According to the statistics by IBIS world, today the number of casinos and online gaming sites globally reached over 5,000. Slots are one of the most popular kinds of games in online casinos, where billions of players try their luck.

Unfortunately, some of these of these games are offered by casinos which are not licensed. There is a great risk to players presented by unregulated casinos. So, before you gamble on slots using an online gaming site, you have to make sure it is licensed. This article will talk about the important differences between the slot games which are licensed and those which are not.

One license to conduct online gaming is an official permit that allows companies to legally offer casino games and services with the use of the Internet. All online gaming licenses issued by various countries and jurisdictions worldwide enable players to be protected from fraud and exploitation by guaranteeing the games being fair and secure. Gaming regulators, in turn, require licensed operators to follow strict regulations and standards.

1. Transparent Ownership

Licensed games show the information of their operator. You can easily tell who operates the game and where they are based, basically.

2. Fair Play is Guaranteed

Licensed slots operate certified Random Number Generators-the RNGs. These ensure the results of the game are truly random and fair.

3. Responsible Gambling Tools

Licensed platforms provide tools which will help you keep control over your gambling habits. Examples include deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and reality checks.

4. Secure Transactions

Advanced encryption, such as SSL, is utilized in financial transactions by licensed operators. Your persona and financial data are kept safe and well-guarded.

5. Customer Support

One sure thing about any licensed platform is customer service that is reliable. They often have given numerous ways to seek assistance, 24/7.

Differences Between Licensed vs Unlicensed Slot Games

Following are the main differences between licensed and unlicensed slots

Regulatory Authority

Licensed slot games are those that are governed through the work of official regulatory bodies. The licenses come from recognized gaming commissions and authorities, such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

Fairness, security, and responsible gaming are controlled only by these entities. Any gaming site possessing one of these licenses must stick to very strict guidelines regarding testing and operation. This will ensure that the games they play are credible.

These can commonly be found in either the footer of a licensed slot game or the About Us section of the casino. This more often than not contains a logo and a license number of a certain regulatory body, through which the legitimacy of the gaming website could be verified by players.

Unlicensed slot games will not provide an indication that they are unlicensed. A game that does not provide any indication most likely would not follow through with strict standards that ensure player protection and fairness.

Without clear details on licensing, there is no guarantee the game operates under regulated conditions. This lack of transparency may come with a major risk attached: It essentially tends to show that such games may not follow industry standards or player protection like their licensed counterparts do.

Certification and Fairness

The licence slot games are regularly tested for fairness and reliability. It is a simple certification done by independent agencies that test the randomness and fairness of the RNGs used in the slots.

That is where the work of certification comes in-to corroborate that games are not biased, and players will not be manipulated. Many casinos display certification logos of these agencies on their website or within the game. The logos ensure that the slot games passed the minimum standards of fairness and reliability.

There are independent bodies that audit and check on a regular basis to help keep standards high and ensure that games do not become rigged. Usually, slot games that are unlicensed will not have any kind of certification from an independent testing agency.

This lack of independent testing paves the way to an unfair gaming experience that cannot promise that the outcomes of the game are going to be fair. Without such oversight, players cannot be convinced that the integrity of a game is being played.

There is a risk of rigged or manipulated outcomes, leading to losses and poor gaming experience. Here, the advantages of fair play by reputed organisations do not apply, thereby the players are disadvantaged and left vulnerable to unjust treatment.

Mobile Applications

Slot games offered on mobile applications by licensed casinos are safer and more credible. The updates and audits after some time make them current with industry specifications.

In such cases, one would expect secure payment options, responsible gaming tools, and reliable customer support. Many times, certification by renowned testing agencies is fully on display to help prove that an app is one of those that are responsible in terms of being both fair and reliable.

On the other hand, unlicensed mobile slot games lack most or all of these assurances. Most of them may not adhere fully to security or standards of fairness, exposing players to data breaches and technical issues.

Without frequent updates and independent testing, such applications may be quite unreliable to play, with risks of many different types. Due to the lack of regulatory oversight and certification, players should be very cautious when it comes to unauthorised applications because it may threaten their gaming safety and fairness.

How to Verify a License of a Slot Game

1. Check the Website of the Operator

Look for the licensing information on the bottom of the homepage; reputable casinos flash this prominently.

2. Check Licensing With Authorities

Most licensing bodies have online databases. You would be able to know whether an operator’s license is valid and current.

3. Search for Seals of Approval

Reputable websites display seals coming from independent testing agencies. Well-known examples include eCOGRA and iTech Labs.

4. Research the Company

Take some time and make an online search. Search for reviews, complaints, and general reputation of the operator.

Conclusion

While playing on unlicensed platforms, you can get a win; however, licensed slots are obviously much better. Sometimes tempting, unlicensed games come with great risks, big bonuses that are not worth the risks of possible long-term leaks.

Yet, such a number of licensed games are controlled by seriously reputable authorities, which presupposes the keeping of strict standards in the field of security, fairness, and responsible gaming.

Such control allows players to be better protected from the leakage of personal and financial information, and it ensures the games are not rigged.

Written by Chris Jones