How do online casino scams work?
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28 Nov 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes Every day, thousands of players are lured by promises of quick and easy winnings on the Internet. But behind these tempting offers often lie sophisticated scams – well-oiled traps designed to make you lose far more than your initial stake.
The lure of winning: huge bonuses and misleading advertising
One of the first signs of danger is the sudden appearance of an advertisement on social networks boasting a spectacular welcome bonus or the promise of guaranteed winnings. In a recent warning thread, one user describes how he was lured in by an exceptional bonus offered on registration – a classic ploy by fraudulent casinos.
These adverts, often supported by the mention of the backing of a celebrity or prestigious brand, offer the illusion of a serious and credible platform. The aim is clear: to get users to sign up quickly, without them taking the time to check the site’s legitimacy.
As soon as they sign up, players are immediately invited to try out the games. Very often, they win quite easily. But this apparent generosity has only one aim: to create a false sense of trust. In reality, the platform’s software is manipulated: the rate of return to the player (RTP) is artificially high to ensure that the first few games are winning.
In this way, players think they are in control of their luck and can cash in their winnings. But it’s all a mirage built on biased programming. Honest casinos rely on independent chance generators, often certified by recognised bodies – but in the case of fraudulent casinos, this principle of fairness is violated.
Withdrawal impossible
The key moment comes when the player tries to withdraw his winnings. This is where things get complicated. As several testimonials report, the site often demands an additional deposit – sometimes several hundred euros – before validating the withdrawal.
In other cases, the site invokes pretexts: maintenance, account verification, missing documents, etc. Then, quite simply, the account is closed. Then, quite simply, the account is closed, without explanation, and the money disappears.
This type of scam is sometimes referred to as deposit scam: the aim is not to allow players to win, but to encourage them to deposit more and more, before cutting them off.
Fake casinos, identity theft and mirror sites
In some cases, fraudsters go even further: they imitate legitimate casinos, using their logos, graphics and sometimes even similar names or domains – all with the aim of deceiving as many victims as possible. This phenomenon of impersonation often targets well-known or respectable casinos, in order to capitalise on their reputation.
Best practices to protect yourself
In the face of these dangers, simple reflexes can greatly reduce the risks. Firstly, check that the casino has an official licence issued by the Belgian Gaming Commission. The absence of a licence, or a dubious foreign licence, is a major warning sign.
Next, examine the bonuses on offer – if they are too generous, read the terms and conditions carefully: disproportionate wagering requirements, low winnings ceilings and hidden conditions may indicate a scam.
Also check whether the site offers responsible gambling tools, accessible customer service and clear information on withdrawals, payments and data security. The absence of these elements is another warning sign.
Finally, check out player reviews, forums and feedback – but beware of overly glowing or advertising reviews, which are often linked to affiliations or false testimonials.
The world of online casinos is full of illusions – jackpots, quick wins, generous bonuses – but all too often these promises are just bait. Scams are real and multi-faceted, and they exploit players’ desire to win and their curiosity. But by keeping a cool head, asking around, checking licences, reading terms and conditions and seeking out testimonials from other players, anyone can avoid the trap. As the many warnings on Reddit and elsewhere have shown: if a casino seems too good to be true, chances are it is.