Online casino gambling from smartphones, tablets, and other Wi-Fi/internet-connected mobile devices is more popular than ever in Canada and across the world.
The vast majority of iGaming sites are perfectly safe and have secure apps that allow you to deposit, place bets/play casino games, and withdraw your winnings with relative ease.
However, no systems are perfect, and there are many things you can do to protect yourself before downloading and installing the first betting app you come across.
Let’s dive straight in to uncover the hidden security flaws every online casino player and sports bettor should be aware of in 2024 to help them avoid making common mistakes that could prove costly.
Why do people download mobile betting apps?
More people than ever prefer placing sports bets and playing online casino games from within an app they can download and install for free onto their preferred mobile device.
Downloading a mobile app is the best way to experience all of the products and services an iGaming operator offers its fully registered members. They are usually free, quick & easy to download/install, and come with built-in support, automatic updates, and reliable services at your fingertips.
They save you from having to open your web browser and visit the main website each time you want to have a flutter and enable registered users to do everything they can from the website version of the same company, plus much more.
Many of today’s best apps are designed specifically for certain devices and have been optimized for most iOS and Android smartphones and tablet devices. They are the most convenient betting option for millions of people across the globe.
What are the common security vulnerabilities in mobile gambling applications?
Unfortunately, unlike 10bet’s encrypted and secured mobile betting app for Android and IOS devices, not all mobile sports betting apps can be trusted. Some sports betting casino sites with downloadable apps must be avoided at all costs. They are often unlicensed and have many security flaws.
In comparison, 10bet is globally renowned for its mobile betting app. It’s licensed in multiple jurisdictions by several mid to top-tier licensing authorities. The reputable operator of this app has an excellent track record in the iGaming industry and provides unrivalled iGaming services with top-notch security.
At unlicensed iGaming sites (or sites that are licensed by what are referred to as ‘rubber-stamp’ or ‘bottom-tier’ licensing authorities), some of the major security flaws often associated with their apps are the following:
- Insufficient cryptography/encryption protection. The worst apps and websites won’t even be protected by 128-bit or higher SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption
- They can be infected with Malware/Spyware/Adware and other sophisticated Phishing software and tools to harvest your sensitive data, hi-jack your transactions to steal your funds, leave you open to other future attacks, and potentially cause permanent damage to your device
- Malicious code injections (similar to above)
- Denial-of-service attack (DoS) can disrupt your internet experience, block or slow legitimate internet/Wi-Fi connections, and overwhelm regular server traffic
- User-privacy violations, such as identity and other sensitive material theft and other data leakage
These are the most common cybersecurity threats that people can leave themselves open to attack when signing up to unlicensed and regulated iGaming sites and downloading apps that are simply not secure.
I want to play online casino games and place sports bets on my mobile, but how can I protect myself from potential cyber-attacks?
The best way to avoid falling prey to cyber criminals would be to download and install only secure mobile betting apps from trusted sources with state-of-the-art apps from verified publishers like the one 10bet offers.
Another way you can protect yourself is to deposit, play casino games/place sports bets, and withdraw winning across a blockchain network using cryptocurrency each time. 10bet accepts Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and Litecoin (LTC).
Payments with cryptocurrency are more secure than paying with traditional online payment methods like Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, Interac bank transfers, Paysafecard prepaid card payments, and deposits/withdrawals via eWallets (aka web wallets, electronic wallets, or digital wallets).
Higher levels of encryption protect crypto payments. They offer complete anonymity, and average payment speeds are much quicker than transaction processing times for the other, less reliable payment processing gateways.
Decentralized blockchain ledgers and smart contracts protect users from fraud and ensure fair play. This cutting-edge technology facilitates secure data exchanges between the consumers and the data providers, allowing for more transparency and fostering a sense of trust between the mobile betting app and the player.
Using cryptocurrency payments across the blockchain network eliminates the need for intermediaries and reduces the risk of fraudulent activities or manipulation from taking place.
Other things you can do to better protect yourself are simple things like never saving your login details (entering them in manually each time), turning off Bluetooth on your Wi-Fi, using strong passwords (at least ten characters long, with a mixture of symbols, letters, and numbers), and, where possible, turning on things like 2FA (two-factor authentication, such as facial recognition or fingerprint sign-in technology).
You should also try using a secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) and remember to switch on your antivirus program each time you go online. Also, make sure your software, apps, and programs are always up to date with the latest version. Finally, remember to regularly back up your important files in case you get hacked, and check your payment history for any unauthorized transactions.
Final thoughts
The most important thing to remember should you decide to register an account at an iGaming site and download their mobile casino sports betting app would be to do so from legitimate operators with excellent reputations like 10bet.
Never download a mobile app from a suspicious website or one you know to be unlicensed and regulated. If you can remember some of this important information when you next go online from your smartphone or tablet device, you will be much better protected and will have nothing to worry about concerning your security.