Bonus Winnings and Online Casino Tax

[Khoupt]

Played in a casino online from Curacao. Won some money because able to wager on slots with sign on bonus. Deposited $300 via BTC to verify my account and was told I could withdraw, EXCEPT: I have to pay around $1300 USD for a Curacao tax on the winnings THEN the funds will be released. The withdraw that I initiated is pending. Is this for real? I have been reading lots of articles. This particular site has a GCB license and prompt customer service, but I am wary to do anything more without solid proof of the casino's legitimacy. If for real, great! But if a scam is there anyway to get back my $300? Appreciate any insight/advice, thanks...

 

[hubbadubbadingdong]

Yep it’s a Scam move , you never have to Pay to withdraw.

In future if you want help looking up a casino post the sites URL not just the name, as very common for scam sites to shadow real ones.

 

[Webzcas]

Unfortunately this is the online casino version of the 419 scams. Lots of info on the forum about this.

 

[Khoupt]

Thank you!

 

[Quickwitted]

Any casino that asks you to pay for something is immediately a red flag.

 

[MarkDon]

I can understand why you’re unsure, especially if the casino looks professional, has a license badge, and customer service is responding. Unfortunately though, this is one of the most common tricks used by fake online casinos.

A legitimate casino will never ask you to send money upfront in order to release your withdrawal. Any taxes, fees, or reporting obligations connected to gambling winnings are either handled through the casino’s normal processes or are your responsibility with your local tax authorities — they are not something you pay directly to a casino so they can “unlock” your funds.

The fact that they allowed you to deposit, let you play with a bonus, and then suddenly introduced a $1300 “Curacao tax” after you won is a huge red flag. Scammers often create a situation where the victim has already invested money and is emotionally attached to the winnings, then they ask for another payment. After that first payment, there is usually another “fee” or “verification charge” waiting.

The $300 BTC deposit is unfortunately another warning sign as well. Crypto transactions are normally irreversible, so these operations often prefer BTC because it makes recovery very difficult.

I would not send them anything else. Save all screenshots, emails, chat logs, wallet addresses, and transaction details. It may also be worth posting the casino URL here (not just the name), because scam sites often copy the branding and license information of legitimate operators to look convincing.

Hopefully you can avoid losing more money, but don’t let them convince you that paying the tax will suddenly unlock your withdrawal. That is almost certainly the scam mechanism.