Online gaming, particularly poker, has become one of the most essential and popular leisure activities worldwide. The data confirms this when the International Poker Federation (IFP) estimates that there are more than 200 million online poker players worldwide.
This rise and popularity have also been linked to increased risks of suffering a scam or theft through online gaming platforms. The sector’s digitalization has made online poker more accessible. Still, at the same time, it has made many people try to take advantage of existing loopholes to appropriate other people’s things in Texas poker games, for example.
Fraud and theft are real problems in online gambling. During the past year, according to the same association, the money defrauded or stolen through online poker was around 100 million dollars. Hence, security and integrity in online poker are essential to combat some of the most common types of fraud in the sector.
Most Frequent Frauds And Thefts
The most common types of fraud and theft in online poker are those related to theft of funds and software fraud. The first refers to situations in which players are victims of theft of money deposited on the platform by fraudulent gaming sites, whether through scams, hacks or other means. Software fraud, meanwhile, refers to the type of abuse that occurs when players are tricked into losing money through bots or software programs.
Given this situation and to increase players’ confidence, companies in the sector are investing money in improving security on the platforms on which they use technology. In this sense, some of the methods implemented in recent years are:
- Identity Verification. Online gaming platforms require identity verification to ensure that each player is who they say they are. This includes document verification and, in some cases, two-factor authentication.
- Use Of Cheat Detection Algorithms. Companies use advanced algorithms that analyze player behaviour for suspicious patterns. This may include detecting repetitive actions or unusual statistics.
- Independent Audits. The most security-conscious online gaming platforms subject their operations to regular audits by third-party companies. This ensures that the games are fair and the results are random
- Collaboration With Regulators. Collaboration with country regulatory authorities is essential to ensure that security practices are rigorous and local regulations are met.
- Player Training. To minimize the risks of platform users falling victim to a scam, companies also invest resources in training players, advising on secure passwords and detecting possible threats.
Among the aspects that any user must assess when choosing a platform is, for example, that the competent authority regulates the platform or that it has a demanding security and data protection policy such as, for example, verification of identity and data encryption.
Another vital aspect is the history and reputation of the online poker platform. Before playing and, above all, sending money to the platform, users should research the platform’s reputation and look for reviews from other players. A platform with a solid track record and cheerful (and honest) reviews is more likely to be trustworthy.
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