Scam Ads Promote Fake Beau Rivage Online Casino App
The Beau Rivage Casino, an MGM property located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, was the latest to be hit by a flurry of fake advertising promoting a fictitious new legal online gaming app.
Beau Rivage warns of fake online casino scams. © Kevin’s personal archive
Beau Rivage Warns of Fake Online Casino App Scam
The Beau Rivage took to local media this week to warn people of a false advertising scam making the rounds on social media, promoting a new online casino app that would allow people to make bets from their phones or computers.
“This is not us!” – Mary Cracchiolo, Regional PR Director, Beau Rivage, Interview with Biloxi SunHerald
But this MGM Popertyis in Mississippi, which doesn’t currently offer legal online gaming. And as an MGM property, when online gambling does come, it’s a sure bet that all wagers will go through a BetMGM app.
The ads first began popping up on Facebook several weeks ago and soon morphed into slightly different versions on other social media sites. The fake ads are fairly sophisticated, often picturing actual slot tickets or casino chips from the property and photos of the casino’s exterior.
Potentially confusing the matter is the fact that the Beau Rivage does have a casino app, and it can even be used for gambling, but only in the sportsbook and only from within the confines of the casino’s footprint.
Mississippi doesn’t allow iGaming or sportsbook betting from the internet. Still, this specially built app allows customers to place a bet on their team of choice while playing slots, eating at the buffet, or relaxing in the spa. However, it is tightly geo-restricted to spaces inside the casino itself. In fact, it doesn’t even include the parking garage. And, of course, it’s just for sports betting.
Fake Gambling Ads on the Rise Worldwide
Other casino properties around the country and internationally have also been targeted by these fake ads, which usually direct unsuspecting users to offshore casino operators hidden behind several layers of ownership.
This makes it very hard for US investigators to trace deposits that these scammers manage to elicit from potential people, such as YouTube phenom Mr.Beast or internationally recognized pop singer Ed Sheeran. As AI continues to improve, so does the quality and believability of some of these scam advertisements.
As these scams are likely to continue and even grow in both number and scope, it is important to remember to look for advertisements that only come from the verified social media accounts of casinos. Cross-check them against the casino’s official accounts if you see them in some context outside their main social platforms.
Many scammers offer extremely high bonuses and use unlikely spokespeople to get your attention and, hopefully, your money. If you see Mother Theresa offering a $2,000 signup bonus at a casino you’ve never heard of, you need to be suspicious.
Also, look at spelling or grammar for tipoffs in the body of the ad, though AI continues to clean up many of these rookie mistakes by folks whose primary language isn’t always English.
If you can’t get an HTTPS connection, think twice about the URL you are clicking on. Make sure all URLs are official, and don’t fall for simple spelling errors meant to throw you off—beaurivage vs. beaurivagee, for example.
Try to only download apps from Google Play or Apple’s App Store, though that isn’t foolproof. The fake Beau Rivage offer directed users to the app store. Check reviews if possible, and don’t feel pressured by quickly expiring offers designed to rush you and cloud your judgment.
By staying cautious and using these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to fake online casino ads. Always trust your instincts—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
