Some UK gamblers are purchasing access to illegal cryptocurrency casino accounts through social media platforms for as little as $10. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
New phenomenon
UK gamblers are said to be buying access to illegal cryptocurrency casinos through social media platforms. Sky News He revealed that people can purchase accounts for as little as $10.
These gambling platforms use cryptocurrencies; They are neither regulated nor legal in the UK. Several high-profile influencers promote the sites, including streamers like xQc and Trainwreck, as well as superstar rapper Drake.
Without going through the registration process or providing any personal information
When someone illegally purchases access to a crypto casino account, they can start gambling without going through the sign-up process or providing any personal information.
Anti-gambling advocates claim that cryptocurrency casinos can be far more dangerous than regulated platforms, as they are often easier to access for children and gambling addicts. Responsible gambling tools such as betting limits or session time limits are not usually options and addicts who have been self-excluded from all UK licensed gambling sites through GAMSTOP can bypass this ban by using external sites.
Look in this direction
Sky News She conducted her own research on this matter Over the course of three months, including analyzing hundreds of social media ads and speaking with both sellers and buyers of accounts. While the majority of ads were on Discord and Facebook, they were also found on TikTok, X, Reddit, and Telegram.
It discovered no evidence that cryptocurrency casinos were aware of the ads
The most popular cryptocurrency casino announced is Stake, which has partnerships with numerous streamers, sports teams, and celebrities. Sky News It discovered no evidence that cryptocurrency casinos were aware of or endorsed the ads.
The news outlet contacted Stake about the issue. The operator said it is aware of fraudulent attempts to access its online platform and is constantly looking for ways to prevent this from happening.
A dangerous precedent
When someone in the UK tries to access a crypto casino, they will often receive an error message saying that the platform is not available in the region. Many online casinos also require users to provide photo ID when creating an account to prove who they claim to be.
Illegal accounts that can be purchased for as little as $10 already come with a photo verification step completed. Some premium accounts are available for purchase for thousands of dollars, offering additional benefits such as cash back.
Some people selling accounts were doing so because they lost money gambling. One person told Sky News that they lost $225,000 in one month, and now they need money to buy food.
MP Carolyn Harris, who leads the parliamentary group on gambling-related harms, believes crypto casinos and social media platforms need to share the blame. Sky News Social media companies reported the ads, leading to their removal from TikTok, Reddit, Discord, and Facebook. X and Telegram did not respond to these requests.
