How do I know which Online Casino is Safe and Secure to Play Pokies or Other Games?

Truly this question is very important to answer. After all how can you blindly trust an online casino and make real money deposit to enjoy casino games. The most common doubts that players have in mind when visiting any online casino is will the casino offer fair gaming practices, will the casino keep my banking transactions safe and secure and will the casino pay me out my winnings on time.

So to judge an online casino whether it’s safe and secure or not to play pokies or other games is to understand  how there are independent auditing and testing companies that regulate these online casinos. These companies carry seals that speak volumes of how a casino handles their operations. From making sure players have access to proper customer support, to establishing the integrity of RNG systems at online casinos, independent auditing bodies provide full assurance to players that the casino they are playing at is not out to scam them. Here are four such companies that take care of your safety and security at the online casinos. These can be found at different jurisdictions of online casinos suitable for players from the country they play games from.

1. iTech Labs

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, iTechLabs is one of the leaders in the field of independent software testing. The company specializes in thoroughly testing online gaming systems such as casino systems and multiplayer poker rooms. Their head consultants have over fifty years of testing experience between them, whereas iTech Labs itself has has been in the business for more than ten years.

The company has offices across three continents: Australia, the Americas, and Europe. This means that iTech Labs is established online casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, UK Gambling Commission, Alderney, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man, Italy, Spain, and Denmark. The only notable licensing body out of iTech Labs’ coverage is Curacao, but that may change in the future.

Online casino and poker room operators order an RNG Evaluation, which verifies and certifies their algorithm, or an RTP Verification, analyzing all game math and performing monthly audit reports.

When it comes to poker systems, the company fully audits single- and multi-player tournaments, jackpot games, and ring games. Pokies, all card and table games, dice games, jackpots, and tournaments fall under the casino system audit. Also, iTech Labs is capable of verifying single- and multi-player bingo systems, as well as backgammon systems.

Thus the iTech Labs seal carries plenty of weight in the iGaming world. If you see it stamped on an online casino you like, you have all the assurances you need that the quality of games is undisputed and all RNG is working as intended.

2. eCOGRA

This is one of the most commonly found seal at online casinos powered by Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech and others. eCOGRA stands for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. The company was founded in in the UK (2003), introducing the very first self-regulation program in the online gambling industry.

Today, eCOGRA is popular for being one of the most esteemed independent testing and certification bodies in the iGaming world. With time, eCOGRA branched away from self-regulation and began offering regulatory compliance to online casino operators in regulated markets. These markets include a wide array of iGaming jurisdictions around the globe: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Italy, Isle of Man, Spain, Portugal, New Jersey, Gibraltar, Denmark, Croatia, Estonia, and others.

eCOGRA can grant two types of seals to operators: eCOGRA Safe and Fair Seal and eCOGRA Certified Software Seal.

The eCOGRA Safe and Fair Seal awards online gaming operators; that fully adhere to all eCOGRA GAP (General Accepted Practice) requirements. Said requirements emphasize fair gaming; protection of players, and proper attitude from the operators. eCOGRA performs annual assessments for the Safe and Fair Seal.

eCOGRA Certified Software Seal is going to online gaming software suppliers that fully adhere to eCOGRA GAP requirements. The company performs an annual assessment, showing a particular emphasis on the internal controls of the company. More specifically, eCOGRA pays attention to the development process and security protocols in place.

On the side of self-regulatory compliance, eCOGRA activities focus on the prevention of underage gambling; the betterment of anti-fraudulent systems, protecting customer privacy and payments, and ensuring proper access to customer support.

3. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)

Gaming Labs is also one of the oldest independent auditing and testing bodies in the world, formed in 1989. The company operates using offices scattered all around the globe; you can find them everywhere: New Jersey, Vegas, Canada, Mexico, Macao, Austria, Poland, the Netherlands – to name a few locations.

GLI’s biggest draw is that they offer thorough testing on nearly every conceivable product present in the online gaming world, such as casinos, poker rooms, sportsbooks, betting exchanges, slot machines, table games, live dealer games, and more. To show that they go above and beyond competitors, the company also offers consulting services and anti-money laundering training, but the full array of their services is simply too large for me to effectively describe here. When you spot the Gaming Labs Certified Mark in an online casino, know that you are in safe hands.

4. Central Disputes System

The CDS is casino-specific auditing body, and only deal with online casinos using the RealTime Gaming platform. Therefore, you cannot realistically rely on them too much. However, as plenty of US online casinos offer RTG Games, it’s role is also important. CDS deals with player complaints and attempt to solve disputes by acting as a mediator between you and the RTG online casino in question. Unfortunately, there isn’t a public forum where users may look through complaints, as all matters all handled in private.

Considering the safety and security to play at online casinos of your choice it’s important to see or look for the above company seals and certifications which are given down below at the footer of the home page of any online casino. Such certification seals issued by independent auditing bodies are one of the easiest ways to spot a legitimate operation, also have feedback from other players at online forums and know more about the online casino. You should note that the online casino where you wish to play games must have 24.7 customer support with many options of contact, should have a fast cashout system or make withdrawals of your winnings on time and have a proper legit license of its casino operation.