What is Casino Bonus Abuse and How to Avoid It
Online casinos offer deals to attract new players and hold onto existing ones. Players get extra funds to play with and the casino gets new customers or retains those they already have. Generally, it's a win-win situation but problems are created when people try to misuse the offer and scam the casino. This violates online casino policies and can lead to accounts being blocked, money being confiscated and even legal proceedings being enacted. Bonus abuse occurs in various ways but generally results from players not obeying the terms and conditions set out by the site. Before playing at any top 10 site we recommend you read through the policies to comply with all the terms and conditions. This will mean you can follow the rules and keep any winnings you amass.
Different Types of Bonus Abuse
There are different types of bonus abuse, but all amount to the same thing, fraudulently acquiring funds from a casino. Promotional abuse may be perpetrated by an individual or a group of individuals. Groups of fraudsters may employ technology and complicated methods to commit bonus abuse, but often it is a lot simpler than that. Individuals, who aren't exactly criminal masterminds, may try to scam the system. Players who engage in bonus abuse might employ a variety of tactics to accomplish this. Generally, these tactics start at signup.
- Creating Multiple User Accounts : Online sites usually stipulate that each player can only create one account. Online accounts can be tracked through the IP address of a device or location. A common fraud involves creating multiple accounts using a variety of IP addresses or a VPN. Most systems find it hard to detect whether or not a person has a single account or multiple accounts. So, accounts may appear to be held by different users but it is in fact a single user claiming bonuses several times.
- Bonus Hunting : Bonus hunters will trawl through online sites looking for lucrative bonuses. They will sign up to sites offering the biggest, most attractive deals, hoping to accumulate big wins with the bonus funds. The plan is to land a massive win on a high volatility game which will generate enough funds to satisfy the wagering requirements using smaller bets. If the plan doesn't work out and they lose, they abandon the bonus and look for another site.
- Not Adhering to Promotional Terms : Every bonus has terms and conditions attached. These are clearly displayed on the site and should be followed to keep your winnings. One term is often that certain games are not included in the promotion or only contribute a small percentage to the wagering requirement. Operators have technology in place to ensure that the terms of all promotions are fulfilled but players may try to play restricted games with bonus funds or otherwise bend the rules.
- Trying to Claim Multiple Bonuses : Most bonuses can only be redeemed once. This is especially true in the case of welcome bonuses which are specifically directed at players who are new to a site. As the name suggests, they are given as a way to welcome you. Some players may try to bypass the site's procedures and claim a bonus more than once. They will then try to cashout before the site realises what is happening.
- Using Large Bets : Some players will try to use the additional money they receive from the casino to place large bets on games that have high payouts. This could lead to a massive payout and the proceeds can be used to meet the wagering requirements, while still leaving the player with a substantial sum. Operators see this as an abuse of the promotion.
- Collusion Play : Collusion is possibly one of the least detectable types of bonus abuse. It involves two or more players joining forces to con the operator. Sometimes one person co-ordinates a group of players to sign up and claim special offers. The more resources fraudsters have, the higher the level of abuse. Or multiple players could join the same table game and join forces to beat the house.
How Online Casinos Detect Bonus Abusers
Online bonus abuse is a serious issue as it can impact legitimate players and ultimately cause a site to go out of business. It might seem that there's not much the operator can do about it, but sites can sometimes recognize dodgy accounts by the speed at which they complete the registration process. A speedy registration could signify that the customer has done it before. Fraudsters may also prefer certain games, particularly low-odds games that don't pose too much of a risk. The industry does have some tools in its arsenal that it uses to fight against fraudsters and illegal play.
Betting Patterns are Monitored
Bonus abuse may involve making large bets or betting on high-volatility games where the wins are likely to be substantial. Sites monitor the betting patterns of customers so that any deviations from the norm or recognised. Changes in betting habits could signify some form of scam is being enacted.
IP Addresses are Tracked
Tracking IP addresses is vital in the fight against fraudsters. IP addresses can pinpoint the location of a device or the device itself. Therefore, the system can detect if multiple accounts are coming from the same place or the same device. This is not a foolproof system as individuals can sign in using a different IP address or a VPN which acts as a buffer between the online site and the device.
Suspicious Devices are Tracked
Device fingerprinting allows site operators to collect information about a device and compare it against historical records. This allows the site to identify suspicious devices and discover whether more than one account is associated with them.
Not Allowing Bonuses with Certain Payment Methods
Some payment methods may make bonus abuse more likely to occur. It may be harder to verify an account and assess eligibility for a promotion when using certain deposit options. To circumvent this, sites may not allow you to claim promotional funds using specific methods.
Top10's Tips to Avoid Bonus Abuse and Prevent Being Banned
Players who willingly engage in bonus abuse know exactly what they are doing. They set out to defraud the casino and will use whatever means necessary to do this. Other players may be committing fraud without realizing it. If you are a legitimate player, you'll want to evade any suggestion that you are participating in a scam. Below we'll look at ways in which you can avoid any hint of wrongdoing.
- Don't Place Large Bets with Bonus Money : Avoid using your bonus money to place large bets. The site may see this as fraudulent behaviour.
- Only Create One Account : Don't set up more than one account on the same site. If you are having trouble accessing a previously held account, contact customer service before going ahead and creating another one.
- Always Check the Terms and Conditions : Before you start playing you need to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of the promotion you are using. These may be different from the general terms and conditions.
- Be Sure to Understand the Wagering Requirements : Most offers will have a wagering requirement attached which is given in the form of a multiple of the bonus. If the wagering requirement is listed as 30x this means you must wager the bonus amount 30 times before you can keep your winnings. Wagering requirements were put in place as a way to combat bonus abuse.
- Don't Try to Play Games that Aren't Allowed : Some games may be excluded from the offer. You can only play these games using your own money and not with bonus funds. Make sure you know what games are eligible.
- Don't Use Irregular Betting Patterns : Don't deviate too much from the way you normally place your bets. If your habits change when using bonus funds it may appear suspicious to the site's software.
- Make Regular Deposits and Don't Rely Solely on Bonuses : Bonuses are meant as a top-up to your own funds, a way to increase your bankroll and keep you playing for longer. Sites would soon go out of business if players just played using bonus money. Making regular deposits, even if they are small amounts, will prevent suspicion from falling on your account.
What to Do If You're Accused of Cheating
Sometimes sites get it wrong and the system may think you're cheating when you are not. The operator should inform you why they think you have cheated so don't ignore this. As long as you are playing at a reputable, fully licensed and regulated site, you should be able to resolve any dispute.
Your first step may be to contact customer support to sort the situation out. You may have to produce documents that verify your account and prove your identity. If you're using live chat, request a transcript of the chat or send a follow-up email that puts everything in writing. If this line of action doesn't work, then you may need to reach out to an independent governing body that protects online casino players.
What to Do if a Casino Bans You
If you are playing at a fully licensed and regulated site you are unlikely to be banned unless the operator feels there is something amiss. You should be informed of what the issue is and if you feel you have been unfairly treated then your first avenue of recourse will be customer support. Keep a record of all interactions, when they occurred and who you spoke with, preferably in writing.
If your issue is not resolved and you firmly believe the site operator is in the wrong you may need to escalate your complaint. Contact a governing body in your jurisdiction that deals with online casino player complaints. This organisation will act as a mediator between you and the operator and hopefully help to get your issue resolved.
The Final Word on Using Promotions Correctly
Online gaming has experienced a huge growth spurt in recent years. This was in part spurred on by the COVID-19 lockdowns when players were unable to access land-based establishments. The popularity of smartphones and mobile gaming has made online sites available from anywhere and on any device. This rise in popularity has also led to an increase in unwanted behaviour such as bonus abuse. This can be carried out by criminal gangs using sophisticated technology, but more often it is committed by individuals who think they are engaging in harmless behaviours or doing nothing wrong.
If you engage in bonus fraud by creating multiple accounts, bonus hunting, or other methods, then you are likely to be caught and suffer the consequences. At best you will have your account suspended and funds confiscated. At worst you may be prosecuted for fraud.
It's worth noting that bonus fraud doesn't just affect the perpetrator. Apart from obvious consequences to others who may be victims of identity theft, innocent players are affected in other ways. Bonus abuse may see a reduction in the number of bonuses on offer, or the bonuses may hold less monetary value. Believe it or not, when bonuses were initially introduced there was no wagering requirement attached. Wagering requirements are a direct result of bonus abuse. If you're a legitimate player, who likes nothing better than an online gaming session, follow the recommendations we've laid out above and you should have a safe gaming session.
Written by
Bonnie Gjurovska - Lead Editor Bonnie Gjurovska has been professionally involved in iGaming for over 5 years. She is passionate about online casinos, testing software and finding the best promotions. Her passion makes Bonnie the perfect candidate to help guide players from around the world and to oversee the content published on Top10Casinos.com.
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