Top 6 Online Casino Scams: Be Careful

Have you ever seen “Casino” starring Robert De Niro? It shows how the mafia, back in the heyday of the Vegas underworld, conned and scammed gamblers to make billions. Of course, the film is a work of fiction (and heavily exaggerates the concept) but based on real-life scams.

Online scams are not restricted to casinos and gambling sites, and all gambling scams are not exclusive to online sites. Think of it like this – what kind of business does not involve scams? Scammers are everywhere, crouched in anticipation of striking at their unsuspecting prey – you.

We have highlighted six of the most common online casino scams you need to know of.

Deposit Theft

In the early days of the online casino business (from 1990 to the early 2000s), deposit theft was much more common. It is still a problem but less prevalent. What would happen is that you'd come across an “online casino” which isn't one.

You'd put in the money, and poof – it's gone!

Make sure that the casino you're playing in is licensed and abides by all the regulations in the gambling industry. Scammers may still pretend to be the real deal and lure you into their trap. Always check the site’s URL. If something seems odd or amiss, it is probably a fake copy of a genuine site.

Also, ensure that the site is fully functional – try out some of their free demos without depositing money. Most of the scam sites are non-functional except for payment processing.

Some sites can also “steal” your money through unfair odds. Casinos might create unfair odds through rigged games or software manipulation. Casinos may tweak electronic game algorithms, like slots or online games, by adjusting the Random Number Generator (RNG) to decrease player winning chances. Some also falsely advertise attractive odds to lure players but provide different odds or payouts during gameplay.

Withdraw Denial

Say you’re winning big, one victory after the other, and you’ve also hit a couple of jackpots.

You can’t believe your luck!

It only makes sense to deposit some more and expand your winning streak, right?

Let's say you do that, and when you have plenty of money in your account, you would naturally want to withdraw some. That's when it hits you – you can't withdraw! The casino will hit you with one excuse after the other. Long story short, that money is no longer yours.

Sometimes, casinos might do so suddenly – you've never had trouble withdrawing small sums before, but as soon as you go for high stakes and high wins, you get conned. To avoid this, it's best to explore other people's reviews before committing to an online casino.

Bonus Scams

Deposit bonuses and welcome bonuses are real, and legitimate sites often offer such perks to attract new players and keep the existing ones hooked. If you deposit the required sum, the site will match it and throw in some extra spins.

Often, bonus scams in casinos typically involve deceptive practices related to promotional offers and bonuses. While most online casinos offer quick pays legitimate bonuses to attract players, there are instances where scammers exploit these incentives.

Scammers use deceptive tactics in casino bonuses, offering unrealistically attractive deals with hidden conditions. Some run fake casinos that vanish or fail to honour bonuses after player deposits. Withdrawal conditions can be stringent, hindering cashing out winnings. Hidden terms, like game restrictions or identity theft risks, are common in these schemes.

Identity Theft

Your credentials are what define you in the modern age. Armed with the right information, a scammer can clear out your bank balance and destroy your credit rating for good. Never submit your personal information through an unsecured channel! This includes sensitive details such as your full name, address, credit card numbers, and passwords. Avoid sharing personal information through email or non-encrypted websites, as these methods are not secure.

According to a recent statistical report from the USA, one out of three Americans have suffered from identity theft at some point in their lives. Playing only on licensed and SSL-secured online casinos will ensure that your private information stays private. You can verify if a website is SSL-secured by checking for "https://" in the URL and looking for a padlock icon in the address bar of your web browser.

Phishing & Malware

Phishing, as with most of the scams listed here, is not limited to online casinos. Generally, it’s best never to open suspicious emails or links, especially if they advertise bonuses and big rewards – it’s usually a trap.

Be cautious by avoiding generic greetings and emails pressuring immediate action. Hover over links to verify URLs and look for noticeable mistakes in professional standards. Avoid opening unexpected attachments and be skeptical of requests for sensitive information. Verify email addresses for variations and check for security features in legitimate emails.

Also, logging into unscrupulous websites can expose your system;

• Malware
• Ransomware
• Spyware, and so on.
  

To distinguish them, individuals should verify website URLs, ensuring they match the official domain and have secure connections (https://). Additionally, be cautious of websites requesting sensitive information and rely on reputable sources or bookmarks to access known websites.

The scammer’s goal here is either to hold your system hostage until you pay up, or just to spy on your PC and steal your personal information.

Always keep your anti-malware security protocols updated and avoid “fishy” links!

Being Cheated By The Games

The site can also land you in a world of hate with rigged games. This works for online games the same as it does in regular casinos. Games can trap players with near misses. The winning combination was only a breath away, so you give it another go and continue to lose more.

Two decades earlier, online poker games could be rigged very easily. The winning player would usually be an employee of the casino and be in contact with the person dealing the cards. Even today, random outcomes for pokies with instant payouts, dice rolls, card shuffles, and so on may not be all that random.

The best way to avoid all of this is to play at casinos with good reputations and proper licensing.