An Overview of Mobile Gambling Platforms and Security

What is Meant by Mobile Gambling Platforms?

Mobile gambling stretches to a greater reach than just smartphones. Essentially, mobile gambling refers to the ability to play games of chance for real money using a portable device. It differs to desktop gambling as that is done by using a large monitor and a computer. For mobile gambling, smartphones, tablets, laptops and mobile phones with a wireless connection all fall into that bracket.

To play at mobile casinos, all players need to have is a stable internet connection. This can be done using a reliable Wi-Fi or by using mobile network data. The benefit of mobile gambling is that players can pretty much play anywhere and at any time. Using the latest HTML5 technology, players can play on any mobile device without the need to download any additional applications. Instead, all they have to do is open up a web browser, search for their preferred online casino and start playing. The technology ensures the gameplay and display adjusts to fit screens of all sizes.

The Importance of Security in Mobile Gambling

One of the most important factors that mobile casinos have to take into account is the protection of player’s personal and financial details. Unfortunately, the online gambling industry is not always the safest of places. Many players are prime targets for hackers and cybercriminals. Online casinos are a target as they collect and store sensitive information about players.

The online gambling industry is also a target for fraudulent activities such as money laundering and rigged games. That is why casinos have procedures to verify the identity of their players and make sure that they have honest intentions.

Security Measures in Mobile Gambling Platforms

In order to ensure player safety, mobile casinos do their part in installing security measures in place. The security measures that casinos include are encryption systems to keep player details safe from prying eyes. Below, we have included a few systems that casinos have in-place for player safety:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL)

  – online casinos tend to have 128-bit SSL encryption services in place to ensure a fully-secure connection between the user and the server. After a player enters their personal and financial details into the casino, the operator stores the information in an encrypted space. The safe can only be accessed by secure keys.

• Firewalls

  – casinos that are equipped with firewalls can control any traffic that is sent to the server. This way, casinos can filter through who is able to access the server and ensure that there is not a traffic overload while playing at the casino.

• Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

  – online casinos are cautious regarding the banking options that they provide. The best online casinos will tend to only use banking methods that are reliable and recognized by the majority of casino players. Casinos tend to include a two-factor authentication when verifying a player’s transactions to ensure the legitimacy of transactions.

• Audits

  – one of the best ways to ensure players of a safe gambling environment is to hold licenses and certificates from regulatory bodies and independent third parties. Casinos that are tested by audits can guarantee fairness in their games which builds trust between the operator and its players.

Challenges to Mobile Gambling Security

The mobile gambling industry is subject to many different challenges and potential attacks. The challenges include:

• Sophisticated Attacks

  – online casinos are subject to hackers that are constantly developing new tactics to bypass security measures. Hackers aim to access personal and financial details from a casino’s database. To prevent this from happening, online casinos must stay vigilant and adaptable.

• Human Error

  – even though casinos may have the best security measures in place, sometimes human error may be a cause for mobile gambling security. Players may fall for phishing scams and employees may accidentally share sensitive information.

• Third Party Vulnerabilities

  – in rare cases, third party vendors or service providers may be a potential risk to operators due to security breaches caused by the third party. Examples of these are payment processors or hosting companies.

Case Studies of Mobile Gambling Security Breaches

In the past, there have been several cases of online casinos that failed to keep out cybercriminals from their platforms. Unfortunately, casinos are not always the most equipped to protect players from potential dangers. However, by experiencing a challenge, online operators can learn from previous mistakes to create a safer gambling environment for their players.

• In 2010, Betfair experienced a security breach where hackers managed to gain customers’ account information. The breach affected around 3% of the operator’s customer database.
• In 2014, the UK-based BetVictor experienced a data breach in which cybercriminals managed to gain the personal information of over 500,000 customers.

Best Practices for Mobile Gambling Security

Although the online gambling industry may be a target a rich target for hackers, it still does well to protect players from potential threats. However, to ensure an even safer gaming space, players may want to follow these practices:

• Ensure your account is safe by using strong passwords and two-factor authentication where possible.
• Avoid suspicious emails or messages from that may be a result of phishing attempts to gain your personal details.
• Do not use Wi-Fi networks that are public and/or unreliable. Always use mobile data or Wi-Fi when you know the server.
• Keeping your mobile device’s operating system and security software up to date.

To Conclude

The online gambling industry is a safe place for players that know where to look. If you are savvy in the way you gamble online, the likelihood of a cyber-attack is not that high. The best practices to do when gambling online is to look for an online casino that is transparent and has a strong security system in place.