Protecting Your Privacy While Gambling Online

Posted by Leo Twin on February 16th, 2020

Privacy is a serious topic these days. With big companies like Facebook and Equifax under the spotlight because of data leaks and breaches, and new laws like GDPR coming in to protect internet users, you can expect more and more people to become concerned with their privacy as they become aware of just how badly it has been violated.

This will include all financial transactions such as playing at online casinos, shopping on Amazon, or paying for goods in other e-commerce stores. The first of these is arguably where the worst privacy violations can occur, because there are no massive, trusted sites like Amazon in the online gambling world.

If you gamble online, there are some things you can do to protect your privacy. I'm going to share them with you now.

1. Read the Privacy Policy

I know this ins't what you want to hear, but it could save your details from being sold to unscrupulous operators. I remember signing up at a casino and then deciding not to make a despoit. Within weeks, I was receving random emails and text messages from other casinos I had never heard of. My details had clearly been sold on, probably illegally.

Reading the privacy policy can give you clues about how the operator will use your details. If they plan to sell them, they will usually make it clear in the small print. They know that 90% of people don't ever read them anyway, so they state it clearly to keep themselves legally above board.

2. Use Cryptocurrencies

It's worth it to take the time to learn how to to use Bitcoin and other cryptos to gamble online. It will probably take you a few days to fully get comfortable with them, but when you do, you'll have a powerful privacy tool at your disposal.

Bitcoin wallets do no require any personal details. There are even BTC casinos which don't require you to tell them who you are. You just deposit your crypto and play. Then you make withdrawals the same way if you have been lucky enough to win.

Cryptocurrencies havenother benefit. You won't be required to store your financial details such as your credit card number on the gambling site. That means that even if they wanted to, the site could not sell your financial information. It's truly scary that rogue operators would even think of doing this, but unfortunately some of them do.

3. Play at Licensed Casinos

If you play at casino sites with licences from the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, you'll be much safer. These regulators do not allow operators to sell your details. We can't say the same for licences from elsewhere because we haven't looked into them deeply enough. However, if you stick with UKGC/MGA casinos, your privacy is much more secure.

Remember, you're probably going to have to send in an ID to verify your identity. You do not want to be sending your ID + financial details to a rogue operator. That's everything they need to scam you. It's also highly likely that your details will end up for sale in the dark markets, leaving you vulnerable to being ripped off through identity theft and unwanted contact from unfair casinos.