with an unregulated operator, even if that means you have to travel to bet in a state where gambling is legal.
When you bet with unregulated gambling companies, you have no protection whatsoever. As these sites are not overseen by a gambling authority, they are not required to meet data protection or other security standards, so your financial and personal information may be at risk.
You will also find that they are under no obligation to pay out if you are a winner, or to uphold their side of any bonus or promotion. Even if you win a large amount of money, they could simply refuse to pay you, and since they are unregulated, you would have nowhere to turn for recompense.
It is easy to check whether a site is licensed. All regulated sites are keen to display their license, for which they usually have to pay a large amount of money. If you can’t find licensing details on a site, check out the information pages of your state gambling regulator.
Have Realistic Expectations
Many of the dangers of online gambling are related to the risk of developing a gambling addiction. Online gambling is convenient, but this ease of access makes it too easy for some people to gamble irresponsibly.
One way to limit the risk of addiction is to have a clear idea of what to expect. Most casino games will lose you money in the long term, and although it is theoretically possible to make a long-term profit from betting on sports, the number of people who do this is tiny.
It is far better to treat online gambling as a leisure pursuit, to be enjoyed like a trip to the movies. Online gambling is not, and will never be, a solution to financial problems. Accepting this from the beginning is one way to keep yourself safe.
Never Bet Beyond Your Means
This is a fundamental rule of safe gambling. As mentioned above, gambling online should be considered a leisure pursuit and nothing more. Just as you would be unlikely to spend your grocery money on a movie, you should not spend essential money on gambling.
Set aside an amount of money that you can afford to lose without it affecting any other aspect of your life. If you don’t have the resources to do so, then wait until you do.
Always Set Limits
One way to reinforce the importance of betting within your means is setting limits. These limits should cover both your time and money. Before you start gambling online, work out how long you can gamble for and make sure that this time does not impact your work or relationships.
Setting financial limits on how much you are prepared to spend when gambling can also help. Chasing losses is a common problem with online gamblers, so one way to avoid this is to set a limit for how much you are prepared to lose, and then stop gambling when this figure has been reached.
Consider Responsible Gambling Tools
Even if you are not at risk of gambling addiction, it is a good idea to check out what responsible gambling tools are available. All regulated gambling sites are required to offer a range of resources that are all designed to help you manage your gambling.
These resources include self-exclusion tools, deposit and spending limit-setting options, links to gambling charities and organizations, and self-assessment tools. Check out all of the options available to you and bear these in mind when you are considering your safety during online gambling.