James GordanTable of Contents
The iGaming industry is undoubtedly growing. Online gambling and sports betting has come a long way since the 90s. The websites are safer, the deposit options are numerous, and the games are much more engaging. However, despite the growth, the industry is still relatively young. Many people are apprehensive about trying out a gambling website, primarily because they lack understanding or believe certain inaccuracies about online gambling. So, in this article, we will review some myths and discuss their veracity.
Online Casinos Are Expensive
The first myth we discuss is that online casinos are much more expensive than their land-based predecessors. Many will be happy to know that this is simply untrue. Yes, there are quite a few online casinos where deposits can be quite high. However, there are also plenty of online casinos with $10 minimum deposits, where you can play to your heart’s content. Suppose you are interested in more expensive casinos. In that case, our recommendation, especially for newbies, is to try out these low-deposit casinos before dipping their toes in high-risk, high-reward games.
Online Casinos Are Unsafe
The belief that online casinos are unsafe comes from the early 90s when the industry was not regulated as well as it is today. However, regulation and licensing have changed significantly since the early 21st century. Nowadays, gambling commissions overlook some of the most notable websites.
If the websites are up to par, they receive a license, which ensures players that these casinos are safe. So, when choosing an online gambling website, make sure that you look for a permit. It is worth noting that not all licenses are equal, though. So, if you are interested, the licenses to look out for would include the following:
- Malta
- Gibraltar
- United Kingdom
- Curacao
Most EU and Caribbean countries tend to issue trustworthy licenses. So, watch for websites licensed and headquartered in these nations.
Online Casinos Are Illegal
There is a prevailing myth that online casinos are illegal. Now, laws vary from country to country. However, for the most part, no law prevents anyone in the USA, Canada, or Europe from playing at online casinos. The existing laws prevent online casinos from being legally operated in certain countries (though even this is slowly changing).
Gamblers can play games at offshore casinos. In other words, you can find a website headquartered outside your country, ensure it is appropriately licensed and regulated, and then register and play your favorite games.
The practice is perfectly legal in most US and Canada, and no one has ever been charged or prosecuted for doing so. Suppose the casinos are not available in your country. In that case, you can always use a Virtual Private Network (or VPN), which will allow you to access region-locked content and make your online experience a lot safer.
Addiction Comes Easier Online
From a purely intuitive point of view, this myth might make sense. However, the data goes directly against the idea. So, the belief is simple; online casinos are much more accessible, so players can become easily addicted. In reality, the exact opposite is true.
In land-based casinos, players can enter and stay indefinitely. As long as they follow the rules of the casino and don’t cause a fuss, they will not have an issue playing for as long as they want and spending more and more money. After all, the casino staff can’t pay attention to everyone.
Online casinos, on the other hand, track their players’ activities. If a gambler has spent too much time and money on games, the website staff sends a notification. Sometimes, player accounts have even been temporarily locked or suspended, all to minimize any problems. So, in other words, it is much harder to get addicted online than in land-based establishments.
Minors Can Play Online
The idea that minors can play at online casinos is untrue. Like any brick-and-mortar casino, online gambling websites require players to verify their age. Some identification is always required to create an account and play online. So, this idea that online casinos accept or encourage underage players is completely fabricated.
Final Say
Despite much evidence to the contrary, these five myths regarding online casinos have persevered. Hopefully, we have convinced you that these myths are untrue and that online gambling is quite safe. The industry has made incredible progress, and online casinos might soon become just as significant as land-based establishments. And who knows? We may even start seeing films and television shows surrounding these websites. But, until that day comes, we expect the iGaming industry to continue growing.
James Gordan
Simon Leonard
