Online gambling has risen from something that gambling enthusiasts only do if they can’t get to their favourite casino in person to something that millions of people all over the world choose to do just for fun. The online gambling market’s worth (worldwide) is estimated at USD 103 billion in 2025. By 2030, it’s expected to reach USD 169.22 billion (Global News Wire) – that’s a huge chunk of change in the pockets of winners, game developers, and casino owners! 

Unfortunately, with that much on the table, it’s hardly a surprise that illegal operations crop up from time to time. Illegal online casinos often cut corners by avoiding proper business registration or casino licensing. Some even go as far as engaging in outright theft, aiming to grab a bigger share of players’ money. These practices show little regard for how their criminal behavior harms both the iGaming industry and the broader economy. Worse still, they strip honest gambling enthusiasts of their fair chance to win by luring them onto unsafe platforms.DSTGAMING wants to be sure that you know how to spot the differences between these fly-by-night and downright illegal operations and the legal, safe, and reliable online casinos that provide fun and entertainment.

Differences Between Legal and Illegal Casinos

1.Licensing

A legitimate online casino will always display a verifiable license number—typically found at the bottom of its homepage. This section usually includes the casino’s registration details and sometimes a physical address. In contrast, illegal platforms either won’t provide a license number or will display one that cannot be verified.

Verifying a license is usually straightforward. Depending on the country of registration, you may need to contact the relevant gaming authority or check its official website. If the process becomes unnecessarily complicated or you encounter vague responses, it’s a strong warning sign that the casino may not be operating legally.

2.Location

Although online gambling has become a mainstream activity worldwide, not every country or state recognizes it as legal. That’s why it’s important to check where a casino is registered. Start by reviewing the license information provided on the site (see above), and then run a quick Google search to see if the operator lists any physical premises.

If the casino is based in a jurisdiction where online gambling is not legalized—even if traditional brick-and-mortar casinos are permitted—it should be considered an illegal online casino.

3.Age Verification

One of the most important legal requirements put upon online casinos is to ensure that they verify the age of any gambler attempting to use their site before they are allowed to gamble. A trustworthy operation will have some way of verifying age when a potential gambler sets up an account: use of an identity number or some other thing that the casino can verify to confirm the age of the potential player. Since gambling age restrictions are different all over the world, this will vary from place to place. If you’re attempting to sign up for an online casino and they don’t request an age check in some verifiable way, they are likely operating outside the bounds of the law.

4.Unfair Gaming

Casinos operate on the premise that outcomes—except in games that involve some level of skill—are random. In games that do require skill, players can influence the results to some extent through their decisions. That said, the cards or rolls of the dice are still completely random…or they should be. While online casinos have a significantly lower number of physical cards and dice making the rounds, what they should have is a good RNG: a Random Number Generator. AN RNG ensures that, when playing games like slots, all of the spins are random enough that they give the player a good chance at winning. The house edge prevents “complete fairness,” but this is something any gambler understands is part of the package. 

5.Verifiable, Well-Known Payment Methods

Since you’re not gambling at a brick-and-mortar casino, you’ll need a reliable way to deposit funds and withdraw winnings online. Unlike traditional casinos, there’s no cashier’s desk to visit and no staff to complain to if transactions take too long. This raises an important question: how can online players be sure their deposits and winnings are safe?

If the online casino you use is linked to trustworthy platforms like Neteller, Skrill, or DSTGAMING, you can rest assured that your money is in safe hands. If you don’t recognise any of the payment options or the way they work seems outside of the norm, it’s safer to avoid that casino altogether.

6.Measures to Deter Unsafe Gambling

Legal online casinos place a strong emphasis on player safety. They take responsibility for preventing unsafe gambling practices that could lead to serious issues such as overspending, compulsive play, or gambling addiction. To support responsible gaming, licensed operators typically provide clear links to help resources and organizations directly on their websites. Many also offer tools like deposit limits to help players manage their spending.

In contrast, illegal casinos prioritize profits over player welfare. They rarely discourage harmful gambling habits and often fail to provide any links to official helplines or support bodies. This lack of transparency not only puts players at risk but also helps these sites avoid detection from regulators.

Gamble Safely

If you keep an eye on all of the points above, you’ll not only be avoiding engaging with an illegal operation but also keeping your personal details and finances safe at the same time.

Ready to take the next step in your iGaming journey? Contact DSTGAMING today to learn more about our comprehensive solutions and how they can support your business growth.