Every year, more and more Irish people join the online betting frenzy. Some punters do it because it’s fun, and others see it as a ticket to turning their life around. While both gestures seem noble, it’s best to bet online for fun with no hard feelings, even if the results go against you.
However, before anything else, the big question is, how do you know your online betting experience is safe and secure? There are a couple of things to look out for before creating that online betting account that will guarantee your safety. The only way to lose your money should be by losing your wager, not waking up one day and finding your account balance not as you left it.
Here are a few tips you need to follow to stay one step ahead regarding your online betting security.
Play at licensed online betting sites
There might be many betting sites trying to lure you in with their irresistible and flashy welcome bonuses, but the truth is, some might be a scam. Don’t worry if this is your first time betting and are wondering whether you’ll be able to tell the scam sites. If you look at top review sites like betyou.ie, you can know what experts have to say about a particular bookie and whether it is safe to play.
If you decide to do the digging yourself, always look for betting sites regulated by reputable authorities like the UK Gambling Commission or Malta Gaming Authority. These sites are checked for fairness and regulated to ensure players get a secure betting experience.
Keep your password safe
It goes without saying that you should always keep your password safe. But how do you do it? First, most online betting sites will require you to enter a secret password that meets specific criteria. If not, you can do this by yourself and make sure you enter a strong password with a unique combination of letters, numbers and characters.
As much as your pet’s name or date of birth might seem easy to remember, they aren’t the best. Your password needs to be unpredictable and something that only you will know. If the wrong people get access to your password, they can access your financial details and swindle your money fast.
Play with a budget in mind
Part of a secure and safe betting experience involves wagering within your budget. Online betting should be considered a pastime that only keeps you entertained. Putting all your hard-earned money on betting and praying that luck will find its way to you isn’t the best option for improving your financial status.
Every betting outcome has two results—a win or loss, none of which you can control. However, with the right match analysis and strategy, you might come out ahead, but that’s still not guaranteed. Having a safe and fun online betting experience means not having regrets later, and betting what you can afford to lose is a good way to go about it.
Choose secure and safe payment methods
A big part of online betting is making transactions to and from your account. The good thing is sportsbooks offer many payment methods that are popular and secure. You might have used some of these options to make an online purchase.
When betting online, you’ll find secure e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, credit/debit cards like Visa and Mastercard or even bank transfers. All these options are safe, so you can go a step further to determine which ones process transactions faster and have favourable deposit/withdrawal limits.
Identify yourself
While creating an online betting account, you’ll be required to enter your personal details and upload documents supporting them later. All these align with the sportsbook’s Know-Your-Customer (KYC) policies, which aim to protect the user.
You’ll be required to upload an identification document like your driver’s licence and recent utility bill. With such information, the betting site can confirm that you are who you say you are and make your betting experience safer.
Betting Should Be Safe and Fun
Online betting takes the thrill of sports to another level, which is a good thing. If you do it for fun and play at trusted and reputable betting sites, you’ll enjoy the experience without having any doubts about your safety. Lastly, don’t forget to bet within your budget so that even when you lose your bet, you can still afford to smile.