The lure of easy money has attracted victims to gaming scams as long as games of chance have existed. But the anonymity of the internet and the reach of digital networks have allowed today’s cyber-scammers to cast an exponentially wider net.
Armed with spyware, malware and other tools for intrusion and manipulation, tech-savvy thieves are getting better at exploiting both casual bettors looking for entertainment and advantage players seeking an edge. And they’re costing the industry and its customers billions per year in the process.
This guide will expose some of the most common techniques fraudsters use to rig odds, steal financial data and identities, and damage devices and reputations of Level Up Casino players. We’ll also offer tips to help you protect your money, information and electronics from online gaming scams.
#1. How Hackers Manipulate Game Outcomes
One major category of digital gaming fraud involves hackers illicitly accessing the back-end systems of online games to alter odds and fix outcomes in their favor. According to 2020 FBI data, these scams siphon over $4 billion from the industry annually.
Cybersecurity experts have identified three primary methods hackers used to rig games with increasing levels of technological sophistication:
RNG Exploits
A random number generator (RNG) is the software determining randomness in virtual cards, dice and wheels. Hackers can crack the RNG code to predict outcomes or insert malicious code to fix results.
Man-in-the-Middle
Attacks Also known as MITM attacks, these allow hackers to secretly intercept and alter data flowing between players and games to change bet amounts and game results.
SQL Injection Attacks
This method injects malicious SQL database code into a site to access stored player information and game software. Hackers can then modify odds or fix outcomes.
#2. Common Ways Scammers Steal Financial Data
While hackers focus on manipulating games for profit, other roulette online scammers specialize in stealing identities, bank account access and payment information. Some popular digital methods aimed at separating players from their money include:
Phishing
Fraudsters create fake gaming sites and apps with branded graphics and content copied from legitimate operators. After luring players to log in, scammers steal deposited funds and login credentials.
Trojan Horses
Malware downloads to player devices under the guise of software for odds calculators or betting systems. Once installed, it records keystrokes to capture financial data.
Crypto Scams
From fake bitcoin games to bogus investment schemes, digital currency scams abound in online gaming. An Elliptic study estimates over $7 billion in crypto has been lost to gaming fraud.
#3. How to Guard Against Online Gaming Scams
While the potential for profit draws scammers to the industry, there are steps players can take to spot fraudulent sites and apps as well as safeguard personal devices and data:
Table 1. Ways to Identify and Avoid gaming Scams
| Scam Type | Warning Signs | Precautions |
| Rigged Games | Errors or glitches during play, extremely high losses, statistically improbable outcomes | Use regulated sites that undergo third-party testing |
| Phishing Sites | Generic branding, typos, broken links, requests for unnecessary personal data | Verify licensing and certification before playing |
| Trojan Downloads | Pushy demands to download software, files from unknown sources | Only download apps from official stores like Apple App Store |
| Crypto Fraud | Promises of investment gains, anonymity, inability to withdraw funds | Research site reputations using forums and watchdog groups |
Ultimately, players should treat online security like defense on the field or court – don’t let the offense get behind you or catch you looking the other way. Staying alert to warning signs of scams and following sound protocols for protecting devices, accounts, and information offer the best odds of avoiding becoming another statistic in the game of cyber crime.
