BCLC issues warning about sophisticated ad scams targeting online gamblers
The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) recently warned players about fraudulent websites that pose as legitimate online casinos. The warning comes from recent and growing cybersecurity concerns in the igaming industry. Even as providers like Betway work to fortify their systems, players wonder how safe they are online. Let’s dissect this recent warning from BCLC and the security state in online casinos.
Scammers posing as BC casinos
You probably know your provider by name if you play online casino games. You know their official colours and logo and have visited their website enough times to recognize their URL. These features are how you tell a legitimate provider from a scam. Say you download Betway; you know you’re in the wrong place if you don’t see the characteristic black-and-green theme. Hackers have realized that.
In a recent report by the BCLC, scammers have been setting up websites that look almost exactly like legitimate British Columbia online casinos. They advertise these scam sites through social media ads that promise great rewards and large bonuses for signing up. Once you access the site, they request and harvest your personal and financial data.
Growing concerns over cybersecurity in igaming
The situation in British Columbia is far from novel. Over the past decade, there have been increasing concerns about the growing threat of online scammers in igaming.
Online casinos collect a lot of user data. This includes the personal information you use to access your account and the financial details you use to withdraw and deposit funds into your betting wallet.
Hackers and data miners are drawn to this data because of the access it could grant them. That’s why online casinos are some of the most vulnerable systems to ransomware and malware attacks. A recent data leak on the gambling app Cubillion involving millions of data points put users at risk by exposing personal data and daily activity.
How online casinos are responding
Online casinos are aware of the ever-present cybersecurity threat in the industry. To protect you and your data, reputable providers like Betway use the following safety measures:
· Data encryption software
· Firewalls and antimalware software
· Big data and behavioural analytics
· Blockchain technology
· Multi-factor authentication (MFA) technology
Encryption scrambles your data during transit so unauthorized parties cannot access it.
How regulators are responding
But online casinos are not the only defenders in the war against cybercrime. Regulators like the BCLC also put in place measures to protect players from bad-faith actors. While issuing their recent warning, the BCLC reminded British Columbia residents to only play at online casinos regulated by the body. It also puts up contact information through which players can confirm the legitimacy of different online casino providers.
Wrapping up: Staying safe online
The final piece of the puzzle is you, the player. While enjoying your favorite casino games online, you must protect your data, too. Start by only playing at reputable sites licensed to operate in your area by recognizable bodies. When picking an online casino, check that they have strong security features to protect you and your data. This includes SSL certificates for data encryption. Finally, always confirm that you're on your provider's official website before placing an online bet.
