🚫 The blacklist

Casinos to avoid

Most guides only tell you where to play. We think it matters just as much to tell you where not to. SlotWhizz has a firm no-unlicensed-casinos policy — and when we investigate an operator and find it fails that bar, we say so publicly, with our reasons and sources. Here are the casinos we have looked at and will not feature, and how to spot a bad one yourself.

MyStake

⚠ No verifiable current licence · black-market flags

Its licensing entity (Santeda International B.V.) shifted the brands to a new Curaçao vehicle, GTW B.V., whose B2C licence expired in December 2025 — and both entities were then reportedly dissolved, a recognised tactic for wiping the slate clean under regulatory pressure. As of mid-2026 there is no verifiably valid gambling licence.
Industry reporting classifies the network as one of the most-used black-market operators among UK players, with affiliates using "not-on-Gamstop" marketing that targets self-excluded people.
Documented complaint history includes frozen accounts, repeated KYC demands, delayed or denied withdrawals, and at least one large win (~$40,000) reportedly withheld.

Sources: AskGamblers, Casino Guru, NEXT.io, Tribuna, GamblingNews (2026).

Betscore

⚠ No gambling licence at all

Holds only a Costa Rican data-processing registration — which is explicitly NOT a gambling licence. The Anjouan link that appears belongs to the underlying platform stack, not a prominently held operator licence.
A brand-new (2026) sportsbook with no meaningful regulatory oversight, so players have effectively no dispute recourse if something goes wrong.

Sources: list.casino, Casino Guru, dealgamble (2026).

Red flags: how to spot a casino to avoid

You don't need us to vet every site. These are the warning signs we use — any one of them is a reason to be cautious; two or more, walk away.

No real gambling licence

A "Costa Rica" or company registration is not a gambling licence. Look for MGA, UKGC, Curaçao (with a verifiable number), Kahnawake or a national regulator — and check it on the regulator’s own register.

Licence-shuffling or dissolved entities

Operators that keep moving brands between licence vehicles, or whose licensor has been dissolved, are a red flag for avoiding accountability.

"Not on Gamstop" marketing

Casinos that advertise to self-excluded players are deliberately targeting vulnerable people. Walk away.

Withheld or endlessly-delayed withdrawals

Patterns of "under review" for weeks, repeated KYC after you win, or confiscated winnings are the clearest warning sign.

Bonuses that sound too good

Enormous match percentages with buried 60x+ wagering, tiny max-bet caps and short clocks are designed so you never actually cash out.

No responsible-gambling tools

A legitimate site offers deposit limits, self-exclusion and links to help organisations. Their absence is telling.

Play somewhere we actually trust instead

Every casino in our reviews holds a verifiable gambling licence, and we flag the weaker regulators honestly. Here are our top-rated licensed picks:

Cloudbet ★ 4.8 — Up to $2,500 Welcome Package — No Wagering
Jackpot City ★ 4.6 — Up to $1,600 Welcome Package (4 deposits)
Betway ★ 4.6 — Welcome Bonus up to $1,000 + 50 Free Spins

See all casino reviews →

18+ · Gamble responsibly.

If gambling is causing you harm, free confidential help is available at BeGambleAware, GamCare and via self-exclusion tools. See our responsible gambling guide. This page reflects our honest opinion based on the cited public sources at the time of writing.