What is Gambling Fraud?
The goal of cybercriminals involved in online gambling fraud is to take advantage of the gaming operator or deceive them at someone else’s expense. There are many different types of gambling fraud, including money laundering, affiliate fraud, misuse of bonuses, and even more obscure practices like arbitrage.
Regardless of whether they’re carried out by skilled con artists or dishonest individuals, the goal of fraud in online gambling remains the same: to swindle money, bonuses, or other benefits from the gaming company – or to facilitate the execution of other forms of fraud.
Due to its widespread availability and the long-standing stigmatization of the gaming sector as a haven for criminals, online gambling is an easy target for fraudsters. Legislators and law enforcement agencies are paying close attention to all types of online gaming services, including poker rooms, casinos, slot machine websites, bingo halls, and sports betting offices.
If you’ve encountered any type of fraud in gambling, immediately reach out to the online gaming lawyers at Interpol Law Firm. Our international attorneys have the necessary experience and have been resolving cases related to sports betting, online gambling, and other types of gaming for over 5 years. Our online gambling lawyer know how to protect clients’ interests and successfully resolve these cases to achieve the best outcomes.
Gambling Fraud Law
Using dishonest tactics to gain financial or other assets from others during a game is known as gambling fraud. The law classifies this type of fraud as a serious crime. This also includes any actions where someone uses tricks, devices, or false information to influence the outcome of a game or betting scenario.
Understanding the key components that define fraud in gambling will help comprehend this type of crime:
- The perpetrator deceitfully took control of another person’s money or assets.
- This scam occurs through games, devices, or tricks, such as marking cards or false predictions.
The goal of fraud in gambling is to gain an unfair advantage through deceit. A person is not guilty of gambling fraud if they participate in a game and win fairly, without using any tricks or deception.
When you’re gaming, even online, there’s a chance you could get scammed. Criminals might try to extort money from you or drag you into their schemes. If someone tries to manipulate the outcome of a game or the betting using tactics, gadgets, or misleading information, that’s gambling fraud. Marking cards to reveal their values, making false statements about odds or match outcomes, and intentionally losing to transfer money to another player are all common examples.
Software that alters game outcomes or intercepts other players’ data is another form of cheating in the context of online gambling. Cheating in gambling games, where an individual wins money or property through these dishonest means, is a serious crime with severe legal consequences.
Gambling activities
There are various types of gambling available both in gambling establishments and online. The types of gambling can be grouped into two main categories:
- Games of chance that aren’t strategic, where the outcome is determined purely by randomness. Examples include lotteries, instant lotteries, bingo, and electronic gaming machines like video lottery terminals or slot machines.
- Skill games where the outcomes are determined by both skill and chance. Examples of such games include sports betting, horse racing, and poker.
Types of gambling vary based on their gameplay features, also known as structural characteristics.
- Board games
Table games like poker, roulette, and baccarat play a key role in casinos and on online platforms. They are played with a dealer and at a gaming table. These games require strategy and tactical thinking.
- Poker – requires strategy and the ability to read your opponents. The most popular versions of this game are Texas Hold’em and Five Card Draw.
- Blackjack. Its goal is to score more points than the dealer, but not more than 21.
- Roulette: A game of chance where bets are placed on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel. There are several versions of roulette, including French and American.
- Craps: a fast-paced dice game where bets are placed on the outcome of the roll of two dice.
- Baccarat, where players place bets on either the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. The winner is the one whose hand is closest to nine.
- Slot machines are the most famous casino games, ranging from classic three-reel versions to modern video slots and progressive jackpots.
- Special games
- Lottery: players buy tickets and pick numbers to participate in a drawing for prizes.
- Bingo: a game where numbers are marked off on a card according to the numbers called out.
- Scratch cards: players scratch off the coating on the card to reveal symbols and win prizes.
- Keno: a lottery game where players pick numbers and win if their numbers match the ones drawn.
- Sports betting allows players to place bets on the outcomes of sporting events, using their knowledge and predictions about the game. However, some individuals choose a completely different path, leading to various kinds of legal violations and the flourishing of corruption. This phenomenon is known as corruption in sports Every year it’s gaining momentum, so always be careful.
However, there’s a risk of fraud present in every category. This requires players to be cautious and for casinos to adhere to strict rules to ensure safety and fair play.
Types of Gaming Fraud
There are several common types of scams that you should be aware of, although scammers are constantly coming up with new, inventive methods to take advantage of the system.
At the core of many attacks on gambling lies multi-accounting. To gain an unfair advantage online, fraudsters create dozens, if not hundreds, of accounts using fake credentials. This is done to make possible such schemes:
- Bonus abuse: a countless number of fake accounts are taking advantage of fresh sign-up bonuses, vouchers, and other enticing incentives. These promotions are great for attracting new users, but if you hand them out too frequently, your platform will start losing money.
- Gnoming is the practice of using multiple accounts to increase a player’s chances of winning. Someone might use other accounts to intentionally lose in face-to-face games, in order to keep all the winnings and privileges that come with them. For example, this is common in poker.
- Another scam tactic used at the poker table is chip dumping. The basic premise is the same as with colluding: by having multiple accounts at one table, you can manipulate the system to your advantage.
There are also payment attacks, like carding or fund withdrawals. Since online casinos and gaming platforms require you to deposit and withdraw money before you can play, they essentially act as digital wallets – thus, payment processing is also associated with potential losses.
Gambling Fraud Legal Consequences and Penalties
Punishment for fraud in gambling, just like for other forms of fraud, is proportional to the victim’s losses. Any case of fraud involving $950 or more can lead to a conviction for either a misdemeanor or a felony. The prosecutor often decides what specific charges to bring under such circumstances. However, the decision on the punishment is made by the judge. At the judge’s discretion, the accused can also be found guilty of committing a felony. Even if minor charges were initially brought, this decision remains valid.
If the defendant wants their sentence reduced after a guilty verdict is issued, their gambling attorney can file a motion with the court to request this.
Criminals convicted of serious offenses financial crimes Individuals have the opportunity to serve 16, 2, or 3 years in prison, according to the sentence reduction program. A fine of no more than $5,000 is imposed on first-time offenders. However, for repeat offenders, the punishment can reach up to a maximum of $10,000.
If you’re charged with committing a minor offense, this would be the case if the amount of money involved in the gambling fraud was less than $950. Below are examples of possible penalties for a minor violation:
- Conditional probation is another term for probation for misdemeanors. For offenders who are not considered a significant threat, it serves as an alternative to imprisonment. Offenders who are given probation for a misdemeanor may be required to perform limited community service for most of their sentence. You must also adhere to the conditions of probation, which include refraining from any criminal activity and finding stable employment.
- Legal punishment includes a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to six months.
The punishment for fraud in gambling can be more severe if the perpetrator is not a U.S. citizen. Among the possible consequences are prohibitory injunctions and restrictions on professional activities and licenses.
Defenses For Gambling Fraud
Despite what it might seem, fraud in gambling isn’t a simple matter, and the punishment for it is quite severe. It can significantly impact the violator’s life. For this reason, it’s advised to fight against any accusations made against you, aiming to have them dismissed or reduced to lesser charges. This could work in your favor if you have a professional lawyer for online gambling by your side who is knowledgeable in legal defense. An experienced casino crime lawyer knows how to best combat gambling fraud charges, no matter how daunting they may appear. The good news is that there are several defense strategies such a lawyer can employ in your case. Here are some of them:
Absence of fraudulent intent
Lacking fraudulent intent is a highly effective defense strategy that can be used for most fraud-related crimes. The main requirement for such offenses is that the defendant acted with fraudulent intent. If that wasn’t your motive, then you won’t be found guilty of fraud in gambling. Some people cheat their friends in gambling just for fun. If that was the case for you, then the court won’t find you guilty of this offense, and the charges could be dropped.
The right to freedom of speech
The right to free speech is a strategy that can be used to defend someone accused of gambling fraud, fortune-telling, or any other similar activity. The court won’t convict you if you argue that you were simply expressing your opinion.
Forced confession
There are numerous instances where police use forceful methods to extract information from suspected criminals. Some of these methods are illegal, and any evidence collected in this manner may be deemed inadmissible in a criminal court. For example, the police might falsely promise to go easy on a suspect if they confess to involvement in gambling fraud. Sometimes, the threat of harsher punishment or harm can coerce an individual into making a confession they wouldn’t have made under different circumstances.
Enticement
Entrapment as a strategy can be used if law enforcement has coerced you into committing a crime to catch you in the act. Entrapment mostly happens when the police suspect someone is involved in gambling fraud but don’t have enough evidence to arrest them. Perhaps the police set a trap for you to catch you cheating other people or a casino. If your gambling lawyer can convince the court that you wouldn’t have committed the crime if not for the trap set, you could be acquitted.
Do you Need Gambling and Casino Lawyers?
An online gambling lawyer is an integral part of this industry. They play a key role in providing legal protection, ensuring compliance with the law, and assisting in dispute resolution.
Casino lawyer needed for:
- Navigating the complex legal aspects of gambling.
- Protecting the interests of casinos and players from legal risks.
- Consultations on licensing and regulation.
- Handling cases related to fraud and other legal violations.
Our international lawyers have extensive knowledge and significant experience in the field of gambling, enabling us to effectively protect your interests and provide legal support at the highest level.
Contact Gaming and Gambling Lawyer
Cheating in gambling is a serious offense that can lead to hefty fines and jail time. Fighting your charges is the only way to avoid the significant penalties associated with this crime. International lawyers offer quality and reliable legal services that you can count on if you’re facing gambling charges.
Thanks to our services and our international lawyers they can achieve a reduction or dismissal of your charges depending on the nature of your case. After all, we have and offer:
- Experience working in various legal systems.
- Deep knowledge of national and international legal systems.
- Complete secrecy in all operations.
- Legal methods developed specifically for you.
- A proven track record of successful outcomes.
Reach out to our international online casino lawyers through any method that’s convenient
