Blacklisted online casinos you should avoid in 2025

How online casinos end up on our blacklist

A casino does not end up on our blacklist for minor issues or isolated player disputes. All operators that end up on this list have engaged in unethical practices, ignored player rights, compromised security, or violated fair gaming regulations.

Here are the most common reasons a casino may be blacklisted:

Reason for blacklisting	How it harms players
❌ No valid licence	Limited player protection as the casino won’t comply with regulations.
🎰 Rigged games	Unfair odds mean you can’t win fairly.
🔓 Weak security	Personal and financial data at risk.
🚨 Unresolved complaints	The casino refuses to solve player issues.
💰 Withheld payouts	Deliberate stalling or refusal to pay winnings.
📜 Unclear T&Cs	Fine print designed to take advantage of players.
🔧 No responsible gambling tools	No tools to keep players safe from problem gambling.

If you want to avoid these risks, it's always best to stick to safe casinos with a strong reputation.

Importance of licensing 

Online casino websites are obligated by law to have a gaming licence. This ensures that casinos with appropriate licensing will have plenty of things to safeguard their players, including fair and transparent games, responsible gambling tools and legal compliance rules to follow.

Here are some of the key perks you can enjoy if you play at a licensed casino: 

• Access to the best casino games

• Top customer support, usually available 24/7

• Trustworthy banking options

• Safe and secure transactions

• Responsible gambling tools

You may find more casinos with some authorities than others, with plenty choosing to register in Curaçao due to the favourable tax laws. We looked at every gambling jurisdiction in-depth, with all 15 getting favourable reviews for their safeguarding. 

Risks of playing at blacklisted casinos

The consequences of playing at an untrustworthy casino can go beyond losing money. Here are the main risks: 

• Denied withdrawals: You may win money, but the casino could refuse to pay out. If fast payouts matter to you, check out our list of casinos with fast withdrawals.

• High deposit/withdrawal fees: Being charged excessive amounts to deposit and withdraw your funds. 

• Security breaches: Playing on online casino sites that don’t have proper security measures in place can result in your personal and financial data being stolen. 

• Manipulated games: Some online casinos alter the game software to ensure the house always wins.

• Fraudulent charges: Some casinos have been known to charge players hidden fees. 

How to spot and avoid blacklisted casinos

Spotting a blacklisted casino isn’t always easy, but some warning signs should raise immediate red flags:

• Fake licensing claims: Some online casinos falsely claim to be licensed to trick players into thinking they are regulated.

• Unreasonably high wagering requirements: Some casinos offer great bonuses to attract players, but some use unrealistic wagering requirements to make it nearly impossible to withdraw winnings.

• No SSL encryption or outdated security measures: Casinos without encryption leave you vulnerable to hackers, fraud, and identity theft.

• Bad player reviews: A casino might look good on the surface, but real player experiences often tell a different story.

How to spot fake licensing claims

You can verify if an online casino's licence is legit in 3 simple steps:

1. Go to the casino's website.

2. Scroll to the footer of the homepage to see if they display a license from a known authority like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), or Gibraltar Gambling Commission.

3. To verify the licence, go to the official website of the regulator and search for the casino’s name. If you can’t find it in the database, the licence may be fake.

How to spot unreasonably high wagering requirements

Here's how you can spot unfair wagering requirements at an online casino:

1. Go to the casino's website.

2. Scroll to the footer where most casinos link their bonus terms and conditions.

3. Read the terms carefully.

4. A fair wagering requirement is usually between 20x and 40x. If a casino demands 60x or more, it’s a sign they don’t want players to actually win.

How to check if an online casino has SSL Encryption

Here's how you can check if an online casino has SSL encryption:

1. Look for the padlock symbol (🔒) in the address bar.

2. A secure casino should have a padlock icon next to its URL in your browser. If it's missing, the site is not encrypted, and your data could be at risk.

3. Check if the URL starts with "https://" (not "http://"). The "s" in HTTPS stands for secure and confirms that data is encrypted.

4. Click the padlock icon to see more information about the SSL certificate and whether it is valid.

How to check for bad player reviews

We're proud to be a part of the online gambling community as players always have each other's backs. So checking fellow player reviews is one of the best ways to identify a potential scam before depositing money.

1. Check what other players are saying about their experiences on trusted forums and look for patterns in complaints.

2. Check player ratings on our site. Every casino review on CasinoTopsOnline includes a voting system where real players give thumbs up or thumbs down based on their experience.

3. Look for recent reviews. An online casino’s reputation may change over time. We’ve seen some casinos start off strong but decline in quality over time. That’s why our reviews are regularly updated.

How to report unsafe casinos 

If you have concerns about an operator, we will investigate it thoroughly. You can get in touch with us by heading to the Contact Us page and filling out the enquiry form.

How do we rate online casinos

When rating casinos, we use our TopsRank criteria to assess them, which is overseen by our team of casino experts.

TopsRank considers seven key factors: Bonuses, Design, Payments, Games, Safety, Partnerships and General Experience. Each casino is awarded a score from 1 to 10 in every category.

The scores are gained from a thorough testing process. We create accounts on each site and play through to see how the site feels, testing things outside the usual reviewing remit, such as depositing and withdrawing funds and speaking to customer support. 

That score will translate into a recommendation, which you will then be able to see on-site. If a casino doesn’t score well, we won’t recommend it, and if they are particularly problematic or unethical, we will blacklist them.