All about gaming fraud and scams
Unfortunately, casino fraud still occurs at both online and offline casinos. The fraudsters use devious methods to obtain money illegally. This can be done by the casino itself, but often it is the players who try to cheat other players or the casino itself.
Casino fraud is, of course, ethically incorrect and can cause a great deal of financial damage, which is why it is important for all parties to keep the online and offline casinos as honest and trustworthy as possible.
We have looked at the different forms of casino fraud that are common. We have done this so that you, the honest player, can recognise illegal casinos or scammers – hopefully before you become a victim yourself.
Table of Contents
Fraude in online casino’s
Unfortunately, committing casino fraud at online casinos is often even easier than at offline casinos. This is mainly because the fraudsters do not have to go to the casino itself to embezzle money, but can attack an online casino and its registered players from their computer anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, the other way around, online casinos themselves often turn out to be fraudsters. Below we have listed some common ways of committing casino fraud by category.
Cheating by the player
Phishing
Online casino fraud by other players or individuals usually takes the form of phishing. The fraudsters do this by, for example, sending a fake email. This will ask registered players to verify his or her password or to log in to an external site with the same login details as those used at an online casino. The fraudsters often do this by promising extra bonuses or, for example, free spins or bets in the phishing e-mails. It is also possible that a virus steals the login data. It is therefore important to check carefully where an e-mail comes from and only open messages from reliable senders.
Playing together and hacking
In addition, other players at an online casino can play together and cause you to lose money. This, of course, only happens with table games, such as poker, in an online (live) casino. In these games, the crooks make sure they know what cards the other player has so that they have a greater chance of winning your bet. There are also plenty of stories of hackers taking over accounts and stealing the money in them. In addition, hackers can attack the casinos themselves and get hold of large amounts of money. However, due to the excellent security at legal online casinos, this is almost non-existent.
Matchfixing
Of course, online betting on sport at a casino is also subject to scams. This is usually in the form of match-fixing. The fraudsters often do this in groups. They buy players, clubs or referees to make certain things happen in the match. Several members of the group then place their bets so that the high stakes are not immediately noticed by the online casino.
Casino fraud
Non-payment and false conditions
Online casino fraud by the casino itself is often caused by the casinos not paying out players’ winnings or not giving out promised bonuses, for example. Sometimes online casinos do this in a very sophisticated way by pointing out unclear rules in the terms and conditions that you must sign before you can create an account at the site in question. As a gambler, you are led to believe that it is all right and that it is all your own fault. Another common problem is the lack of customer service and the offering of malicious software that steals data from your computer.
Websites with changing names
Casino fraud by online casinos is a form that can be quite difficult to root out. Websites can quickly be taken down and their names and logos changed when the authorities track them down. In addition, it can be difficult to find out which people are behind a website. Especially when it comes to depositing money and making payouts, things often go wrong with these kinds of illegal providers. At that point, it is often too late for a gambler to get out without a loss.
Preventing online casino fraud
To avoid casino fraud by other players, you should be alert to the emails you receive. Scammers will do their best to make the email messages resemble those of the online casino where you are registered. However, online casinos will never ask for your login details and you should never enter them anywhere except on the casino site itself. If you don’t know the sender of an email, you shouldn’t open it.
Preventing casino fraud, when fraudsters work together to win from you, is extremely difficult. However, if you suspect foul play, you should inform the online casino where you are playing. Further investigation can then be carried out.
The best way to prevent casino fraud is to check which online casino you’re going to sign up at. Reliable and fair online casinos, without exception, have the necessary licenses. When these are issued by countries within the EU you can be sure that they are trustworthy. Moreover, the licenses can be found on the website of the gaming authority of the country in question. It is advisable to find this out before you sign up. In addition, finding reviews of other players of an online casino is useful. This gives an indication of the reliability. For example, if there are no reviews, chances are the casino is a scammer that just started or has adopted a new name.
When you’re at a safe and fair online casino, the chances of your account being hacked are also considerably lower. This is because these companies have their online security in order. In addition, good online casinos often have sensors that can detect scammers. For example, they keep an eye on the reaction time and the mouse clicks. If any abnormal patterns are found, the suspicious players can be banned from the online casino. All this of course to protect you as an honest player as much as possible. So the best way to prevent online casino fraud is to only play at reputable online casinos.
Match-fixing is yet another branch of fraud. Online casinos themselves can do little more than freeze suspected accounts and report suspicions to the Justice Department. Especially since this form of casino fraud is often linked to gangs, it is important for the relevant national and international authorities to tackle this.
Fraud in offline casinos
Unfortunately, casino fraud occurs at offline casinos as well, also known as land-based casinos. In the case of scammers who play themselves, the casino is often the victim, but it is also possible that they scam you as an honest casino visitor. This way of committing casino fraud is often completely different from online casinos, but by being well aware of the methods used by fraudsters you may be able to prevent it. Below we will discuss the most common ways that other players cheat and defraud the casino or their fellow players, per popular casino game. Then we will discuss the more common methods land-based casinos use to cheat players. We conclude with tips to prevent offline casino fraud.
Cheating by the player
Roulette scams
The most common roulette cheats are those players who bet too late. They try to move their chips when it is already clear where the ball will end up. In a good casino, the croupier will keep a sharp eye on the playing field and also remember where all players have placed their bets. The video surveillance can always provide a way out in case of doubt. Simply stealing chips is also more common than you might think. This is done mainly by crooks working in pairs or with even more people. One of them provides the distraction while the other makes off with the chips.
Blackjack scam
Thanks to the frequent use of this method in films and books, for example, card counting is the best known method of blackjack fraud. Opinions are divided on whether card counting should be considered illegal. The fact is that by far most casinos will expel players who count cards at blackjack. This is because card counters can greatly reduce the house edge of the casino and make a lot of money. By the way, using multiple decks makes card counting extremely difficult these days in a land-based casino.
Another way in which blackjack players cheat the casino is by marking the cards. They do this, for example, by making a small fold in the card or by putting a small symbol on it with a pen. These markings are fortunately very difficult, since players normally do not have the opportunity to touch the cards so extensively while playing.
Poker scam
Scams involving poker are almost exclusively aimed at fellow players. This is because it is one of the few casino games in which the casino itself does not play, but only acts as a game master. The easiest way for people to cheat at poker is by cheating, or by working together with several people at the table. By knowing who has what cards, cheaters naturally know which actions yield the most profit. In addition, card counting is also involved in playing poker. This casino game is even more difficult than blackjack, because not all cards that are dealt are shown to the participants.
Slot machine scam
Slot machines can be hacked by players so that they pay out high winnings when they start playing them. The clever cheaters can do this, for example, by analysing the game pattern and cracking the Random Number Generator. Once they have done this, they know at what point they need to make a spin to have a great chance of winning. This is because many of the Random Number Generators are linked to time. When the hackers have reverse-engineered the algorithm of the RNG, they can win a lot of money playing the slot machine.
Other known ways to cheat at slot machines are by copying the tokens used at the casinos, and there are stories of players literally breaking open the cabinet and quickly replacing the chip, thus making a lot of profit. Furthermore, with old-fashioned slot machines it is possible to adjust the mechanics, but this is no longer possible with modern software-based machines.
Baccarat fraude
In baccarat, casino fraud by players is quite difficult. This is partly because it is a relatively simple game where players can only place one bet at the beginning. Furthermore, the croupier is in charge. Cheating is possible by secretly moving the bet when the outcome of the game has already been decided. This is usually not possible at a good and legal landbased casino, because the employees keep a close eye on it. Marking cards or so-called edge sorting also occurs occasionally in baccarat. Edge sorting is cheating by remembering certain characteristics of a card. For example, if a card has a fold in it, or the cards have a slightly different back, fraudsters can remember this and take advantage of it.
Casino fraud
Malafide casino’s
When it is the casinos themselves that are defrauding players, these are often rogue and illegal casinos or gambling houses. Those that have a valid licence are subject to strict controls and must fulfil many conditions in order to stay open at all. Casinos that operate illegally do not have to abide by the requirements of the government in the country in question and can defraud players in hundreds of ways. Often this starts with charging a high entrance fee and ends with the gamblers who enter losing their money or not receiving their winnings.
Malafide croupiers
Apart from the illegal and rogue casinos, some croupiers may of course be breaking the law, even though they work at a legal and normally safe casino. There are many ways to do this. Sticking cards to cronies who are participating in the table game is obviously a possibility. In addition, they may mark cards for their accomplices or simply pay out more chips than they should. The croupiers can also turn a blind eye when their henchmen move chips around. Although it may sound as if it is very easy for croupiers to cheat, in practice it is fortunately not. There is a great deal of peer control, video surveillance and excellent screening before croupiers are hired.
Illegal software
Another way in which casinos can commit fraud is by using rigged software. They replace the software in, for example, the video slot machines and the electronic roulette with software with a lower payout percentage. This way the casino simply has to pay out less profit. However, this is regularly checked by the gaming authority.
Preventing offline casino fraud
In the above paragraphs, we have gone through the different types of player scams for the most popular land-based casino games. By remembering these ways of committing casino fraud, you will hopefully be able to recognize them quickly when they happen to you. In most cases, it is helpful to inform the casino staff of the abuse. They can then take the necessary action and, for example, establish through video footage exactly how the situation took place.
In addition, as a player it is important to only go to a landbased casino that is completely safe and reliable. In the Netherlands it is easy to find out online which amusement arcades and casinos have a licence. Always check before you go in. For the land-based casinos themselves, the prevention of casino fraud is fortunately well managed by excellent security measures and qualified staff. At the legal and safe establishments they are very keen that everything goes according to the rules so that everyone can have a nice evening at the casino.
FAQ about gaming fraud and scams
What is gaming fraud?
Gaming fraud refers to any illegal or deceptive activity in the gaming industry, including scams, cheating, and theft. This can include online or land-based casinos, sports betting, and other forms of gambling.
What are some common gaming scams?
Common gaming scams include phishing emails, fake websites, and rigged games. These scams are designed to trick players into giving away their personal information or money or to manipulate game outcomes in favor of the scammer.
How can you protect yourself from gaming scams?
To protect yourself from gaming scams, it's important to only gamble at reputable and licensed casinos and sportsbooks. You should also be wary of unsolicited emails or offers that seem too good to be true. Additionally, use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.
What are some common forms of gaming fraud?
Typical forms of gaming fraud include collusion, card counting, and chip dumping. These tactics are used by players or employees to gain an unfair advantage in games or to steal money or chips from the casino.
What is gaming fraud and how does it occur?
Gaming fraud refers to any illegal activity within the gaming industry, such as cheating, hacking, or manipulating the outcome of games. It can occur through various methods, including using counterfeit chips, tampering with equipment, or colluding with other players or employees.
