The online gambling space is high on the rise. It offers convenience, variety, and a cost-effective way to enjoy the land-based casino ambiance without requiring players to be in a physical establishment. The incorporation of advanced technologies such as virtual reality has also helped enhance the experience for gamers.
One major downside to online gambling is that it has created a platform for scammers and fraudsters to entice and rip off unsuspecting gamblers. This article looks to help you spot fake casinos more easily. Here are six red flags to watch out for:
- Scandals
If you hear the name of an online casino come up frequently in scandals, there is a good chance the platform is fake or irresponsible. Note that just because a casino has an actual wagering system with an extensive gaming assortment and a proper interface in place doesn’t mean they are genuine. Some operate legitimately and pay gamers fairly and promptly but try to avoid paying massive wins in jackpot games. It is best to pass through a review site and see what past and current users have to say about your candidate platform to avoid getting robbed this way. If the rating is below 4 stars and there are plenty of negative reviews, do yourself a favor, and get on with your search.
2. Lack of a license
If it is not licensed, it shouldn’t be trusted! Every casino—whether a brick-and-mortar establishment or an online platform—must be licensed to operate. Casinos in Canada usually get their licenses from Kahnawake Gaming Commission and regulators from Central American countries such as Costa Rica and Caribbean nations like Antigua. European casinos, on the other hand, are usually licensed in Gibraltar and Malta. Online casinos should be able to provide proof of licensing on request.
3. Payment and withdrawal speed
Legitimate gambling platforms get their payment and withdrawal systems handled by third parties. The withdrawal process is automated, and money shouldn’t take longer than necessary to get into your account. If you suspect a casino is fake, deposit some money and attempt withdrawing it to see how fast the process goes. The first red flag in your experiment should be the inability to deposit a small amount of money. If that’s possible, but your withdrawal request takes forever to be processed, again, you’re probably dealing with scammers.
4. Withdrawal methods
Established casinos offer virtually all known deposit and withdrawal methods. Fake casinos will try to hold on to your money as much as they can by limiting your withdrawal options. The point of this is to frustrate you and get you to give up the money or continue betting instead of withdrawing.
5. Lack of testing certification
While you can’t solely use testing certification to determine an online casino’s legitimacy, lack of this certification can tell you a lot about a gambling platform. Most casino operators know that fraud is rife in their industry and will do anything to show potential users that they are indeed genuine. Testing certification is typically done by third-party auditors who run millions of simulations to ensure the systems are not calibrated to put users at a disadvantage. Most platforms will provide these certificates on their website for every new gambler to see.
6. Lack of software information
Software information is not something legitimate casino operators see a need to hide. It will be somewhere on their website, displaying the name and details of the software providers and links to their respective sites. If a website doesn’t have sufficient software maker information, pass it up. If it does, check to ensure the makers are credible.
