Secure and Safe Online Casinos 2024

Philipp McGee

 

Expert

 

When you’re looking for an online casino to play some real money casino games, one of the most important things to look for is how safe and secure it is. But luckily, finding trusted online casinos is really easy. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll not only teach you how to spot a safe and secure casino, but we’ll share a list of the safest online casinos for Canadian players, as well as a host of other top online casino security tips.

  • Ariana BĂ©dard
  • 2023-09-14
  • 16 min

What Are the Most Safe Online Casinos?

  • 18+
  • Terms and conditions apply
  • Advertising Policies
№ Online Сasino Rating Bonus Play
Neonvegas Casino Logo
Neon Vegas
5
500% UP TO $500
Visa Logo
Paysafecard Logo
Neteller Logo
Mastercard Logo
Neon Vegas Review
Justspin Casino Logo
JustSpin
5
100 % BONUS UP TO $100 + 600 Free Spins
Paysafecard Logo
Neteller Logo
Visa Logo
Mastercard Logo
JustSpin Review
21com Casino Logo
21Com
5
100% BONUS UP TO $100 + 1,000 Free Spins
Visa Logo
Paysafecard Logo
Mastercard Logo
Neteller Logo
21Com Review
Ultra
4.9
100% BONUS UP TO $100
Paysafecard Logo
Visa Logo
Mastercard Logo
Neteller Logo
Ultra Review
Nitro Casino Logo
Nitro
4.9
100% BONUS UP TO $500
Visa Logo
Mastercard Logo
Neteller Logo
Paysafecard Logo
Nitro Review

The following list of trusted online casino sites in 2024 are all fully regulated and license casinos, with a wide range of safe and secure banking options. All of their table games and live dealer games are RNG (Random Number Generator) certified, so you can be sure that they are completely fair. Therefore, if you want to play at the best and safest casinos online, be sure to read our detailed casino reviews for the following sites. We checked that casinos are safe and secure, so you can play with confidence.

Can I Trust Online Casinos?

The vast majority of real money online casino operators are fully licensed and completely honest. In fact, it would not make sense at all for a top rated casino that is already making a lot of money to try and cheat a player. If an online casino like NeonVegas were found to be doing such a thing and word got out, all of its customers would simply move to more trusted online casinos. No players would ever play there and it would surely go out of business.

What is Rogue Casino and How Do I Avoid One?

Safe Online Casino Logo

Finding the safest casino games online can be a minefield. There are unfortunately some casinos online that do not play entirely by the rules. We call these rogue casinos. Here are some examples of practices carried out by rogue casinos:

  • Not properly licensed and operating illegally
  • Stalling on paying out player winnings
  • Misleading advertising, making promises that cannot be delivered
  • Impossible to achieve or unnecessarily confusing wagering requirements on bonuses
  • Unprofessional or unresponsive customer service agents
  • Lack of responsible gambling controls and measures

The best way to avoid rogue casinos is to do your research. Stick to gambling only at trusted online casinos, such as 21.com, or any of the other casino sites that we recommend here on this page.

The Latest Blacklisted Casinos of 2024

  • Casino Royal Club – Known cases of denying legitimately earned winnings to players, as well as slow payments and bad customer support
  • Crazy Luck Casino – History of non-payment, in addition to extremely slow payments and customer support ignoring player requests
  • DomGame Casino – Cases of illegally spamming its casino players, as well as offering some of the worst customer service
  • Royal Ace Casino – Know to take more than a month to return customer winnings, in addition to poor customer service
  • WinBig21 Casino – Repeated payout failings, lack of customer support and problems with the site’s affiliate managers

These are some known rogue online casinos that we would encourage you to avoid. Make sure to play at safe casinos instead, such as Ultra Casino or any of the site recommended by us.

What Makes Safe Online Casinos Secure?

Safe & Secure Casinos

There are many components that go into making a truly safe online casino. Industry regulation, secure real money payment options, responsible gaming practices and KYC checks are all contributing factors. All of the most trusted & legit online casinos will have the following elements in common:

  • A license from a reputable authority – Regulators such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UKGC and the Curaçao Gaming Control Board are common examples.
  • ID / KYC verification – KYC (Know Your Customer) checks are a key part of a safe online casino’s anti-fraud measures.
  • Certified games and software – Make sure that reputable gaming auditors have tested the casino software and games, to ensure that they are fair and transparent.
  • Segregated funds – All reputable online casinos and sports betting sites ring fence player funds. In the event of the casino going out of business, players will still have their funds returned.
  • Responsible gambling controls – Security in online casinos is not just about personal data and funds, but it’s also about protecting the vulnerable. This includes minors and problem gamblers.
  • SSL Security – Secure Sockets Layer. This encryption security is used to protect a player’s personal data and banking details.
  • Two step verification – A second layer of security added to an account, involving a code sent to the player’s email address or mobile phone.

More About Casino Testing and Auditing Bodies

A safe online casino absolutely must have a proper license and its real money games must have been properly tested by an independent lab, such as any of the following bodies:

  • GLI (Gaming Laboratories International)
  • eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance)
  • iTech Labs
  • TST (Technical Systems Testing)
  • Gaming Associates
  • SQS (Software Quality Systems)

All such testing and auditing companies conduct independent audits, so we can be confident that there is no funny business taking place with any of the casinos or the casino site software. Some of the bigger firms like GLI have worked in almost 500 different jurisdictions, so they really set the industry standard. It doesn’t matter whether it’s animated table games, slots, video poker, online poker or live dealer casino games with real dealers, all online casino games, software and equipment must be correctly certified. Testing and auditing of games is a key feature in providing a safe online casino experience.

What is a Random Number Generator?

Random number generators are extremely complicated computer programs that are designed to make online casino or virtual sports betting games completely fair. When you think about a real roulette wheel in a bricks and mortar casino, this is basically a random number generator(RNG). The ball will randomly fall into one of the numbers. RNG software is essentially a program designed to replicate this process, or the process of shuffling cards, rolling dice, etc.

To ensure that the number generator is truly random, there are many auditing and testing services, such as eCOGRA or GLI. These auditors perform full and in-depth assessments of the RNG behind the games as well as other game mechanics. They will even inspect RTPs and reporting tools used by such games. If your chosen online casino is using RNG certified games, then you can be sure that the games you are playing are truly random. Good examples of RNG certified sites include 21.com and Nitro Casino.

What is SSL and Why is it Important For Online Casinos?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is the industry standard method of encryption used between a casino’s web server and the player’s browser, such as Chrome or Firefox. SSL is what ensures the data passing between the two remains confidential.

SSL 128 vs SSL 256

When talking about SSL, you’ll often hear the terms 128-Bit or 256-Bit thrown around. This is simply referring to the size of the encryption key used. The higher the number, the longer it would take to crack and so the encryption is more secure.

Key Size Time to Crack
56-bit 399 Seconds
128-bit 1.02 x 1018 years
192-bit 1.872 x 1037 years
256-bit 3.31 x 1056 years

Data Security, Encryption and Privacy

So why is this important for online casinos? Because anyone playing at a real money online casino needs to utilize various payment methods, like credit or debit cards, as well as banking options such as wire transfers. And without security like SSL, those bank details, as well the player’s personal data, are vulnerable to hacking. SSL does not mean that the link between the online casino and the browser cannot be intercepted. But if it is, the data will remain scrambled thanks to SSL. So nobody can access any data. A good example of a reputable casino using SSL technology would be JustSpin Casino.

Don’t Overlook Quality Customer Service

A quick look at our list of blacklisted casino sites shows that many of the issues are caused by support teams delaying replies to, or flat out ignoring customers. High quality, professional customer service is a hallmark of a safe and secure gambling site.

Can You Really Win Money at Online Casinos?

In short, yes! The question of whether or not a player can win at an online casino is not really a question of security, but more of the player’s luck or skill. If you are playing at a trusted online casino that is known to be safe, then you have every chance of winning money. But of course, you can still experience bad luck!

Security and Trust

If it ever came out that an online casino was cheating players or fixing their games, no player in their right mind would play there. All trust in the brand would be lost. The casino would go straight out of business as the news spread around active and potential future players. In today’s connected world, with review sites like TrustPilot and countless dedicated online casino review sites, there is no way that a casino would survive if they were cheating. Besides, with the mathematics of casino games already stacked long term in the casino’s favor, why on Earth would they need to cheat? They are guaranteed to make profit in the long run anyway!

Top Tips to Stay Safe with Online Gambling Sites

Here is our 5 step guide to safe and secure gambling:

  1. Check the license. Look out for the casino’s license number on site, when playing with casinos online. Any safe and trusted online casino will be fully licensed.
  2. Check the game certification. Make sure that the games on offer are from trusted online casino providers, with proper certification. Look out for the RNG certification logo. Software and games should be tested by reputable auditing bodies like GLI or eCOGRA.
  3. Check for encryption. Make sure that your chosen online casino is using encryption security like SSL to protect your banking and personal data.
  4. Check the fine print. Always read the terms and conditions of any welcome bonuses, promotions or offers to avoid catches. If the wagering requirements are unrealistic or even impossible, that is a red flag.
  5. Check the rules. Always read the rules of any casino game before playing, especially those offering large payouts such as slots with progressive jackpots. Make sure there is nothing suspicious.

Read The Fine Print

The world of online gambling is full of tempting welcome bonus offers, reload bonuses and free spins for online slots. But the truth is that no juicy welcome bonus offer comes without strings attached. There are always terms and conditions involved that, when you are not expecting them, can lead to frustration. And misleading bonuses often lead to unsuspecting and angry players suggesting that an online casino site is not playing entirely fair. Even if they are.

But even though the terms and conditions, a.k.a. the fine print, can sometimes feel a little sneaky, online casinos must display them clearly. All of the safest online casinos will have these bonus terms displayed on site. If they do not, they will be in breach of their licensing terms and conditions and could be fined, or even lose their operating license. If you aren’t able to find them on your chosen casino site, be sure to contact customer service for assistance.

Best Banking Methods for Safe Online Casinos

Online Casino Secure Payments

All of the safest online casinos allow players to make real money deposits and withdrawals using trusted banking methods. Due to the strict security protocols around them, if any of the following payment methods are being offered, you can assume that these casinos are at least handling your money safely:

  • Visa – Possibly the most recognized financial service on the planet, safety guaranteed
  • Mastercard – Globally recognized since 1966, a safe and secure US payments service
  • Skrill – An e-wallet commonly used by online casinos since 2001 (formerly Moneybookers)
  • Neteller – Reputable e-wallet used by countless online gambling sites since 1999
  • Paypal – Arguably the most well known and trusted e-wallet in the world, founded in 1998
  • EcoPayz – Prepaid Mastercard debit card, offering complete security
  • Paysafecard – Prepaid card keeping customers safe and secure for over 20 years
  • Trustly – Allowing Canadian customers to transact safely online since 2008
  • Interac – A reputable Canadian inter-bank network operating for almost 40 years
  • iDebit – Known for protecting financial data of Canadian players

Regulated Casinos and Responsible Gambling

When talking about safety with regard to casinos online, we are not just talking about fair games, safe deposit and withdrawal methods, or technology like SSL. We are also talking about keeping vulnerable people safe. No minor should ever be able to play at an online casino site, for instance. And anyone with a gambling problem also needs to be identified and given the appropriate care. As such, all properly regulated online casinos should be offering responsible gaming measures. If they are not, this is a big red flag. Standard responsible gambling controls implemented by safe, properly regulated casinos include:

  • Self-exclusion – Players can choose to restrict their own accounts for anywhere between 6 months and 5 years. Accounts will not automatically reopen upon expiry of the exclusion, either. The player must speak to a member of the support team, perhaps via telephone or live chat, to verify that they really are happy to reopen the account.
  • Deposit limits – Most casinos now have to allow players to set their own limits as part of the conditions of owning a license. Limits include capping the amount of money that can be deposited into an account per day, per week or per month.
  • Loss limits – Like the above, some casinos allow players to set a loss limit. This means that the player will not be allowed to place any wagers that would take them over their daily, weekly or monthly loss cap.
  • Time out – Sometimes called “reality check”, some casinos allow players to set a pop-up to let them know when they have been gambling for a fixed period of time. From that pop-up, the player can review their gaming history and even choose to suspend their play or self-exclude.

As part of any trusted online casino’s responsible gaming practices, KYC and ID verification checks will be implemented. More information on how casinos implement this can be found below.

The ID Check – How to Verify Your Account

New customers at online casinos or sports betting sites will have to validate their ID at some point. These KYC checks play a vital role in preventing identity fraud and help to keep player accounts safe. They also enable the online gambling company to protect vulnerable players, such as those who might be under the legal age to play, or those who may have a gambling problem. The identity verification process will differ depending on the company, but all of the safest online casinos will have some form of check. It will likely follow the below pattern:

  1. Player attempts to make a withdrawal, triggering an ID check.
  2. Customer support requests a national ID document (such as a passport or driving license) plus proof of address (such as a bank statement or utility bill).
  3. Casino KYC team may take up to 7 days to validate this.
  4. For most players, that will be sufficient. Higher staking players may be requested to provide evidence of their source of funds, in compliance with anti-money laundering laws.

Many casinos now require new customers to submit ID before they are even allowed to play. This is a much better way to prevent players from being frustrated when they attempt to withdraw their winnings.

Summary

Philip McGee

Casino Expert

 

So are online casino sites and games rigged? It is safe to say that online casinos are absolutely not rigged. Rogue casinos do exist, but they are a tiny minority. And even then, they may be considered rogue due to some nefarious practices other than rigging their games. But if that is not enough to convince you that online casinos are not rigged, there are ways to check for yourself.

Safe Online Casino Sites – FAQ

What is eCOGRA and what does it stand for?

Founded in 2003, eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is an internationally approved inspection body, testing agency and player protection organization. The organization is independent and not-for-profit, specializing in certifying online gambling sites and software.

How do online casino sites get their licenses?

Online casinos cannot legally offer any casino games until they have a license. In order to get one, they must apply to a licensing authority and pass strict background, financial and security checks, similar to those in the world of banking. There are also hefty licensing fees involved too. Examples of licensing authorities that award online casino licenses include the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Commission.

Are Mobile Casinos Safe?

A mobile casino is no different to any other online casino. In fact, all of the best online casinos are offering both a mobile and a desktop version of their online casinos anyway. Whether it’s mobile or not, the casino will still have to go through the usual process of applying for a license and its casino games will have to undergo the usual independent testing.

Will my data be shared with third parties?

All of the safest online casino or sports betting sites will have a privacy policy. This ensures that the gambling sites in question will only share your data with necessary parties, such as law enforcement agencies or governments. Any third party involved in tracking website performance will only be sent non-identifiable personal data.