Online casinos are proving to be safer for players than land-based casinos. The accessibility and convenience that internet casinos offer transformed the gambling world completely. With such a shift in the gambling landscape, brick-and-mortar casinos had to keep up to retain their customers. However, the numbers continue dwindling, mainly due to security concerns by the gambling population.
While people still visit casino resorts during the holidays, most gamble online. It’s no surprise to find a person playing slots online by the poolside of a casino resort. Here are some reasons why casino sites and apps are proving safer than land-based ones.
Responsible gambling
Most land-based casinos lack social responsibility. Furthermore, they have inadequate policies or tools to help players gamble more responsibly.
According to a public statement by the UK Gambling Commission, VGC Leeds Limited was fined up to £450,000 for failing to protect players from money laundering and gambling-related harms. The Gambling Act 2005 requires all casinos in Britain to ensure that gambling at their casino does not facilitate crime in any way.
Online casinos have a wide range of technologies to identify players with gambling addictions. However, land-based casinos rarely pay attention to how long or how much a player spends on their gaming floor.
Here is a table showing responsible gambling facilities you will find at online casinos but not land-based casinos.
| Online Casinos | Land-based casinos |
| Reality checks and time reminders on how much time you spend. | You can play for as long as you like. |
| Players are given direct access to gambling support organisations like GamCare. | The process of receiving support for gambling harms is longer. |
| Deposit limits. | Most casinos allow players to bet as much as they can. |
| KYC verification is done, to lock out malicious users from the casino. | Most adults can walk in and gamble in cash without needing KYC verification. |
| Back-end technologies identify and flag members who might have a gambling addiction and suggest help. | People gamble mostly in cash, and since different people use different machines, it is impossible to identify specific gambling patterns for players. |
| Self-exclusion is made more accessible through organisations, including GAMSTOP. | Even if a player is kicked out from one casino, they can quickly join another. |
Privacy Policies
The GDPR data protection laws bind online gambling sites and apps in the EU. The sector is heavily regulated, and independent bodies like the BGC (Betting Gambling Council ) and the EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association) apply stringent measures to protect players and their data. Most importantly, these organizations ensure online casinos implement the highest standards when handling user data.
However, brick-and-mortar casinos rarely have or show players a privacy policy. Some casinos require players to register in the entry book at the reception but don’t provide adequate information regarding how the data will be used.
Interaction with casino staff
Interacting with customer service at online casinos is safer than at land-based casinos. Online casinos are obligated by law to record all phone calls and interactions between players and customer support. Recording calls and keeping chats or emails recorded makes resolving potential disputes easier.
Verbal interactions with the staff at a brick-and-mortar casino are seldom recorded. Therefore, you would have no way to prove if any support team member was rude, dismissive or disrespectful.
Safety of your cash wins
So, how do you plan to protect your cash if you win a jackpot at a land-based casino? One of the most vital benefits of Internet casinos is that you can easily withdraw your real money wins directly into your account without worrying about someone following you.
The truth is not everyone goes to the casino for personal fun. Some questionable characters go to land-based gaming houses to commit crimes, e.g., launder money or spot potential people to steal from. There have been lots of scary stories about people being followed and robbed after winning at land-based casinos. So, if you want to play high RTP games with huge winning potential, it would be best to do it online.
Playing online gives you control over your environment.
Visiting physical casinos has many possible consequences, mainly because you have little to no control over the environment. Online casinos allow you to decide where you will play and who can be near you. For example, during the winter, you can play inside your bed or on your couch and enjoy your favourite games while keeping warm. During the 2019 Covid pandemic, players with access to online casinos enjoyed safer gaming.
