How to understand that the casino site is fake

Fake sites mimic well-known brands: they copy the design, logos of game providers, promise "instant payments" and "bonuses without rules." Their goal is to steal deposits and your KYC data. Below is a short algorithm for rapid screening and an advanced technique for advanced validation.

1) Express check in 3-7 minutes (checklist)

Domain and SSL

No typo/additive domain (no -casinoo, .biz instead of. com, etc.).
SSL correct: issued by a known CA, the date is not "yesterday," the subject is the same as Jurassic. info on the site.
There is no "zoo" of mirrors with different legal information.

Legal Information

The basement contains the operator/jurisdiction/license number/ADR.
The license number is punched in the regulator register (and matches the operator name).

Games and providers

Games open with the same interface/betting set as the official demos.
There are references/mentions of independent RNG/RTP audits.

Payments and withdrawals

There are payment rules (SLAs, limits, KYCs, reasons for delays).
Bank/EMI/custodian specified; no P2P on personal cards/messengers.

Communications

Support does not take to personal chats, there is an official e-mail/ticket system.
Responsible Gambling/KYC/Privacy pages - full, not "fish."

If two or more items are "failed" - a fake or "gray" clone is likely.

2) Domain intelligence: what gives fake

Typosquatting and subdomains: brand-casiino. com, support-brand. vip, brand-promo. net.

Domain age: Very "fresh" under a supposedly "long-term brand."

SSL inconsistencies: the certificate was recently issued to another legal entity; frequent reinstallation.

Link mismatch: social networks/applications lead to a different domain than the main one.

Practice: compare the domain from the letter/advertisement with the domain specified in the official social networks of the brand. Any difference is a red flag.

3) Legal pages and license

The license must be beaten: number, regulator, the exact name of the operator - verified in the registry.

Addresses and companies: one legal entity in the basement, the other in Privacy/Terms - a classic of fakes.

ADR/Ombudsman: lack of contacts for complaints and an understandable procedure is a minus.

Red flag: logos of regulators without a license number or with a "bat" link.

4) Content and visual "seams"

Stock icons of providers without live integrations (the game does not load or the UI is "wrong").

Broken language/translations: terms that a real brand doesn't articulate like that.

Mismatch of assets: favicon, fonts, indents/grid "led" - often a quick copy.

Empty sections: Responsible Gambling, KYC/AML, Cookies - template, without specifics.

5) Cabinet and onboarding behaviour

Registration "without confirmation": put into deposits without e-mail/SMS verification.

Collecting unnecessary data: asking for a passport/selfie before the deposit "for a bonus."

No 2FA/suspicious "secure" card windows right on the site page (instead of redirecting to the payment gateway).

Aggressive pop-ups of bonuses before registration is completed is a sign of a drop site.

6) Payments and conclusions: where masks fly off

Gray methods: P2P to personal cards, crypto to private wallets of "managers," transfers in instant messengers.

There is no SLA and withdrawal limits: "as it turns out," "accelerate for%" - fraudulent practice.

Lack of safeguarding/escrow: nowhere is it said where client funds are stored and who is custodian.

7) Support and footprint

Imposing Telegram/WhatsApp instead of a ticket/domain mail.

Blackmail/pressure: "do not complain, otherwise ban," "let's make a mark in antiphrode."

Fake reviews: the same laudatory texts on different resources.

8) Advanced check (for those who like to "dig")

Comparison of game builds: open 2-3 top slots, check the menu, bets, paytable with the official studio demos/manuals. Any discrepancies are a reason to leave.

Grids and images: defocus/pinching logos, "dancing" indents - copy indicator.

Politicians and offer: Look for unique brand phrases. If the text "fish" from the templates is fake.

E-mail authentication: letters from a twin domain, no DMARC/SPF - phishing campaign.

9) Fake vs "mirror": an important difference

Mirror is the official alternative domain of the brand (usually listed on their social media/support), legal information and payments are the same.

Fake - the domain does not appear in official channels, Jurassic. data/payments are different, support leads to instant messengers.

If the mirror is "official," the brand confirms this publicly (FAQ, X/Instagram/Telegram channels).

10) What to do if you have already interacted with the site

1. Stop any payments immediately.

2. Change passwords and enable 2FA in mail and payment providers.

3. Block the card/wallet at the slightest suspicion, enable transaction monitoring.

4. Collect evidence: screenshots of the domain, office, correspondence, rules.

5. Contact the bank/provider (chargeback/dispute - if the method supports).

6. Report to your country's cyber police/regulators and official brand channels (to alert players).

7. Do not submit KYC documents to personal chats and forms outside the brand domain.

11) Universal hygiene rules

Switch to casinos only from bookmarks or official brand social networks.

Check the domain in the address bar every time before entering your username/password.

Do not store cards in the "left" office; use tokenization/Apple Pay/Google Pay with trusted brands.

Start with a minimum deposit and a test partial withdrawal.

Keep separate mail for gambling services and enable 2FA.

A fake casino site almost always gives out combinations of signs: a "crooked" domain/SSL, inconsistencies in the license and legal entity, gray payments, template rules and intrusive support in instant messengers. Stick to a simple principle: there is no complete transparency on domain, license, providers and payments - no deposit.