SSL certificate levels: DV, OV and EV - what does it mean

1) Why it is important to understand SSL certificate levels

An SSL certificate authenticates the site and encrypts data. However, the level of verification of the site owner depends on the level of the certificate. In online casinos, this directly affects safety, trust and the likelihood that you have a legal operator.

2) DV (Domain Validation) - basic domain validation

What is it: A certificate is issued after confirming domain ownership.
How the check goes: The certification authority (CA) sends a request to the administrator's email or checks the DNS record.
What the player sees: Lock and HTTPS in the address bar.
Pros: Fast delivery, low cost.
Cons: No confirmation of the identity of the site owner; DV certificates can also be used by fraudsters if they own the domain.
Casino application: Minimum level of protection; it is better to choose sites with a higher level of validation.

3) OV (Organization Validation)

What it is: The certificate confirms not only the domain, but also the legal entity to which it belongs.
How the check goes: CA checks the company's registration documents, contact details and domain ownership.
What the player sees: Castle, HTTPS, in the certificate information - the name of the company.
Pros: Higher level of trust, as the organization is verified.
Cons: Issuance takes longer and costs more.
Casino application: Suitable for licensed operators who want to prove their legality and increase the confidence of players.

4) EV (Extended Validation)

What is it: The most stringent level of SSL certificate confirming the domain, company and its legal status.
How the check goes:
  • Verification of company documents;
  • Confirmation of physical address and contacts;
  • Checking the right to do business;
  • Domain ownership.
  • What the player sees: Lock, HTTPS and the full legal name of the company next to the site address (in some browsers).
  • Pros: Maximum trust, high degree of protection against phishing.
  • Cons: Expensive and long receiving process.
  • Casino application: The best option for large and reputable operators who value reputation.

5) How the player can use this information

Check the type of certificate in the lock information.
For maximum security, give preference to OV and EV - they confirm the real existence of the company.
If the casino has only DV, make sure that it is licensed and reliable for other reasons.

Conclusion:
  • DV, OV and EV are verification levels that directly affect the degree of trust in an online casino site. For the player, understanding these differences helps distinguish between a legal platform and a potentially dangerous one. Maximum protection and confidence is provided by an EV certificate, however, OV is a reliable option. DV should be considered as the minimum allowable level, provided that the operator has an official license and good reputation.