What does an unlicensed casino look like?
The popularity of illegal gambling has been snowballing in recent years, and Britain is not far behind countries like Germany and The Netherlands in terms of the severity of the problem.
It was revealed in a recent Gambling Commission (UKGC) report that most players who use illegal, black market casino sites aren’t even aware that they’re doing so. Don’t be fooled by snazzy websites and glossy marketing campaigns – these days, just about anyone can make a site look professional.
Choosing an online casino is rarely easy, and it’s tougher than it’s ever been to tell which sites are legitimate. In this No Wagering guide, we’ll cover the main red flags, the dangers that come with using these sites, and we’ll show you what to do if you encounter an illegal casino.
When is a casino illegal?
From a player’s perspective, it’s worth knowing the difference between a casino that is unlicensed and one that is operating illegally.
Unlicensed
There’s nothing inherently wrong with a casino being unlicensed – until it starts to accept players from a territory it’s not licensed to operate in. For example, a casino might have numerous licences from regulators around the world. It could legally operate in any jurisdiction that accepts these licences.
However, the UKGC is among the strictest regulators, and any casino operating in the UK must have a UKGC licence, even if it is trusted elsewhere in the world. Unlicensed casinos like these aren’t necessarily bad news, they just haven’t met the requirements for operating in the UK.
Illegal
An illegal casino, on the other hand, is one that continues to accept customers from the UK despite not having a UKGC licence, regardless of whether or not it has licences that are valid in other countries. These sites are the real problem.
The dangers of illegal gambling
There are several reasons why players should avoid these sites. Start off by asking yourself why the UKGC hasn’t given that casino a licence? Then consider the following factors:
- Games may be rigged, even if claimed to be ‘provably fair’.
- No assurance that you’ll actually get your winnings.
- No legal recourse if the casino keeps your money.
- May be vulnerable to hacking, or have a weak privacy policy.
- Transactions could be unsecured, especially with unregulated payment methods.
- These sites actively target and exploit problem gamblers.
But it doesn’t stop there – the problems of illegal sites have broader, industry and society-wide implications:
- Makes the legitimate market less able to compete, damaging individual businesses and the broader industry as well as the economy.
- Illegal casinos don’t pay UK taxes or contribute to the prevention of problem gambling, so your money doesn't benefit the UK economy or society.
- There are strong links with illegal activities, including money laundering, drugs and people trafficking.
Identifying an illegal or unlicensed site
By educating yourself on the red flags to watch out for, you can ensure that you’re equipped to spot problematic sites. The Betting & Gaming Council recently released a useful video that helps players identify illegal casinos.
It’s worth remembering that an unlicensed or illegal casino site:
- Probably won’t do a KYC (Know Your Customer), ID or age verification check on you
- Will probably accept credit card payments for deposits (they shouldn’t, it’s illegal)
- Probably won’t have any built-in protections such as the ability to self-exclude
- Probably won’t have a responsible gambling page or access to safer gambling tools
- May promote themselves as 'Non-Gamstop', 'No-KYC' or 'Anonymous' casinos
Valid UK licence?
But of course the definitive, unarguable way of determining if an online casino is legal: check its licence.
The UKGC requires that casinos display the status of their licence and account number, usually in the footer of the website. There’s a specific format that sites have to adhere to, and it includes a link to the relevant licence page on the Gambling Commission’s Public Register.
A licensed casino will confirm that it is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission, and provide a link to its licence, in the footer of its website.
Games you’ve never heard of
Keep an eye out for game libraries that are full of games you’ve never heard of. Illegal sites tend to prioritise quantity over quality. It’s also worth checking out the list of software developers whose games are on the site. There should be at least some familiar names, if you’ve visited casino sites before.
Bonus buys
Another sign that you’re strayed from the legal market would be the availability of bonus buy options. These allow players to enter the bonus round immediately, for an extra fee. Bonus buys were banned in the UK by the UKGC in 2020.
If a casino offers bonus buy slots, then it probably isn't licensed by the Gambling Commission.
No KYC
UK-licensed casinos are required to verify the ID of all players. This is why they may request a copy of your passport or driving licence, as well as proof of address. They are also required to carry out KYC (know your customer) checks to prevent illegal activity such as money laundering. If a casino lets you play without collecting any information or performing age verification, this is a big red flag.
Responsible gambling
All licensed casinos offer responsible gambling help, advice and tools. These include things like information on how to self-exclude, safer gambling tools such as deposit limits and periodic reality checks, and guidance for anyone who may be struggling. This is often absent on black market sites, so watch out for this.
Dodgy terms and conditions
The UKGC has certain requirements and guidelines about how T&Cs are presented, including both the content and the type of language used. T&Cs must be transparent and easy to understand, so anything unclear or misleading is usually a sign that they’re not adhering to UKGC regulations.
Too-good-to-be-true bonuses
Some bonuses offered by illegal casinos are essentially honeytraps. They draw you in with an attractive offer, hoping that you won’t comb through the terms and conditions to discover all of the limits and catches that they’ve put in there. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is – and that applies to both illegal casinos as well as legal ones!
Banking
There are very specific laws that determine which payment methods can be used at licensed casinos. If a site is accepting any cryptocurrency, or credit card payments (which were banned for gambling use in 2020), be very wary.
If a casino supports cryptocurrencies, it likely isn't licensed by the Gambling Commission.
Availability (or lack) of customer support
When you run into an issue, you should be able to get in touch with a real person who can help you resolve it. Illegal sites, and those that don’t meet UKGC standards, often don’t make this easy. In some cases, you simply won’t get a reply. In others, there’ll be no way of getting in contact at all. A legitimate casino will offer a number of ways of getting in contact including phone and live chat.
Questionable content & messages
Consider how a casino looks and reads. If the on-site text is full of spelling, punctuation or grammar errors, or if it simply looks unprofessional, then it’s unlikely to be a legitimate business.
Another thing that should set off alarm bells is any site that spams your inboxes with constant marketing messages. Some marketing is normal, but too much is likely a bad sign.
I found an illegal site – what should I do!?
Good question! The first thing you should do is ensure that your funds and details are safe. Withdraw any funds and close your account. The ideal course of action is to report it to the UKGC. They have an anonymous process for this, which you can find details of here. We’d strongly suggest reporting any illegal sites you come across, to protect the other players who might not have spotted what you have, and to keep our industry safe and enjoyable.
Conclusion
Illegal casinos are trying to take advantage of the UK’s substantial and growing gambling industry. It’s not difficult to see why it’s an attractive target. The authorities are constantly fighting a tough battle against these faceless operators, but there’s only so much they can do. These sites are often out of reach of the law. Therefore, as players, we need to be responsible and look after our own interests. Using these casinos carries significant risk, but you can protect yourself by being aware of the red flags we’ve discussed here.