Online Casino Scams: Red Flags to Watch Out For

Did you know? The UKGC suspended tens of dodgy casino sites in the last year alone. And that’s just the ones that got caught. Just imagine how many are still out there.

I’ve been in the industry for over 8 years, and not to brag, but I do know a shady casino when I see one. From one player to another: not all casinos play fair. In fact, some are real online casino scams dressed up all fancy with flashy bonuses, waiting for someone to get trapped. And with so many new platforms launching all the time, it’s way trickier to stay safe from the bad guys.

Stay tuned if you wanna know how to spot the classy scam tactics (what dodgy operators don’t want you to know), how to stay one step ahead, and what to watch out for.

You’ll leave this article knowing exactly what you should look for.

Not All That Glitters Is Gold: What Are Online Casino Scams?

Simply put, an online casino scam is a sneaky setup designed to lure you in and nick your cash or personal info under the mask of a “legit” casino. Know what I mean?

You see, these shady sites may look the part – all those cool design features and catchy bonus offers. But in reality, they’re all smoke and mirrors.

Now, what actually hides behind all that glitter? Rigged games, too-good-to-be-true bonuses, or fake payments, to name a few. And trust me, everything may look as fair as possible until you’re left high and dry when you try to cash out or simply play fair.

Why care (besides losing your cash)? Falling for online casino scams will also cost your personal info getting leaked, identity theft, or even fraud. Doesn’t sound good, yeah? I’ve had my fair share of unpleasant experiences with casino scams, back in the day when I was a newbie. And trust me, the frustration of dealing with such scams will give you headaches.

That’s why I’ll tell you today something I wish I’d been told back then on how to spot the most common online casino scams in a few seconds, and the red flags to watch out for.

10 Red Flags That Should Have You Looking for an Exit

First off, are online casino scams the same as rigged casinos? Frankly, they’re close, but not the same thing. Rigged casinos are mostly about the games – fake games, unfair RNGs, no game audits, and maybe small wins to keep you playing; all this while the casino may look pretty legit.

At the same time, online casino scams mean the whole operation is a trap, from no real games to constantly delayed payouts, fake licensing, and so on.

Read on for a list of the top 10 red flags to watch out for if you wanna spot online casino scams.

#1 Missing or Fake Licensing

Take my word for granted, fellas, legit casinos are proud of their licenses and will always display them in the most visible place. I’m talking UKGC or MGA licenses.

Shady sites? Not so much. They’ll either hide the info or, worse, display fakes with tricky logos. That’s a huge red flag.

What should you do? Double-check license numbers.

#2 Big Bonus Promises

Sure, a legit casino can have crazy bonuses, BUT with reasonable wagering requirements and deals that look real.

I’ve seen offers like “1,000% match bonus”. I mean, really? Anyone knows it’s a scam. Dig into the T&Cs, and you’ll find super-high wagering requirements or withdrawal limits that sound like a nightmare.

The golden rule: If it sounds too good to be true, it most probably is.

#3 Dodgy Payout Tactics

If you don’t see trusted payment options like Credit/Debit Cards, PayPal, or even crypto, but instead, the casino offers a range of untraceable methods, run.

Ain’t nobody in the mood to risk their cash when deposits will most probably vanish in a few seconds. Or, you could never see your payout take place. It’s either of the options.

#4 Sneaky Terms and Conditions

Ever read a casino’s T&Cs? You’d better start. And if you feel like you need a law degree to understand anything, it’s no coincidence. Shady casinos are pros at hiding their real terms under fancy words.

You won’t even know you agreed to unreasonably high wagering requirements when claiming a bonus.

Always (I mean it) read the fine print. Even if it seems to be a legit casino, when something feels off, walk away.

#5 Cashouts That Never Reach You

Been there.

When the casino keeps delaying your withdrawals, or even worse, denies ‘em, time to look for another, legit casino. It’s the classy scheme. So, if you’re facing constant excuses, get out.

#6 Support That Ghosts You

If you’re stuck with a chatbot (if there is one at all) that won’t answer basic questions, you should know it’s no good.

Reliable platforms will always assist you with any problem and offer a responsive, most importantly, human support.

#7 Suspicious Games From Unknown Providers

You see, regulated casinos team up with reputable developers only. Plus, they get their games regularly audited. So, yeah, one of the biggest casino scams is rigged games (the odds are stacked against you on purpose).

#8 Aggressive Marketing

This one’s screaming behind the scenes: “someone’s getting scammed.”

If you feel attacked by pop-ups or unsolicited emails with all those big wins, it’s all cuz they wanna lure you in. Trust me, no legit casino will use such measures to get your attention.

#9 Negative Player Feedback

Sure, no casino is perfect. But if the real players’ reviews are literally telling you about delayed payments, unfair gameplay, and poor support, maybe you should take a moment to think this through.

#10 No Responsible Gambling

You may think it’s boring, but I’ll tell you that this is a real thing at legit casinos. It means you can trust it. If you don’t see any responsible gambling tools or links to special organisations, better stay out.

Think You’ve Been Scammed? Here’s What You Can Do

Just in case, here’s what you’ll do: stop depositing immediately, take screenshots for evidence, and contact your payment provider or bank.

Plus, report the scam casino, depending on where you are (the UK Gambling Commission for UK players). This way, you’ll keep other fellow players from getting scammed. And don’t forget to warn others. C’mon, there are so many forums online.

Bottom line: If an online casino feels like a scam, it most probably is.