Playing ‘games of luck’ is just another way of saying gambling. Unfortunately, not everybody is lucky when gambling, which has led many countries and states to restrict it. There are also moral reasons why gambling isn’t allowed in some places, usually rooted in religion. If you are interested in gambling, then you need to do your research first and find out whether or not it’s even legal where you live. Then, you need to make additional considerations about the law, and how you are going to keep yourself safe online. This post will tell you everything you need to know.

Domestic Legality

The first thing to consider is your country’s rules and laws regarding online gambling. As mentioned above, some countries have not legalized gambling. If it is illegal in the country that you live in, then you can get into a lot of trouble by ignoring your nation’s laws. It is an imprisonable offense in some places to gamble. It is important that you follow your country’s laws, if only for self-preservation. When you go abroad or go on vacation, you can legally gamble then, as long as you are out of your country of origin.

Betting Styles

If gambling is legal where you live, then the next thing to consider is the betting style you are going to be using. A lot of people question the legality of matched betting because it is such a fruitful strategy. However, matched betting is legal. While it is legal, that’s not to say that gaming sites encourage it. Some gaming sites will freeze or block your account if they suspect or discover that you have been matched betting. Casinos consider matched betting ‘bonus abuse’ sometimes. A good way to get around such restrictions is to withdraw money as soon as you have made it, then deposit it in another casino and continue gaming.

Int’l Considerations

You also need to make international considerations. If you live in another country, is gambling legal there? Even if it’s legal in your home country, breaking another country’s laws and gambling can still get you in trouble. Something else to think about is your chosen casino’s host country. If a casino is hosted or run in a country where gambling is illegal, then this could mean that you aren’t technically allowed to use it. While you probably won’t get into any trouble for this, it’s still best to avoid such casinos.

Protecting Yourself

You need to protect yourself when you are gaming online. Unfortunately, online fraud is more prevalent than ever. If you don’t take steps to protect yourself, then you could fall victim to sophisticated online scams. Cybercriminals regularly target gamers and bettors, because it’s easy to steal money from their casino accounts. If a cybercriminal is able to gain access to your account, they can immediately withdraw all of your winnings into their own account.

Avoiding Scammers

Avoiding scammers online isn’t easy. One way that you can do it is to only ever use reliable casinos. But how are you supposed to find a reliable casino, you might ask? Try to use casinos that are prominent in your country’s media. If a certain casino is featured on television a lot or has a lot of ads on the internet, then it is a strong sign that it can be trusted. You should also read a casino’s reviews before signing up for them. A casino’s reviews can help you to get a better picture of what it is like to play with them. You will find reviews from past clients, who have actual experience gaming on their site.

Using VPNs

A VPN is essential whenever you’re gaming online. VPN is an abbreviation of ‘virtual private network’—it is a program that’s used to conceal one’s identity online, preventing hackers, cybercriminals, and frauds from people able to track your digital movements. Having a VPN can stop criminals from intercepting your transactions and redirecting money from your account to their own bank account. VPNs are not free (or at least they’re not if you want to access good, fast servers) but they are not expensive either.

Licensed Casinos

One last thing to consider is your chosen casino’s licensing status. You should never use a casino that is not registered, regulated, and licensed in the country that it’s hosted in. If a casino is unlicensed, that usually means they won’t be committed to providing a safe and trustworthy service.

Online gambling is one of the best ways to make money on the internet. However, before you can make money, you need to think through the legality of gambling in your country, and then your safety. Give each point made here some thought.