Preventing account sharing is a crucial aspect of maintaining a secure and reliable online gambling platform. Operators in the industry face numerous challenges, including fraudulent account activities that often result in revenue loss and legal complications. To provide a better gaming experience for all users and mitigate the risks associated with account sharing, it is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach to combating this issue.

The integrity of an online gambling platform is of utmost importance for all stakeholders, including owners, operators, CTOs, developers, IT security specialists, regulators, and users. Implementing strict security measures in preventing account sharing not only safeguards the online gambling platform but also enhances the platform's legitimacy and increases the users' trust. The online gambling industry must work collectively to prevent account sharing and ensure a fair and secure environment for both operators and users.

This article aims to provide an overview of five essential technological tactics that can help online gambling operators tackle the issue of account sharing. These strategies include device and browser fingerprinting, impossible travel analysis, headless browser detection and automation framework detection, IP geolocation and VPN detection, and facial biometrics with Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

Each strategy varies in terms of its complexity and impact, but they can all significantly contribute to reducing the incidence of account sharing in online gambling platforms. By understanding and implementing these approaches, operators can stay at the forefront of the battle against account sharing and maintain their platform's security.

In the sections that follow, we will discuss each of these five tactics in detail, delving into their core principles, how they work, their pros and cons, and the essential implementation details to consider. By evaluating these strategies and understanding their potential benefits and drawbacks, online gambling operators can make informed decisions on the most appropriate measures to adopt for their platform and audience. As cybercriminals and fraudsters continue to evolve their tactics, it is critical that the online gambling industry stays vigilant and perpetually adapts to stay ahead of them.

Strategy 1: Device and browser fingerprinting

What is device and browser fingerprinting

Device and browser fingerprinting is a technique used to identify individual devices and browsers accessing an online platform by collecting unique characteristics about the device and browser combination. Through evaluating these attributes, it is possible to establish a distinct profile for each legitimate user's device and enhance overall platform security.

How does it work

1. Collecting data on users' devices and browsers: Data points such as screen size, browser version, installed plugins, fonts, and device hardware can be collected to create a comprehensive device fingerprint.
2. Building profiles of legitimate devices: Analyzing the collected data and constructing unique profiles for each device allows operators to differentiate between genuine users and potential fraudsters.
3. Recognizing returning devices and identifying suspicious devices: By comparing the current device fingerprints with previously recorded ones, authorized devices accessing the platform are labeled, and suspicious devices can be flagged for further investigation.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• Effective detection of device spoofing and session hijacking: Device fingerprinting can detect anomalies that deviate from typical user behavior, such as sudden changes in device or browser features, helping spot attempts at device spoofing or session hijacking.
• Enhances platform security: By leveraging device fingerprinting, online gambling operators can add an extra layer of security for better fraud prevention and detection.

Cons:

• Privacy concerns: Collecting various device and browser attributes raises privacy concerns, and implementing fingerprinting can result in potential regulatory or legal implications if not executed carefully.
• Potential false positives: Unusual device characteristics or users who frequently switch devices may trigger false positive alerts, leading to user inconvenience and burdening operators with excessive security alerts to sift through.

Implementation details

1. Integrate fingerprinting SDK or APIs in the platform: The first step in implementing device and browser fingerprinting is to incorporate an SDK or API provided by a third-party service or develop an in-house solution tailored to the platform's specific requirements. This integration equips your online gambling platform with the ability to analyze and record device fingerprints.
2. Configure fingerprinting parameters for the specific audience: Choose the most relevant data points for your audience and set thresholds for red flags. Operators must grant particularly close attention to these thresholds, as too strict or lenient boundaries can lead to false positives or missed fraud attempts, respectively.
3. Set up monitoring systems and alerts for suspicious activities: Establish a process for continuously monitoring device fingerprints to promptly identify and address any irregular activities. Implementing automated alerts can streamline response time to potential threats and act as a deterrent against account sharing and other malicious activities.

Strategy 2: Impossible Travel

What is impossible travel

Impossible travel refers to the scenario where a user's account is accessed from two or more geographically distant locations within a time period that is too short for someone to travel between the locations physically. This can indicate account sharing, session hijacking, or other forms of fraudulent activities on an online gambling platform.

How does it work

• Analyzing user geolocation data and login timestamps
• Detecting account access from distant locations in unrealistic timeframes
• Identifying potential account sharing cases

Pros & cons

• Pros: blocks unauthorized access, deters password sharing
• Cons: potential false positives due to shared IPs or VPN usage

To effectively prevent account sharing in an online gambling environment, impossible travel is one tactic worth implementing. Some of the benefits of using impossible travel to secure your platform include:

• Blocking unauthorized access: Identifying instances of impossible travel helps in detecting and blocking fraudulent attempts to access user accounts.
• Deterring password sharing: If users believe their account activity is being closely monitored, they are less likely to share their login credentials with others.

However, there are some drawbacks to this approach as well:

• Potential false positives due to shared IPs: In some cases, multiple users connecting from the same IP address may be falsely flagged as sharing accounts.
• VPN usage: Users who employ VPN services to mask their true locations might trigger impossible travel alerts, causing inconvenience to legitimate users.

Implementation details

• Configure platform to record user locations and login timestamps
• Utilize geolocation APIs to determine locations accurately
• Set up rules and triggers for detecting impossible travel patterns

To implement impossible travel detection on a gambling platform, the following steps can be followed:

1. Configure the platform to record user locations and login timestamps: Set up your gambling platform to collect and store user geolocation data and login timestamps during each session. This information will be used to detect instances of possible account sharing.

   
   

2. Utilize geolocation APIs to determine locations accurately: Accurate geolocation data is essential for reliable impossible travel detection. Integrating geolocation APIs or services into the platform can help ensure the accuracy of location data.

   
   

3. Set up rules and triggers for detecting impossible travel patterns: Establish a set of rules and triggers that will flag instances of impossible travel. This may include setting a maximum distance threshold for logins within a certain timeframe or alerting operators to logins from known hotspots for account sharing.

   
   

Keep in mind that preventing false positives is crucial to maintain a positive user experience on your platform. To mitigate false positives, consider implementing machine learning algorithms to analyze login behavior and better distinguish between legitimate and suspicious activity. Additionally, have a system in place for users to report and resolve false positives, should they occur.

In conclusion, implementing impossible travel detection as part of your anti-account sharing strategy has several benefits, including bolstering the security of your platform and deterring password sharing. While some potential challenges do exist, such as false positives, these can be mitigated with careful planning and implementation. By incorporating impossible travel alongside other fraud prevention measures, you can effectively halt account sharing and protect your online gambling platform.

Strategy 3: Headless Browser detection and Automation framework detection

What are headless browser detection and automation framework detection?

Headless browser detection and automation framework detection are techniques to identify and block attempts by cybercriminals to access online gambling platforms using automated tools, such as headless browsers and popular automation frameworks like Selenium. Headless browsers are browsers that run without a graphical user interface, making them particularly suitable for automating tasks and bypassing security measures. By detecting and preventing access through these tools, gambling platform operators can mitigate the risk of brute-force attacks, unauthorized access, and account sharing practices.

How do they work?

To effectively detect headless browsers and automation frameworks, the gambling platform can utilize specific indicators, such as unusual user agents, missing or unusual browser plugins, JavaScript properties, or other inconsistencies between normal browser behavior and the accessing agent. By identifying these tools, gambling operators can effectively block their attempts to interact with the platform, thwarting any potential fraudulent activities or account sharing scenarios.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• Prevents brute force attacks: By detecting and blocking headless browsers and automation frameworks, gambling operators can reduce the risk of brute force attacks, which rely on automation tools to swiftly iterate through multiple login attempts.
• Restricts unauthorized access: Blocking these automated tools curbs attempts by cybercriminals to access user accounts by exploiting account sharing habits.

Cons:

• Ongoing maintenance needed: Cybercriminals are continuously updating and enhancing their attack techniques. To counter these advancements, regular updates to the detection methods are necessary, which may require additional resources and expertise.
• False positives: In some cases, legitimate users who may be using headless browsers or automation frameworks for personal usage might be falsely flagged as malicious, leading to possible frustration and dissatisfaction among legitimate customers.

Implementation details

To incorporate headless browser detection and automation framework detection into an online gambling platform, follow these steps:

1. Incorporate detection libraries or APIs: Integrate popular libraries, such as Puppeteer, or use APIs that allow for the identification of headless browsers and automation frameworks.
2. Monitor and update detection methods: Continuously monitor the state of cyber threats in the gambling industry and stay informed about emerging attack vectors. Regularly update the headless browser and automation framework detection methods to stay one step ahead of potential attacks.
3. Set up alerts: Establish systems that generate alerts when suspicious access attempts are identified, enabling the gambling platform operators to take swift action and further investigate such cases.

By effectively implementing headless browser and automation framework detection, online gambling operators can enhance the security of their platform, prevent unauthorized access, and mitigate account sharing practices. This strategy, in combination with the other tactics outlined, will contribute to creating a safer and more secure environment in which users can place their bets and enjoy their gambling experience.

Strategy 4: IP Geolocation, VPN Detection, and Proxy IP Detection

What are IP Geolocation, VPN Detection, and Proxy IP Detection

IP Geolocation refers to the process of identifying the geographical location of an internet-connected device by analyzing its IP address. VPN (Virtual Private Network) Detection and Proxy IP Detection are techniques used to identify users who are masking their true IP addresses or hiding behind a proxy server to access online content that may be unavailable or restricted in their location.

How do they work

By identifying users' true locations and detecting when they are using VPNs or proxy services, online gambling platform operators can enforce geo-restrictions according to licensing agreements and local regulations. Blocking suspicious IP addresses and identifying potentially fraudulent account-sharing activities helps maintain the integrity of the gambling platform and deters unauthorized account access.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• Minimizes fraudulent activities: Accurate detection of VPN and proxy server use makes it more challenging for fraudsters to access gambling platforms using shared accounts from unauthorized locations.
• Enhances platform integrity: IP geolocation, VPN detection, and proxy IP detection ensure that operators can enforce regional restrictions, adhering to legal requirements and minimizing the risk of operating in breach of licensing agreements.

Cons:

• Potential false positives: Users relying on VPNs or proxy services for legitimate reasons, such as privacy concerns or when traveling, may be falsely flagged as engaging in account sharing.
• Shared IPs: Accurate identification of users behind shared IP addresses (e.g., university or business networks) might be challenging, potentially leading to false positives.

Implementation details

1. Utilize IP intelligence APIs or services: Integrate comprehensive IP intelligence solutions, such as MaxMind's GeoIP2 or IP2Location, into the gambling platform. These services can accurately detect VPNs and proxies, providing reliable information on users' true locations.

   
   

2. Configure the platform to enforce geo-restrictions based on user location: Develop rules and algorithms to block or restrict access to gambling content based on customers' verified geolocations, ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and local gambling regulations.

   
   

3. Monitor and update IP blacklists as needed: Regularly update IP blacklists to account for changes in VPN services, proxy servers, and identified high-risk IP addresses. Consider using a reliable source of updated blacklists, such as IP2Proxy, to keep track of known VPN and proxy addresses effectively.

   
   

4. Evaluate and refine the system: Regularly assess the efficacy of IP Geolocation, VPN Detection, and Proxy IP Detection strategies, making adjustments to refine detection accuracy and minimize the impact of false positives. Keep pace with evolving user behaviors, technological advancements, and adversaries' tactics.

   
   

Strategy 5: Facial Biometrics and KYC (Know Your Customer)

What are facial biometrics and KYC

Facial biometrics and KYC (Know Your Customer) are identity verification techniques that aim to prevent fraud, verify user identity, and ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and other regulations. Facial biometrics involves the analysis of facial features and attributes to uniquely identify a user, while KYC is a process that businesses, including online gambling platforms, use to verify the identity and credentials of their customers.

How do they work

Facial biometrics and KYC prevent account sharing by ensuring that a user's identity is genuine and confirmed. The process begins when a user registers on an online gambling platform, providing personally identifiable information (PII) such as name, address, date of birth, and a government-issued identification document.

Facial biometric technology analyzes the user's uploaded ID document and selfie, comparing the facial features and attributes against the ID document's image to confirm a match. The KYC process then validates the user's PII against public records, databases, and watchlists to verify their identity further.

By implementing strict identity verification standards, synthetic or false identities are prevented from registering on the platform, and unauthorized access attempts can be significantly reduced.

Pros & cons

Pros:

• Enhanced user identity verification: Facial biometrics and KYC can improve the platform's user authentication process and ensure that only genuine users have access, minimizing the risk of account sharing.

  
  

• Reduced account sharing instances: Since the identity verification process makes it more difficult for fraudsters to create fake accounts or share credentials, the instances of account sharing can be substantially reduced.

  
  

Cons:

• Privacy concerns: Facial biometrics and other biometric technology can raise privacy concerns among users, making them hesitant to provide their personal information.

  
  

• Potential high implementation costs: Implementing facial biometrics and KYC services may require significant upfront investment and ongoing costs, depending on the technology and service providers used.

  
  

Implementation details

To implement facial biometrics and KYC services in an online gambling platform, follow these steps:

1. Choose reputable facial biometric and KYC service providers, considering their accuracy, reliability, data protection policies, and industry compliance.

   
   

2. Integrate the facial biometric and KYC APIs or SDKs into the platform's registration and login processes, ensuring seamless user experience and compliance with data protection regulations.

   
   

3. Set up strict identity verification standards that comply with industry regulations and best practices. Customize the identity verification process according to platform requirements and user profiles.

   
   

4. Train customer support and compliance teams on the new identity verification process and how to handle user inquiries or issues related to facial biometrics and KYC successfully.

   
   

5. Continuously monitor the performance and efficacy of the biometric and KYC systems, making updates based on regulatory requirements, technological advancements, or industry best practice changes.

   
   

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Implementing the above 5 essential tactics against account sharing can greatly benefit online gambling operators. These approaches not only help secure platforms and protect revenue but also ensure user safety and support regulatory compliance. By successfully combating account sharing, operators can maintain the integrity and legitimacy of their platforms, establishing trust within their user base.

However, it is important to understand that combating account sharing is an ongoing process. Cyber threats constantly evolve, and fraudsters will continuously look for ways to bypass security measures. Operators must stay proactive and remain vigilant to protect their business against future attacks.

Next Steps:

• Evaluate your current fraud-prevention strategies and review their effectiveness
• Determine which of the 5 essential tactics may best suit your platform's needs, aiming to implement a combination for optimal protection
• Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in cybersecurity and gambling regulations
• Monitor your platform for potential issues, adapting your approach as needed
• Consider partnering with industry experts or engaging with specialized cybersecurity firms to ensure your platform is always-compliant and well-protected against account sharing and other threats

By following these steps and continually refining your account sharing prevention strategies, you can safeguard your online gambling platform against unauthorized access, support user security, and thrive in the competitive online gambling industry.