As football season ramps up, sports fans are being flooded with ads, apps and online offers tied to sports betting — and scammers are using the confusion around
As football season ramps up, sports fans are being flooded with ads, apps and online offers tied to sports betting — and scammers are using the confusion around what’s legal and what’s not to steal money, the Better Business Bureau warns.
Sports betting scams often start with professional-looking websites, apps or social media accounts, according to the BBB.
Some fake platforms accept deposits and even display supposed winnings. Others sell “guaranteed picks” or promise “risk-free systems.”
But when customers try to withdraw money, the BBB says the platform may demand additional payments to release the funds or freeze the account altogether.
In a BBB study that pulled reports from 2022 through mid-2025, the organization identified more than 10,000 complaints and nearly 200 Scam Tracker reports involving online gambling and gaming.
The BBB says it has become harder for consumers to spot scams because sports betting rules vary from state to state, while multiple products use similar language and marketing.
Consumers may see sportsbooks, prediction markets, sweepstakes-style games, fantasy contests and offshore betting sites advertised in similar ways, the BBB said.
In Washington, the BBB said the only sportsbooks legally available are at specific tribal casinos.
Even so, people who live far from those areas still see national advertising for betting services and can find websites willing to accept their money, the BBB said.
That mix of irregular regulations, online access to certain gambling or investment sites, and TV ads inviting participation can create confusion — and opportunities for scammers, according to the BBB.
The BBB said fraudulent sites may claim they operate under another state’s rules, describe themselves as a prediction market instead of a sportsbook, or say they are based overseas.
To protect themselves, the BBB recommends that consumers research a company before sending money by checking for complaints, reviews, and scam alerts, including on BBB.org, and confirming whether the site is legal to use where they live.
The BBB also advises consumers to confirm who operates the platform, how withdrawals work, and whether real customer support is available.
The BBB warns sports fans to be skeptical of promises of “guaranteed” winnings and to treat demands for additional payments during withdrawals as a red flag.
The BBB recommends that anyone who encounters those warning signs stop paying, save records, and report the suspected scam.
Consumers can research businesses, review the BBB’s online gambling study, and report suspected scams at BBB.org.
