‘They take money, but don’t pay out’: why illegal online casinos are risky for players
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1 Jan 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes It sounds exciting. No checks, high bonuses, quick winnings. But for many players, illegal online casinos end in frustration and loss.
What illegal casinos don’t tell you
More and more young players are being lured by advertisements from illegal providers. No KYC, higher RTP, faster payouts. It sounds attractive. But behind those promises lie risks that are rarely discussed.
Take the payouts, for example. Small amounts are often paid out quickly. Until someone actually wins. Then the hassle begins: documents, delays, new rules. Many players never get their money.
If you gamble outside the rules, you bear the risk yourself
‘There are 29 legal online casinos in the Netherlands. Yet a large proportion of the money still goes to illegal providers. These sites pretend to be reliable, but they are unlicensed and unregulated.
‘Anyone who wins there has to declare the tax themselves. Anyone who forgets to do so risks fraud. And that’s not a small risk – it can have consequences for your job or mortgage. Winnings from legal providers are simply tax-free,’ says Floris Assies, ESG & CSR Advocate in iGaming.
Big bonuses sound great, until you read the small print
‘Illegal sites attract players with bonuses that appear to be larger than those offered by licensed casinos. However, in order to ever receive the money, you sometimes have to play dozens of times. Many players are unable to do so. The bonus then turns out to be nothing more than a trap.’
‘And the promised higher RTP is also questionable. As a player, you hardly notice a difference of 1%. And while legal providers are monitored, an illegal site can claim any number it wants. Without proof.’
You’re not just gambling with money, but also with your safety
Without supervision, the risk of addiction is much greater. No limits, no intervention, no warning system. That sounds like freedom, but freedom without restraint often ends in disaster.