When playing on online gambling sites, you need to watch out for more than just poker strategies. It’s a shame, but there are plenty of dishonest thieves out there who will steal your money. Even seasoned Internet poker players occasionally get taken on online gaming sites. This is a great example: the news program 60 Minutes covered a hacking that happened on a well known on-line poker site. The breach was carried out by an ex-site-employee who was familiar with every aspect of the site, and millions of dollars were stolen from players. That was a specific case, though, because the site proprietor wasn’t involved. In that individual case, even savvy players didn’t discover there was an issue until algorithm patterns started to become obvious.

Thankfully, not every potentially adverse playing experience is so well hidden. There are some tell-tale indications that let experienced players know they should stay away. That’s why you should go onto any Internet gambling site armed with the following online gambling safety strategies:

See whether the website stands behind its interactions
The first thing you should do is to check if the site belongs to the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC). IGC members pledge to follow a code of ethics, so you’ll know they have at least been vetted.

Look for professionalism
If the site’s graphics and technology aren’t up-to-snuff and look unprofessional, go elsewhere. Shoddy construction could mean a scam artist or even just a cash-poor owner is the host. If so, they may go belly-up and take your money with them.

Make sure the site offers appropriate support
Make sure the site has 24×7 assistance with a toll-free phone number and a dedicated support e-mail address. It’s a good idea to contact customer service before you register, to see how long it takes to respond and how well they answer a test inquiry.

Test to make sure site transactions go efficiently
If the site looks up to snuff, is an IGC member and has verifiable contact information, conduct a few smallish transactions as tests before you surrender any significant money.

Looking for these significant factors can make a huge difference in your safety when you gamble on the Web, so don’t skip them. They may help you dodge a major bullet. Keep in mind that there are a lot of online gambling sites, so don’t be afraid to take your gaming money elsewhere if a site can’t clear any of these steps.