The Dark Side of Bonuses: Casino Bonus Frauds and Scams

2023-11-29

Casinos are more popular than ever, with growing interest in online casinos in this digital age. Punters can now enjoy their favorite casino games on their computers and mobile devices. With this increase in interest in this form of entertainment comes a dark side. 

Bonus scams, fake promo promises, and exaggerated potential winnings are ways some casino bonus frauds cause unsuspecting new players to lose their cash. In this article, we explore red flags to look out for and ways to avoid falling for these casino scams.

How to Spot Red Flags 

Online scams come in different ways and forms; scammers are always changing and trying new scams. Here are some ways to spot red flags before joining an online casino:

Casino Without License

Every reputable online casino must have a license and be regulated by a trusted body. A lack of license is a complete red flag. This is because scammers do not have the time to undergo the strict process of getting a license and being regulated. You should also check if the licensing claim of an online casino is true. This is an important thing to do before making a deposit. 

Unrealistic Bonus and Promo Offering 

This is the most common red flag. Scam casinos offer bonuses to new players, promising they will win a lot of money, which is a lie. In many cases, they are either not able to withdraw, or the bonuses are tied to impossible wagering requirements. Players should always keep their eye on bonus offerings; when it sounds too good to be true, it likely isn’t.

Vague Terms & Conditions

Legit online casinos always provide clear and concise terms & conditions. They ensure all information relating to the bonus, such as limits and wagering requirements, is clearly stated in correct and simple English.

Scams, however, love to keep things unclear and uncertain. The idea is to confuse the players so they do not even understand how the bonus works. Some of these casinos write their terms & conditions in unclear English, with bad grammar, or could change the conditions regularly. All of this is to make it impossible to access your money.

Unsecure Website Connections

When a website connection is unsecured, players will notice there is no lock sign next to the https instead, they get http. This is dangerous, it means your communication with this website is unsecured, and your personal or financial details can be stolen. A legit online casino will use encryption technology to protect your data.

Poor Customer Support Team

A good online casino will always ensure their customer support is of high quality. Scam casinos simply do not care hence providing unprofessional or little support. This means if you run into an issue, you likely will not get anyone to help you.

Holding back or Delaying Payment

Withdrawal issues are one way to identify scam casinos; they do not like making payouts. When a casino always has multiple withdrawal problems causing payment to be held back or delayed, they are likely a scam.

Rigged Games

Scam casinos use rigged games to fool new players into getting comfortable with easy winnings. However, they control their software, deciding if you will win or lose. Legitimate online casinos are fair. They undergo regular audits from independent audit companies who test if the games they offer are truly random in results.

False Ratings & Reviews

Scam casinos are aware the first place users go to check if they are legit is on the internet. To stay one step ahead, they can flood the internet with fake reviews and positive ratings to entice players. Always confirm information sources and visit unbiased gambling forums.

Protecting Your Investments

  1. Always carry out research when you see a new casino with tempting bonuses and promotions.
  2. Read the terms & conditions carefully. Ensure it has enough clarity and it makes sense.
  3. Only gamble money you can afford to lose.
  4. Always reach out to customer support before you join or claim a bonus, to know the quality of support they offer.
  5. Read online casino reviews, guides, and blogs. This will help you stay informed.

Look Before You Leap: If it’s Too Good to be True it’s Likely not

With so many tempting but fraudulent bonus offers out there, players need to be vigilant about verifying promotions before jumping in. One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting accurate information is to cross-reference the offers on professional review sites like CazinoExpert.

These sites regularly post updated lists of all the top promotional offers available at the moment, along with any applicable bonus codes or terms. CazinoExpert’s dedicated team thoroughly vets and tests each bonus themselves, so you can trust that what you see advertised has been confirmed as legitimate.

Especially when dealing with enticing welcome bonuses or reload deals, it pays to double-check the details before grabbing that bonus code. This simple extra step could save you time, money, and major headaches by helping spot any red flags or potential scams upfront.