Blacklisted Casinos: Canadian Gambling Sites to Avoid
Our introduction to untrustworthy casino sites
Just from the name, you might be able to work out what a blacklisted casino is. Put simply, it’s any gambling site that has raised red flags about its authenticity. A casino site might get blacklisted if it doesn’t pay out when you win money, provides unfair games, or risks your personal and financial data via insecure website practices.
Before you sign up and start using your real cash at an online casino site, you must ensure that it’s not blacklisted. Playing at a blacklisted site can be risky from a data privacy point of view, and you’re likely to have an overall poor experience.
The first risk of playing at a blacklisted casino is that the games might not be fair, so you might not ever win. And even if you land a win, you might not get paid. The money may never appear in your account, and customer support could prove impossible to contact.
By identifying blacklisted online casinos, you can save yourself endless frustration and ensure that your money and data stay safe. Avoid the Blacklisted casino sites below at all costs:
Why Do Online Casinos Get Blacklisted?
Unpaid Winnings
This might be the most common reason why online casinos get blacklisted, and it can also be one of the most frustrating things for players. While you should be excited to land a legitimate win, some casinos might not pay you out at all.
You might never get the money, be unable to reach the support team to query the delay, or need to jump through many unnecessary hoops or only get paid a portion of your deserved winnings. It’s worth keeping in mind that some casino sites might restrict your winnings due to bonus abuse, and that’s not a reason to blacklist the site.
Rigged Games
All games at legitimate gambling sites use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to drive the outcome of every spin on the slots. These complex computer algorithms ensure that the combination of symbols landing each time is random, and there’s nothing a player can do to influence it.
But this isn’t the case at blacklisted casino sites. Independent bodies might not have thoroughly tested the games, so you’ll have no assurance that they’re fair. Blacklisted casinos might manipulate the odds to favour the casino more, making it impossible for you to ever win on their games.
Poor Customer Service
Poor customer support is a classic sign of a casino you’ll want to avoid. We don’t just mean live chat that requires a half-hour wait. We’re talking about sites that don’t offer any way to contact a human support agent, no matter what you try. You won’t get a response even if you can find an email address.
Lack of Licensing or Fake Licensing
If you can’t find licensing information anywhere on a casino site, you should take that as a bad sign. If a site doesn’t have a legitimate license, or if it has one from a fake “gambling authority,” it might make it very difficult for you to access that information. Also, if a site claims to be licensed by a body that doesn’t sound familiar, look it up, as it might not be real.
Unclear or Unfair Terms and Conditions
From wagering requirements that require you to play through winnings hundreds of times to massive minimum withdrawal amounts, some blacklisted online casinos use unfair terms and conditions to make it difficult for you to claim bonuses or get your winnings. And because a reputable licensing authority hasn’t vetted these T&Cs, the casino can get away with it.
Insecure Payment Systems
When signing up at a legitimate online casino, you must always look for secure payment methods like bank cards and trusted e-wallets. Blacklisted casinos might offer deposits through shady methods that you haven’t heard of before, or worse still, they might not encrypt transactions, so your bank card or bank account details could be compromised.
Blacklisted casinos might also not have encryption or firewalls, so there’s a risk of your financial data being stolen by hackers or by the actual casino site.
Spamming and Aggressive Marketing
If you sign up for a new online casino and you’re receiving multiple emails or texts every day promising massive bonuses that never materialize, chances are the casino should probably be blacklisted.
How to Identify a Blacklisted Online Casino
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Check for Valid Licensing
Check the footer for licensing details before signing up at an online casino. At Canadian online casinos, you’ll want approval from a reputable body like the Malta Gaming Authority, the Government of Curacao, or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. This information should be readily available; it’s a red flag if hidden. -
Read Player Reviews and Complaints
It’s a good idea to check review websites or App Store and Play Store ratings to see what other players think about an online casino site. Any mentions of players not getting their winnings or poor security and customer support should make you think twice about signing up. -
Look for Independent Audits
Certifications from eCOGRA and iTechLabs will assure you that the site’s games use Random Number Generator technology, so they’re fair. Reputable sites make it easy to find these certifications, as they’re usually listed in the footer. -
Assess Customer Service Responsiveness
Assess the customer support team before you sign up. Ensure the site has official live chat, email, and phone support channels. If you get in touch, look for quick replies and friendly and knowledgeable team members. -
Check Payment Methods and Security
Safe online casinos use reputable payment methods and ensure all transactions are secure. Ensure that the methods sound familiar, that the site uses encryption technology and firewalls, and that it has a robust data protection policy.
Consequences of Playing at a Blacklisted Casino
Losing Your Money
The first way you could lose your money is by playing games that aren’t fair. In addition, the blacklisted casino might defraud players. For example, the money in your account might disappear, or the casino might shut down without notice, taking your money in the process.
Compromised Personal Information
Due to a lack of data protection procedures, your personal information (like your name, phone number and address) and financial details (like your bank card or bank account number) might fall into the wrong hands. This could mean you’re vulnerable to cyber-attacks, identity theft, or financial fraud.
Unfair Game Outcomes
Unlike legitimate casinos, where the games are run with Random Number Generators, blacklisted casinos can push the house edge further and further in their favour, making it practically impossible for you to win.
Difficulty Withdrawing Funds
If you jump through all the other hoops and you’re lucky enough to have a win at a blacklisted casino, you might still not get your money. The casino might have unrealistic verification procedures to put you off withdrawing, or you might be charged massive fees. Sometimes, you’ll receive much less than expected or nothing.
Examples of Blacklisted Online Casinos
Notorious Blacklisted Casinos
Many online casinos have been blacklisted over the years for lots of different reasons:
- One example is a site shut down in 2009 after the owner was arrested for money laundering and operating an illegal casino.
- In 2015, a few linked online casino sites were shut down, and the owners were arrested for fraud and hacking. The sites also refused to pay out winnings.
- In 2017, a casino site was shut down after it was found to have been offering pirated games with rigged odds.
Fake Licensing Authorities
The main licensing bodies for online casinos are well known, but believe it or not, there are a few fake authorities out there, too. If you see anything mentioning a “Global” or “Worldwide” gambling authority, it’s not real.
Some online casinos lie and say they’re licensed by less regulated bodies like the Panama or Seychelles gambling boards. Please research any unknown licenses and check official websites to verify their legitimacy.
How to Report a Blacklisted Casino
Where to Report
If you encounter serious issues with an online casino, you should always report them to the relevant body. The first step is to file a complaint with the regulator in your province, such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario or the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch in BC.
If you have concerns about the gaming software or fairness, you should contact eCOGRA. If you feel the casino has defrauded you, you might prefer to seek formal dispute resolution.
Documenting Your Case
If you have a negative experience with an online casino (and we don’t mean just a case of not winning), the first thing to do is document everything, as this will help your case later on.
Ensure you take screenshots immediately and store them securely if your account gets blocked—also, store emails from the online casino and your history of interactions with the customer support team. You might also want to keep track of the transactions on your bank statement.
Working with Regulatory Bodies
If a particular authority in Canada licenses an online casino, you can file a complaint directly with the licensing body. Each body will have a slightly different process, but in general, you can expect an acknowledgment of your complaint within a day and further feedback when it’s available. All complaints will be kept confidential, but the operator will be informed of the complaint.
How to Find Safe and Trusted Online Casinos in Canada
Licensing and Regulation
A legitimate online casino license assures you that your data and finances are protected and that the games are fair. Look for approval from your province’s gambling board or a reputable international body like the Malta Gaming Authority.
Check for Fair Game Certification
Before you play, you’ll want to be sure you have a fair chance of winning. Look for certifications from eCOGRA or iTechLabs, independent companies that verify online casino game fairness.
Look for Strong Customer Support
The casino’s support team should always be available to help you, so look for accessible support via live chat or email. Ideally, you should be able to get immediate support 24/7.
Trusted Payment Methods
Canadian players often prefer to use Interac and bank cards. Still, reputable online casinos should also offer deposits and withdrawals via a range of trusted e-wallets (like PayPal and Neteller) or well-known cryptocurrencies.
Player Reviews and Industry Reputation
Remember to check casino reviews at affiliate sites like this one and reviews from other players available in online forums. If you notice any reviews that flag issues with payouts or customer support, you should see that as a potential problem.
Recommended Safe and Licensed Online Casinos for Canadian Players
A few Canadian gambling sites stand out as having the best reputations. We’d recommend any of these, as they are great places to play. These are a few of our top-rated, safe online casinos:
1Bet
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1Red
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- Sportsbook
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Payout Speed Instant
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500 Casino
15,000 CAD
4.3/5
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- Strong focus on CS2 betting
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Payout Speed Instant
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Casino Rocket
C$1500 + 150 Free Spins
4.4/5
T&Cs Apply
- Over 2,500 slot games available.
- User-friendly mobile site
- Supports popular Canadian payment methods
Payout Speed Instant
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Casino Quatro
700 free spins + C$100
4/5
T&Cs Apply
- Nice free spins bonus
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- Good banking options
Payout Speed Instant
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CasinoDays Casino
2000 CAD + 100 Free Spins
4.3/5
T&Cs Apply
- Nice welcome bonus
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Payout Speed 1-3 business days
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JackpotCity Casino
1600 CAD + The chance at winning C$1M
3.1/5
T&Cs Apply
- Good deposit bonus
- C$5 Min deposit
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission license
Payout Speed 1-2 business days
Play now Read ReviewLicenced by Khanawake gaming commision, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), iGaming Ontario
iWild Casino
6000 CAD
4.3/5
T&Cs Apply
- Great variety of deposit options
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- Best new casino in 2021
Payout Speed 1-3 business days
Play now Read ReviewLicenced by Khanawake gaming commision, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), iGaming Ontario
iLUCKI Casino
300 CAD
4.4/5
T&Cs Apply
- Over 6,000 games available
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Payout Speed Instant
Play now Read ReviewLicenced by Khanawake gaming commision, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), iGaming Ontario
The Role of Affiliate Websites in Promoting Safe Casinos
1. How Affiliate Websites Help
Rather than evaluating online casino sites for yourself, you can rely on trustworthy affiliate sites like this to give you essential information about online casinos. We’ll only ever promote reliable sites that hold all the essential licenses.
2. Transparent Reviews and Rankings
When affiliates review online casino sites, we tell you the good and bad aspects. If anything raises real red flags, we’ll remove that casino from our listings. You can rest assured that the sites you find here have been checked for licensing and reputation.
3. Helping Players Avoid Blacklisted Casinos
When you choose online casinos that you find on affiliate sites like this one, it gives you an extra layer of protection against untrustworthy and blacklisted online casinos. The sites we recommend also excel in areas like bonuses and game variety, so you’ll have a better overall experience.
Responsible Gambling and Player Protection
Setting Personal Limits
All reputable online gambling sites have tools that can help you stay in control. It’s a good idea to explore deposit, loss, and wagering limits and ensure you know how to set a reality check or a session timeout. If you feel the need, you might want to self-exclude to block access to your account.
Recognizing Problem Gambling
You must be able to recognize the symptoms of problematic gambling so that you can address them as soon as possible. Many Canadian online casino sites have a self-assessment questionnaire, which you can use to see if you have any symptoms of an issue.
For example, suppose you find yourself chasing losses, losing money that should go towards bills or other expenses, or feeling anxious about gambling. In that case, you should address the problem.
Canadian Gambling Resources
If you would like to seek help for problem gambling in Canada, you can often do it via links in the footer of your online casino site. There are also additional resources like:
Conclusion
It’s safe to say that you should always avoid blacklisted online casinos. Blacklisted sites may have unfair games that don’t give you real chances to win, and even if you do win, you might run into problems when you try to get your money paid out.
It’s also possible that blacklisted casinos might not protect your personal and financial data very well, so it could be compromised. If you’re looking for a safe gambling experience, you should stick to licensed, trustworthy sites.
Before you sign up and start playing at an online casino, you need to do some research to ensure the site has a good reputation and that there are no reasons why it might be blacklisted.
To simplify things, you might want to stick to the casinos you see listed on our site. We’ve approved all of these online casinos, and when you sign up through one of our affiliate links, you’ll even be eligible for a special promotion, like free spins or a deposit match.