Understand That Bonus Before You Bet
The bonus offers provided by online casinos in UK regions are one of the most prevalent ways that these sites draw in players. However, officials from regulatory agencies claim the way that bonuses are presented have been misleading the player community. A handful of casinos operating in the UK have already pledged to clean up their act regarding promotions. Now, a well-known casino gaming provider has been slapped with a hefty fine for deceptive practices.
ElectraWorks, who runs sites like Casino Las Vegas and bwin, was handed a fine of £350,000 from the UK Gambling Commission. The fine is related to advertisements run by the company that have reportedly misled consumers about bonuses that are free. ElectraWorks was also given a warning by the regulatory agency about the head of marketing not being licensed.
This fine stems from a complaint in 2016 that the bwin online gambling site was running a deceptive ad about free bonuses. Another ad was found to be in violation of codes regarding marketing after the complaint was filed. Both ads have since been removed from the site.
Similar issues were found in ads on numerous websites managed by ElectraWorks. Though every misleading ad has been taken down, the UK Gambling Commission considered the repeat offenses and took punitive measures against the online gambling provider.
Although regulations are in place to control how bonuses are offered, the player should understand a few factors about promotions to avoid being misled.
Look for the License
Players should always be aware of an online casino’s standing with regulatory agencies. The most trusted casinos on the web will carry the proper seals at the bottom of the site as a sign that licensing is current. For international operations, many online casinos use the Malta Gaming Authority for regulation. The UK Gambling Commission handles licenses and regulation for casinos specifically facing the United Kingdom. An online casino that is licensed, regulated, and reputable is a prudent choice for the newer player.
Thoroughly Read Fine Print
When accepting a deal at an online casino just for the welcome bonus, it is important to understand the wagering requirements. This “fine print” is where the casino is bound to take advantage of the player. While a bonus that is worth an extra grand looks like a no-brainer on the surface, it may be attached to a wagering requirement of 20+ times the amount. The player has to deposit and use their own money equal to the total of the bonus multiplied by 20 or more. While this may not be an issue for high rollers, the casual player should consider if the bonus can actually be claimed in time. Keep in mind that most casinos only allow 30 days to fulfill the wagering requirements.
Make Sure Payment is Possible
The banking options for an online casino are typically diverse to accommodate players across the globe. However, it is important to check that the preferred method of payment is available. Most gaming sites support the transfer of funds through services like Neteller and Skrill, with PayPal being an additional option that is starting to pop up. In addition, some sites such as Vegas Paradise online casino will now be accepting Bitcoin for payment. Players may find bonus to be tempting, but ensuring there are numerous ways to withdraw is a must.
