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When playing on Internet poker sites, you need to be aware of a lot more than just poker tips. Unfortunately, there are an abundance of people out there who would be more than happy to fleece you while you gamble. Even seasoned competitors occasionally get taken on online gaming sites. This is a great example: in 2009, the news program 60 Minutes covered a hacking that happened on a prominent on-line poker site. The breach came from an ex-employee who knew the site thoroughly, and a lot of big-time players were ripped-off. That was a unusual case, though, because the site operator had no notion what was going on. In that case, even people who are diligent and careful wouldn’t have been able to discern the scenario.

Thankfully, not all on-line gaming threats are that hidden. There are some tell-tale indications that let savvy players know they should stay away. That’s why you should go onto any Internet gambling site armed with the following Internet gambling precautions:

Check whether the gaming site is an industry leader
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 there’s at least a fighting chance that they will be upstanding.

See what kind of assets  have been put into the site
If the site’s graphics and technology aren’t up-to-snuff and seem unprofessional, go somewhere else. Shoddy design could indicate that a quick-buck artist or cash-strapped proprietor run the site. If so, they may go belly-up and take your money with them.

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

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

Taking the steps above should point out a lot about the workings of the site, so do yourself a favor and pay heed to each one. They could make a big difference for you. Remember, there are a lot of on-line gaming sites, so don’t be afraid to take your gaming dollars elsewhere if a site can’t clear any of these steps.