Whether you are an experienced online gambler or a complete beginner, you need to be careful when it comes to choosing a gaming site. Online casinos have become very popular in recent years and many scammers try to use it. Fraudulent platforms are designed to look like legitimate ones, leaving players confused. However, there are many factors that can help you spot a shady site and avoid it. So, get ready to learn about the most common online casino red flags.
5 online casino red flags to watch out
In this guide, we’ll focus primarily on features that point at shady or fraudulent websites for online gamblers. If you want to know about the factors that ensure the site is good, read how to find a reliable online casino. Now, let’s get started with the top 5 online casino red flags you must keep in mind in order to save your data and money from scammers.
Lack of licensing and regulation
One of the most significant red flags to watch out for when choosing an online casino is the lack of license. All legitimate online casinos are licensed to ensure that they are operating fairly and transparently. On the other hand, scam online casinos don’t have one, making it easy for them to rig their games and steal your information.
When researching online casinos, it’s essential to check if they are regulated by reputable authorities. They may include the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, but the list isn’t limited by these three.
It’s also important to note that some scam casinos may display fake licensing information on their website. To verify their authenticity, it’s best to check the authority on the internet to see whether it exists and has the right to license online casinos.
Unrealistically generous bonuses
Most online casinos offer bonuses and promotions to attract new players and keep existing ones invested into gaming. However, scam casinos often offer unreasonable and unrealistically huge bonuses that are just too good to be true. For example, they may offer a 1000% deposit bonus, which is unheard of in the online casino industry. Therefore, you should take note of the casino’s bonuses and promotions. If an offer seems very generous, it probably is a fake site that tries to attract you with big rewards for signing up and making deposits.
Legal online casinos offer bonuses and promotions too, but they are reasonable. For example, a 100% or a 200% deposit bonus or free spins on selected games are common offers you can see at most top sites. Discover the best online casino bonuses in 2023 to see how real rewards look like.
Poor website design and functionality
Another feature that can point at a shady casino site is poor website design and functionality. Good online casinos invest a significant amount of money and effort into creating a user-friendly and visually appealing website. On the other hand, scam online casinos often have poorly designed websites with broken links and outdated graphics.
When looking for online casinos, take note of their navigation, design, and presence of such features as customer support or responsible gaming rules. Also, check the site for broken links, lags in games and graphics, and overall poor design. If a website looks unprofessional, it’s better to avoid it.
Limited payment options
Online casino red flags include poor choice of payment services. Good websites offer a wide range of payment methods to allow players from different countries and regions to deposit and withdraw freely. On the other hand, scam online casinos often have limited or no payment options, making it difficult for players to send and receive their funds.
Legitimate online casinos offer payment options such as credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. If an online casino has 1-2 payment options or only accepts cryptocurrency, it may be suspicious. Even the biggest crypto-friendly casinos offer standard payment options and at least one fiat currency.
Negative reviews from players
Lastly, it is essential to check the reviews and ratings from real players when looking for good online casinos. The best sites have positive or at least mixed feedback from gamblers, while scam platforms are often blacklisted and have low rates on Google, Yandex, etc. It is also important to check what exactly people like and dislike about casinos. If it has an overall good mark with some minor complaints about the variety of games or slow payouts, it is still a good online casino that has some things to fix.
