Blacklisted online casinos - Sites to avoid in 2025
There are rogue sites in the gaming industry that adopt shady practices that put players at risk.
Our list of blacklisted online casinos has engaged in rigging games, misleading bonus T&Cs, lack of legitimate licensing, delaying or outright refusing payouts, and poor security for players. At best, you lose a few quid unjustly; at worst, your personal and financial data could seriously be at risk.
The solution is simple: Steer completely clear of these sites. Our experts have compiled a list of casinos to avoid for your safety. We’ll explain why these sites are on our radar and share tips on spotting rogue casinos for yourself.
Warning Signs of Online Casinos to Avoid
Most casinos on our blacklist share common red flags that make them easy to identify, if you know what to look for. Here are the biggest signs to watch for:
⚠️ Operating without a valid license
Unlicensed casinos are more common than you’d think— roughly 2.5% of online gambling worldwide occurs with unlicensed operators. We take gambling licenses as a casino’s seal of trust. Casinos with valid licenses from the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority guarantee fair play and security. A legal online casino will prominently display its license details at the bottom of the homepage.
Expert Tip: Be wary of sites that only mention offshore licenses, as they tend to offer little player protection.
⚠️ Using pirate or cloned games
Rogue casinos use pirated or cloned games that appear identical to popular titles but are rigged for unfair play. You might believe you’re spinning the reels on a top Pragmatic Play or NetEnt slot, never realizing that the software has been manipulated to establish lower RTP rates. Slow loading times, frequent glitches, poor graphics, and unknown software providers are other signs to look for. When in doubt, use the industry average RTP for slots (96%) as a benchmark.
Interesting Insight: Casinos keen on fair gameplay frequently undergo audits from reputable agencies like eCOGRA or iTech Labs. Keep an eye out for such certifications at your favorite casinos.
⚠️ Complicated withdrawal process or non-payment
Nobody wants to win only to discover that the withdrawal takes weeks to process or, worse, never appears in their account. Hidden fees, lengthy verification steps, and deliberately difficult withdrawals are common tactics with online casino blacklists. You should be wary of sites with several customer complaints about payment issues.
⚠️ Poor security and privacy protections
Casinos that neglect security put your personal and financial data at serious risk. A lack of encryption and other standard cybersecurity measures leaves you vulnerable to hacking, identity theft, and fraud. We rate data security as a non-negotiable on our list, and you should, too.
⚠️ Misleading bonuses or unclear terms
We agree that problems with casino bonus T&Cs are a common trend in the industry, but rogue operators take it a notch higher. They lure players with over-the-top offers only to hide predatory conditions like impossible wagering requirements, short validity periods, and hidden withdrawal limits. Players simply don’t know what they’re getting into, and that’s a serious red flag in our books.
Interesting Insight: As we’ve always said, when a bonus offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to casinos with transparent bonus policies verified by third-party review sites.
⚠️ Poor or nonexistent customer service
A J.D. Power survey in 2021 found that only 27% of casino visitors felt they received personalized service. With rogue casinos, it gets even worse. When games malfunction, payouts are delayed, or you have a pressing dispute, you must know there’s a responsive line to contact customer support. Sites lacking responsive customer service agents or adequate contact options are unreliable.
Expert Tip: Before depositing, test the waters with a casino’s live chat or support channels to see how quickly they respond to your queries.
Risks of Playing at Blacklisted Casinos
In case you’re wondering what exactly could go wrong by signing up to these casinos, here’s a list of some of the associated risks.
Loss of money due to fraudulent activities
Unregulated online casinos repeatedly delay withdrawals under vague “verification processes” or tack on hidden fees. They can simply decide not to pay you the money you have won, and you have no legal recourse. You might also end up playing rigged games that heavily favor the house, so you keep losing bets no matter how well you played. Every year, thousands of players lose significant sums of money playing on these blacklisted casino sites.
Compromise of personal and financial information
Perhaps our biggest problem with unlicensed casinos is that they needlessly expose players’ personal data, such as banking details and identification documents, to cyber-attacks. A 2023 report by TransUnion revealed that the online gambling sector in the U.S. had a suspected digital fraud rate of 10.9%—the highest among all retail sectors. Rogue sites have also been known to sell player data to third parties, resulting in identity theft and unauthorized transactions.
Possible legal consequences
Depending on your location, you might unwittingly breach local gambling laws. In many jurisdictions, playing on unauthorized sites is illegal and comes with risks of fines and legal repercussions. Another problem is these casinos are not overseen by any regulatory body, so you have no agency to intervene when you get scammed.
Significant financial debt
Not every player knows where to draw the line when gambling, and blacklisted casinos exploit that. Their deceptive bonuses create a “bonus trap,” where players eager to win big continue depositing to meet unattainable playthrough requirements. They lure you in with exaggerated offers, impose hidden charges, restrict withdrawals, and leave you almost borrowing to continue playing. It’s a bad cycle that can quickly lead to huge debts.
Where to Report a Casino for Blacklisting
If you’ve ever gotten scammed or you suspect an online casino of fraud, you owe it to other players to report them to relevant authorities. It’s the only way to prevent others from becoming victims. Use any of these means to register your complaints:
- Licensing authorities in the relevant jurisdiction. When you come across casinos operating without a license or violating regulations, your first step should be contacting the licensing authorities. Regulatory organizations like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) in Canada will take up your complaints and revoke licenses or blacklist guilty operators. You don’t need to be a local of that jurisdiction to file a report on their websites as long as you have a valid complaint that leads to an investigation.
- Law enforcement in your country. Local law enforcement can also assist if you think a casino is involved in unlawful activity. In the U.S., Canada, the UK, and New Zealand, each government provides online forms or contact points for reporting suspected fraud. For starters, you can try out the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US, Action Fraud in the UK, New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs, or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in Canada.
- Casino review websites. Casino review websites like ours stay ahead of scam sites by frequently updating our list of blacklisted online casinos based on player feedback. Our work becomes much easier if more players report scam casinos to us or other trusted casino review sites.
Why Reporting Rogue Casinos is Important
The valuable information you provide by reporting a casino raises awareness and makes the gambling space safe for all. You’re helping to push out these bad actors in your little way.
✅ Helping and protecting other players
Nothing warns other players to keep away than a casino blacklist. Casino review websites that publish casino blacklists prevent other players from falling headlong into scam sites and losing money or their personal information. The easiest way to achieve this is to report these casinos whenever you come across them so others are informed before it’s too late.
✅ Supporting reliable online casinos
With the proliferation of rogue casinos, players now find it difficult to play at reputable casinos. This is disheartening because many casinos work hard to maintain excellent service and a trustworthy reputation. Reporting casino blacklists helps filter them out and shifts focus to reputable and licensed operators, rewarding them with more players and positive reviews.
✅ Maintaining the reputation of the iGaming industry
Casinos are a source of entertainment and money for iGaming enthusiasts, but blacklisted casinos ruin the fun for everyone. Dishonest casinos give the whole iGaming industry a bad name. The more the number of online blacklisted casinos, the more players get put off altogether from the industry. When you report these sites, fewer players fall victim to scams, and the reputation of online gambling as a reliable and enjoyable activity increases.
What We Do When We Find an Unsafe Casino
We hold online casinos to rigorous standards based on our review policies. Immediately a casino fails to meet these criteria and is deemed unsafe, we immediately add it to our blacklist page to alert players. Given our wide audience, we help many players steer clear of casinos known for fraud, rigged games, or data security issues. We review our list frequently and keep tabs on recent happenings in the gambling world. In situations where a blacklisted online casino demonstrates genuine improvements and ethical conduct, then we can reconsider its status and remove it from the list.
FAQ
How to recognize blacklisted casinos?
Blacklisted online casinos show clear red flags that give them away, like operating without a license, numerous negative reviews, delayed payouts, shady T&Cs, poor customer support, pirated games, and buggy software. These casinos also lack basic security measures like SSL certificates, and put your personal data at risk.
What should I do if I’m already playing at a blacklisted casino?
Don’t panic. Stop playing immediately, withdraw any remaining funds, take screenshots of your player account and interaction with customer service for evidence, and report the casino to relevant regulatory authorities in your jurisdiction. You should also leave negative reviews and ratings of such sites to help other players avoid them. Afterward, choose from any of our top-rated new casinos and continue playing.
How can I get my money back if the casino is blacklisted?
Depending on your deposit method, you can request a chargeback through your bank or payment provider by explaining the situation. If that fails, contact the casino’s licensing authority or industry watchdogs like eCOGRA to file a complaint. If your frozen funds are substantial, you can seek advice from legal professionals, although this might involve extra costs.
How can I find a safe and reliable online casino?
Our website lists vetted, reliable casinos with valid licenses, fair play certifications, and strong security measures. Our experts review each recommended casino thoroughly to ensure a premium and safe gaming experience for players.