Six Ways to Spot Fake Online Casinos
By
Mike J. Davies
Editor in Chief at Casinos.US Updated: 08/02/2023
Mike is our Senior Editor and experienced gambling strategist. A former hockey player, he transitioned to the casino industry after finishing his B.A. in English. Blackjack systems, online casino guides, gambling terms, and more – Mike is familiar with all fine points of gambling.
Fake Online Casinos
- Unraveling Online Casino Scams
- How to Find Blacklisted Online Casinos
- Checking for Legitimate Licensing
- Looking at the Payment Methods
- Researching Casino Scandals
- Verifying Ownership Information
- Reading Casino Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Fake online casinos are, unfortunately, still out there. Players are still falling victim to these scams, and to stop that, we’ve put together some top tips to help you protect against online casino scams. This page we will show you how to find blacklisted online casinos and how to best protect yourself against online casino fraud.
Unraveling Online Casino Scams
The world of online casinos can be an exciting place, but it’s also a hunting ground for scammers. Online casino scams are often sophisticated schemes designed to cheat unsuspecting gamblers – and they are often based in countries where it’s hard to take enforcement action, like Russia.
Online casino scams range from offering rigged games, where the outcomes are manipulated against the player, to the use of false advertising to lure in players with promises of bonuses or jackpots that never materialize.
If you’re looking for legal online casinos make sure to check out the list of recommended casinos we have on our site, as all these sites are 100% legal and have been hand-tested by our team.
How to Find Blacklisted Online Casinos
The Internet has revolutionized most industries, including gambling. However, this comes with its own set of challenges, one of the biggest of which has been the rise of fraudulent online casinos. These rogue casinos engage in unethical practices, from denying players their winnings to hosting fake or pirated games. To protect players, several online platforms maintain a list of these blacklisted online casinos.
Blacklisted casinos often have several common characteristics. They might have vague or non-existent licensing, poor customer service, or a history of not paying out winnings. Their terms and conditions might be vague or filled with loopholes that are used to avoid paying out bonuses or prizes. In some cases, these casinos might have even been involved in criminal activities, like money laundering.
To find blacklisted casinos, you can check several reputable websites that maintain updated lists. These websites often provide detailed explanations of why each casino has been blacklisted. Additionally, player forums and reviews can offer firsthand accounts of others’ experiences.
Checking for Legitimate Licensing
In the world of online gambling, finding online casinos with legitimate online gambling licenses is key. When a casino has an online gambling license, it ensures they’re held to strict standards of fairness, safety, and transparency. A licensed casino is an indication that it has passed rigorous checks from a reputable authority, so you can be confident it’s a safe casino to play at.
In virtually every country, safe gambling sites are required, by law, to display their licensing information at the bottom of their homepage. This information usually includes the licensing body and the license number. The most respected authorities include the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner – although now that online gambling is opening up in the US, we’re starting to see individual states issuing licenses with strict enforcement policies.
However, not all licenses are created equal. Some jurisdictions have looser regulations and less stringent standards. That’s why it’s crucial not only to check for the presence of a license but also to verify its origin. Researching the reputation and standards of the licensing body can provide additional peace of mind.
For example, Curacao-licensed casinos are often seen as less trustworthy; the regulator has shown a clear disregard for taking enforcement action against its licensees, and many players choose to avoid Curacao-licensed casinos altogether. Here’s a table of some of the world’s top licensing authorities:
| Regulatory Body | Information |
|---|---|
| UK Gambling Commission | Established in 2005, one of the oldest and most reputable regulators in the industry. Enforces strict regulations for online gambling operators. Focuses on player protection, fair gaming, and preventing criminal activities. |
| Malta Gaming Authority | Regulates one of the largest online gambling markets in the world. Known for its comprehensive licensing process and stringent standards. Provides a robust framework for player protection and responsible gambling. |
| Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner | Offers a highly regarded regulatory framework for online gambling operators. Ensures fair gaming practices and protects player funds. Requires licensees to undergo regular audits and comply with anti-money laundering measures. |
| Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission | Known for its strong commitment to player protection and responsible gambling. Has a rigorous licensing process that includes thorough background checks on operators. Requires regular audits and compliance with strict regulations. |
| Alderney Gambling Control Commission | Regulates a significant number of online gambling operators. Focuses on maintaining high standards of fairness and integrity. Requires operators to adhere to stringent player protection measures and undergo regular audits. |
Looking at the Payment Methods
A legitimate online casino is one that offers a variety of secure, mainstream payment methods. The presence of multiple mainstream payment methods indicates that the casino has been able to secure partnerships with these payment providers – and while it’s not a sure-fire sign that the casino is legitimate, payment providers do blacklist rogue casinos, so it’s something to note.
Spotting fake online casinos can be challenging, but paying attention to payment methods can be a valuable indicator. Fake online casinos often offer a very limited number of payment methods. A lot of the time, this will not include Ewallets and credit or debit cards, with the casino relying on cryptocurrencies, instead.
Another sign to watch out for is the lack of secure payment icons. Trustworthy, legitimate online casinos prioritize the security of financial transactions and display recognized security icons like SSL encryption and secure payment logos. If you don’t see these visual indicators, it may indicate potential red flags to be aware of – although, of course, casinos can simply fake these logos, so it’s another reason why you should never rely on just one thing.
Unusual payment processes can also raise suspicions. Fake online casinos may use offshore payment processors – so if you see charges appearing on your bank statement like this, it’s worth double checking if the online casino you’re playing at is legit.
Researching Casino Scandals
Scandals are an unfortunate reality in the online casino industry. They range from false advertisements and bonuses, delayed payments, changing bonus terms without notice, and even account closures without valid reasons. These incidents harm the reputation of the industry and sow distrust among players.
Before choosing an online casino, we always recommend researching its history and reputation. Look for reviews and ratings on reputable casino review sites. You can also check player forums and social media platforms to see what actual players are saying. If you find that a casino has produced an unusually high number of complaints, it’s a sign to stay away. Instead, choose trusted real money casinos.
Verifying Ownership Information
As we mentioned, transparency is key in the online gambling world – and if you want to avoid rogue online casinos, it’s worth digging into who actually owns a casino. A legitimate online casino will provide clear information about its ownership, including the company name, address, and contact details.
If you come across an online casino that doesn’t provide clear ownership information, it’s wise to proceed with caution. Consider reaching out to the casino’s customer service to ask for more information. If the casino is unwilling to provide this information or the details given seem suspicious, it may be best to look for another casino that values transparency and accountability. You can also usually find ownership information on the casino’s license page.
Reading Casino Reviews
Reviews are an invaluable tool for gauging the reputation of an online casino. They provide firsthand accounts of other players’ experiences, offering insights into the casino’s game selection, customer service, payment processes, and more.
When reading reviews, look for recurring themes. For instance, if multiple reviews mention issues with withdrawing winnings, this could be a sign of a problem. Similarly, if many reviewers praise the casino’s game selection or customer service, this could indicate strengths. Stability and good optimization are also important, especially for sites such as the top live dealer casinos.
However, be wary of gambing operators with an unusually high number of positive comments. This could be the result of a marketing ploy, so we’d recommend reading online casino reviews at trusted websites and forums.
Remember, reviews are just one piece of the puzzle. They should be used in conjunction with other information, like licensing details and payment options, to make an informed decision about whether to play at a particular online casino.
