Introduction
iGaming brands, watch out! Defrauding your frequent bettors and new players is becoming increasingly easier for cybercriminals. Overall, fraud in the iGaming sector has spiked, with some reports indicating a 64% increase between 2022 and 2024.
Your platform might be offering users the convenience of saved cards/cash in digital wallets, fast cashout, but what you interpret as convenience, attackers interpret as a target opportunity. Through phishing and credential stuffing, attackers can execute Account Takeovers (ATO), putting both user trust and finances at risk.
Adding to the scare, the very incentives designed to attract new players – referral, bonus offers, and promotions- are frequently exploited by cybercriminals through multi-accounting, account takeovers, and bonus abuse fraud.
The attack vectors in online gambling fraud are evolving fast. And without biometric login or secure player authentication, attackers can easily turn the brand and its users into victims of organized exploitation.
On the other hand, players demand secure (but seamless) experiences – especially when their funds and personal data are at stake. Amid the perfect storm of mobile gaming security threats, regulatory scrutiny (KYC iGaming, AML iGaming), and ever-rising customer expectations, modern operators are puzzled: How can they “maximize security measures” but also make the process convenient?
Group-IB recently introduced a concrete solution to the problem– BioConfirm for iGaming, which is an advanced authentication feature designed to deliver robust, user-friendly security in high-stakes fraud scenarios.
BioConfirm empowers your platform by:
- Binding Player Identity to their Device: It creates a strong, cryptographic link between a player and their specific smartphone (iOS or Android).
- Requiring Biometric Confirmation for High-Risk Actions: For critical operations, players provide explicit consent using their device’s native Face ID, Touch ID, or other fingerprint/facial recognition – a quick, familiar action.
BioConfirm iGaming Key Use Cases:
- Fortifying Player Accounts against Takeovers (ATO):
- Securing Logins from New Devices/Locations: Suspicious login attempts trigger BioConfirm on the player’s registered trusted device.
- Authorizing Changes to Sensitive Account Details: Get trusted, biometric confirmation for high-risk changes such as email addresses, passwords, linked payment methods, contact information, etc.
- Safeguarding High-Value Transactions:
- Securing Large Withdrawals: When a player wants to withdraw substantial winnings, BioConfirm can require biometric authentication through their secure, linked device for the withdrawal request. This method ensures that funds cannot be transferred without the authentic player’s explicit consent, verified via their device.
- Confirming High-Value Deposits: BioConfirm can verify the player’s intent, especially when using new payment methods or if the deposit patterns seem unusual or suspicious.
- Combating Bonus and Promotion Abuse:
- The strong device binding makes it significantly harder for casual fraudsters to easily create and manage numerous illicit accounts tied to a verified device.
- Responsible Gaming Support:
- Confirming Self-Exclusion Requests: Ensure the genuine player is making the decision to self-exclude.
- Verifying Changes to Bet/Deposit Limits: For significant increases in player-set limits, ensure the decision is consented to by BioConfirm.
- Streamlining Player Re-Verification Processes:
- Step-Up for KYC Re-Verification: If periodic re-verification of Know Your Customer (KYC) details is needed, BioConfirm can be a secure and user-friendly method for players to reconfirm their identity using their already bound and trusted device.
A Winning Hand: BioConfirm’s Benefits for iGaming Operators & Players
- Reduced Financial Losses: BioConfirm minimizes losses from account takeovers, unauthorized withdrawals, and certain types of bonus exploitation.
- Enhanced Player Trust and Platform Integrity: Platforms that demonstrate a commitment to enhanced security build confidence and enhance users’ trust and safety.
- Improved User Experience: Biometric confirmation is faster and less intrusive than traditional OTPs or knowledge-based questions for high-risk actions.
- Stronger Compliance Posture: It helps fulfill regulatory requirements for robust customer authentication and secure account management.
- Reduced Operational Burden: Fewer compromised accounts lead to less time spent on investigations, customer support for fraud victims, and account recovery processes.
Real-World Scenario: With BioConfirm As An Essential Layer of User Authentication
Secure Your Platform, Empower Your Players
The iGaming industry thrives on excitement and trust. BioConfirm provides robust security to protect your platform and players from evolving threats, without sacrificing the smooth experience your users demand. It’s about making security an enabler, not a barrier.
Ready to level up your iGaming platform’s security? Contact us today to learn more about integrating BioConfirm.
BioConfirm FAQs for iGaming Providers
Will BioConfirm slow down the user experience or affect our conversion rates?
BioConfirm for iGaming activates only for specific high-risk gaming transactions, not for every login or routine task. It uses native biometric authentication (like Face ID or fingerprint scan) to provide a quick, seamless experience to players. This method is faster and less intrusive than traditional online gambling fraud controls like SMS OTPs or security questions. BioConfirm enhances player account security and trust when applied to high-risk scenarios, ultimately supporting conversion rates during mobile gaming and iOS/Android gaming sessions.
Can we trigger BioConfirm only for high-risk actions like withdrawals or payee changes?
Yes, absolutely. BioConfirm iGaming is specifically designed for this. You can configure it to initiate a biometric authentication gaming step only for high-risk gaming transactions, such as large withdrawals, changing sensitive player details (email, password, payment methods), adding new payees, or logging in from unrecognized devices. This helps meet KYC iGaming and AML iGaming standards without disrupting standard gameplay.
How does BioConfirm help us detect and stop bonus abuse or account takeover?
Account Takeover Prevention Gaming: BioConfirm combats ATO in iGaming by tying the player’s identity to a secure, biometrically bound device using cryptographic keys. Fraudsters cannot execute risky actions (e.g., withdrawing funds or changing account info) without passing the biometric check on the bound device.
Bonus Abuse Prevention: While not a silver bullet, BioConfirm adds a strong layer of protection. Each player account is tied to a unique device, and high-risk actions require secure player authentication on that device. This adds significant friction for fraudsters managing fake accounts and deters bonus abuse fraud in online gambling.
Does it work across mobile apps, web, and different devices?
BioConfirm is optimized for mobile gaming security, specifically for native iOS gaming security and Android gaming security. It leverages built-in biometric features and secure hardware like iOS’s Secure Enclave and Android’s Trusted Execution Environment. These capabilities ensure robust biometric authentication and secure iGaming transactions on mobile platforms.
Is the biometric data device-bound and privacy-compliant?
Yes—privacy and security are core to BioConfirm’s architecture.
- Device-Bound: All cryptographic keys are generated and stored locally on the player’s device, secured by the device’s hardware.
Privacy-Compliant: Biometric templates (e.g., facial geometry or fingerprints) never leave the device. Authentication occurs locally, and BioConfirm only receives a success/failure status. This is aligned with best practices in responsible gaming tools and player account security.
How does the initial device binding/registration process work for the player?
Players complete a one-time device binding process within your mobile app. The BioConfirm SDK guides the player in linking their account to their mobile device using biometric authentication gaming (e.g. Face ID or fingerprint), generating secure cryptographic keys. This step establishes the device as a trusted factor for future secure iGaming transactions.
What happens if a player loses their registered device or gets a new one?
In the event of a lost or replaced device, a secure re-binding process must be implemented. This could involve strong identity verification (as part of your KYC iGaming strategy). Once verified, the player can bind a new device using BioConfirm, ensuring player account security without disruption.
What are the general integration requirements for our iGaming platform?
Integration involves adding the BioConfirm SDK into your iOS and Android gaming applications. Your backend must be able to trigger biometric confirmations for defined high-risk gaming transactions and validate the signed response from the SDK. Full technical documentation, API guides, and implementation support will be provided.
How can BioConfirm help with regulatory compliance (e.g., Strong Customer Authentication - SCA)?
BioConfirm provides strong biometric authentication for gaming by combining inherence factors (biometrics) and possession factors (device-bound secure keys). This aligns with Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) requirements in the iGaming industry, supporting compliance with KYC/AML iGaming regulations while enhancing secure player authentication.
