Many people have associated Casinos with scamming. They believe that just because they are losing money, they must be getting scammed by the casino. This is not true at all. Most casinos are legit and have games that still favor the players if they know how to play the game correctly.
However, this doesn’t mean all casinos are safe. There are inevitably some people who want to make money by whatever means necessary. Unfortunately, with the emergence of online casinos, this has happened online as well. Let’s go over some of the most common scams both in online and physical casinos.
ONLINE CASINO SCAMS
Gambling has taken the online world by storm. Now, players can gamble in the comfort of their own home. Scammers have taken notice and begun scamming people in ways that were previously only available online.
1. FAKE CASINOS
The most common scams you will find in online casinos are fake casinos. These are casino websites that look real but are actually completely fake or clones of legit casinos. These can be designed to steal information or have rigged games that don’t pay out.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
The best way to avoid playing at a fake casino is by making sure you are on the correct site. Research the casino and read reviews to ensure you are playing on the real website.
2. BONUS AND PROMOTION SCAMS
Another common scam is the bonus and promotion scam. The casinos offer bonuses that sound amazing and have tons of free spins. When the player tries to cash out on these bonuses, they are unable to use them. They may try to contact support only to hear that they have broken a specific term or policy that disqualifies them.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
The best way to avoid this kind of scam is to carefully read the terms and conditions. Some casinos will have hidden terms and conditions in order to use your bonus. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. PHISHING
Phishing scams are also a part of some fake casinos. They will try to steal sensitive information in order to gain access to your personal accounts. They might ask for sensitive information during sign-up or send you emails that trick you into giving them your information. Scammers can then use this information for fraud and identity theft.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
The best way to avoid this type of scam is to never upload sensitive information on a random website. Be wary of any unknown emails that may look legit. Most websites will never ask you to provide sensitive information. If they do, make sure there is an SSL payment encryption, or make sure they take reputable payment options such as Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.
4. NO CASH OUT
Imagine you are playing a game, and you end up winning. When you try to withdraw your money, they don’t allow it, or worse, they remove it from your balance. This can often happen with scam casinos. They may say you violated the terms or policies and are not eligible to recover your winnings.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
In order to avoid this scan, you need to be sure you have read all the terms and conditions. It is perfectly fine to message the casino beforehand and ask questions so you can be sure you are not violating any policies.
5. RIGGED GAMES
This is one of the worst online scams because it is very hard to detect. An online casino might seem legit, but they can actually rig their games. They can create fake algorithms that reduce players’ chances of winning and have higher odds of the house winning.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
You should always check for licenses and certifications from the relevant authority. A legit casino should have this information available for you to find. Also, read reviews from reputable casino review sites that will often test the game fairness of these casinos.
PHYSICAL CASINO SCAMS
Online casinos are not the only ones at risk of scammers taking advantage of players. While it is much more difficult, some physical casinos can also be at risk. This is not as common in bigger casinos, but it can still happen, so it is good to be vigilant. This can be a player scamming the casino or vice versa.
6. RIGGED GAMES
As we mentioned, this is rare in large casinos since the security and standards are very strict, but it can happen that someone rigs a game. This can be either by a player rigging a machine or a game to pay out more or by a worker rigging it in the casino’s favor. This lessens your odds of winning any money at the casino.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
To avoid this, it is best to play in reputable casinos. They usually undergo frequent inspections to ensure everything is fair for both players and the house. Keep an eye out for unusual patterns of winning or losing.
7. COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY
If you’ve ever played in a casino, then you know that they usually don’t use real currency. They prefer to use chips from their own casino. However, scammers have found ways to manufacture counterfeit chips that look just like the real thing. During a busy moment, it can be difficult for staff to distinguish the fake chips from real ones. If you are given counterfeit chips, you could face legal trouble and also lose out on money you should have won.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
Many casinos have gotten better with the security of their chips, adding RFID technology or UV markings. You should try to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of the real chips in order to avoid potentially using fake ones.
8. CHIP THEFT
This is a scam that can happen even at large reputable casinos. During a moment when you are not paying attention, someone can steal some of your chips. Scammers have gotten very good at this, and they can steal from you without you even noticing, the same way pickpockets can.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
The best way to avoid this is to always be vigilant and keep an eye on your chips. Don’t leave them unattended or give them to anybody who is not a staff member.
9. SLEIGHT OF HAND
The famous sleight of hand is another way scammers can get you in a casino. They can use quick hand movements to manipulate things in their favor. This can include swapping lower-value chips for higher-value chips, stealing chips, or, in rare cases, even manipulating card outcomes.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
The best way to avoid this is to pay attention. While you’re gambling, you might be drinking alcohol or get distracted chatting with friends. You should still remain vigilant and pay attention to everything around you. If you notice something fishy, you can reach out to a member of security or staff.
10. PLAYERS IN CAHOOTS
This is a scam when two players are working together to win against the house. This has become increasingly more difficult to accomplish, but it still happens. They can give each other subtle hints that will give them information about their hand or information about a specific strategy. This also means that they are winning against you as a player. This can happen in games such as Blackjack or Baccarat.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
Keep an eye out for players who are having strange interactions. They may make subtle hand gestures or facial expressions to each other. If they keep winning a disproportionate amount of time, it may be a sign they are working together.
11. DEALER IN CAHOOTS
This is similar to the scenario above but with a dealer and a player. A dealer could give subtle hints to another player about the outcome of the deal. Or they may give a certain player an advantage so they can win more often, and then they will split the profit with the dealer helping them.
HOW TO AVOID IT?
To avoid this, play at casinos that have strict hiring policies. Also, be vigilant and look for subtle clues that could indicate a scam happening. Report anything you suspect to casino management.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As we mentioned, not all casinos are like this, and it has become rarer. It can still happen, but it is important to do your due diligence. Research the casino on a reputable casino review site, whether physical or online, and read real customer reviews. If you do suspect that something may be wrong, report it to casino management and get as far away from the casino as you can.
If you’re looking for more reputable casinos, check out our best real-money casinos.
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