It has been reported that several states are experiencing scams through Facebook and other user-based applications targeting online casino players. These new scams are stealing legitimate casino logos and promoting promotions that don’t exist.
While the old fake casino scam is nothing new, the scale at which these attacks are happening is growing. Legitimate online casinos from Mississippi to Canada have recently been victims of these cyberattacks.
While casino operators are not directly targeted financially, these attacks do affect their bottom line as they breed uncertainty among players and create a false narrative around the local industry.
Arkansas Casino Ads
Carlton Saffa, chief financial officer at Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, told the media, “They’re using our identity, our good name, our goodwill, to try to trick you into turning over your information—your credit card number.” While many of the ads have been removed due to trademark protection, casino operators fear that this type of targeted scam could hurt business.
Saffa said that since the first quarter of the year, The Saracen Casino Resort has had about 300 separate false ads removed, most of which were found on Facebook. She also said that it takes 12 hours from reporting the fake ads to having them removed.
Missouri Casino Ads
Missouri has also experienced fake ads associated with legitimate state-regulated casinos. The Missouri Gaming Commission (MGC) has stated that they cannot resolve complaints in most cases, which almost always results in a loss of funds.
The MGC also blames the lack of federal regulation for online casinos and advises anyone who comes across an online casino scam to document the URL, app, business, and promotional materials.
Legitimate Online Casinos
For most Americans, the most trusted online casinos that offer real-money payouts are only found online from out-of-state sites. While some US states offer online casino gambling, the options are few and far between. Another driving force for offshore casinos is their extensive banking options, a library of games, and supplemental options such as sports betting and online poker.
While scammers will always exist, we recommend staying off social apps to avoid those offenders. Most legit casinos have enough players and a reputation where they don’t have to solicit new players. Also, if a deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.