Running a successful online gambling site isn’t just about having great games, a good marketing department, and some enticing bonuses. It’s about treating players fairly, being ethical, and remaining compliant. There’s a variety of industry best practices, some of which are legally binding, others that are not. In this article, we will explore some of the most important online gambling best practices, and how to implement them into your operations.
Be fair
As an online gambling operator, you should always aim to be fair in how you treat your players. There are several online gambling best practices you can employ to achieve this. Firstly, you should have a random number generator (RNG) to make sure your games are fair. Some license issuers will require that it’s certified and tested by a third party. If it’s fair, you’ll get a certificate. Make sure you display this information on your site so players and authorities are aware you take fairness seriously. If you have a provably fair system, rather than RNG, you should also display information about it in the same way.
Secondly, bonuses and incentives are a great way to entice players and retain them. But some sites are guilty of not being transparent with how they work. You must be clear on the terms and conditions of every bonus to make sure players fully understand them. Create a page where you detail the games they apply to, playthrough requirements, and maximum withdrawals. Any other factors that impact how players use bonuses, should be made clear and accessible.
Licensing transparency
To run an online gambling site, you need to have a license issued by a competent licensing authority. Most will require that you display the license and information regarding it, on your site. License details are displayed at the bottom of each page in the footer, as well as on the Terms and Conditions section. Some license issuers require you to link to their page to prove the license is genuine and also to field any complaints.
Another of the online gambling best practices is to have a comprehensive AML/CFT policy. This should protect the operator and players from illegal activity related to money laundering and terrorist financing. These policies must be enforced by every member of your team. AML/CFT rules are subject to change and therefore policies, and staff training should be updated regularly.
Show who you are
Along with your licensing information, you must display your company legal name, address, and company registration number. This can be displayed at the bottom of each page. This is not only a requirement but it reassures your players that you are a legitimate company. It’s also one of the most important online gambling best practices.
This information should be supported by various channels for communication. Telephone numbers, email addresses, social media platforms, and even web chat should be public and easily accessible. This allows players to contact you with any issues or questions they may have. Being accessible and providing good customer service will help your reputation, cut back on chargebacks, and keep you on a good footing with the Authority.
Another essential page for your site is the Terms and Conditions. This lays down the provisions of the service offered as well as the obligations of the operator and client. It should contain detailed information on the operator, obligations, the law, and how disputes and issues are resolved.
Prioritize security
When a player chooses to gamble with you, they are entrusting you with their personal information. This includes name, address, date of birth, ID, and bank details. You have a responsibility as an operator to secure this information to the best of your capabilities.
A good way of doing this is by enabling encrypted SSL payments. This is simply a protocol that encrypts the transactions made between operator-player-operator. It offers a layer of protection for any sensitive information and prevents hackers from accessing it. The process of implementation is simple and it should be a standard for any website, or app that you offer.
Another way of protecting your players is by offering two-factor authentication for logging in, changing account details, and making deposits and withdrawals. You could include biometrics, phone, email, or a combination, to make sure their identity is verified. This tool is very effective against hackers or possible account security breaches. It’s also one of the important online gambling best practices relating to security.
To fully understand your obligations both in terms of best practices, and under your license, it’s best to chat with Fast Offshore. We’ve worked in the sector for over 23 years, and are knowledgeable on requirements from offshore gambling jurisdictions. Let us help you get the best out of your players and enjoy a solid reputation.
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