When players exploit casino promotions for their own benefit, it’s called bonus abuse. This practice negatively impacts the casino by cutting into revenue, but did you know it can also affect other players?
Fraudulent activity causes casinos to tighten up terms and conditions and lower the value of their promotions. Beyond that, there are consequences for the individual.
On this page, I’ll teach you about the different types of bonus abuse, the repercussions, and ways you can avoid accidentally breaking the rules.
What Exactly Is Casino Bonus Abuse?
Bonus abuse is the manipulation of casino bonuses to gain an unfair advantage. It typically involves players opening multiple accounts to claim the same bonus numerous times.
It’s not as uncommon as you might think. There are even online communities dedicated to this activity. Most bonus abusers are average bettors who assume they can get away with tricking the system for more free play, most commonly exploiting welcome offers and no-deposit bonuses.
However, online casinos are cracking down. Not only does bonus abuse bleed their revenue, but it can also lead to fines from regulatory bodies. For those reasons, casinos implement strict terms and conditions, thorough identity verification, and close activity monitoring to combat this costly issue.
4 Ways Online Players Exploit Casino Bonuses
Players have gotten pretty creative about finding ways to abuse bonuses, but online casinos are usually one step ahead. The rewards aren’t worth the consequences, which can range from account suspension to getting permanently banned on top of losing your winnings.
Let’s take a look at the different forms of bonus abuse and what can happen if you’re caught.
Multi-Accounting
Multi-accounting is the most common form of bonus abuse. It’s when a player or players create numerous accounts to claim one bonus repeatedly. They may use a VPN, stolen throwaway email addresses, stolen credit card info, or fake names to pass the casino’s KYC process.
Reddit communities for multi-accounting mention getting caught and having their accounts closed.
That doesn’t deter some who simply move on to the next site to do the same thing. That may work for a short while, but many online casinos share information, and players could easily find themselves banned on multiple sites.
Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting is where a player bets on all outcomes of a sports event to guarantee a profit. It’s not illegal, but it is discouraged since it harms business.
Arbitrage opportunities can be difficult to spot, so players often use bots to scan multiple sportsbooks, giving them a distinct advantage.
Reddit users share tips and tricks for evading scrutiny from sportsbooks, but ultimately, many are caught and have limits put on their accounts or are banned entirely.
Bonus Hunting
Bonus hunting is when a player creates accounts at numerous sites to take advantage of welcome bonuses, make a quick profit, and proceed to the next site. It’s not illegal if they meet the terms and conditions and follow the rules.
However, it’s frowned upon by online casinos that offer these promotions to attract long-term players. It can result in sites tightening their terms and conditions, which ruins the fun for everyone else.
Chip Dumping
Chip dumping is when a poker player intentionally loses their hand and credits their chips to a fellow player they are in collusion with, keeping the money between themselves.
Oftentimes, the player has an active bonus, allowing them to take advantage of bonus funds and complete the playthrough requirements while transferring the “lost” money to another account.
It’s pretty unfair to other bettors who are trying to play honestly, and it can also have harsh consequences. Users on Reddit who have been accused of chip dumping have lost thousands in winnings.
Risks of Bonus Abuse
What happens if the casino catches on to your fraudulent actions? It could result in one or more of the following outcomes.
Account Limits
The casino may put limitations on your account, such as being prohibited from ever claiming another bonus.
Account Suspension or Ban
Breaking the site’s rules can result in an account suspension for a certain amount of time or even a permanent ban.
Forfeiture of Winnings
If you get caught abusing bonuses, the casino will void your winnings and the bonus funds, on top of likely freezing your deposit amount. In short, you’re probably not getting access to any of the money in your account.
The Banned List
Some casinos contribute to and share a database of information and names of bonus abusers. If you find yourself on this list, you could get banned from playing at numerous gambling sites.
Misunderstandings About Bonus Abuse
Whether bonus abuse is intentional or accidental, there are a few mistakes you want to avoid making. Here are some common misconceptions that could land you in hot water.
- “If I got away with it once, I can probably do it again.”
- “Using my friend’s account to claim a promotion isn’t abuse.”
- “It’s fine to create an account on the same laptop my spouse used.”
- “I can use someone else’s credit card to sign up and still get the bonus.”
- “Playing restricted games with a bonus won’t get noticed.”
- “Casinos won’t care — they make plenty of money anyway.”
If your gambling behavior aligns with the sentiments above, you are likely going to face some repercussions. The truth is that online casinos take fraudulent activity very seriously, and it’s only a matter of time before you get caught.
How Casinos Detect and Prevent Bonus Abuse
Casinos use a few methods to be proactive about preventing bonus abuse. Below are some of the primary ways they protect themselves.
Identity Verification
Casinos require verification of your identity to prevent fraud. The process typically involves asking players to send a copy of a photo ID, a selfie, and proof of address, like a utility bill.
Most players trying to open multiple accounts don’t have access to fake IDs, so it weeds out the less savvy fraudsters.
Terms and Conditions
Casinos use strict terms and conditions to clarify what actions they consider permissible or prohibited.
By signing up with the casino, you agree to follow these rules, which include only creating one account.
Analyzing Behavior
Casinos pay close attention to the actions of players. Certain behaviors like using VPNs, consistent maximum bets, multiple accounts from the same IP address, and withdrawing quickly after signing up are red flags.
They also watch your behavior patterns, so it’s easier to recognize when something is out of the ordinary.
Catching bonus abusers is becoming increasingly easy with the advancement of technology and AI tools. Online casinos also collaborate and share information about problematic players between sites.
Of course, not everyone who breaks the rules is an intentional bonus abuser. Some players don’t read the terms and conditions or are unaware they have done anything wrong. Providing better education about bonus abuse can help casinos avoid these inconvenient misunderstandings.
Casinos require verification of your identity to prevent fraud. The process typically involves asking players to send a copy of a photo ID, a selfie, and proof of address, like a utility bill.
Most players trying to open multiple accounts don’t have access to fake IDs, so it weeds out the less savvy fraudsters.
Advice for Players: How to Avoid Accidental Bonus Abuse
Most online gamblers don’t set out to exploit promotions, but sometimes, a simple misstep can cause the casino to flag their account. So, how can you avoid being labeled a bonus abuser? Follow the guidelines below.
Read the Terms and Conditions
This part is crucial. You must read the terms and conditions of the site and any bonus you claim. Here is where you’ll find all of the rules you are expected to follow, and failing to do so can result in getting banned.
Complete the Verification Process
Make sure you follow every step of the verification process and send in all the necessary documentation.
Not only will this help the casino know who you are, but it will also make withdrawing a lot easier and faster.
Be Mindful of Who Uses Your Devices
It’s quite common for people who live together to accidentally create two accounts at an online casino on the same device, but unfortunately, to the casino, that looks like fraud.
Your significant other or roommate must use a different laptop or mobile phone to sign up at the site.
Only Use Your Credit Card
Although using a family member or spouse’s credit card to deposit at an online casino might seem natural, it can cause problems.
The name on the credit card must match the name used to create the casino account, or you won’t be able to cash out and will likely get flagged for suspicious activity.
Play Normally
Of course, normal is subjective. However, you should try to avoid behaviors that might make the casino raise an eyebrow, like betting the maximum repeatedly, folding poker hands and transferring chips to other players, and trying to play prohibited games with an active bonus.
Play by the Rules
Bonus abuse not only harms the casino but also the players in the long run. It results in stricter terms and conditions, making bonuses less valuable and identification processes more rigorous for everyone.
With the rise of technology and information sharing, bonus abuse is becoming more difficult, and fraudulent players are being banned from sites before they even start.
Read the terms and conditions and play by the rules, and you won’t have to worry about being the bad apple that spoils the bunch.
FAQ
Check out some of the most commonly asked questions about bonus abuse.
Can a casino ban my account if someone else at my address abuses bonuses?
Yes, if someone using your IP address abuses bonuses, the casino can ban your account. That’s why it’s important to avoid sharing your account and following the rules.
Do casinos track family members’ accounts when looking for bonus abuse?
A casino will notice if multiple accounts are created at one IP address, so family members who use one device will get tracked.
Is it considered abuse if I sign up again after forgetting my old account details?
Creating a new account on the same device and claiming a bonus could be considered bonus abuse. If you forgot your login information, you can recover your password and username by following the instructions on the site or contacting customer support.
How long do casinos keep records of bonus abuse?
It’s hard to say how long each site keeps records, but you can probably assume it’s forever.
Can I get my winnings back if I was banned for bonus abuse?
The consequences of bonus abuse can vary from site to site, but in general, you are not likely to get your winnings if you are caught.
Do casinos share bonus abuse data with each other?
Yes, casinos share bonus abuse data with each other, especially if they are under the same umbrella company.
Is using a public Wi-Fi connection risky for being flagged as bonus abuse?
Using a public Wi-Fi connection won’t automatically flag you as a bonus abuser, but you want to be sure your connection is secure to avoid potential hackers.
What can I do if a casino falsely accuses me of bonus abuse?
Casinos have no obligation to accept your business, so there’s not much you can do if they falsely accuse you of bonus abuse and ban your account.
