All experts at Bonus1 follow online casino content closely. My social media feed is filled with reports from gaming studios, slot streams, and operator news. The algorithm of social platforms has naturally seen through my interests, and I get bombarded with ads. Most of those are tied to casinos and bonuses, yet I keep getting fake gaming apps and ‘success stories’ thrown towards me, too.
Although as an expert I don’t struggle to tell what offers are legit and instantly see through fake advertisements promising 100% winning strategies or games that payout consistently 1000x; the average gambler might not.
Some ads are poorly made, using deepfakes to create videos where prominent figures are supposedly promoting these fake games. However, some fake casino games look 100% legit and quite fun, so many unsuspecting players scrolling through their feeds end up clicking on the adverts and jumping into the action without knowing that the games are rigged against them.
Types of fake online casino games
In the past, we often spotted online casinos utilizing pirated versions of official casino games. Their in-house software let them manipulate the odds to ensure that players don’t win anything or only small amounts. Most of these casinos were easy to identify since they operated without a license or official seals, on poorly made websites, and players left negative reviews all over the web.
Recently, numerous gaming apps with a single slot, Plinko, or other game type have been trending on social media. They are usually promoted through ads or sponsored posts by small accounts, urging players to download the apps and play for free to win millions. Although most see through their lies, supporting content like AI-generated user testimonials or celebrity endorsements makes them more convincing.
How to stay safe
I am going to repeat what everyone has been saying over the past decade – don’t believe everything that you see on the internet. If CNN, Mr Beast, or Joe Rogan is advertising a Plinko game, it is most likely an AI-generated video. If a casino you’ve never heard of advertises thousands of no deposit free spins, chances are it’s a fake site.
Hopefully, social media platforms will manage to stop the circulation of fake casino game adverts soon. Nonetheless, you should stick to reliable sources and always verify claims through user testimonials and sites like Bonus1 before committing money to any casino or gaming app you encountered online.