Fake casinos exposed: Gamecheck uncovers fake games

Key Highlights

In this blog post we cover the following topics:

• How fake casinos operate
• How to protect yourself
• The findings of our investigations
• Gamecheck: your guardian against fake games

At Gamecheck, one of our core missions is to protect players by exposing those online casinos that offer fake games.

Our team has worked tirelessly in collaboration with the original game providers, and uncovered numerous operators that are running fake games, deceiving players, and undermining the integrity of the industry.

In this article, we reveal the latest findings from our ongoing investigations.

We name and shame those online casinos that have been caught red-handed, and offer practical tips to help you avoid falling into this trap.

If you care about fair play and secure gaming, this is a must-read.

In recent months, Gamecheck’s investigation team has checked over 15,000 cases and detected more than 1,000 fake online casinos that offer fake games.

At first glance, many of these platforms appear to operate like legitimate businesses. Their websites feature professional designs, their branding closely mimics that of reputable gambling operators, and their social media pages showcase enticing promotional content.

But looks can be deceiving.

These fake online casinos function through the following mechanisms:

Imitation of trustworthy brands

Numerous fake online casinos reproduce the design of well-established operators. They implement near copies of their logos and colours, along with modified brand names.

Both experienced and new players can fall victim to these deceptive branding schemes because they appear so genuine.

Manipulated game software

Fake online casino games differ from certified real games because they employ manipulated systems to control game results.

Here is how:

• The slot machines duplicate popular titles yet they refuse to give out any wins
• Blackjack tables that always result in player losses
• Pre-recorded videos or poorly designed AI

These games have been programmed to guarantee player defeat through deliberate design rather than random chance.

Unrealistic promotions and fake bonuses

Online casinos that operate as scams use fake bonuses to deceive players through their unrealistic promotional offers. These platforms use attractive welcome offers including 500% deposit bonuses and "no wagering required" deals and unlimited free spins to attract new players.

These promotional deals usually have deceptive characteristics that players discover after claiming them. After claiming their bonus rewards players find out about impossible wagering requirements and bonus funds that cannot be withdrawn as well as restrictions that make their winnings invalid.

Players frequently fail to receive the bonus they were expecting to get. The fake bonuses function as decoys to lure players with attractive offers which conceal the underlying scam, while players lose their real money to get nothing in return.

Shady payment methods

Online casino scams often direct players to pay through unorthodox payment systems that include hard-to-trace e-wallets together with cryptocurrencies. The use of crypto by itself does not constitute a warning sign but when the platform restricts withdrawals and only accepts deposits it should trigger suspicion.

Some tactics include:

• Imposing extreme minimum withdrawal limits
• Requiring bonus wagering of 100x or more
• Delaying pay-outs indefinitely
• Disabling your account without notice after a win.

No customer support

The absence of support becomes evident when any issue arises. The operators who run fake platforms usually avoid providing live chat support and ignore customer emails. The operation lacks any human presence that would ensure quality experience for players. The support infrastructure functions to prolong delays and generate confusion before completely vanishing.

Misleading terms & conditions

The terms and conditions of fake platforms use complicated language to hide essential terms which become visible to players only during cash-out attempts.

Dubious or fake game providers

Legitimate casinos partner with well-known game providers. Fake platforms imitate well-known games through identical graphical interfaces. The game mechanics are modified to benefit the house.

Players who fall victim to fake games may face negative consequences:

Financial loss

When you give your money to a scammer through a fake casino website you lose your deposit completely. The system begins with fraud mechanisms that make a return impossible.

Identity theft

The registration process requires users to submit their personal information and financial details. The absence of data protection laws at these sites leads to the sale of user information on the dark web resulting in credit card scams and phishing attacks.

Gamecheck: your guardian against fake games

At Gamecheck, our mission is to create a secure online gambling space where players can enjoy the thrill of real online casino games without falling prey to fake games.

Our expert team spends countless hours each month investigating suspected fake online casinos using a rigorous combination of:

• Technical audits of game software
• Domain registration tracking
• Testing of the games
• Collaboration with the original game providers

We compile these findings into regularly updated blacklists, making it easier for players like you to verify any online casino before registering or depositing.

In May 2025 alone, our investigation team checked nearly fifteen thousand cases. Over five thousand were first-time checks.

The results? Just over 93% were real games, verified by the game provider.

Around 6% had fake games detected.

The numbers in more detail: what we found in May 2025

Gamecheck’s investigators combed through thousands of suspected cases.

Here is a snapshot of what we discovered last month:

• Total cases reviewed: 14,945
• New cases in May: 5,194
• Rechecks of older cases: 9,751
• Real games identified: 13,970 (93.47%)
• Fake games identified: 975 (6.53%).

We flagged 2 websites that had previously hosted fake games but have since removed them. A small but important win. It shows how a quick check can make a real difference.

UK online casinos flagged with fake games:

Winstler

Website: winstler7.co

Gamecheck Profile: Winstlercasino - Gamecheck

Nitro Spins

Website:   Nitrospins Online Casino

Gamecheck Profile: NITROSPINS - Gamecheck

Seven Casino

Website: seven4.casino

Gamecheck Profile: Seven - Gamecheck

Eastern European online casinos flagged with fake games:

hotwestwins

Website: hotwestwins.top

Gamecheck Profile: hotwestwins - Gamecheck

cemrox

Website: cemrox.com

Gamecheck Profile: cemrox - Gamecheck

getix

Website: getix.top

Gamecheck Profile: getix - Gamecheck

betfire

Website: betfire.top

Gamecheck Profile: betfire - Gamecheck

depwin

Website: depwin.com

Gamecheck Profile: depwin - Gamecheck

orphcasino

Website: orphcasino.com

Gamecheck Profile: orphcasino - Gamecheck

wexboom

Website: wexboom.bar

Gamecheck Profile: wexboom - Gamecheck

You can see a more detailed list of fake online casinos here:

How to protect yourself as an online casino player

✅ Verify licensing

Verify the site's license by checking the regulatory body that granted it. You can verify the site's license through Gamecheck's license lookup tool.

✅ Inspect the game providers

Select online casinos which provide games from established game providers who have received certification. Research the game provider if you have not heard of them and verify their certifications.

✅ Check payment methods

Be wary of online casinos that restrict their payment options to crypto or unrecognisable gateways unless they display clear withdrawal procedures.

✅ Read terms before you deposit

Review the bonus policy together with pay-out timelines and T&Cs before making a deposit. Avoid any casino that presents confusing or suspicious terms.

✅ Use Gamecheck’s database

Enter the online casino’s URL into Gamecheck before you register yourself and pay a deposit. Gamecheck will immediately show you if the online casino has had any fake games detected.

How does Gamecheck detect fake games?

Gamecheck’s investigation team visits the online casino in question and tests their library of online casino games over time. This hands-on approach allows our team to test a variety of games on offer, and directly observe their behaviour over an extended period.

Our team then goes on to check the unique web address (URL) from which the games have been launched. Fake games often launch from suspicious domains.

Once Gamecheck is done testing and monitoring the games on offer by a particular online casino, it presents its findings to the relevant game providers. Game providers are the ultimate authority on whether an online casino gambling game is genuine or not.

A selection of games on the site are tested and confirmed to be real by multiple game providers. As soon as Gamecheck’s findings have been confirmed by the game providers, we publish the results on the online casino’s Gamecheck profile. 

When Gamecheck identifies even one fake game on an online casino platform, the entire online casino is labelled as having "Fake Games Detected".

This clearly signals to players that the platform may not be trustworthy and that playing there could expose them to the financial risks associated with fake games.

To check any online casino on Gamecheck, simply enter the URL of the online casino in question on our site to see if they have real or fake games.

You will see one of three statuses:

Green Status / "Real Games":

This status means the online casino is labelled as having "Real Games" in operation. Multiple games have been tested by multiple game providers and found to be real at the time of testing.

Red Status / "Fake Games Detected":

This means the online casino is labelled as having "Fake Games" detected. It means that fake games have been found.

Pending Status / "Pending Checks":

This indicates that investigations are ongoing.  Check back later for an updated status.

Gamecheck monitors online casinos flagged with red flags consistently.

Our team conducts regular, random tests of a selection of games on online casinos every month to ensure ongoing player protection and maintain a reliable database.

If a flagged online casino removes these fake games, Gamecheck will conduct a re-verification of the site and update its status accordingly. You can see a history of checks performed on an online casino's profile page.

When in doubt, Gamecheck before you play:

Before you jump into your next online casino and pay a deposit on your next game, we recommend that you check the site for the Gamecheck SEAL.

The Gamecheck SEAL is issued only when multiple games from multiple providers were tested, and no fake games were detected at the time of inspection.

In an industry where one fake game can erode trust, operators need external, verifiable evidence of game legitimacy. That’s where the Gamecheck SEAL comes in.

The Gamecheck SEAL seal helps players identify online casinos that are committed to transparency and offer genuine, tested games.

Players can check Gamecheck SEALs through our app and get test results and outcomes.

The Gamecheck SEAL

When you see the Gamecheck SEAL in the footer of an online casino’s site, it means that a selection of their games has been confirmed to be real by the original game providers.

Simply scan the Gamecheck SEAL with the Gamecheck app to verify its authenticity.

When in doubt of any online casino and its games, you can also copy-paste the URL in the Gamecheck platform for instant feedback as to whether it is running real or fake games.

Gamecheck’s simple and reliable verification process will let you know instantly whether the online casino is running real games, or fake games have been detected. If the online casino you are researching is not yet listed in our database, you can request verification and and Gamecheck will investigate.

Final thoughts: stay one step ahead of the scammers

Online casinos exist to deliver entertainment alongside thrilling gameplay.

Fake games create problems for thousands of players each month.

Gamecheck works to expose scams and support a secure online gaming environment. Knowledge combined with vigilance and the appropriate tools, enables you to safeguard your bankroll and yourself.

Before making your next bet or spinning the wheel ask yourself these questions:

• Has this online casino been Gamechecked?
• Does the site offer real games?
• Does the site have the Gamecheck SEAL?

Always choose online casinos that have been checked by Gamecheck.  

The power of choice rests with you, the player

Make informed choices: Gamecheck before you play

By actively seeking out verified online casino platforms that have been confirmed to have real games by the original game providers, you are not only safeguarding your own interests but also contributing to the growth of a more secure online gaming industry.

Verifying your online casino has never been easier. Just enter the online casino’s URL into our search portal to check whether the online casino is running real or fake games.

By making informed choices and prioritising real online casino platforms that offer real games, players can level up their experience, ensuring it is enjoyable, secure, and fair.