Better Bettor Protection

In little more than ten years, the online gambling business has grown from a handful of gaming pioneers in the early 1990s to hundreds upon hundreds of online gambling venues of all sorts. (Some estimates put the number of sites at 2,000 and beyond.) Today's various forms of gambling-related websites include casinos, poker rooms, virtual bingo halls, sports betting sites, gaming biz portals, blogs, forums, and more. Thus it's safe to say there are plenty of (free) resources out there for gambling enthusiasts to capitalize on. In fact, anything and everything you ever wanted to know about gambling - online or off - is available at your fingertips, literally.

Play it Safe
While certain countries are adamant about legalizing, regulating and taxing online gambling, namely the United States, France and Germany - just to cite a few - others like Great Britain are moving forward with the times - and in the best interests of their taxpaying public. (Now I understand why they call it "Great" Britain.)

But What Can Possibly Go Wrong?
The number of potential pitfalls related to online gambling is limited to a few key aspects and every player would be well advised to pay particular attention to each one. These include being able to collect your winnings promptly, safe and secure storage of your personal details, truly random games, truthful advertising, and overall responsible behaviour by online casino and poker room operators.

eCOGRA to the Rescue
Perhaps the most popular name in online gambler protection is eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), a non-profit organisation which oversees whether or not gaming operators are adhering to standard fair-gaming practices as well as providing overall responsible services. eCOGRA-certified venues can be identified by having the eCOGRA "Safe & Fair" seal of approval posted on their website(s).

Also, just last week the UK enacted new legislation permitting gambling companies to advertise their goods and services on British TV and radio. In order to do so, however, gambling organisations shall be required to publish the Gamble Aware website address (www.gambleaware.co.uk) in all adverts. Gamble Aware is run by the Responsibility in Gambling Trust, an independent charity devoted to funding research, education and treatment in order to ensure responsible gambling.

The Future Looks Safer
Indeed, increasingly more protective measures are surfacing as the demand among online gamblers for enhanced safeguarding methods also rises. Also, given the nature of gambling and the vast sums of money being transacted at lightning speed globally, not just any safety measures will do. The future of the online gambling industry shall be based on trust as is already evident today. Those gaming operators playing by their own shady rules are getting caught and winding up blacklisted. It doesn't take long for bad press about a particular gaming site to circulate throughout cyberspace, that is, the entire world.

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