How to Tell if an Online Casino is a Scam 

 Online gaming has made fun and convenience easier than ever before.  There are a lot of casinos on the internet now, but not all of them are safe.  There are, however, scam and rogue casinos out there. If you're not careful, you could lose money, have your personal information stolen, or not be able to cash out your winnings.

 Anyone who plays online should know how to spot and stay away from fake online casinos.  This guide will show you the most important warning signs, give you useful advice on how to be safe, and show you how to check if an online casino is real.

 Why There Are Scam Casinos
 To run an online casino, the operator and the player need to trust each other a lot.  You are giving a digital-only site your personal information, banking information, and money.  Scam casinos take advantage of this confidence by offering games that are rigged, delaying or refusing withdrawals, or just disappearing without warning.

 These sites could look genuine, offer big bonuses, or even use real casino names, but they are really set up to scam gamers.

 Signs that a casino is a scam
 If you see any of the following indicators at an online casino, be careful or stay away from it altogether.

 1. No License or Regulation That Works
 A recognised regulatory body must give a licence to every online casino that is legal.  Scam sites often don't go through this process at all or utilise bogus licenses.

 Signs of trouble:

 There is no information about licenses on the website.

 We don't know who the licensing authority is or how to find them.

 Claims of being "certified" without any proof that they are

 Safe practice:  You should only play in casinos that have been given permission by the government, such as:

 The UK Gambling Commission

 The Malta Gaming Authority

 The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

 Curaçao eGaming (note: not as good as other sites, but still better than nothing)

 2. Bonuses and deals that aren't real
 It's likely that something is too wonderful to be true.  Scam casinos offer huge incentives, such a 500% match or infinite free spins, but often have hidden or unattainable limitations.

 Be on the lookout for:

 Terms and conditions that are unclear or missing

 Very high betting limits (like 100 times your bonus)

 "Guaranteed winnings" or "risk-free gambling" promises

 3. Withdrawals that are late or not allowed
 One of the most typical things people say about rogue casinos is that they make it very hard—or even refuse—to let you take your money out.

 Some things to look out for are:

 Repeated requests for proof of identity

 Closing accounts at random before payouts

 Accusations that you broke the rules for bonuses (with no proof)

 Tip: Check out player reviews on sites like AskGamblers or Trustpilot that aren't run by the casino itself.  A pattern of late withdrawals is a big red flag.

 4. No help for customers or service that doesn't respond
 Real casinos have customer service that is easy to reach by phone, email, or live chat.  On the other hand, scam casinos might not offer any help at all, or they might only answer when it's convenient for them.

 Stay away from casinos that:

 Give merely an email address and don't respond

 Have broken live chat functions

 Don't answer questions in a reasonable amount of time

 5. Games that are rigged or can't be checked
 Scam casinos might utilise software that hasn't been tested or isn't allowed to host games that don't provide players a fair chance to win.

 How to tell if this is true:

 Games from software companies that aren't well-known or that seem shady

 There is no certification from independent auditors like eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or GLI.

 No information on the percentages of Return to Player (RTP)

 Stick to casinos that work with well-known game makers like NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, or Evolution.

 How to Make Sure an Online Casino Is Real
 Check this list to make sure a casino is safe:

 Look at the licence:  Check the licence number with the person or group that gave it to you.

 Look for seals from third parties. Certifications from auditing agencies like eCOGRA show that the game is fair.

 Look over the privacy policy:  Make sure your data is safe by using encryption and making sure the casino follows data protection rules.

 Before you put money down, send a message to customer service to test their help.  Find out how quickly and professionally they respond.

 Look for complaints: Check out gambling forums and review sites to discover whether other players have had bad experiences.

 If you've been scammed, here's what to do.
 If you think an online casino has cheated you, do these things right away:

 Stop putting money in and playing.

 Write down everything:  Take screenshots of your emails, chats, account balance, and terms of service.

 Make a complaint:  If the casino has a licence, tell the licensing body about it.

 Get in touch with your bank or payment service:  Ask about getting the charges back or stopping more transactions.

 Tell other people: Write honest evaluations on gambling forums or watchdog sites to keep other people from getting duped.

 How to Stay Safe in the Future
 Only play at casinos that are licensed and have been evaluated.

 Before accepting any offer, read the terms of the bonus.

 Take out money early and often.  Don't leave your profits in your casino account.

 Set limits: Use safe gaming tools and stay inside your budget.

 Instead of sending money to unknown accounts, use safe payment options like e-wallets or trusted cards.

 Last Thoughts
 Online gambling is fun and easy, but it can also be dangerous, especially when it comes to dishonest operators.  You may stay safe and have a better gaming experience by learning the indications of a scam and staying up to date.

 Follow your gut, do your research, and never bet on a site that makes you feel uneasy.  Taking a few minutes to be careful now can save you a lot of time, money, and stress later.