Staying safe while playing slots online: 5 tips for avid players

The internet has made it possible for you to play slots anywhere, any time. You can do it from your smartphone, PC, or tablet, provided you have a reliable connection. You no longer have to travel to land-based casinos to play your favourite slot game. All you need to do is visit a virtual online casino and enjoy yourself.

But before you visit a virtual casino and play online slots, there’s a few things to think about: Cybercriminals can hack your casino account and steal money. Worse yet, since online slots are easy to access and play, you are at greater risk of developing a gambling addiction. Luckily, you can avoid these issues. Here’s what you need to do:

1.  Choose a reputable casino

Online slots enthusiasts have thousands of gaming sites to choose from. Sadly, some options are less than ideal for many reasons. To begin with, they are unlicensed and don’t obey rules set by authoritative bodies like the UK’s Gambling Commission. Moreover, these service providers rely on shaky security measures, which puts their clients at a higher risk of getting hacked and losing money.

But don’t lose hope. Many online gambling platforms that offer everything from unquestionable security and protection against scams to bonuses and fair gameplay are available. You can find the best by vetting every service provider you encounter based on essential factors like proper licensing, excellent online reviews, and top-quality security.

2.  Set a strong password

While creating your online casino account, prioritise setting a strong password. This should have a minimum of 12 upper/lower case letters, numbers, and special symbols. Avoid common phrases like “password” and “qwerty”. Additionally, you shouldn’t use information someone else can guess, like your name, phone number, or birthdate. Also, avoid using passwords you’ve already used on other accounts.

Setting a strong password is paramount since it will protect your account from cybercriminals. If you use a weak password, hackers can easily crack it and steal your money. Your funds are not the only thing that’s at risk as cybercriminals can also steal your data and identity, which can cause many further problems. Don’t forget to save your passwords offline, where they can’t be compromised, not online.

3.  Avoid public wifi

Using public wifi can be alluring. For starters, it helps you cut down mobile data costs and conveniently access the internet while you’re in restaurants, airports, and so on. For your safety, you can use public wifi to browse, stream videos, and conduct other non-sensitive activities. But you should never use it to gamble online.

This is because most public wifi networks offer easy pickings to hackers because they don’t encrypt transmitted data. In other words, when playing casino games online using public wifi, hackers can easily intercept your data and steal vital information like your account password and credit card numbers. To make matters worse, cybercriminals now use fake public wifi networks to gain unauthorised access to victims’ devices.

4.  Limit yourself

The secret to protecting yourself from issues like overindulgence and addiction lies in personal limits. Set time limits for every slot gaming session before diving in. Since it’s easy to get immersed and lose track of time, it’s a good idea to use timers or alarms to remind yourself when to stop and do something else. Without time limits, you might engage in too many gaming marathons and compromise your funds and overall wellbeing.

You should also set financial limits. Before playing slots, budget and set aside a reasonable amount of money for your gambling escapades. This shouldn’t be more than 1 percent of your net income if you want to avoid financial instability. After setting your gambling budget, break it down into sessions. Define the exact amount of money you’re willing to risk per session and stick to it.

5.  Don’t share your account credentials

Sharing your account with friends or family may seem like a good idea, but it’s not. For starters, it exposes you to a greater risk of getting hacked, especially when the person you’re with doesn’t follow recommended online security practices. The person you share with might also share your credentials with others, increasing your risk exposure.

It’s worth keeping in mind that not everyone has your best interests at heart. You might share your account with someone who might take advantage of it and make unauthorised withdrawals. Plus, most casinos have banned sharing and tend to suspend/terminate accounts suspected of violating this condition. Instead of sharing your account with a buddy or relative, help them open their own account.

Ready to play online slots?

Playing slots online is fun and convenient. But that doesn’t mean you should stop going to land-based casinos like Genting Casino Brighton every now and then. Take a break from online gaming and visit such establishments as often as possible. There’s a lively environment to enjoy and you’ll get ample opportunity to interact with other slots enthusiasts. Plus, you’ll get to try machines and games that you won’t find at online gambling sites.