Fake online games exposed: Gamecheck founder's views on the Pragmatic Solutions podcast.

In the latest episode of Connected with Pragmatic Solutions, host Ashley Lang sat down with James Elliott, Founder of Gamecheck, to discuss why fake content is a growing risk for operators, and how independent verification is essential to protect their players.

This article highlights the major points from their conversation and reflects Gamecheck’s ongoing commitment to transparency, fair play, and helping players identify real games.

Watch the full conversation with James Elliott here:

A hidden threat undermining trust

The iGaming industry has grown rapidly and is fiercely competitive, but that success has attracted bad actors. Fake games look almost identical to legitimate releases yet hide altered math and pay-out logic. Players are lured by familiar graphics, but the RTP has been tampered with, meaning outcomes are unfair. Elliott explained that these manipulations often target vulnerable gamblers and are run by organised criminal syndicates. Even operators who are confident in their own supply chains can be hurt by the broader loss of trust, since fake games anywhere in the market fuel suspicion.

How fake games spread

• Copied and modified titles – popular games are cloned, altering their pay-out mathematics and undermining fairness
• Organised syndicates – behind these games are not hackers but organised groups who use stolen branding to prey on players.
• Global distribution – fake games circulate through markets with patchy regulation, especially parts of Latin America and Asia.
• Erosion of trust – even legitimate operators feel the impact, as confidence in regulated platforms declines when players hear about manipulated games.

Introducing Gamecheck: transparency through technology

Gamecheck was launched in 2024 to tackle this problem head‑on.

Elliott described how the company provides an independent seal of authenticity that confirms whether an operator’s catalogue matches certified versions supplied by the original game provider. The Gamecheck SEAL is dynamic and QR‑enabled. Unlike static badges that can be copied and pasted, the Gamecheck SEAL is linked directly to its database and backed by blockchain, so any tampering is instantly revealed.

How the Gamecheck SEAL works

1. Continuous monitoring – Gamecheck monitors more than 26,000 URLs per month, testing sample games against originals and cross‑checking with providers. When fake games are detected, the seal is revoked and the public record updates immediately.
2. QR‑based verification – operators integrate the seal on their sites. Players can scan it with the Gamecheck app or check via the Gamecheck website to see when the casino was last tested and whether any fake games were detected
3. Blockchain‑backed results – verification records are stored on a tamper‑proof ledger, ensuring that results are evidence‑based and immutable.
4. Recertification – audits are not a one‑time event. The Gamecheck SEAL is withdrawn if malpractice is detected, and operators must undergo ongoing checks.

Gamecheck also provides a free app and Chrome extension. The app allows players to scan seals and request verification; the browser extension checks sites against the Gamecheck database and lets users report suspicious domains. These tools are designed to make transparency “living, verifiable and interactive”.

Benefits across the iGaming ecosystem

Players: confidence before they play

• Verify legitimacy instantly – players can copy‑paste a casino URL into Gamecheck’s tool or scan the QR seal to see if games are authentic
• See audit history – the verification page shows when the last test occurred and which providers confirmed the results.
• Avoid scams – fake games often manipulate RTP and target vulnerable players; Gamecheck helps users spot and avoid these schemes

Operators: strengthening credibility

• Extra layer of legitimacy – displaying the Gamecheck seal gives operators an independent stamp of fairness, distinguishing them from rogue actors
• Ongoing monitoring – continuous audits ensure supply chains stay clean, and the seal can be withdrawn if fake games appear
• Easy onboarding – operators can validate their domain in minutes by entering their URL and accepting terms; Gamecheck handles the technical work

Game providers: protecting IP

Providers lose revenue and reputation when their games are copied. Gamecheck shares intelligence with game providers on pirated copies, helping them enforce their intellectual property rights and maintain trust.

Affiliates & reviewers: better recommendations

Affiliate sites can use the Gamecheck SEAL and data to differentiate between compliant operators and scam sites. This supports responsible traffic redirection and protects their own credibility. For players reading reviews, seeing a Gamecheck SEAL signals that the listed online casino has passed independent checks and offers real games.

Why industry‑wide participation matters

Elliott emphasised that trust is the most valuable currency in iGaming. Years of investment in compliance, responsible gaming and customer care can be undone by a handful of manipulated titles. Participation in integrity standards like the Gamecheck SEAL helps distinguish legitimate operators from rogue actors and preserves long‑term trust across the ecosystem.

Key takeaways

• Fake games are widespread – copied games mimic originals but alter pay-outs.
• Independent verification is essential – Gamecheck provides a blockchain‑backed trust signal that confirms authenticity and is revoked if fake games appear.
• Transparency builds trust – by publishing real‑time results and enabling players to check before they play, Gamecheck turns transparency into a living process.
• Everyone benefits – players avoid scams, operators strengthen credibility, developers protect IP and affiliates make more informed recommendations.
• Continuous monitoring matters – regular recertification ensures that trust isn’t just a one‑off but an ongoing commitment.

Conclusion: building a safer future for iGaming

In the Connected with Pragmatic Solutions podcast, James Elliott painted a clear picture of an iGaming industry at a crossroads. Rogue operators and fake games are eroding trust, yet new tools and collaborations offer a path forward.

Gamecheck’s blend of transparency and technology shows that fairness can be more than an assumption – it can be a system. By adopting independent verification and working together, players, operators, providers and affiliates can build a safer and more sustainable iGaming environment.

Want to be sure you’re playing a real game?

📱 Check your casino with Gamecheck today and make informed choices before you play.