Rogue Casinos: Blacklisted casinos & how to avoid rogue casino sites in the UK 2024
Not all online casinos play fair – in fact, rogue casinos are a significant problem within the online gambling industry. This makes choosing a legit online casino a bit of a minefield for UK players.
Because of this, we have created an online casino blacklist. The reasons for doing this will become apparent below. But, essentially, we’re letting you know about blacklisted and rogue online casinos so that you don’t fall prey to bad actors who will run off with your money.
In this article, we’ll cover what we consider to be a red flag. Plus, we’ll name names. And, on the flip side, we’ll show you how to find safe online casinos that won’t take you for a ride. Let’s go…
Key takeaways
- Rogue casinos and blacklisted casinos: Our article highlights the prevalence of rogue and blacklisted online casinos targeting UK players. We emphasise the importance of recognising scams and red flags to ensure safe and responsible gambling.
- Regulation and licensing: We stress the significance of playing at casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This is to ensure you avoid falling victim to unregulated sites that may engage in fraudulent activities.
- Common red flags: We outline common practices of rogue casinos, including lack of valid licenses, use of dodgy software providers, false advertising, payment issues and poor site reputation. We also advise players on how to spot and avoid these pitfalls.
- Safe casino recommendations: For a safer gambling experience, this article advises sticking to reputable UKGC-licensed online casinos. We also provide a list of blacklisted and rogue casino sites to avoid.
What are blacklisted and rogue casinos?
In an ideal world, every online casino would be on the level. Everything would be clear-cut, transparent and aboveboard. And online gambling sites would live or die based on their quality-of-life features. Unfortunately, with the UK gambling industry worth more than £14 billion in 2022, there are plenty of scammers, charlatans and outright thieves out there – the majority of which are based outside the United Kingdom. And there are various techniques to lure in unsuspecting players. That’s why we’ll expose all the tactics of rogue casinos here.
Coming back to what rogue casino sites are for a moment. Let’s just say that they’re either too good to be true, they feature rigged games, or they are dodgy online casinos that want to scam players out of money. We’ll get into the details of these things (and others) below. For now, however, we can simply say that blacklisted casinos want to sail off into the sunset with as much of your money as possible. But by following our guide on rogue sites, you can avoid these scammers and play at legitimate real-money casinos in the UK. First, let’s get the lay of the land in the UK specifically…
Are there many rogue online casino sites in the UK?
All online casinos based in the United Kingdom are strictly regulated. This means that UK operators must obtain a casino license from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Failure to do so could (and often does) result in the closure of the business, massive fines and jail time for the owner(s). Therefore, any UK-based online casino will be regulated appropriately by the notoriously strict UKGC. This should give a level of comfort to UK players at licensed casinos.
However, numerous blacklisted casinos operate from other countries while still targeting UK players. These can be based in parts of Europe or further afield in island nations around the world. They are known as offshore sites. Technically, these sites shouldn't be able to accept UK customers with a valid license from the UKGC. But as you can imagine, many criminal enterprises will ignore these rules. That can make playing at offshore sites dangerous.
How do rogue online casinos get blacklisted?
Before we start naming names of blacklisted casino sites, let’s cover the red flags. The following are the most common features of dodgy online casinos that get blacklisted. They might only be guilty of one of them. Whereas others have the whole deck. But the fact is that the trusted online casinos that we recommend don’t do any of these nefarious practices. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid any online casino sites that operate in such a way. Here are the top 5 rogue casino practices…
No valid license or outdated certificates ❌
As mentioned, no online casino should accept UK-based players without a valid UKGC license. However, because UK online infrastructure is open and VPNs are widely used, it’s reasonably easy to get around these restrictions. Now, there are degrees of naughtiness here. We consider an online casino with a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license to be way more trustworthy than one with a relatively poor Government of Curacao license, for example. This is why we do not recommend playing at crypto casinos with Curacao licenses, for example. The UKGC won’t touch crypto with a bargepole, simply because it is ripe for abuse, fraud and dodgy dealings.
Rogue casino sites based offshore evade the UKGC rules in various ways. Many will fake their licenses – because many players won’t bother to look up the license(s) and check that it is valid. Others may have had a license back in the day but failed to maintain it correctly, making it invalid. Others are even more brazen. They simply don’t bother with obtaining any reputable license. This is a huge red flag. Without a license in place, there are no background checks, no unannounced inspections, and no guarantee that they have any money to pay players for their winnings. So, if you play at unlicensed casinos, expect them to disappear with your money.
Dodgy software providers and unfair games ❌
There are more than a few blacklisted casinos out there that are using rigged games. Using dodgy software will drastically shift the odds in the casino’s favour. So, while legitimate casino games will slightly favour the online casino, rigged games make it impossible for the player to win. Let’s take online slots as an example. A typical online slot at recommended casinos will have a return to player (RTP) of around 95-96%. That means a player can expect to win 95-96p for every £1 wagered. This is a rigorously tested average – meaning that some will receive winnings above that figure (i.e., above 100%), whereas other players will lose money.
All of the above is strictly monitored by independent organisations like eCOGRA. They run millions of spins in a short timeframe to ensure that the average RTP rates are correct. With dodgy or hacked software, however, the RTP rates are falsified. There have even been cases of legitimate slots from top software providers being manipulated. So, while you think you’re playing a legit version of Gonzo’s Quest, for example, the hacked version gives you no chance of winning. So, in addition to ensuring you only play at UKGC-licensed online casinos, check that the games have been tested by eCOGRA or a similarly well-respected testing company.
False advertising that is too good to be true ❌
Another positive of playing casino games at UKGC sites is the strict rules on advertising and marketing. In fact, several online casinos get fined every year for false advertising or misleading marketing. This is important because it keeps the best online casinos on their toes. For example, the UKGC bans the use of models under the age of 25 in their adverts. In fact, the models cannot even look under the age of 25. Similarly, the use of the word “free” is regulated. If something is advertised as “free” there cannot be wagering requirements attached.
Blacklisted casinos take liberties with the rules all the time. You could call it habitual behaviour rather than an honest mistake. In this way, many offshore casinos targeting UK players will use offers that are simply too good to be true. So, when you see a welcome bonus offer of 1,000% of your first deposit, it’s clearly bullshit. There’s no way a rogue casino will honour something like that without making it impossible to withdraw any winnings. Either that or they are incredibly naive about bonus abuse and will soon be put out of business.
Multiple online casino payment problems ❌
Another classic way of ripping off UK players is to create online payment problems. This can include slow payments (in the hope that the player gives up chasing the company) or no payment whatsoever. Some blacklisted casinos will go dark when questioned about these things. Other online gambling companies will come up with all sorts of excuses for why a payment hasn’t been made to a player’s bank account. Or banking methods like Bitcoin could be the only “option”. The only conclusion to draw about such things is either the company doesn’t have the funds to payout the winnings or the people running it simply don’t want to.
You’ll also notice that making deposits goes without a hitch. But when it comes to withdrawing casino winnings fast, there is suddenly a multitude of payment problems. Some of the blacklisted sites we’ve listed below are doing this daily. And if the online casino company is based in some far-flung location, there is little UK players can do to get ahold of their winnings. Plus, the rule of law in some countries is not exactly proactive about clamping down on these things. And that’s, of course, assuming that the companies’ whereabouts can be determined.
Poor site reputation and player complaints ❌
Last but not least, we spend time on gambling forums. We’re looking for player complaints, no matter how big or small. Of course, we take these things with a pinch of salt – after all, people love complaining about anything under the sun over the internet. However, if a consensus starts to build or multiple users are complaining about the same things over weeks and months, then something isn’t quite right. We then investigate the complaints of UK gamblers to see what the problem is. And more often than not, put them on the casino blacklist.
Some of the dodgiest blacklisted sites will run a gambling site just well enough to keep things together. They don’t want deposits to dry up before they decide to pull the rug. Therefore, they will do the bare minimum required to stay afloat in the short term. They will pay out a few thousand players. And they will counter complaints made on forums – sometimes quite aggressively, which is another warning sign. But at some point, they will disappear in a puff of smoke and take all the money they possibly can. So, we take player complaints very seriously.
Blacklisted casinos without a UKGC license
If you're looking for online casinos targeting the UK market that do not have a valid UKGC (UK Gambling Commission) license, several platforms operate without the UK's strict regulations. These casinos are typically licensed by other jurisdictions such as Curacao, Malta, or Gibraltar. They often appeal to UK players for their more flexible terms, fewer restrictions and sometimes more generous bonuses. But there are downsides, too, of course.
A few examples of non-UK licensed casinos that are accessible to UK players include:
- Tropical Wins Casino
- GoldenBet Casino
- Richy Fox Casino
- Love Casino
- Magic Win Casino
- Rolletto Casino
- CosmoBet Casino
- Golden Genie Casino
- Lucky Mister Online Casino
These casinos offer features such as acceptance of credit card payments (which are banned by UKGC-regulated casinos), easier registration processes without extensive KYC checks, and access to games from providers not available on UKGC-licensed sites. However, they may lack player protections offered by UKGC regulation, such as GamStop self-exclusion or dispute resolution services. Players should also be cautious as these casinos may not have the same level of accountability regarding player safety or payment reliability.
If you're considering playing on these sites, it's important to weigh the potential risks. These include things like a lack of regulatory oversight and limited player protection. Always ensure that the site is licensed by a reputable authority and read player reviews to avoid rogue casinos that could engage in unethical practices.
Other rogue casino sites you should avoid
Below, we've collected a list of blacklisted online casino sites. There are quite a few on the rogue casino list, some of which target UK players, while others operate around the world. So, if you're looking for a new casino, be sure to avoid these shady casinos. On the other hand, if you want to skip straight to our recommended top casinos, scroll down or go to our list of the best online casinos in the UK. There are many excellent casinos out there, but sites from these groups fall short…
Rigged casino games: AffPower Casinos Group❗
Rogue casinos under the AffPower moniker have reportedly managed to hack legitimate NetEnt games and rig them to give themselves a huge house edge. So, playing casino games at any of these sites is nothing but folly. On top of that, we've heard stories of players not being paid their winnings. So, whatever you do, don't give these guys any of your deposit money:
Atlantic ▪ Casino BluSky ▪ Casino Bordeaux ▪ Casino SuperLines ▪ Casino1 Club ▪ Cashpot ▪ Company ▪ Cosmik ▪ Crazy ▪ Deuce Club ▪ EnzoCasino ▪ EuroMoon ▪ Madame Chance ▪ Magik Slots ▪ OceanBets ▪ OrientXpress ▪ Osiris ▪ Park Lane ▪ Ramses Gold ▪ Slots500 ▪ Times Square ▪ Triomphe
Questionable practices: Ace Revenue Group❗
This group of blacklisted casino sites has been operating since 1998. Remarkably, they're still going today despite multiple reports of players not being paid what's owed to them. We hear that some players have even received threats from the company, too. So, avoid these guys like the proverbial plague. You won't get anything out of badgering their customer support team:
123 Slots Online ▪ Captain Jack ▪ Club Player ▪ Cool Cat ▪ Dreams ▪ Grand Fortune ▪ Le Bon ▪ Palace of Chance ▪ Planet 7 ▪ Planet 7 Oz ▪ Posh ▪ Prism ▪ Raging Bull ▪ RingMaster ▪ Royal Ace ▪ Ruby Slots ▪ Silver Oak ▪ Slot Madness ▪ Slots Garden ▪ Slots of Vegas ▪ The Virtual Casino ▪ Vegas Strip ▪ VIP Lounge ▪ Wild Vegas
Slow payments: Cyberrock Entertainment Group❗
These casinos are licensed by the notoriously dodgy Government of Curacao, which should set off your spidey senses immediately. What really gets our goat about this set of blacklisted casinos is numerous reports of slow payments. We're talking years for some players to get their money – if they get any at all. So do yourself a favour and avoid any of the following casinos:
21Grand ▪ Casino Fiz ▪ CrazyWinners ▪ Euro Fortune ▪ EZ Scratch ▪ Play2Win ▪ Rockbet ▪ Slots Jackpot ▪ SupremePlay ▪ Tradition ▪ Vegas Days
Withdrawal requests void: FutureBet Casinos Group❗
This one isn't just stiffing players out of their money. Instead, it seems no one in the gambling industry is safe from these rogue casino sites. The company has been accused of not only refusing to pay out their players but also licensing regulators and casino affiliates. Therefore, we do not support any of the following. All of them are on our rogue casino blacklist:
300 Chips ▪ Ace City ▪ Amco Poker ▪ Average Joe ▪ Beach House Poker ▪ Big Daddy’s ▪ Doms ▪ Don Poker ▪ Down Home Poker ▪ Dukes Palace ▪ Empire ▪ Jack Daddy’s Poker ▪ Lucky River Poker ▪ Maya Gaming ▪ Open Table Poker ▪ Poker Dealer ▪ Pokers DNA ▪ Poker Eon ▪ Poker Poka ▪ Podium Poker ▪ Poker Souls ▪ Poker Syndicate ▪ PokerTouch ▪ RioParty ▪ US Star ▪ Star Online Gaming ▪ Stinky Fish Poker ▪ Stone Gaming ▪ Texas Holdem Room ▪ The Golden Vegas ▪ The Poker Club ▪ Vegas 24 ▪ Want My Poker ▪ Xtreme Bluff
Payment problems: Gambling Federation Group❗
Back in 2005, the Gambling Federation Group decided to remove the winnings of a player – a significant amount of money, too! Even the software company had to step in but the case was never solved and the player received jack. The Gambling Federation were also accused of installing malware on players' computers with downloadable software in the past. Avoid!
707 Casino ▪ After Work ▪ All Poker Games ▪ Amazing Video Poker ▪ BlackJack Club ▪ Casino 3X ▪ Casino Alhambra ▪ Casino Freedom ▪ Casino Grande ▪ Casino Italia ▪ Casino Mel ▪ Casino Poker Las Vegas ▪ Commodore ▪ Go 4 Millions ▪ Golden Balls ▪ Golden Star ▪ It’s Las Vegas Baby ▪ Jeux de Cesar ▪ K2 ▪ Lady Luck ▪ Lucky Gate ▪ Magic Vegas ▪ Major Slots ▪ Maximus ▪ Max Slots ▪ Mickey’s Club ▪ Oceans ▪ Online Casino Fever ▪ Pink Lady ▪ Pure Slots ▪ Rich Club ▪ Rockland ▪ Royal City ▪ Sizzling Slots ▪ Slots Express ▪ Video Poker Classic ▪ Video Poker Saloon ▪ Winners Goldmine
How do I complain about rogue casinos in the UK?
If the online casino is based in the United Kingdom, complain directly to the UKGC. The UKGC often steps in on behalf of players who have been mistreated by rogue casinos. And in some cases, the players have received compensation when the issues play out in court. If, however, the casino is based outside the UK, there is not much you can do about it. You can complain to the relevant licensing authority, of course. But many blacklisted casino sites operate without proper licensing. This is why we always recommend that new players go with safe UKGC sites.
Do we remove legit sites from our casino blacklist?
While we're happy to increase the scores of casinos for actions like offering games in new categories (such as progressive jackpot and instant play games, for example), including better bonuses for new players and lowering playthrough requirements. But we're unlikely to take a blacklisted casino off our naughty list. That's because we only blacklist rogue casino sites for playing fast and loose with serious things. These include ignoring industry standards set up by the UKGC, making slow payments and not honouring bonuses. Messing with players' financial information is also a big no-no. Therefore, blacklisted casinos tend to stay blacklisted.
Avoid rogue casinos: Choose recommended sites
We hope you agree that a rogue casino site is just not worth the headache. Instead, you should focus your time and money on the UK's best casinos. After all, there's no point claiming fantastic bonuses or grabbing a big win if it all comes to nothing in the end – or worse the casino never ends up paying you or letting you withdraw your balance. Instead, grab a bonus from one of our trustworthy casinos. Here are some of the safest casinos in the business:
Safe and secure non-blacklisted casino sites UK
Affiliate disclosure: GamblingAuthority earns a small commission for registrations and deposits made via our affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Our services are always free for our users.
| Special Information | Casino | Capabilities | Bonus Information | Let's Play! | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1  Duelz Casino |     |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers  Skrill Neteller Paypal Paysafecard Payz Euteller GiroPay InteracGame developers  Betsoft Elk Studios 1x2Gaming iSoftBet Evolution Gaming Microgaming NetEnt Play'n Go | ||
2  Slot Planet Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNeteller SofortPaysafecardGiroPay Maestro Mastercard VisaGame developers BetsoftElk Studios1x2Gaming NYXEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n Go | ||
3  Metal Casino |   |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers  Mastercard DebitSkrillNetellerPaysafecardPayzEuteller Trustly Bank TransferGame developers BetsoftElk StudiosiSoftBetNYXEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n Go | ||
4  Mr Green Casino |  |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaysafecardMastercardVisaGame developers BetsoftElk Studios1x2GamingNYX PlaytechEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEnt | ||
5  Hyper Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerMastercardTrustlyVisaPaypalGame developers Elk StudiosEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEnt Thunderkick Pragmatic PlayPlay'n Go Red Tiger | ||
6  Neptune Play Casino |  |
Terms and conditionsTerms & Conditions
+18. Terms and Conditions Apply. Min. Deposit $10. | Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers MastercardVisaSkrillNetellerPayz AstroPay CardGame developers Elk StudiosEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n Go QuickspinThunderkick NextGen Gaming | ||
7  BetMGM Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers PaypalMastercardVisa Google Pay Apple PayGame developers iSoftBetPlaytechEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntRed TigerElk StudiosPlay'n Go | ||
8  Skol Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalSofortPaysafecardInteracMaestroMastercardGame developers Elk Studios1x2GamingNYXEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoRed Tiger | ||
9  Hippodrome Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers NetellerPaypal Visa Debit iDebitMaestroMastercardVisaBank TransferGame developers Evolution GamingMicrogamingNetEnt | ||
10  Griffon Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalPaysafecardPayzEutellerGiroPayInteracGame developers iSoftBetNYXEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntQuickspinRed Tiger Playson | ||
11  Casilando Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaysafecardTrustlyMastercardVisaBank TransferGame developers Elk StudiosEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoRed TigerThunderkick Nolimit City | ||
12  Spin Hill Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers PaypalPaysafecardMaestroMastercardVisa Pay via PhoneGame developers MicrogamingNetEntRed TigerPlayson | ||
13  Admiral | |
Terms and conditionsTerms and conditions apply. Play responsibly | 18+ | Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalPaysafecardMastercardVisaGame developers NetEntPragmatic Play Novomatic | ||
14  Yako Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalSofortPaysafecardPayz EntropayInteracGame developers Elk StudiosEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoThunderkickNextGen GamingPragmatic Play | ||
15  Lucky Vegas Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalSofortPaysafecardPayzEutellerGiroPayGame developers iSoftBetPlaytechEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoQuickspinRed Tiger | ||
16  PlayOJO Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalSofortPaysafecardPayzMaestroMastercardGame developers Elk StudiosiSoftBetNYXPlaytechEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n Go | ||
17  Energy Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaysafecardPayzEntropayEutellerInteracMastercardGame developers 1x2GamingEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n Go QuickfireRed TigerThunderkick | ||
18  Coral Casino | |
Terms and conditionsTerms and conditions apply. Play responsibly | 18+ | Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalVisa DebitPaysafecardPayzMaestroMastercardGame developers PlaytechNetEntQuickspinRed TigerNextGen Gaming Ashgaming IGT Barcrest | ||
19  Space Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaysafecardPayzMaestroMastercard QIWIVisaGame developers BetsoftElk Studios1x2GamingiSoftBetMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoQuickfire | ||
20  Playzee Casino | |
| Bonus structure
General information
Payment providers SkrillNetellerPaypalPaysafecardMastercardTrustlyVisa MuchBetterGame developers Elk Studios1x2GamingNYXEvolution GamingMicrogamingNetEntPlay'n GoQuickspin |
4.5 / 5
Showing 20 / 61
The latest UK online casino news
Conclusion
One experience with a rogue gambling site is enough to put yourself off for life. So, it's really not worth the hassle – no matter how amazing the casino bonuses seem to be. We hope that you've learned the major warning signs by reading our page on rogue casinos and how they operate outside of the law. Stick to UKGC-licensed sites and you'll have a much better time!
Rogue Casinos FAQ
With an education from the University of Cambridge and while working with iGaming for the last 6 years, Stephen has obtained a lot of knowledge about the industry. He usually writes about the different types of online casinos, casino bonuses and various gambling strategies.
Read more about the author