The problem of safety has been plaguing the online sports betting business since its inception.
Gabmling already had a questionable reputation because of its tendency for shady operations and grey legal areas. On the other hand, the internet itself is not doing much better – phishing and money-grubbing scams are at this point synonymous with internet use, as sad as that might be.
Combining the two can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t know what you’re doing. With the rise of the popularity of internet gambling in South Africa, it is more important than ever to address these issues. Consider, for a start, the massive list of betting sites in South Africa that is available right now. How do you know which ones are safe? Or which one to trust your money with in the long run? How do we even believe them in the first place?
The Importance of Licences
You’re not the first to worry about any of this. It is somewhat true that internet gambling can be fertile soil for all sorts of illicit activities – which is why it’s an extremely heavily regulated business. There are authorities out there charged with keeping betting companies in check, making sure everything they do is fair to the customer and that they can and will pay out winning customers.
These authorities issue licences to businesses that satisfy their standards. A remote gambling licence is about more than just reliably paying out or not being used as a money-laundering scheme, though. For example, these regulatory bodies test out online slots games to make sure they payout at the same rate as they were advertised.
Should anything go awry with your online gambling, licenced companies are held legally accountable for your actions. Combined with customer protection laws, these licences are the biggest safety net you have when it comes to online gambling. With all that in mind, you should never trust your hard-earned cash to an unlicensed operator.
So, what are these licences? In South Africa, no gambling activity is legal without a licence by the National Gambling Board. Almost every country has similar regulations in place, but this especially applies to South Africans. Why? Because betting with an unlicenced operator can result in legal repercussions not just for the company, but the customer as well. The penalty may include costly fines, confiscation of funds, and even jail time depending on the severity of the infraction.
Security
Of course, the betting company is not the only one you should be worried about. Before signing up for a bookie, make sure they have proper protocols in place to ensure absolute privacy when it comes to all traffic between you and the betting site – especially when it comes to monetary transactions. For example, Sportingbet South Africa uses security similar to that of banking networks to ensure safety.
Still, information about SSL encryption protocols is not usually immediately available to the public. As such, it may be a good idea to look up online bookmaker reviews to get that sort of information. A typical user may not be able to easily dig up such details – but it’s the job of a good reviewer to do so.
Safe Gambling
Lastly, we would like to point out a somewhat less obvious factor: the notion of safe gambling. Gambling companies are obligated to avoid business with people who have gambling-related issues or addictions, but they don’t always stick to this. Governments constantly try to find new ways of keeping bookies away from vulnerable audiences such as minors or addicts, but this is not always successful.
Why does this matter, you may ask, unless you’re a minor or addict? Well, for one, it reveals the stance the company has towards its customers. A gambling company can either try to provide a solid service to it’s paying users – or it can try to squeeze them for every penny they have, no matter the consequences. It should be obvious which of the two is better for most punters.
So there you have it – the three pillars of reputable online bookmakers: licencing, cybersecurity, and customer service. If a bookie checks all three of these boxes, only then should you consider the other aspects of their service.
