In 2023, the 1C3 received a record-breaking 880,000 cybercrime complaints, indicating the growing threat of scams in the United States. With these alarming numbers, it’s essential to take steps to protect yourself from falling victim to scams when betting online.
To help keep you safe when betting online, we’ll show you how to spot a fake sportsbook and differentiate it from a legitimate one. Also, we’ll discuss how to report a fake site to the proper authorities so that actions can be taken to shut it down quickly.
What Is A Sportsbook?
A sportsbook is a platform that accepts wagers on various sporting events. In the United States, these can be physical locations, like casinos, or digital platforms, like online sportsbooks. You can wager on games such as football, basketball, baseball, and more at both. Recently, many states have legalized sports betting, meaning more sportsbooks have opened up in-person and online, offering people a legal means to wager on their favorite teams.
Sportsbooks make money by setting odds on games that give them a small profit, no matter the bet outcome. This profit comes from the “vig” or “juice,” a fee they take from losing bets. The odds are set by experts who study how teams and players perform and how people bet. Several bet types are available at a sportsbook, including moneyline, point spread, totals, etc.
In the US, sportsbooks have to follow state-specific regulations, as sports betting laws vary from one state to another. States like Nevada and New Jersey have strict rules that ensure betting sites operate fairly and keep your money and information safe. These legal sportsbooks are regulated by state gaming commissions, which act as watchdogs, ensuring everything is done by the book.
Some sportsbooks are based outside the US, often in places like the Caribbean or Central America, so they operate in a legal gray area. These platforms offer their services to Americans, but some are fake. If you plan to use an offshore site, ensure you do some research on its reputation and the regulations it follows.
The best offshore sportsbooks are 100% legal and safe to use in the US. No American has ever been prosecuted for placing bets offshore, but more than a few have come a cropper to deceptive, illegal sites.
What Is A Fake Sportsbook?
A fake sportsbook is a fraudulent betting site that looks legitimate but is designed to steal your money or personal information. With technology advancing, it’s easier than ever for these fake sites to be created and marketed.
These fake sportsbooks often look exactly like the real ones. They may have professional-looking websites, ads on social media, and even fake reviews to make them seem trustworthy. Some may also offer great odds and to-good-to-be-true bonuses to get you to sign up. But once you deposit funds, you’re likely to lose it all. If you enter personal details, the information may be used for identity theft.
Every year, more fake sportsbooks are popping up because scammers are getting better at creating scam sites that look like legitimate ones. That’s why it’s so important to be extra careful when choosing a betting site. Do your research to ensure that your chosen sportsbook is legitimate and licensed by a respected authority to avoid falling victim to fake sites.
How To Spot Fake Sportsbooks
With scammers getting more creative, it’s become increasingly difficult to tell a legit sportsbook from a fake one. These scam sites often look just like authentic platforms. To avoid getting ripped off, it’s essential to learn how to spot fake sportsbooks. Below are some key things to look out for when it comes to identifying scam betting sites.
1. Double Check the Sportsbook License
The first thing you should check when considering a sportsbook is whether it has a valid license. Licensed, online sportsbooks are regulated by trusted authorities, ensuring fair play and safe transactions, which is essential in protecting your information and funds. An authentic sportsbook will be licensed by a reputed authority, like a state commission or a trusted international regulator like Curacao eGaming.
You can usually find the licensing information at the bottom of the website or in the ‘About Us’ section. If you cannot locate this info or the license is from an unknown authority, it’s a red flag; stay away from such sportsbooks.
2. Pay Immediate Attention to Delayed Winnings or Payouts
One big warning sign of a fake sportsbook is trouble getting your winnings. Legitimate betting sites will process your payouts swiftly, usually within minutes, hours, or days. However, if a sportsbook keeps delaying your withdrawals or making excuses, they may not plan to pay you.
Some fake sportsbooks will keep telling you the money is on its way, only to disappear with your cash. If you constantly experience trouble getting your winnings, it may be your cue to start looking for a better, more trustworthy sportsbook.
3. Absent In-Play Betting
In-play betting, also called live betting, allows you to place wagers on a game while it’s ongoing. Most trusted sportsbooks offer this feature, as it’s popular with bettors, an exciting option that provides ample winning opportunities.
If a sportsbook doesn’t have in-play betting, it could be a sign they aren’t legit. Fake sportsbooks often don’t have the technology or resources to offer live betting, so they leave out the option. True, not all legit sports betting apps have in-play wagering, but if you notice it’s missing along with other warning signs, be careful.
4. Non-Existent or Hard To Reach Customer Service Team
A top-rated sportsbook should have a customer service team that’s easy to reach and quick to help. If you find it hard to contact customer support or they take forever to respond, it could be a sign that the sportsbook is a scam.
Typically, fake sportsbooks have poor or no customer service because they are not interested in dealing with complaints. Before creating an account on a site, try contacting their support team with a question. If you don’t get a helpful response quickly, steer well clear.
5. Unrealistic Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are commonplace with sportsbooks, but be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Fake sites often advertise unrealistic bonuses and free bets to entice people. These promotions usually come with tricky terms and conditions that make it almost impossible to claim the money.
The bonus offers may have outlandishly high wagering requirements or other restrictions, making it difficult to use them. If a welcome bonus seems way too generous, take your time to read the fine print. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
6. Too Many Best Odds Betting Lines
Offering competitive odds is one way sportsbooks attract bettors. However, seeing a sportsbook that consistently provides the best odds on almost every event could be a warning sign.
No sportsbook can always offer the best odds without losing money. If a site does this, they may be trying to lure you with fake promises. Compare the odds of the site with other trusted sportsbooks. If they seem too good for many events, be careful.
7. No Or Slow Verification Process
A legit sportsbook typically asks you to verify your identity before withdrawing funds. This prevents fraud and ensures the customer is dealing with the account’s rightful owner.
If a sportsbook doesn’t require verification or the process is slow or confusing, it could be a fake platform. Such sites may skip verification to avoid scrutiny or drag it out to delay paying you. Steer clear of sportsbooks with weak or slow verification processes.
8. Poor Website Design
Website design isn’t everything, but a poorly designed site can be a red flag. Legit sportsbooks put effort into developing a user-friendly and professional website.
It may be a warning sign if the site seems outdated, has broken links, or looks like it was quickly thrown together. A fake sportsbook will likely not invest too much in design because they don’t plan to be around for long.
9. No Book-to-Book Option
A book-to-book option allows you to transfer money from one sportsbook to another. This feature is common among trusted betting sites that work together and are in the same network.
If a sportsbook doesn’t offer this option, it may not be a big deal in isolation but could be a sign that the site isn’t part of a legitimate network. Be careful if you notice the absence of the book-to-book option, among other warning signs.
10. Limited Deposit and Withdrawal Methods
A real sportsbook will allow deposits and withdrawals via various payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cryptos, and bank transfers.
If a sportsbook has only a few banking options, especially ones you’ve never heard of, it’s not a good sign. They may be trying to limit your choices or make it harder to collect your winnings. Limited payment methods can mean the sportsbook isn’t well-established, or they are trying to avoid being noticed by payment processors.
11. Bad Online Reviews/ Negative Feedback in Forums
Bettors often share their experiences using a sportsbook on review sites and forums like Reddit. If a sportsbook has many bad reviews and complaints about not paying out winnings, it’s a big red flag.
While no betting site will always have perfect 5-star reviews, many complaints about scams, slow payments, or poor customer support are warning signs. Always do your research and find out what other bettors are saying.
How To Report A Fake Sportsbook
If you come across a fake sportsbook, ensure you report it to help protect others. You may report it online to the FBI or contact your local enforcement agency. Below are the steps to take to report a fake sportsbook.
- Collect information: First and foremost, gather as much information as you can about the site and your experience. This includes the site address, emails, screenshots, and any transactions you made.
- Report to the IC3 or the local police: To file your report, visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) online or head over to your local police station.
- Provide your details: When filing the report, you’ll be asked to provide your contact information and details about what happened. Be clear about your experience, including dates, amounts of money involved, and any communication you had with the sportsbook.
- Submit your complaint: After entering the details, submit your complaint. The authorities will look into the matter right away and take action to stop the scammers.
The Last Word
Fake sportsbooks can con you out of your money and personal information; you may even fall victim to identity theft. To avoid getting ripped off by these scam sites, it’s important to know how to tell a fake sportsbook from a legitimate one.
Check that the site has a proper license, as casinos without a license are particularly risky. Look out for unrealistic bonuses, and pay attention to the speeds of their payouts. If something feels off about a sportsbook, trust your instincts and do some research to prevent the risk of getting scammed.
