Know Your Rights as a Player

Faisal Al Zadjali

About Faisal Al Zadjali , Chief editor

Latest update:

Intro image
The gambling world has been advancing fast over the last few decades, so the number of online gambling services has increased drastically. Hundreds of new players are willing to join the gambler’s community and play exciting casino games. What do they know about gambling platforms and their specifications? In most cases, nothing. Therefore, understanding your rights and responsibilities as a player may prevent you from potential risks and failures.

Fair Treatment and Transparency

Online gambling is about taking risks and relying on the fortune. These are the aspects that make the experience fun and entertaining. However, it is impossible to ignore another part of the process, which is much more responsible and serious. Fair treatment of the players and transparency of provided services are the key obligations of web-based gambling services. 

What does it mean? How can players be sure of the highest level of transparency and dependability of the gambling session? First of all, it goes without saying that the casino you opt for should be legal and comply with the corresponding regulations. 

As for the fairness and transparency of the results, the platforms should guarantee the outcomes of the games available on their websites are powered by random number generators. This way, the results of each round will be unbiased and unexpected. Additionally, it will mean that players will all have the same gambling opportunities and winning chances. The fairness of such services is examined by independent bodies, while the consumer law protects casino players from any kind of fraud. 

The contractual language of online casinos should be open and fair. Therefore, gamblers should be able to make concrete choices about the desire to open an account with a particular iGaming operator. Besides, the competent authorities should act as auditors, evaluating the licenses and double-checking the fairness of the software provided by the casinos. 

Licensing and Regulation

A valid gambling license is one of the elements each reputable online casino should have. The platform has to be approved by the regulatory authority and function in compliance with the corresponding requirements. 

An important rule to remember: no matter if you are new to the gambling industry or have quite some experience in online gambling, the licensed online casino is the only option for you to consider. 

How do you know the platform you opt for is licensed? Start with the website, as the corresponding information should be displayed there to help players check its validity. If you have spent quite some time searching for the necessary data and you failed, consider contacting the support team and asking for a valid casino license. 

Once you find the information, you can be sure the casino functions in compliance with the regulations and rules set by the authority that issued the license. Moreover, it proves that you, as a gambler, are protected from harmful casino activities and illicit practices. Mind the regional laws and regulations that may also contribute to your experience. 

Responsible Gaming Resources

Access to responsible gaming tools and resources is the right of the player. Consequently, every licensed online casino has to provide users with responsible gaming measures that prevent them from negative consequences from the gambling experience. 

What are the most common tips for the casinos to follow? First of all, it is indispensable to check the documents of the new gamblers to make sure the gambler is not under the legal gambling age. Additionally, it helps to check the self-exclusion list. The player's betting habits and behavior are sometimes also monitored by the operators to have a chance to intervene in case some problems occur. 

Deposit limits

Setting the specific amount of money players want to spend at the casino is one of the rights they have within the responsible gaming regulations. The moment the limit is reached, the platform sends a notification to the player, reminding them of the pre-determined amount and its usage. 

Self-exclusion

This is one of the most drastic measures for players who get into significant gambling problems. According to the regulations, the minimum self-exclusion term is six months, but it can be much longer depending on the needs and preferences of the player. The player gets included in the list that is shared among all teh web casinos. 

Reality checking reminder

This option helps the gamblers to set a reminder the moment they log in. This way, players can manage the time they spend gambling. It is up to the player to choose the desired amount of time to set, so the reminder can get off in 15 minutes of a few hours of gambling. 

Gambling break

Similar to the self-exclusion tool, cooling off is the instrument that helps players to get back on track after they feel they start losing control of their gambling behavior. The choice is always individual, and the gambling break can last from a single day up to half a year. 

Privacy and Data Protection

Anonymity and confidentiality of the gambling experience are among the most prominent rights of the player. To keep the customer’s data protected, the platforms should employ various types of security measures. Time-tested encryption systems, firewalls, and advanced cybersecurity techniques should be applied to safeguard sensitive data. 

How Casinos Handle Your Personal Information

When the players are ready to immerse themselves in the real gambling experience, they need to stay focused on the critical information that can make a drastic difference. First of all, the protection, collection, storage, and use of personal data should be the number one concern. How are these aspects managed? Is there any risk of data leakage? 

  1. Data collection and consent. Online gambling services are obliged to get explicit consent from the player to collect personal data. This means that the player should be informed about which data will be collected and how it will be stored and used. 
  2. Right to rectification. Players should have access to their personal data so that they can request corrections when needed. 
  3. Encryption. Various types of encryption are used to ensure the highest level of safety of personal and financial data. It is stirred in an unreadable format, which presents sensitive information from unauthorized access. 
  4. Two-factor authentication. It is an extra layer of data protection that helps players verify their identity each time they access the platform. 
  5. Data minimization and a range of other solutions are used to guarantee the optimized level of data collection, as well as its decent storage and use. 

Your Right to Opt-Out

Personalization is another critical aspect that can advance the gambling experience to an absolutely different level. By customizing certain options players can make sure each gambling session meets their individual preferences and behaviors. Take your time to read detailed information about corresponding options on the casino website, or contact the support agent if you cannot find the necessary page.

Banking Transaction Protection

  • Safety and security are the key concerns of any financial or banking transactions within the online casino. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the payment method providers to protect each transaction. However, the casino should also implement up-to-date data encryption and other software aimed at preventing personal data leakage and protecting the transactions.

    Players should know that personal and financial data is secure, especially as they choose to gamble for real money. Consider depositing using crypto e-wallets and multiple other payment solutions that do not require you to share the banking info. Anyway, due data protection measures should always be taken to keep the personal information of the gamblers safely stored and never passed to a third party.

Funds Segregation

The regulators of online gambling require the deposits of casino players to be kept in separate accounts from other casino funds. Therefore, the deposited funds are stored safely away from the casino's operational budget. The main reason for this is the financial security of players who strive to withdraw their winnings or want to get the payout of unused deposits. 

According to the regulations, the casino must protect the player’s funds in cases of insolvency. Additionally, it is indispensable to inform gamblers of the issue in the user agreement.

What to Do When You Notice Unfair Practices

Unfortunately, when it comes to the gambling world, it is not always about fun, luck, and entertainment. There are lots of hidden risks and downsides players can come across. Thus, when you suspect something is wrong, you need to take action and find effective ways to resolve the issue. 

  1. Contact the customer support team. This is undeniably the first step the gamblers should consider taking in case they face some challenges with online casinos. No matter if it is about malfunction or misunderstanding, talk to the representatives of the casinos’ customer support team to find the solution. 
  2. Talk to the AskGamblers Casino Complaints Service. Consider filing a complaint with AGCCS, which is the simplest way to get the problem resolved. Stay specific about the issue and let the team find the best solution for you. 
  3. Turn to regulatory bodies. Check the casino license before you proceed to the regulatory authorities for help. The most common regulators to address include the MGA and UKGC. Start with these facilities and follow their guidelines. They will instruct you on further actions if the problem is beyond their jurisdiction. 

Gambling with the most reliable and reputable online services, gamblers find the solutions of the issues within the customer support or gambling regulatory authority. Yes, it is indispensable to know your rights to know when it is the right time to search for assistance.

Conclusion

Online gambling is entertaining and fun, but only if you follow the rules and know your rights. In the vast majority of instances, it is the player’s responsibility to single out a reputable and reliable online gambling platform that will guarantee a safe and flawless gambling experience. 

Take the time to compare the available options and the real Terms and Conditions section of the casino before launching the gambling session. Full transparency of the provided services, unquestionable data protection, and safety guarantees are the fundamental aspects to consider when choosing a dependable online casino. Mind the information about your rights and stick to the guidelines in tricky and confusing situations.