The threats posed by fraud in the online gaming and betting industry have significantly evolved in recent years. The advent of advanced AI models during 2022 and 2023 has empowered fraudsters, leading to serious repercussions for iGaming operators.
Between 2022 and 2024, the online gaming sector experienced an average year-over-year increase of 64% in fraud cases, as reported by Sumsub. This surge has particularly highlighted bonus abuse, with fraudsters increasingly employing AI, automation, and synthetic identities to take advantage of promotional offers.
In response to this growing issue, EveryMatrix introduced Bonus Guardian in late 2025, leveraging AI-driven technology to combat AI-enhanced fraud effectively. Tetiana Dychenko, the chief technical officer of casino at EveryMatrix, noted, "Bonus Guardian was developed in response to a clear industry challenge. Bonus abuse has evolved far beyond what manual reviews and static rule-based systems can effectively address."
Dychenko explained that organized fraud groups are using sophisticated means, making it essential for operators to have tools specifically designed to combat bonus abuse instead of relying on generic fraud detection systems. The platform analyzes a wide array of factors, including gameplay behaviors, deposit trends, and bonus redemption patterns to identify fraudulent activity.
Developed in collaboration with AI experts, fraud specialists, and casino professionals, Bonus Guardian meets the complexities of modern fraud while aligning with the operational realities faced by gaming operators.
The platform aids operators throughout the promotional lifecycle, starting with the design of promotions that are appealing to legitimate players while minimizing risks of exploitation. Once promotions are underway, Bonus Guardian continuously evaluates player behavior through various metrics, including registration and bonus usage. Instead of using fixed rules, the platform builds dynamic behavioral profiles for players and detects patterns indicating potential abuse.
When suspicious activity is flagged, operators receive a detailed risk assessment and an explanation of the contributing factors. Based on the identified risk, they can either monitor the activities, adjust promotional eligibility, impose extra wagering requirements, or hold withdrawals for closer scrutiny.
"The strength of Bonus Guardian lies in its behavioral intelligence," Dychenko emphasized, noting that the platform simultaneously analyzes multiple signals — from gameplay behavior to withdrawal activities — to spot relationships and patterns that manual review might overlook.
Amid stricter KYC, anti-money laundering regulations, and the evolving landscape of bonus regulations, operators must also ensure a seamless onboarding experience for genuine players. EveryMatrix designed Bonus Guardian to balance good user experience with fraud prevention.
According to Dychenko, one of the platform's key advantages is its ability to allow nuanced responses to potential fraud rather than binary, all-or-nothing decisions. As fraudsters increasingly use AI-driven identities, VPNs, and various evasion tactics, genuine customer behavior becomes the crucial differentiator.
Bonus Guardian integrates with EveryMatrix's EngageSuite Bonuses for casino and sports, supporting a collaborative environment for marketing and risk teams. This synergy allows promotions to be crafted with an eye toward fraud prevention without compromising attractiveness.
Dychenko stated, "Bonus Guardian merges marketing and risk functions to maximize promotional ROI, enabling marketing teams to create compelling campaigns while equipping risk teams with insights to identify potential vulnerabilities proactively."
Promotions that foster player engagement, like tournaments and loyalty programs, naturally appeal more to authentic players than to fraudsters looking for easy gains. This approach leads to improved campaign performance and reduced promotional leakage, which can account for 10-15% of a bonus budget, especially amid rising taxes and strict regulations.
The flexible nature of Bonus Guardian allows operators to customize risk thresholds, workflows, and promotional rules that fit their brand identity and regulatory demands. This adaptability is vital, given the evolving tactics used by fraudsters.
Every confirmed fraud incident and operator review contributes to refining the platform’s capabilities. "Continuous learning is fundamental to the platform," Dychenko noted. "Every confirmed fraud case helps enhance underlying models, ensuring the solution remains relevant and responsive to new abuse strategies."
Success in combating bonus abuse is not merely about the number of flagged players but also involves improved detection accuracy, reduced false positives, and quicker investigations.
The urgency of addressing bonus abuse is underscored by Sumsub's iGaming Fraud Report 2026, stating that such abuse currently represents nearly two-thirds of all fraud in the sector. Comparing the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, there was a staggering 350% increase in suspicious transactions, with the average transaction value climbing to over €6,000.
Additionally, the LexisNexis report on Online Gaming Fraud in North America asserts that 78% of operators identify bonus abuse as the leading fraud threat, while 57% report direct fraud losses as the most significant business impact.
Dychenko concluded, "The future lies in behavioral AI that evolves by learning from millions of player interactions. Operators cannot afford to overlook the rapidly changing landscape of bonus abuse. Adjusting now will better prepare them to mitigate fraud’s impact on profitability, particularly as the threat continues to grow. "
