Are crypto casinos breaking the law?

[5ta]

Are crypto casinos breaking the law?​

The investigation uncovers some troubling practices in this online community; such as how some influencers may be playing with 'fake' money provided by casino sponsors, while others could be breaking British law by promoting and showing how to access these sites.
Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:15, UK

Sky's Sanya Burgess delves into the controversial world of crypto casinos – where beneath the neon lights and high stakes celebrations, lies a web of secrets.

Source/full video :

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[Webzcas]

We have a thread concerning this here Stake, Streamers and Crypto Casinos - Casinomeister Forum

FYI

 

[5ta]

I'm not sure that thread is coming at the issue directly like this thread (title) does. Feel like you have handled this.

 

[Guntis]

In the case of direct advertising, they break because they don't have the UKGC license:

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Other than that, I have no idea what else they would be breaking since UK players are free to play anywhere they want.

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[Chesslover27]

Crypto casinos game breaking laws you

 

[goatwack]

I'd imagine in this whirlwind of online activity for the ASA and gramps to eventually take a closer look at proceedings, as per April 2023.

The OAP will look across the online advertising supply chain and review the role of key actors, such as advertisers, online platforms and third-party intermediaries. It will consider issues including ad targeting, influencer marketing and illegal, fraudulent advertising. Gambling advertising is in scope.

Whilst it'll be near-impossible to effectively regulate Crypto transactions, all that'll happen is banks making gambling- related Crypto punts as difficult as they can, short of actually being able to ban them....

 

[interlog]

I'd imagine in this whirlwind of online activity for the ASA and gramps to eventually take a closer look at proceedings, as per April 2023.

The OAP will look across the online advertising supply chain and review the role of key actors, such as advertisers, online platforms and third-party intermediaries. It will consider issues including ad targeting, influencer marketing and illegal, fraudulent advertising. Gambling advertising is in scope.

Whilst it'll be near-impossible to effectively regulate Crypto transactions, all that'll happen is banks making gambling- related Crypto punts as difficult as they can, short of actually being able to ban them....

I am not sure how they can. When I purchase crypto, the bank doesn't know what I use that crypto for. As far as the bank is concerned the money was transferred to Kraken (my preferred crypto exchange).

 

[The Dude]

Am I an influencer, or am I too old for that?

 

[goatwack]

I am not sure how they can. When I purchase crypto, the bank doesn't know what I use that crypto for. As far as the bank is concerned the money was transferred to Kraken (my preferred crypto exchange).

Yes, I agree. Yet they'll still try, now that Crypto's been singled out as the root of all evil, and the UKGC's gaze set upon it....

And surely a clampdown on said streamers and influencers is in the reckoning, much like with the changes we saw on YT a while back, I'd imagine. They're not exactly nuanced in their approach thus far!

 

[goatwack]

Am I an influencer, or am I too old for that?

Maybe slow down on the hot tub stuff. Yet a new journey awaits in Reaction videos and/ or makeup tutorials!!

 

[5ta]

Am I an influencer, or am I too old for that?

Do you not find this whole thing quite serious ?

 

[nisosbar]

View attachment 187213

Are crypto casinos breaking the law?​

The investigation uncovers some troubling practices in this online community; such as how some influencers may be playing with 'fake' money provided by casino sponsors, while others could be breaking British law by promoting and showing how to access these sites.
Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:15, UK

Sky's Sanya Burgess delves into the controversial world of crypto casinos – where beneath the neon lights and high stakes celebrations, lies a web of secrets.

Source/full video :

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

The idea that someone can be committing a crime by explaining how to access a crypto casino website ... Part of me wants to quip something about Orwell's 1984, but another part of me lived through the attempt by the Biden administration to institute a Ministry of Disinformation (a/k/a Counterpropaganda).

 

[dunover]

As a UK-based affiliate you'd certainly be breaking rules if you promoted and sent UK players to unlicensed casinos whether crapto or not.

As said above, a UK resident playing at unlicensed sites is NOT an offence though as no government here (or anywhere else for that matter) has ever been able to outlaw risk taking.

In the US they tried to counteract it by using their Wire Act but again, with the advent of crapto it's pretty moot.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Perhaps this is something the Online Safety Bill will be tackling.

Aren't we lucky to live in such a caring time in history, where the policies for our safety and the good of the planet are continually monitored, checked and reviewed for the benefit of humanity without the need to concern ourselves

 

[YouTubeSlots]

Well I think I'm done with crypto casinos after last night.

My B.C games account was froze last night and now they are requesting I.D
So that's it over for me then. (I live in the U.K)

I only deposited around £500 in total over a few weeks, compared to U.K streamers are spending small houses on there and not getting any KYC docs requested.

What I don't like is how popular U.K streamers are promoting these sites and not getting banned them self's.
Well i guess they pretty much work for them at this point.

But you have to think of the punters who they get to sign up for a commission only for that customer to just end up getting KYC requested like i have, and then said customer is screwed.
So glad it happened now rather then after a huge win.

Be very careful anyone from the U.K who is thinking about signing up there like i did. It was fun while it lasted, but what is the point if you can have your account frozen at anytime. It only took them over a week of me being allowed to play till they froze mine. And you cant pass there K.Y.C as they don't take U.K customers, at least not yet, and I highly doubt they ever will.

I guess you could make a new account and try see if that works for a while before it gets hit with the KYC but I wouldn't recommend it,
But at this point that's enough of a scare for me to just avoid crypto casinos all together.
If anything I can see this casino coming under a hell of a lot more negative press in the very near future. They already just changed there t's and c's within the last 72 hours to avoid allowing customers as much bonus cash etc.

So god knows what's next.


Can I just say one final thought on crypto casinos,

Sorry for waffling on...

Having auto spins slam-stops feature buys etc. All that is lovely great fun and was very enjoyable.
But it really does just destroys your play time, moral, and sanity, with how brutal the speed of which you can lose your money can be. really did remind me how dangerous these slots used to be in the U.K before the big nerf by the UKGC.

But thanks god some rules were brought in looking back in hindsight I wouldn't like to no how much more money I would have lost over the past few years had all these features still been available to U.K customers over the past few years. Just 1 week back with all of it always enough for me to see how dangerous it really is.

The best hits I had were all none feature buys as well.
All feature buys I bought were mainly utter dog shit returns of under 10x your money back or a small tiny win over what you paid for the feature. There a total scam and I suggest people don't even bother

You can have your deposits plummet to near 0 in minutes with those turbo spins on. Especially on the pragmatics. Or lose your whole balance in 10 minutes with a few feature buys that don't work out.

Extra chilli (Cough Cough?)

Moral of the story = Its not all its cracked up to be, and please be careful. (Especially if your from the U.K)

 

[YouTubeSlots]

Back to the auto clicker for me then........

Ill get me coat.

 

[Guntis]

My guess is that they can easily spot that a player is from the UK by checking the currency they usually play. Nobody will use £ unless they live elsewhere and are accustomed to their currency.

Show them your ID, to see what they say. It shouldn't matter that you have a UK passport. The key is that you "don't" live in the UK. How about you went to see your GF for 2 months that live in [country]?

 

[nisosbar]

In the US they tried to counteract it by using their Wire Act but again, with the advent of crapto it's pretty moot.

Right - I remember all that, in the US. Not a lawyer, me, but IIRC it was actually the advent of the internet that rendered the Wire Act moot, since communications over the internet take place without wires. That might sound like a silly splitting of hairs, but internet gambling became HUGE in the late 90's and early 00's. And the DOJ was compelled to get a decision from the courts as to whether the original Wire Act (from the 1950's, I think) applied to the internet. Can't recall all the details, but it was the processing of deposits and withdrawals with credit cards that got most of them shut down. The DOJ, in fact, had one of their officials give testimony in front of Congress (recorded) that Americans were not prohibited from placing bets, but that rather, the law prohibited the TAKING of bets.

Setting all that aside, I first became aware of bitcoin on the 2+2 forums, though I could never figure out how to mine them, or turn them into fiat currency, lol (poor me, literally). Suffice it to say, I don't know who Satoshi Nakamoto was, but I imagine him as this Akira Kurosawa-like guy who - playing poker one day, trying to figure out how to cash out from Pokerstars in a perfect world - thought up the idea of creating a digital store of value which could be transmitted between parties without interference of any kind from governments or banks.

Point being that it's always a game of ketchup, isn't it.

 

[satchnz]

Point being that it's always a game of ketchup, isn't it.

I mustard heard that saying like a million times now,

 

[bamberfishcake]

My guess is that they can easily spot that a player is from the UK by checking the currency they usually play. Nobody will use £ unless they live elsewhere and are accustomed to their currency.

Show them your ID, to see what they say. It shouldn't matter that you have a UK passport. The key is that you "don't" live in the UK. How about you went to see your GF for 2 months that live in [country]?

Or split the winnings with a friend from an allowed country who is willing to go through KYC for a few quid......if only that were a possibility.

Unfortunately, this is the risk you take when playing off-shore. And knowing how 99.9% of casinos use the rules to their advantage, you have to treat every withdrawal as lucky if paid.

 

[goatwack]

I find it strange that clearly some withdrawals must have occurred in £Sterling, yet can be suddenly denied at the drop of a hat...

Surely just a case of paying out at their discretion, and just one example of many cases like this to come?

Kind of defeats the purpose, when the act of being able to gamble is a gamble in itself ?

 

[Guntis]

Or split the winnings with a friend from an allowed country who is willing to go through KYC for a few quid......if only that were a possibility.

Unfortunately, this is the risk you take when playing off-shore. And knowing how 99.9% of casinos use the rules to their advantage, you have to treat every withdrawal as lucky if paid.

To me still, it's unfair when the casino blocks an account with money sitting in there... why not pay and then require those things? If he does not pass the KYC where will the money go then ...

 

[Guntis]

I find it strange that clearly some withdrawals must have occurred in £Sterling, yet can be suddenly denied at the drop of a hat...

Surely just a case of paying out at their discretion, and just one example of many cases like this to come?

Kind of defeats the purpose, when the act of being able to gamble is a gamble in itself ?

They deposit in crypto and then select to show their balance in £ to better understand the money, instead of using EUR, USD, etc. For the casino, it's pretty clear that the user is likely from the UK.

 

[goatwack]

They deposit in crypto and then select to show their balance in £ to better understand the money, instead of using EUR, USD, etc. For the casino, it's pretty clear that the user is likely from the UK.

Yes, of course - it being a Crypto site an' all!

Still, despite the familiarity of understanding one's 'own' currency, the selection ought to make no difference whatsoever, nor affect their payout. And yet it does!

 

[Guntis]

You never know what that bc.game has in mind; maybe they want to invite him to their UK version with 2 game providers

 

[YouTubeSlots]

My guess is that they can easily spot that a player is from the UK by checking the currency they usually play. Nobody will use £ unless they live elsewhere and are accustomed to their currency.

Show them your ID, to see what they say. It shouldn't matter that you have a UK passport. The key is that you "don't" live in the UK. How about you went to see your GF for 2 months that live in [country]?

Yeah i tried to give them my i.d and just say i live in the u.k but on holiday playing from abroad, But you cant even select the u.k as a country when trying to send the i.d. That's the issue with trying to send i.d being a u.k player. You cant.

 

[justdoit]

Yeah i tried to give them my i.d and just say i live in the u.k but on holiday playing from abroad, But you cant even select the u.k as a country when trying to send the i.d. That's the issue with trying to send i.d being a u.k player. You cant.

lol i just find this 30 euro you can get Irish Driving license ?

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[justdoit]

Yeah i tried to give them my i.d and just say i live in the u.k but on holiday playing from abroad, But you cant even select the u.k as a country when trying to send the i.d. That's the issue with trying to send i.d being a u.k player. You cant.

you can say you are in Army you have UK id live abroad no bills

 

[goatwack]

Alrighty then, all seems straightforward enough.

So short of using VPNs, saying I'm a Marine and choosing Mexican Pesos as my preferred currency, are there any other problems one might encounter with Crypto casinos?

 

[justdoit]

Alrighty then, all seems straightforward enough.

So short of using VPNs, saying I'm a Marine and choosing Mexican Pesos as my preferred currency, are there any other problems one might encounter with Crypto casinos?

no way they will accept if you say you are Marine from UK in Mexico ?

 

[YouTubeSlots]

lol i just find this 30 euro you can get Irish Driving license ?

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Gets a fake Irish passport to play big bass bonanza on turbo spins.
Doesn't sound like one of the best ideas ive heard.

 

[bamberfishcake]

This is pretty crazy.

A little background:

Ben Armstrong (BitBoy) is a crypto influencer, featured on Coffeezilla and, until a month ago, founder and part of the YouTube channel, BitBoy Crypto, which is also part of a group of influencers called Hit Network.

Story goes that he was pushed out by the other partners and has since made some crazy claims over death threats and the extortion of his Lamborghini. A few days ago, he requested donations to an ETH wallet and accumulated around $200,000.

Seems last night it all came to a head and to say he 'spilt the beans' about mafia involvement, match-rigging and much, much more is an understatement. Jump to 18 mins for a last-minute twist. This is nuts.

 

[5ta]

As far as "direct vs indirect advertising" goes, indirect is effectively grooming and still has the same goal in mind. Is it really going to wash ? I would think not but it would be a piss poor get out clause if it did. Youtube allowed it to wash.

 

[goatwack]

As far as "direct vs indirect advertising" goes, indirect is effectively grooming and still has the same goal in mind. Is it really going to wash ? I would think not but it would be a piss poor get out clause if it did. Youtube allowed it to wash.

I should think host platforms like YouTube, Twitch and so forth would act on it, based on their own rules and 'ethics'.

Certainly faster than any intervention from the ASA or UKGC

 

[goatwack]

This is pretty crazy.

A little background:

Ben Armstrong (BitBoy) is a crypto influencer, featured on Coffeezilla and, until a month ago, founder and part of the YouTube channel, BitBoy Crypto, which is also part of a group of influencers called Hit Network.

Story goes that he was pushed out by the other partners and has since made some crazy claims over death threats and the extortion of his Lamborghini. A few days ago, he requested donations to an ETH wallet and accumulated around $200,000.

Seems last night it all came to a head and to say he 'spilt the beans' about mafia involvement, match-rigging and much, much more is an understatement. Jump to 18 mins for a last-minute twist. This is nuts.

Don't know the main players in this Crypto space within their ecosystem, but from what I've briefly surmised is that BitBoy appears to be a clout-chaser who specializes in melodrama.

I wouldn't even call that video a mental breakdown, just him doing his usual shtick for views in that 'turning up at people's houses' kinda way.

With that many fairly well-known and credible Youtubers calling out his shady goings-on, BitBoy strikes me somewhat as the Alex Jones of Crypto with his banal outbursts and constantly being found out!

Just attempting to get some context as to what occurred, but it seems like the game was up a while back with him....

 

[mack341]

My favourite utube financial guru is Greg Secker, so kind to share multiple glimpses of his unbelievable wealth and luxury surroundings, always with an entourage in tow as befitting such a popular and not at all a show off but deeply loveable guy ?

 

[EkJR]

I am not sure how they can. When I purchase crypto, the bank doesn't know what I use that crypto for. As far as the bank is concerned the money was transferred to Kraken (my preferred crypto exchange).

My bank has blocked activity with Crypto.com, Coinbase and Binance. You can just ping it to an online bank like Revolut and buy directly so it makes little difference in reality.

 

[bamberfishcake]

My favourite utube financial guru is Greg Secker, so kind to share multiple glimpses of his unbelievable wealth and luxury surroundings, always with an entourage in tow as befitting such a popular and not at all a show off but deeply loveable guy ?

I get pestered by that smug bastard also. I particularly enjoy the one where he is taking a dip in his pool at 6 am before casually sticking a £30,000 profit trade on prior to his daily 70 mile run, or the one that begins with him at his second home in Alerdale, Scotland....'beautiful, isn't it?'

Part of me wants to find his second home and take a dip in his pool at 6 am before casually setting fire to it and going on the run.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Don't know the main players in this Crypto space within their ecosystem, but from what I've briefly surmised is that BitBoy appears to be a clout-chaser who specializes in melodrama.

I wouldn't even call that video a mental breakdown, just him doing his usual shtick for views in that 'turning up at people's houses' kinda way.

With that many fairly well-known and credible Youtubers calling out his shady goings-on, BitBoy strikes me somewhat as the Alex Jones of Crypto with his banal outbursts and constantly being found out!

Just attempting to get some context as to what occurred, but it seems like the game was up a while back with him....

He has all the hallmarks of a sociopath and seems to think he is some kind of superstar.

Unbelievable that his pity tweets scored him 200k. Latest news is he is under arrest again and being charged after being initially released. If there is any truth to the names he was dropping and what they were up to, I doubt we have seen the last of the drama.

 

[slot_zombie]

My favourite utube financial guru is Greg Secker, so kind to share multiple glimpses of his unbelievable wealth and luxury surroundings, always with an entourage in tow as befitting such a popular and not at all a show off but deeply loveable guy ?

Is that the Forex trading c**t? Always shows up on my YouTube ads.

I'm all for trying to make money online, but that.. is not it.

 

[Smithyy]

My bank has blocked activity with Crypto.com, Coinbase and Binance. You can just ping it to an online bank like Revolut and buy directly so it makes little difference in reality.

Just a word of warning, although you didn't mention them specifically - but Starling and Wise (I don't know about Revolut specifically) have come out pretty harshly against crypto. I know that Wise threaten to shut accounts buying/selling crypto, so always use an account that isn't your sole bank if you're going to buy crypto as banks continue to clamp down on crypto; speaking from experience!

 

[OliverCooper]

In every area this web is always there. I don’t think it’s worth putting crypto into a separate topic

 

[EkJR]

Just a word of warning, although you didn't mention them specifically - but Starling and Wise (I don't know about Revolut specifically) have come out pretty harshly against crypto. I know that Wise threaten to shut accounts buying/selling crypto, so always use an account that isn't your sole bank if you're going to buy crypto as banks continue to clamp down on crypto; speaking from experience!

You can literally buy crypto on Revolut mate and send it. You can't currently receive Crypto from other sources so you would still need a wallet somewhere else.

 

[EkJR]

Looks like BC.Game are asking for KYC now almost across the board going by posts elsewhere. Likely the beginning of this shit.

 

[Smithyy]

Looks like BC.Game are asking for KYC now almost across the board going by posts elsewhere. Likely the beginning of this shit.

Just noticed this, although from what I can see they're not requiring it - just "nudging" you to do it in return for 15 BCD, right? Although I also noticed they're retiring their current loyalty program - so it seems they're underdoing quite a few changes internally

 

[justdoit]

You can literally buy crypto on Revolut mate and send it. You can't currently receive Crypto from other sources so you would still need a wallet somewhere else.

you can receive only bitcoin on Revolut from casino

 

[slot_zombie]

Just noticed this, although from what I can see they're not requiring it - just "nudging" you to do it in return for 15 BCD, right? Although I also noticed they're retiring their current loyalty program - so it seems they're underdoing quite a few changes internally

We need clarity on this.. Why do I feel my gambling 'career' is closer to the end than the beginning...?

Hmm, could be a good thing...

 

[ritae]

Yes, just logged into BC.Game and they have reset all my verification and now need to complete two stages. The United Kingdom is not on the list of allowed countries for uploading docs, so impossible now for the UK to play here and withdraw without problems.

Many other Crypto casinos have added UK to the not-allowed list recently including the popular sites Goldenbet and Metaspins.

So far it's only the crypto sites with the 'Master Licence' that are acting quickly to close UK players down.

 

[Smithyy]

We need clarity on this.. Why do I feel my gambling 'career' is closer to the end than the beginning...?

Hmm, could be a good thing...

Afraid I know as much as you do. But having a look at some other gambling forums and the replies to BC.Game's Twitter posts in the last 24-48 hours it seems that a lot of people haven't received their withdrawal - yet.

 

[Smithyy]

Yes, just logged into BC.Game and they have reset all my verification and now need to complete two stages. The United Kingdom is not on the list of allowed countries for uploading docs, so impossible now for the UK to play here and withdraw without problems.

Many other Crypto casinos have added UK to the not-allowed list recently including the popular sites Goldenbet and Metaspins.

So far it's only the crypto sites with the 'Master Licence' that are acting quickly to close UK players down.

I logged into my BC Games account and I was able to deposit/play - didn't try to withdraw though. I wasn't forced to submit verification docs, just incentivized with 15 dollars worth of bonus funds.

And just FYI, the way it works in Curacao; there are four Master License holders who then allow companies like Goldenbet and Metaspins to "sub-license" - so there is no casino with a "Master License" so to speak. But you are correct that some Curacao-licensed casinos have started to update their terms and conditions to explicitly mention they don't take UK players.

Laughable, really, though, as any casino in Curacao has NEVER been allowed to take UK players. They should have always stated that in their terms and conditions.