As online gambling grows in popularity, so too do concerns around privacy and security of personal information. Gambling sites require detailed personal and financial data to verify identities and process payments. This data could be compromised in security breaches or abused by unscrupulous companies. Understanding the risks is the first step in protecting yourself.
Financial Information at Risk
To lucky dreams online casino, nearly all sites will ask for private financial information like credit card numbers, bank account details, and Social Security numbers. This data could enable identity fraud if obtained by hackers. Even reputable sites can experience data breaches through no fault of their own. From 2018-2020, over 17 million customer records were stolen from online gambling sites according to PrivacyAffairs. As shown in Table 1, credit card numbers and login credentials accounted for most of the nearly 600 breaches over that period:
Table 1: Composition of Online Gambling Site Breaches 2018-2020
| Type of Data | Number of Breaches |
| Credit Card Numbers | 287 |
| Login Credentials | 198 |
| Addresses | 64 |
| Phone Numbers | 41 |
| Other | 10 |
With so much sensitive information circulating, consumers rightly worry where their data ends up. But measures exist to mitigate the risks.
Safeguarding Financial Information
Reputable gambling platforms use top-grade security measures like SSL encryption and PCI compliance to protect your money. SSL encryption scrambles data entered on the site, preventing prying eyes from viewing it. PCI compliance forces companies to handle card details securely.
You can also take steps to mask financial information. Using an online or disposable virtual card from your bank links to your account without exposing the real card number. Virtual wallet services like PayPal likewise obscure cards and bank accounts used to deposit and withdraw.
Verifying your identity also protects against fraud. Most sites will require scans of a photo ID, proof of address, or other documentation. While handing over more personal data seems contradictory, ID verification ensures only you can access and use your accounts.
Personal Details Under Threat
Financials are not the only sensitive data gambling sites collect. The same details hackers want are also required to confirm users’ identities during signup. This includes:
- Full legal names
- Home addresses
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Scans of government-issued ID like driver’s licenses or passports
Like financial data, personal information is also desired by cybercriminals for identity theft and fraud. And threats extend beyond data breaches by hackers. The online gambling industry has unfortunately also seen cases of internal abuse. In 2017, an employee at online betting firm William Hill was found to have stolen customer details to open lines of credit.
Redacting Sensitive Details
Consequently, players must be prudent about sharing personal details online. If asked for data unnecessary for verifying your age and location, consider not including it or redacting elements where possible.
For ID scans, black out all but your name, photo, and date of birth – the only details truly needed for age checks. Use online tools to black out text from saved scans before uploading.
Like financial data, use alternate contact information wherever possible. Temporary “burner” email addresses prevent spam to your real inbox. Google Voice numbers allow registering a phone number not tied to your mobile account. And consider using a PO box instead of a home address.
Bet Responsibly With Privacy in Mind
Gambling online invariably requires handing over sensitive personal and financial data to unknown entities. This exposes customers to potential fraud through security failures or internal leaks. But following best practices around data sharing, financial transactions, ID verification, and account security can help bettors enjoy online gambling more safely. By understanding and minimizing risks to private information, players can responsibly focus on the entertainment.