Your Rights as a Player

Protection of Your Rights as an Online Casino Player

Online gambling should be a fun and safe experience. We have all heard of some horror stories, where players might not have received their winnings. It is for this very reason, that you need to be aware well ahead of who you can turn to when things take a sour turn. Here are all the gambling authorities and organisations that protect your rights based on your country of residence.

UK Gambling Commission: Player Rights

The UK Gambling Commission is the main regulatory gambling body that oversees all aspects of gambling in the United Kingdom. To gamble in the UK, you must sign up at a casino that has a valid gambling licence issued from this reputable gambling authority.

The UKGC ensures that online casinos adhere and abide by strict rules and regulations, such as providing fair games that undergo regular testing by independent third parties, keeping your personal and financial information secure with the aid of SSL encryption technology, offering a variety of responsible gambling tools, provide a dispute resolution service for any disputes, problems or complaints that may arise and take the necessary measures to deter underage gambling and verify the identity of the players.

In the UK, the Gambling Act 2005 is enforced by the UKGC, which ensures that all forms of gambling and betting services taking place within the UK borders are carried out fairly.

Malta Gaming Authority: Player Rights

The Malta Gaming Authority is the main regulatory gambling body that oversees online gambling in the Maltese Islands. However, the MGA does not mean that licensed operators can operate solely on the Islands. MGA-licensed online casinos can offer their services in various countries, including Canada and New Zealand.

The MGA has been around for a long time and is known for being a responsible and fair authority. As a player, you can similarly gain access to fair and transparent online casino games, access to various responsible gambling tools and have access to a dispute resolution service.

Rights of Players

Online gambling players have access to a myriad of rights that are designed to protect them and their data-sensitive information to have a fair and honest gambling experience. Knowing what your rights are especially when you are playing at online casinos is of utmost importance. It will help you make informed decisions and help cover your ground as a player.

Fairness of Games and Transparency

Oftentimes, you will come across players who say that online casino games are rigged. And while this may possibly be true when it comes to rogue casinos, it is not the case with licensed and regulated online casinos.

Licensed online casinos use random number generators to produce fair and impartial results. The random number generators and the games are moreover checked by independent third-party auditors such as eCOGRA and iTechLab.

Online casinos must also provide players with a payout percentage of games and other essential information.

When it comes to casino bonuses and promotions, the most significant terms should also be presented beneath the offer, and not send players on a wild goose chase to long terms and conditions pages. All the most important terms should be listed in a manner that is understandable and straightforward.

Privacy and Payment Transactions

Online casinos make use of the latest SSL encryption technology to safeguard both the player from the moment they land on the website as well as any information sent to and from the website. Licensed casino operators must also adhere to very rigorous data protection regulations.

All payments are also processed and protected by this encryption technology. They must also only collaborate with payment providers that are trustworthy and reliable.

Segregation of Player Funds

Online casino players should know that player funds are completely segregated from the daily operational costs of the casino. This means that the funds deposited by players and their winnings are kept wholly separate from the casino’s operational funds. This means that your funds should always be available for cashing out and are never taken out from the casino’s operational finances.

Online gambling sites furthermore have various policies and procedures in place to protect the funds of the players in the unlikely event of insolvency.

Responsible Gambling

Online gambling sites are required by their relevant gambling authorities to implement various responsible gambling measures. This includes making available various responsible gambling tools such as deposit, loss and wager limits, reality checks, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion.

The casino is also required to screen players and their activity and run all the necessary KYC procedures to ensure that players are who they say they are and they are not underage.

Moreover, if the online casino notices that any players are showing signs of problematic gambling behaviour, they must intervene and reach out to provide them with all the necessary care and assistance.

Prevention of Underage Gambling

Detering underage gambling is one of the most vital responsibilities of online casino sites. Players should have access to online casino games that are free for any players who are over the legal gambling age.

To do so, online casino sites employ various measures to ensure that players are of a legal age. As part of the casino’s KYC procedures, the casino may start running verification checks from the moment a player registers for an account. They are also legally obliged to request identification documents from players, use third-party identity verification services as well and promote various responsible gambling practices.

Player Rights and Gambling Licences

Gambling licences are an essential part of online gambling regulations. We have said time and time again, that players should only consider online casino sites that have a valid gambling licence issued from a reputable gambling authority.

There are various reasons for this. You can ensure that your rights as a player are protected. You are also provided with a safe and secure gambling environment and a fair gambling session.

Gambling authorities are also continually monitoring their licensees to ensure that they are working as they should and providing players with a safe environment.

Advertising Rules and Regulations

Online gambling sites must follow various advertising regulations to prevent any potentially misleading promotions. This is not only about casino bonuses and promotions but also covers the terms and conditions in order to avoid targeting any vulnerable groups.

Online casino sites are obliged to provide transparent information about their casino bonuses and promotions, ensuring that players are aware of any shortcomings associated with gambling.

Player Rights and Disputes

When it comes to online gambling, there may be times when disputes may arise between the player and the casino. Perhaps funds are being withheld for some reason or another, or an account has been shut for no apparent reason.

There are various routes you can take when this happens. Your first port of call should be the casino’s customer support service. You should keep track of any information discussed with the customer support team. If there are any problems, take as many screenshots as possible.

If your efforts with the casino’s customer support team don’t go as they should, you can raise a dispute with the relevant gambling authority. While the gambling authority promotes player rights, when it comes to disputes, it does not take any sides. It merely acts as a mediator to ensure that a satisfactory outcome is reached. While this is an effective strategy, be aware, that action can be delayed and can take several days or weeks.

You also have the option to submit a complaint via AskGamblers Casino Complaint Service. You can submit a complaint via AskGamblers once you have exhausted all available options with the casino. Once the complaint has been submitted, the AskGamblers team will reach out to the casino. An investigation is kicked off within a matter of two working days.

Choosing a Licensed and Regulated Online Casino

When you are shopping around for a reputable online casino or sports betting site, it is of vital importance that you only opt for licensed operators. Here are some of the tips on how to pick a safe and trustworthy gambling site:

• Check JohnSlots: Browse through the casinos promoted on JohnSlots since they have undergone rigorous testing. All the gambling sites promoted here have a valid gambling license that is authenticated.
• Read casino reviews: Take the time to read our in-depth and comprehensive casino reviews to get a good idea of whether they are trustworthy and meet your needs as a player.
• Safety and Security measures: Look for signs of SSL encryption. If a casino site is encrypted, you should see a little padlock in the URL browser section.
• Browse the site: Before registering for an account and making a deposit, browse the site and see that all information is transparent and forthcoming. If you are looking to claim a casino bonus, check the terms and conditions to ensure that you understand the terms and they are not presented in a complicated matter