The 30-second checklist
Search the regulator’s public register for the exact brand and domain. In Great Britain, use the UK Gambling Commission’s Public Register; in Malta, search the MGA’s Licensee Register; Curaçao’s new CGA regime also publishes licence information. If a site isn’t listed, walk away.
Confirm that the payment methods match local rules. For example, Ontario’s AGCO tells operators that cryptocurrency is not legal tender and must not be accepted; Australia bans digital currency for licensed online wagering since June 11, 2024. If a site claims to be licensed there yet takes crypto, that’s a red flag.
Run basic site-safety checks: beware look-alike domains (IDN homograph tricks) and fake apps/cloned brands; regulators and consumer agencies have issued repeated warnings.
Harden your wallet: review and revoke old token approvals; watch for wallet-drainers and address-poisoning scams before you ever connect a wallet to a casino site.
Test the cashier: make a tiny deposit and a small withdrawal first, and check that disputes route to an approved ADR where applicable (e.g., in Great Britain).
Licence verification: the fastest way to filter scams
Regulators publish searchable registers. In Great Britain, you can search the UKGC’s Public Register by business name, trading name or domain and see recent regulatory actions. Malta’s MGA offers a Licensee Register and dynamic seals. Curaçao, which is transitioning to its new LOK regime, directs operators through its CGA portal and has extended certain provisional “Green Seal” licences to December 24, 2025—check entries rather than trusting a footer badge.
If a site claims to be “fully licensed” yet operates in markets that prohibit crypto deposits at licensed operators (Ontario; Australia), treat it as untrustworthy.
Payments & cashier red flags
Crypto-only deposits, pressure to use mixers, or requests to “pay fees” to release your balance are classic fraud tells. Consumer authorities warn that anyone insisting on crypto payment is likely scamming you, and U.S. enforcement reports show record losses in crypto fraud.
Media and regulator notices also highlight a surge in shady gambling sites and misleading ads. Treat pop-up ads or social-media DMs that push you to deposit crypto as high risk.
Clone sites, fake apps, and look-alike domains
Attackers register domains that look almost identical to real brands (for example, swapping Latin letters with Cyrillic characters). This is known as an IDN homograph attack—always examine the URL carefully and avoid clicking unverified links.
State and national regulators have warned about cloned casino sites and fake apps impersonating licensed properties. Only download apps from official stores and follow links from the regulator’s register or the operator’s verified domain.
“Provably fair” claims: what you should actually see
A legitimate provably fair page explains the inputs (server seed hash, your client seed, and a per-bet nonce) and how to verify an outcome after the round. On smart-contract games, look for verifiable on-chain randomness like Chainlink VRF, which returns a random value plus a cryptographic proof that contracts verify before use.
Game fairness for third-party slots is typically covered by independent testing labs; look for current, clickable certificates (for example, eCOGRA) rather than static logos.
Wallet hygiene: stop drainers and address poisoning
Wallet-drainer kits and address-poisoning campaigns target gambling and trading users alike. Keep a dedicated “spend wallet” for casinos, and regularly revoke token/NFT approvals you no longer need using tools like Revoke.cash or block-explorer approval pages.
Address-poisoning places look-alike addresses in your history so you paste the wrong one later. Never copy from history; maintain an address book and verify the full address on your device screen before sending.
VPNs, geolocation and sudden account locks
Licensed sportsbooks and casinos use geolocation and device-risk tools to block VPNs and other masking methods. Attempting to bypass location rules can trigger locks or confiscations under the site’s terms. Geolocation vendors describe multi-layer VPN/proxy detection, and industry explainers make clear that bypassing won’t work.
Promotions and withdrawals: fine print that protects you
Unclear bonus terms and withdrawal barriers are a common pain point. UK consumer enforcement forced operators to simplify promotions and make withdrawing your own funds easier—look for transparent T&Cs and avoid sites with vague or shifting terms.
In regulated markets like Great Britain, unresolved disputes should route to an approved ADR such as IBAS or Pegasus. A trustworthy site lists its ADR provider and complaint flow in the footer or help center.
A step-by-step safety check before your first deposit
Search the official register for the brand and domain, then bookmark the regulator’s page.
Open the cashier and compare payment methods against local rules; if they contradict (for example, crypto accepted in Ontario or Australia), quit.
Inspect the URL for homograph tricks; navigate only from the regulator’s register or the operator’s verified domain.
Review the site’s provably fair or testing certificates and verify one result or certificate link yourself.
Before connecting any wallet, revoke stale approvals and use a fresh “spend wallet.”
Send a tiny test deposit and request a small withdrawal; confirm processing times and fees before committing more. (General best practice reinforced by consumer advisories.)
Check that the site lists a recognised ADR and a clear complaints route.
If you’re targeted or scammed
Do not pay “recovery fees.” The FTC warns these are common follow-on scams. Report incidents to your local authority (e.g., FTC/IC3 in the U.S.) and your wallet/exchange, and preserve all evidence.
FAQ
What’s the single most reliable anti-scam step?
Use the regulator’s public register to confirm a licence and domain before you do anything else.
Are crypto-only casinos always scams?
Not necessarily, but many operate offshore without local oversight. Treat any crypto-only site claiming to be licensed in jurisdictions that prohibit crypto deposits as untrustworthy.
Is “provably fair” enough on its own?
It helps for in-house games, but third-party content should also carry valid lab certificates; on-chain games should use verifiable randomness like VRF.
Why do some casinos lock accounts that use VPNs?
Geolocation systems detect VPNs/proxies as compliance risks; operators can restrict accounts to meet licensing obligations.
