There was a time when the main hurdle to mass adoption of online gaming revolved around the idea of trusting websites to store your information securely. In the modern environment, this is something that many of us barely pay a second thought to.
Consumer trust in a brand still plays a pivotal role, especially in the world of online betting, where sites have to keep your personal and financial information secure. However, there are elements to look out for that will give you insight into whether you can trust an online betting platform.
Exploring the scope of a brand’s business operation
Websites that have a sprawling operation typically operate with larger budgets and employ more staff members working behind the scenes. Although this doesn’t mean that their brand is perfect, this can speak to the underlying ethos, and ultimately, whether they have a trustworthy presence in the online betting landscape.
Often, those brands have mobile apps and highly-rated gaming options that you can access on your smartphone or mobile browser, and in some cases, they’ll offer VR gaming, if you are so inclined.
Based on my experience, these sites that focus on expanding their brand and incorporating the latest technology tend to have business models that prioritise growth. A significant part of this is how they look to build their brand into the world of betting apps.
Although it’s crucial to verify other factors, such as the range of their gaming options, the quality of their customer service and what people are saying about their brand in reviews and social media comments, those with a highly-rated app will usually have a broader online platform that is usually worth checking out, too.
As the broader gaming world transitions into a new digital era, online betting sites that fail to adapt can ultimately fall behind. Those that do not have a long-term plan in the online betting world might also just be trying to ride the current wave of popularity, and as in any industry, these are not brands we’re likely to want to give our money to.
The security of their site
Websites employ a range of high-security measures, including integrating the latest SSL encryption into their online databases, utilising off-site cloud storage systems and paying contractors top dollar to secure their details, or having a team of IT experts who monitor their website 24/7 for attacks.
Unfortunately, there is not just one element of security that guarantees a site remains secure; users must always be vigilant for new methods that cybercriminals use in their attempts to access sensitive customer information. Online betting sites will usually signpost you to information that tells you the level of security they use on their site, and the steps they take to keep your information secure.
We also recommend searching for negative news items about a brand. Some casinos and sports betting companies have been subjected to cyberattacks over the last decade, and understandably, this is information they will not readily make available to new customers.
That’s not to say that they can’t learn and grow from this experience, but personally, I want to know if a brand has been the victim of a cyberattack before I provide them with my name, date of birth, address and credit card details.
Listen to fellow bettors
The online betting industry has grown so rapidly that it has fuelled the rise of online communities that gather to discuss their favourite betting games, strategies, and most importantly, the sites and mobile betting apps they would recommend avoiding.
Now, that’s not to say that some online betting customers don’t have an axe to grind. If Google reviews and social media comments are anything to go by, then there are some gamers out there who may harbour a grudge. However, the power of social media in modern marketing isn’t something that any brand should overlook.
If a site faces a breach or there’s a consistent stream of people discussing problems they’re having with withdrawals, a lack of games, fees or payment options, whatever the issue may be, then it’s essential to pay attention.
These sites will always have a small percentage of customers who are looking to complain. Still, if there are pages of negative reviews and social media comments are full of negative experiences, it’s a good idea to factor this in before you sign up.
Final say
We understand the stakes are higher with an online betting site, but if you are looking for reasons to trust (or not to trust) a betting site, then you can apply many of the same variables you would to other online businesses. Review the negative comments, look for any patterns and determine if they have been the victim of a successful cyberattack or breach, or have featured in adverse news stories in the past.
Combine this with their overall package, their gaming library and whether they have a broader package that looks to grow into the market. These are all practical components that will allow you to build a decent picture of whether you can trust them. If we were to pick one of these components on their own, then the reviews they get on social media are probably the most impactful way to explore whether you can trust an online betting site or not.
We also recommend sampling other factors. Still, if they have a bad reputation on social media and pages with numerous negative reviews, then this is usually the best indicator of their trustworthiness.