Within the last few years, the online casino industry has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its convenience and accessibility allowing players to enjoy their favourite games from the comfort of their own homes. In fact, just last year the global online casino industry managed to achieve a market size of US$63.53 billion.
This newly found interest has allowed the industry to continuously push the limits of innovation including the development of virtual reality games, creating a truly immersive gaming experience for players. It has also managed to spotlight the effects of gambling harm bringing to light the need for stricter regulations.
While online gambling’s new heightened appeal has undoubtedly benefited the industry, it has also unfortunately given rise to numerous scams hoping to trick unsuspecting players out of their money. From bogus bonuses to unfair terms and conditions, we’re breaking down the most common online casino scams to look out for.
As great as that exclusive casino no deposit bonuses may look, it’s important to be aware of possible scams. You need to understand and remember that there are certain operators out there who aren’t as legitimate and thus, whatever they advertise might be a trap to dupe players into thinking they’ve signed up for a great offer
Bogus Bonuses
Unfortunately when it comes to online casino bonuses, not all casinos have players’ best interests at heart. Some online casinos may prey on the naivete of new players by offering them a seemingly attractive first deposit bonus. Generally, a legitimate casino would match your full deposit up to a certain amount, such as matching your deposit 50% up to $100.
While it is quite a common tactic for online casinos to employ bonuses to attract new players to sign up to their platforms, if the bonus appears to look too rewarding then it is best to stay far away. There have been instances whereby fraudulent sites have used bonuses to lure players into making a deposit and then close down shop a week later, disappearing without a trace.
Check Out The T&Cs
An online casino’s terms and conditions are the set of rules and guidelines that govern the use of the platform. They cover a wide range of areas from account registration to game rules and everything in between, giving players a glimpse into how the casino operates. Unfortunately, some casinos may try to sneak in unfair terms and conditions in the hopes that aspiring players would either not read the terms, not understand them or not even notice.
These can include imposing restrictions on players’ ability to withdraw their deposit balance or any of their winnings. Some casinos may also try to enforce weighted wagering requirements, short bonus expiration dates and unrealistic maximum bet sizes, scamming players out of their hard-earned cash. A reliable casino would set out the terms in an easy-to-understand manner to avoid any misinterpretations. As such players should be on the lookout for any misleading language as this could end up costing them in the long run.
Stick To Legit Casinos
A surefire way to avoid falling victim to scams is to stick with casinos that are licensed by reputable and prestigious gaming jurisdictions such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). In order to secure a license casinos need to undergo thorough background checks and third-party assessments to ensure they are safe and legit. In order to keep the license once obtained the casino is required to comply with all relevant gaming laws and regulations. This includes a third-party audit to verify that all games are fair and random.
Licensed casinos are held accountable for any violations that may occur as such failing to follow the relevant gaming laws could subject them to a hefty fine and even risk losing their license. As such players can rest easy knowing they are in good hands when using licensed casinos. However, don’t forget to verify an online casino’s license before signing up for the platform as unfortunately this can also be falsified. This can be done by locating the logo from the licensing body at the bottom of the casino’s homepage. Once clicked it should direct you to the official site of the licensing body. However, if this is not the case then you should stay away.
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