Why are sportsbooks blacklisted? In this guide I’ll be showing you what blacklisted betting sites have done to get branded this way, and show you how to avoid them so you don’t become a victim yourself.
While this betting school guide will contain a list of blacklisted sites, you’ll still need to be wary as they can be hard to spot. So I’ve drawn up a list of telltale signs that a site might not be trustworthy, and show you a quick and simple way to find a safe, secure sportsbook to use where you are.
In the last few years especially, sports betting has grown in popularity, attracting millions of sports fans who want to add to their experience by placing a wager on their favorite games. The downside to this is that there is also an increase in the number of sportsbooks, and some are worse than others to the point of being untrustworthy.
These might operate unethically, leading to them being blacklisted by reputable sites like this one. Knowing how a sportsbook gets blacklisted and knowing how to identify these sites is crucial for any bettor who wants to avoid making betting mistakes, regardless of how long they have been betting on sports. So, in this blacklisted sites guide I’ll be showing how sites get blacklisted, and how to spot them.
OK, so how do sportsbooks find themselves on a blacklist? A sportsbook can find themselves on our list of blacklisted betting sites for a number of reasons, typically because they have engaged in unethical or even illegal activities. I’ll start with the most common, and then move on to there others one by one:
As you might expect, top of the list here is refusal to pay out winnings, normally by some long and contrived process. Regardless of whether it's a small win on the weekend match or a huge accumulator, a legitimate sportsbook will always honour its commitment to payout winnings. So, if bettors continuously report legitimate issues with getting their money, this could be a huge red flag about a dishonest operation.
Some sportsbooks have unfair terms and conditions (also known as weasel clauses) that make it frankly impossible for players to get hold of their winnings. This includes excessive wagering requirements, or changes to terms without any notification. As you’ll see in our guide which has sports betting bonus types explained, a legit sportsbook will provide clear, fair, and transparent terms to users.
It’s betting 101 that a reputable sportsbook needs to be licensed and legit. Not having a license at all, or just having a license from one of the looser gaming regulators is a common reason for ending up on our blacklist. This is because lack of regulation means there’s no backup for bettors if it all goes horribly wrong.
Note – this does not mean all sportsbooks from certain territories should all be tarred with the same bush - some have strong reputations and are often on our list of recommended sites
Security is vital in any sort of online industry, especially sportsbooks. Sportsbooks need SSL encryption and other security measures to protect your data and keep transactions private. Sites that cut corners here, can find them on a blacklist due to security concerns about leaked data.
Not quite as vital, but still important is customer service. Sportsbooks that are unresponsive, dismissive of complaints or fail to resolve issues can quickly lose their reputation. This can not only indicate that they are mismanaged, but the resultant negative reviews can see them join our blacklist.
Most sportsbooks advertise in an ethical manner with the consent of users. Others engage in spamming, making false claims about their services, or false promises about promotions and benefits can find themselves blacklisted.
Now you know what gets a site blacklisted – you have some pointers for identifying any you come across. If you’re still unsure here is a few rules for spotting problems, all set out in a chart for easy reference
| What you need to do | How to spot a red flag |
| Check they are licensed and legit | Respectable sites will always have their credential front and center, or at least in the footer of every page. If you don’t see it – red flag |
| See what others think* | Read reviews of the site to see what others think. Look for complaints about nonpayment or not addressing bettor concerns. |
| Check out the small print | Carefully read the terms and conditions, especially those for any bonuses that look too good to be true. Compare them with other bonuses on other sites, (which is another reason why to use multiple sportsbooks) to see if they seem legit or confusing and unfair |
| Test drive customer service | Try out customer service with a few questions before signing up. See if you get understandable solutions or generic non-answers. The latter is a big red flag |
| Check security | Check for basic security features such as SSL encryption and read their policies on data protection and user privacy. If they aren’t there or look like a copy and paste job – big red flag. |
| Payment methods | Look for regular methods, and not obscure options that look like less than legit or unregulated. Always ensure you are depositing directly and not transferring any funds to a ‘representative’ who will set your account up for you. |
| Do an ‘eye-test’ | Take a look around the site and look for design or layout issues. If the site looks like it was done as a school project, you’d be right to worry how they’d treat your account. |
| Check them out on social media | See if they have an active social media profile, and what the interaction id like. If all you see is customer complaints and zero or just generic response -be worried |
Every sportsbook will have some negative reviews, but consistent complaints about the same issues are a big red flag
As you can see, there is a lot to look for which might take longer than you’d like. However, as well as compiling this guide, I can tell you about other resources you can access on this site.
The whole point of knowing which sites are blacklisted and how you can avoid being taken in by them. You could also take a different approach, and instead pick your sports betting site from those sportsbooks that have been checked out already and declared safe, legit and highly rated. You should be able to see banners for recommended sites for where you are around this page, or failing that, our review section has plenty of choices where you can find a site that fits your needs, along with details of the welcome bonus, and any promo codes you’ll need to secure it.
It’s a sad fact that in the sports betting industry there are unscrupulous sportsbooks who want to take your deposit but are less than happy about paying out your winnings. These can usually be found on our blacklist, but there is no harm in arming yourself by knowing what to look for. Once you’ve read this guide you should know what gets a site blacklisted, making it easy to spot those same red flags in any site you come across. Of course, one easy way to ensure you end up at a fully vetted legit sportsbook is to use the resources on this site to find one that we have reviewed, treated and recommended to you. If you have found this guide useful, our betting school also has other insights into keeping you safe online, including a responsible gambling guide which can help you stay in control while sports betting.
Betting sites are blacklisted for issues such as lacking proper licensing, not paying out winnings, having unreasonable terms and conditions, or poor security. These problems often lead to numerous complaints and negative reviews.
Lists of blacklisted sites can be found on various review and betting guides. Our recent betting school guide highlights some of the worst offenders and provides tips on how to avoid them.
To avoid blacklisted sites, choose platforms that have been reviewed and recommended by experts. Ensure the site is legal in your area and check out our latest reviews for reliable recommendations.
Go to BetMGM
Go to BetMGM
