With thousands of online casinos available to players, knowing how to spot a dodgy platform can be the difference between winning and losing all your money. Many of these platforms are reputable, secure, and licensed by legitimate authorities, but there are as many fraudulent sites looking to scam players out of their money.
Most suspicious or unsafe online casinos have the same six red flags in common that make it clear that you would be better off avoiding the platform altogether.
1. No Licensing Information
One of the biggest red flags that an iGaming platform is a scam is if it lacks a licence from a well-known regulatory body. Before you create an account, visit the casino’s “About” page or scour the footer to see if there is any licensing information.
Reputable licensing authorities include:
- UK Gambling Commission
- Curacao Gaming Control Board
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
These authorities provide regulatory oversight, and casinos must comply with standards and regular audits to maintain their licenses. This is to ensure responsible gambling, fair play, and user protection.
2. Not Prioritizing User Safety
Casinos that don’t prioritize player safety and secure transactions may be involved in nefarious activities like money laundering or identity theft. Look for the “https://” or lock icon in the website URL to ensure the site uses data encryption.
Reputable sites will use software that protects player and payment information. PokerStrategy US highlights platforms that put players first by using Inclave technology, a management tool that ensures data protection. If these kinds of systems are lacking on a casino platform, and there is no information on how data is stored and used, it is best to avoid the site.
3. Confusing Terms and Conditions
Reading the terms and conditions of any website can be a chore, but it is a vital step before providing your personal information and bank details to any casino platform. Reputable sites will have clear Ts&Cs that say exactly how to deposit and withdraw, what the limits are, how bonuses can be claimed, and how your data is stored.
Suspicious sites often do have terms and conditions available, but they use jargon and terminology that is difficult to understand. Reading these policies can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
Take care to read the withdrawal requirements as well as bonus mandates to ensure the casino has no hidden fees.
4. Unresponsive Customer Support
Customer support is an essential part of any online casino. Players often have queries or concerns regarding transactions, and a responsive customer support team will be on standby to alleviate any fears and provide clear feedback.
Platforms lacking the most common types of customer support, including chat, email, and phone, are more likely to be fraudulent as they don’t have any concern for their users and will have an overall bad customer support offering.
It is best to check the responsiveness of a site’s customer support before registering. Send an email or try to chat via the messenger feature to see how responsive the replies are, and whether they’re willing to resolve concerns.
5. Negative User Reviews
Multiple negative user reviews are a red flag that can’t be ignored. Most people are quick to report a negative experience to make others aware of their situation. Read reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and casino forums to get a well-rounded idea of the platform’s reputation.
Of course, even a licensed casino will get bad feedback occasionally, but the red flag is if almost all the reviews are highly negative, complaining about withdrawals, customer service, and unclear policies.
6. Lack Of Popular Payment Options
Most casinos will offer multiple payment options for deposits and withdrawals, as well as innovative new methods. This can include bank transfers, credit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and cryptocurrencies. Sites that have a variety of payment methods put the players’ needs first and value secure transactions.
Casinos that have only one or two payment methods, or that redirect to third-party payment platforms that you’ve never heard of, are more likely to disappear with your finances.
Wrapping Up
Trying to find your preferred online casino can feel overwhelming when each platform tries to lure you in with enticing bonuses and promises of an exciting gambling experience. That makes it all the more important to know which red flags to look out for to avoid a dodgy website.
The first step is to review the platform’s licensing situation, and then check for the other five warning signs discussed above. It is worth it to do your research before providing any personal information, as data theft and financial fraud can occur.
