Most problems with online casinos are predictable. The same warning signs appear well before a withdrawal goes missing. Here is what to look for, roughly in the order you would meet them.
Before you sign up
1. No licence, or one you cannot verify. A seal that does not link to a regulator's register proves nothing. See licences explained.
2. No named company. If the terms never say who operates the site, there is nobody to hold to account.
3. It tells you to use a VPN. A casino that encourages players from excluded countries is inviting a dispute it will later win.
4. Terms you cannot find. Bonus and withdrawal rules should be one click away.
In the terms
5. Low withdrawal caps. A weekly limit far below what you could win means a big win is paid in instalments, if at all.
6. Vague "irregular play" clauses. Broad wording that lets the casino void winnings at its discretion.
7. Dormancy or withdrawal fees that eat small balances.
Once you are playing
8. Support that goes quiet at withdrawal. Fast answers before you deposit and silence after is a pattern.
9. New conditions after a win. Extra wagering, a surprise deposit requirement, or repeated document requests with no clear reason.
10. Pressure to cancel a withdrawal. Reverse-withdrawal buttons and bonus offers on pending cashouts exist to get the money back into play.
How to protect yourself
Test with a small deposit and a small withdrawal first. Keep balances low. Screenshot the terms and your bonus status. Read a recorded test before you trust a promise: our reviews show what happened when we withdrew.
