The iGaming industry thrives on transparency and integrity. Reputable operators invest heavily in security, licensing, and responsible gambling initiatives to ensure fair entertainment. Yet, the rise of fake games is eroding this trust, damaging players financially, and tainting the reputation of honest online casinos.
Fake games are copies of legitimate online casino game titles that look real but are secretly manipulated. While the graphics and themes might mirror your favourite slots or table games, the software has been altered to guarantee losses. These fake games are often distributed through rogue online casino sites that use aggressive promotions and unusually generous offers to lure players in. But once you deposit your money, you will quickly realise that the odds are stacked against you and you might never see your winnings.
The risks of fake games go far beyond just losing a few bets.
Here’s why players should be extra cautious:
Financial loss
Fake games are designed to drain your bankroll. Unlike real games, these fraudulent versions give you no fair chance to win.
Data theft
Fake online casino sites often harvest personal information like your name, address, and payment details. Entering credit card or banking information on unsecured sites exposes you to identity theft.
No legal protection
Players who lose money to fake games often have no recourse. Scam operators can vanish overnight, leaving you with no way to recover your funds.
Emotional impact
Falling victim to a fake game can be devastating. It not only causes frustration and anger but may also push some players towards chasing their losses, increasing the risk of problem gambling.
The impact of fake games does not stop at the individual player. Honest operators, who spend millions on security, licensing, and player protection, face unfair competition from fraudulent sites.
Fake online casinos often offer unrealistic bonuses and higher pay-out percentages to attract players, offers that legitimate sites cannot ethically match. When players are duped by fake games, they often blame the online gaming industry, damaging trust in reputable brands.
Reputation damage
Negative reviews, social media backlash, and bad press can hurt legitimate online casinos. Even one widely reported scam can cast a shadow over the entire iGaming sector.
Reduced player confidence
Players who feel betrayed by a casino may stop playing altogether, leading to decreased revenue for honest operators.
Barriers to innovation
The presence of fake games forces legitimate casinos to divert resources toward combating fraud instead of developing new features and better gaming experiences.
The original, legitimate game providers are also paying a heavy price. Their innovative titles are often pirated, altered, and distributed illegally.
Players who have bad experiences with fake versions may mistakenly blame the original game creators, damaging their hard-earned reputations.
This piracy not only steals revenue from game providers but also drains time and resources that could be spent creating new games.
Beyond harming individual players, online casino operators, and game providers, fake games are putting the entire iGaming industry at risk.
So, how can you - the player - protect yourself from fake games?
Gamecheck offers free, user-friendly tools to help players verify online casinos and avoid fake games.
Allows players to verify online casinos by entering the casino’s URL.
Shows public profiles for each online casino: real games in operation, confirmed fake games or pending investigation. Visit the website to check your online casino.
The Gamecheck SEAL is a trusted symbol proving that a random selection of games on the site has been verified by the original game providers. Verification is confirmed directly by game providers and backed by monthly checks. All verification data is securely stored on the blockchain for full transparency and tamper-proof tracking. Players can look out for the Gamecheck SEAL in an online casino’s website footer to confirm legitimacy.
Each Gamecheck SEAL includes unique QR codes that can only be scanned with the Gamecheck app for real-time verification.
The App allows players to:
Download the free Gamecheck app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Provides one-click, real-time verification directly from any online casino’s website.
Allows users to check an online casino’s status and request verification without leaving the page.
Find the Gamecheck Chrome Extension and 'Add to Chrome' to check online casinos directly from your browser without leaving the page you are on. It is free from the Chrome Store.
Fake games are a serious threat to players, game providers, honest online casino operators, and the future of the online gambling industry. Playing on trusted platforms protects your money and your personal information while supporting the legitimate companies working hard to offer players a secure, fair gaming environment.
