Online casino scams: how to spot fake licenses & rigged games

If you’re reading this article, you may be familiar with online casinos and how they work. You may have won. You may have lost. Either way, it was a fun and exciting experience. You may have researched before playing, or ‘struck lucky’ and picked a genuine casino. However, numerous betting websites have fake licenses; they make money by fixing games. The Dutch Gambling regulator Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) estimates that, as of 2024, around half of player losses in the country could be to unlicensed sites. These scam casinos use hundreds of tricks. To the unsuspecting player, they may seem to be honest, legitimate, and playing by the rules. In reality, they may be systematically cheating players out of deposits, winnings, and any real chance to win. 

Use this guide to spot fake licenses, identify rigged games, and recognize other early warning signs, and take the steps to avoid being scammed.

 

1. Fake casino licenses: How to make sure they are genuine

Licensed casinos follow the regulations imposed by the competent authorities. The authorities enforce local laws and regulations on casinos to ensure that players are treated fairly and protected.

You can always check the licensing information by visiting the licensing authority's official registry. For example, you would enter the name of the operator on the official Curacao eGaming website for Curacao-licensed casinos, UK players can verify through the official database of the UK Gambling Commission, or the Malta Gaming Authority, where the casino is licensed in Malta. Please see our comprehensive guide on how to check a casino license.

 

Being subject to this regulation is a significant factor in maintaining reputation and trust within the market. A genuine casino would proudly display this number, typically at the bottom of the page, where it can be easily recognized. 

It is not uncommon for some casinos to present a fake license. There are several red flags to look out for that could indicate a phony license:

• Blurry or poor images of a "license" 

• Being out of date

• Any license labeled as "Pending" or "Under Review." A legitimate operator operates only with full approval. 

In the same vein, consider licenses issued with caution from countries like Panama and Costa Rica. Not all licenses were created equally. These territories generally offer weaker regulatory oversight compared to other gambling control authorities, and you may not be as protected as you think.

2. Rigged games: How to spot manipulation

Unlicensed or fraudulent casinos will intentionally manipulate games to ensure that players never win. A rigged game involves statistically impossible circumstances, as in being on the losing side for 20 consecutive bets of 50/50 odds in roulette or blackjack. While losing streaks can be real in legitimate gambling, abnormal losing streaks could be a sign that something is amiss. In a fair game of roulette, the chances for the player to lose 20 consecutive red/black (essentially a 50/50 proposition) are about 1 in a million.

Slot machines advertise their bonus frequency, often stating something like "triggers every 100 spins on average." If you've spun 500+ times without seeing the promised bonus feature, something may be wrong. Compare your experience with the game's advertised mechanics in its paytable information.

Online casinos use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to provide fairness and transparency.  Every spin, card draw, and game result should be based on unbiased and truly random numbers, generated without any predictable pattern. The game can only ever be as fair as the RNGs allow it, and it is required of the casino to create results that are as close to truly random as they can. Reputable casinos submit to independent agencies such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) for ongoing testing to prove that their RNGs really do produce fair results.

Go out of your way to verify all certification seals at the bottom of a casino's site against the testing agency that issued them.

 

3. Non-payment of winnings: Test the waters first

Another warning sign of a scam casino is that it takes an unusually long time to process a requested withdrawal. Real online casinos process payouts within 1-3 business days, if not sooner. They utilize well-known payment systems and have clear and transparent withdrawal policies. In contrast, a fake site will delay payment and may even outright refuse to pay.   

As good as it feels to enjoy gaming using real money, first test the casino by playing its games in demo mode. If you observe odd behaviour or win conditions that are just impossible, trust your instincts and never play with real money. 

 

4.  Bonuses and promotions scams: Signs to look for

Bonus offers frequently serve as traps for dishonest casinos. While these are standard in the industry, unrealistically large bonuses, excessive wagering requirements (anything above 60x), or hidden conditions that limit maximum cashouts should raise concerns. Please see our in-depth guide on wagering requirements. Scam casinos may lure you in with large welcome bonuses, high returns, and unlimited free spins. These offers are promoted using online advertisements, spam e-mails, or text messages.  

However, you might find the terms and conditions on these scam casinos are so restrictive that, most of the time, there is no way you can ever exploit the offer or collect anything at all without losing something yourself. These casino scams often result in players losing substantial amounts of money. 

 

5. Poor or non-existent dispute resolution services

Apart from suspicious licenses and rigged games, fraudulent operators employ other tactics. You may encounter hurdles to get customer support; most scam casinos offer only a generic contact form and sometimes no options for live chat or a legitimate email address, often to deter you from resolving disputes. Similarly, they will not provide timescales for resolving issues. 

 

6. Overly positive reviews

Be skeptical of reviews that lack real details, are suspiciously overly positive, and repetitive. If it doesn’t look real, it could be a bot or paid reviewer, rather than a genuine reviewer, that you see consistently posting five-star reviews with identical wording. On the other hand, legitimate casinos will have a mix of both positive and negative reviews, highlighting a more realistic experience for players.  

 

7. VPN and terms of play scams

Be on the lookout for specific messages about using VPNs. Some rogue casinos advertise that they only accept players who use a VPN. As players in countries where gambling is banned mainly use VPNs, this means the casinos are targeting gamblers who aren’t really supposed to be gambling. As a result, these players are less likely to take action against an illegitimate casino and may find their account suspended or winnings withdrawn for using a VPN. Reputable casinos typically prohibit the use of VPNs in their terms and conditions and have detection methods in place to prevent their usage.

 

8. Changing the terms

Even more alarming, however, are operators that change the terms and conditions immediately after players have won a substantial amount, providing them with an excuse to refuse the payout. Save these somewhere or take screenshots. 

 

Local variations in scams

Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region

People in the Middle East and North Africa are 30% more likely to experience scams, mainly because most countries in that region ban gambling, and therefore, VPN use is widespread. There’s also a lack of regional regulation. Fraudulent operators take this opportunity to present fake "localized" casino experiences, sometimes even attributing nonexistent regional licenses. MENA players should even strongly consider gambling with internationally licensed casinos, especially those holding UKGC or MGA licenses, even on a VPN.

US

The U.S. online gambling market operates under strict state-level regulations, with no federal licensing currently in place. Depending on the state, players should verify a casino's credentials with the official gaming commissions, such as those in New Jersey and Michigan. A common scam technique involves poker operators claiming to have a "federal" or "tribal" gambling license that doesn't exist or that doesn't cover online operations.

The European Union and the United Kingdom 

European gambling is highly regulated. The UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority offer some of the best protection for their players. Nonetheless, players need to be more cautious against recent tactics, such as retroactive accusations of "bonus abuse," to retain legitimate winnings. All licensed EU operators must place RTP percentages in full view for the player; for slots, these numbers will always be above 95%.

Asian Markets (excluding China and Japan) 

Since most Asian jurisdictions lack proper online gambling regulation, “local” casinos proliferate there as front companies for rigged games. Operators in the area should look for companies licensed by recognized international authorities such as the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). One all-too-common scam has operators making horrible copies of legitimate casino brands that target the Asian market.

 

How to protect yourself

Protecting yourself from casino scams begins with a bit of research. Before creating an account or making a deposit, search for the casino's name, followed by the words "scam" or "reviews." Check reputable gambling forums and Reddit. These sites often offer a panoramic view of what others have experienced with that particular online casino. Reddit is great for user reviews; it’s harder to fake comments on Reddit than other review sites.

Never be reckless when playing at a new casino. Good advice would be to start small, such as a $10 deposit, to check whether the withdrawal process works. If all goes well, then deposit more. Always use reliable payment methods. Among these are Skrill, Neteller, and credit cards, which offer protection in the event of any disputes. Thus, it provides an additional layer of security, rather than relying solely on cryptocurrency or a direct bank transfer, which are irreversible.

If you think that you have been scammed, begin accumulating evidence immediately. Screenshot your gameplays and winnings, along with any communication between you and the casino, and anything that proves a sudden change of terms and conditions. Such evidence becomes invaluable whenever, in time, one reports the casino to gambling regulators and pursues legal avenues.

At GamblerLawyer, we offer free assistance to victims of online gambling fraud and help them recover lost funds. Complete our short complaint form, and we’ll begin your fight without delay.