Online Casino Customers Seek Security

The study by VeriSign indicates eighty-five percent of visitors to online gambling sites think trusting the site to be the top reason to choose a casino.

A survey of players at online casinos shows that personal security is the greatest concern. The study by VeriSign indicates eighty-five percent of visitors to online gambling sites think trusting the site to be the top reason to choose a casino.

The survey showed that sixty-two percent looked to find the locked icon on the site address bar, while as many as fifty-five percent wanted an independent seal or logo verifying the site was securely run.

Security becomes an issue at Internet casinos in several different ways. Personal information is sent to the gambling site, requiring secure transmissions. Security also involves guarantees and verification of transparency, honesty, and integrity by the casino.

Proper Internet security also addresses age verification, detection of and systems for dealing with problem gambling, and guarding against money laundering.

While several organizations purport to guarantee security, it is difficult for gambling patrons to ascertain which inspectors are truly independent. For instance, Absolute Poker and Ultimate Bet are regulated by the Kahnawake Authority, but the Kahnawake have conflict of interest, as a former tribal head owns the poker rooms.

Online Casino Advisory senior gaming analyst Sherman Bradley says government regulation is the solution. "Once the US government licenses and regulates the online gaming industry, there will be clear and stringent rules to guarantee security."