Online gambling has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Not surprisingly, there’s been a huge uptick in the number of online gambling sites out there. Many are legit, but some are not.

That’s why, if you’re going to dabble in a little online gambling fun, you need to be aware of the potential risks. That’s not to say the activity is altogether risky, just that you need to be diligent these days.

This article will tell all, including what you need to watch out for, precautions to take, and everything you need to know. Read on to get CasinoSherlock’s inside perspective on how to partake in safe online gaming in 2024.

Make Sure the Casino is Licenced

New players might not realise that in some regions, online casinos can actually operate without any licencing or regulation. That means it’s up to you, the player, to make sure that the casino you’re playing at is fully licenced, equitable, and safe to play at.

There are a variety of regulatory bodies out there, but the main one in the UK is the UK Gambling Commission. You could play at an international site that’s licenced by a different regulator, such as the Malta Gambling Authority, and that would be fine—as long as the site is actually licenced by a legitimate regulator.

To make things easier, you can use a reliable online casino review website, such as https://www.casinosherlock.com/. Our site only reviews casinos that have credible licencing and good reputations among online gamblers. It provides a wide range of information that can help you make easier decisions about which online casino sites you want to play at. Plus, there, you can find out about the best welcome bonuses.

Watch Out for Scams

Scammers are all over the Internet. These petty criminals steal whatever data they can to try to hijack your accounts and get money out of them. Some of their schemes are more elaborate than others. But nearly all of them prey on people who are just a little too relaxed about who they share their personal data with.

That’s why it’s vital to be on the lookout for scams. If you receive any suspicious emails, messages, or calls, be highly sceptical. A trustworthy casino would not attempt to solicit money or any sensitive information through phone calls or emails. Legit sites understand the importance of protecting their customers, so keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to open an odd-looking email.

Always Make Sure Your Connection is Secure

Public WiFi connections, like those found at airports and cafes, aren’t secure. That means you should not attempt to input your financial details, credit card numbers, or anything like that through these unsecured networks. VPNs can help, but there’s no reason good enough to risk it when you can simply wait to make the payments later when you’re connected to a secure network.

When it comes to websites, even on a secure network, always be sure to check HTTPS in the URL, as opposed to HTTP. This will ensure that your connection is encrypted and any information being sent is being encrypted as it should be.

And when it comes to your payment options on a site that you know is legitimate, choose a secure option that suits you best. That way, you shouldn’t have to divulge information to a new payment processor or eWallet just to cash in and play.

Choose a Complex Password and Keep it Private

Don’t use passwords that are actual words. A complex string of letters, numbers, and symbols is far harder to crack for any hackers targeting weak accounts. It might not be as easy to remember, but this will help keep your account secure.

Likewise, never share your account password or login details with anyone. If they aren’t handling it carefully, it could fall into the wrong hands, which would be catastrophic for your financial security. Any of your 18+ friends or family members who want to play online casino games on your account can simply create their own account instead and take advantage of a no-deposit sign-up bonus if they want to start playing right away.

Keep Your Playing Habits Light-hearted and Fun

Online gaming is exciting and thrilling. It’s supported to be strictly for entertainment. It’s important to understand and keep that in mind at all times, regardless of the ups and downs of the games. Never try to chase losses by playing bigger or playing for longer. This could end up making things much worse if you’re experiencing a downturn in your gaming.

Always maintain control of your playing habits. And if you ever feel like it’s spinning out of your control or you’re putting your financial security at risk, seek help immediately. There are organisations, such as GamCare, that are designed to help people who need assistance with gambling in order to enjoy it in a responsible way or stop if they can’t control themselves.

Some sites also have tools and features that are designed to aid players in limiting themselves or stopping themselves from logging in altogether. This could be a good idea if you find yourself playing much longer than anticipated. Always set your budget and time limit beforehand. That way, your playing habits stay enjoyable and well within your control.

Concluding Thoughts From Casino Sherlock

Staying safe in online gaming is essential. But it’s something you need to stay on top of. In the digital age, things are changing all the time. Make sure you stay informed about the industry and understand the way things work. Be aware of any updates or changes that might affect you in the region you play in or the sites you play on.

Follow the above tips to make your gaming experience safer. That way, you can experience the joy of online gaming without the risk of falling victim to a hacker or choosing an untrustworthy website.

SiGMA Group has announced it has acquired a majority stake in iGaming Academy, which offers vocational and compliance training in over 25 jurisdictions, to more than 60,000 gaming professionals yearly, for an undisclosed figure.

This acquisition is set to greatly complement their current portfolio by embedding various forms of industry education throughout SiGMA’s global event schedule and online network.

Eman Pulis, Founder of the SiGMA Group, said: “The acquisition comes at a perfect time for us. We’ve been working closely with iGaming Academy for many years now. I love what Jaime and the Conexus Group have built and look forward to supporting this growth with new initiatives and a wider offering of educational programs globally. The industry is crying out for more talent and regulatory insight, with new markets continuing to regulate. As a result, we want to be very active in this business.”

Robert Dowling from Conexus Group said: “Conexus will remain actively involved in the iGaming Academy and our clients will continue to receive the outstanding training they expect from this brand,” said Rob Dowling, CEO of The Conexus Group. “We are confident that this strategic acquisition by SiGMA will allow the iGaming Academy to expand and improve its services offering to better serve the evolving training needs of the iGaming industry.”

Jaime Debono said: “This acquisition marks a major milestone for iGaming Academy – our mission has also been to educate the industry – both on key regulatory compliance topics as well as vocational training for existing and new markets. With the support of SiGMA Group, we will be able to accelerate this strategy through their global event calendar, enrich both training and event content and reach a much wider audience than ever before.”

Vinicius Moraes de Carvalho, Investment Partner at Ikigai Ventures, said: “The acquisition of IGA is another important milestone for SiGMA’s vision. IGA’s extensive training library rounds up our offer of services for the igaming industry by allowing us to be at the forefront of educational and regulatory tools for the market. We have strong confidence in Jaime and his team and are thrilled about the next chapters.”

iGaming Academy will continue to work in their current organisational structure with Jaime Debono remaining as company CEO and continuing to work alongside his team.

The deal will continue to see the management at iGaming Academy at the helm, with SiGMA’s corporate governance and marketing arm supporting the business to go from strength to strength.

Following the acquisition, the iGaming Academy is setting up an office in Cyprus to build its online offering and content development. In addition, its revenue streams will also be bolstered through new affiliate partner deals. More courses will also be made available in multiple languages, thus meeting the global demand for training.

PENN Entertainment announced that Aaron LaBerge has been named Chief Technology Officer (CTO) effective July 1, 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Mr. LaBerge will report directly to PENN CEO & President Jay Snowden.

In his new role, Mr. LaBerge will be responsible for driving the technology strategy and execution for PENN, while leading the multinational team of technologists and serving as the key business leader for the company’s Interactive division.

Mr. LaBerge spent more than 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, in two stints separated by five and a half years as a technology entrepreneur. He was most recently President & Chief Technology Officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN where he was responsible for driving all technology and product development in support of The Walt Disney Company’s two media divisions. In that role, he helped set the vision and strategic leadership for how Disney uses technology to enable storytelling and innovation, drive its business, and create unparalleled consumer experiences with entertainment and sports content.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Aaron’s caliber join our PENN executive team. Having overseen a global organization of thousands of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, and data scientists that created some of the largest scale and most successful media properties in the world, there is no better candidate to lead our Technology and Interactive division into its future. I know Aaron is looking forward to working with Todd George, our head of operations, and our entire Executive Team to continue growing our position as a leader in online gaming, sports betting, and digital sports media,” Mr. Snowden said.

“I’m excited to join another talented team at PENN Interactive and lead our technology strategy. PENN Entertainment is at the forefront of the fast-changing gaming and sports media industry. I plan to use my experience from Disney and ESPN to help make ESPN BET an essential piece of the sports fan experience. Together, we’ll push the limits and redefine how fans interact with sports and gaming,” Mr. LaBerge said.

Prior to his most recent role at the Walt Disney Company, Mr. LaBerge was Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ESPN from 2015 to 2018. At ESPN he played an instrumental role in the growth of ESPN’s consumer-facing digital media products and services – leading many of ESPN’s most ambitious and challenging projects and helping establish ESPN’s position as the leader in digital sports and innovative sports technology development. He was a key architect in the design, development, and engineering of ESPN’s state-of-the-art facilities in Bristol, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Charlotte, NC; and Austin, TX, as well as data centers and infrastructure that connect those facilities around the world, as well as the technology design and development to support the launch of the multi-platform SEC Network.

Between 2007 and 2012, LaBerge was co-founder and CEO of Fanzter, Inc. – a venture-funded consumer software and digital product development company. At Fanzter, he directed all day-to-day operations and led the development and launch of a variety of consumer-focused internet and mobile products, ground-breaking social and commerce technologies and more.