With billions of dollars at stake every day, online casinos have a number of security protocols as well as troubleshooting and fair gaming practices in place that are designed to make betting as safe and worry free for gamblers as possible.

The online gaming industry makes online security and technology their number one concern, yet all online casinos are not created equal. There are hundreds of sites to play, but before gamblers wager money or place bets at online casinos they should keep these tips in mind.

Know What Type of Online Gaming Site

There are two types of internet gaming casinos: Web or download. Each has distinct advantages. Web-based casinos allow players to gamble without downloading software onto their computers. These types of casinos use industry recognized software plug-ins such as Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Shockwave or Java and often feature very intricate graphics and displays. Typically, these types of games use a lot of bandwith, so an updated computer is very important.

Some web-based casinos allow playing without plug-ins, such as the ability to play on public computers or machines that are on corporate servers, but they offer players fewer games and often run slower.

Download games require downloads in order to play or bet, and often run faster because the bettor is connected to casino servers. Typically, more games and tournaments are offered in this type of environment.

Know How Casinos Keep Personal Data Secure

Most internet gambling websites use top notch, state-of the-art encryption devices developed by companies such as Microgaming and Playtech. These devices ensure secure transactions so that players won't have to be worried about compromising safety when betting large sums of money.

On the web, it is critical to check the reputation of the site as well as the security measures in place. Gamblers use high-risk security information such as social security numbers and credit card information. Any web-based casino should use encrypted data so that others cannot access it.

Online Gaming Must Follow Fair Gaming Practices

Betting sites must be committed to fair faming. If players perceive a game is not fair, it will have potentially disastrous effects, because a bettor might not ever return to the game again. Betting is a game of chance, but gamblers should not feel they are unfairly taken advantage of on the internet.

Most internet casinos process millions of dollars in payments a day, from payments owed to bettors to bets owed by gamblers. The process for payments and cashing in must be very clear, including options for free games and bonuses. Also, make sure that the betting house you frequent has a variety of payment choices, such as credit cards, money transfers and online payment systems.

Overall, the entire operation must be safe and secure.

Privacy is an important concern when wagering on betting websites. A gambler's identity should never be revealed, and should be considered confidential information that must never be shared, sold or distributed to third parties.

Troubleshooting Problems

A legitimate web-based betting operation should do more than just take your bests. It should also be licensed by a government agency and have very clear instructions on how to contact customer service in the event there is a problem. A live web chat service and a toll-free customer service number are ideal in case there are any problems.