Consumers confused, upset amid hundreds of unlicensed and unverified online gambling and gaming sites

Millions of consumers across North America wager money online every day, placing bets on sporting events, taking part in casino-type games and wagering in prediction markets. From 2022 to mid-2025, the BBB received nearly 200 BBB Scam Tracker reports and more than 10,000 business complaints related to online gambling and gaming. Some scam reports involved outright theft, while complaints showed a pattern of unclear terms and consumer misunderstandings. In some cases, consumers have lost tens of thousands of dollars.

This nascent industry’s growth is expected to explode in the coming years. At least one estimate for 2025 puts the size of the online gaming industry in the US at $103 billion. That number is expected to increase to nearly $170 billion within the next five years.

With billions of dollars flowing through this global industry, a risky underbelly of pseudo-gambling, illegal gambling and scams has developed. Because of the sophistication of these impostors, bad actors and scammers, it can be hard for consumers to tell the difference between a legitimate bookkeeper, casino or betting company and those seeking to deceive or steal from the public.

To help protect the public, BBB’s International Investigations Initiative put together a new study: “Grey markets and illegal gambling: BBB study finds consumers confused and upset, amid hundreds of unlicensed and unverified online casinos and sportsbooks.”

One man said he was playing an online slots game where he paid in for the chance to win money. When he won $1,900 and went to withdraw the funds, he was told by the company that the game wasn’t allowed in his state, and the payout could not be made. When he looked at the website, however, they still were allowing people located in the state to sign up and play, and there was no mention of the game being banned when he deposited funds.

Another complainant said she was playing a slots game with free spins. It was a site she used often and had previously deposited money to play. While using free spins, she won $300. The website then pivoted, saying she needed to deposit funds to get the winnings, despite those terms not being listed anywhere on the website.

Red flags: Learn these signs

BBB's tips

1-800-GAMBLER, in Iowa call 1-800-BETSOFF

Where to report scams

Bobby Hansen is regional director for the Better Business Bureau Cedar Rapids office. Comments: (319) 365-1190; info@dm.bbb.org