Digital squatting scams are up 68%. WIPO logged a record 6,200 domain disputes in 2025

The Big Picture

Digital squatting is scaling fast.
It is no longer just about “extra domains” it has become a full conversion funnel for scammers.

Driving the News

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) logged a record 6,200 domain disputes in 2025 a 68% increase since 2020.

How the Scam Works

Attackers register lookalike domains that mimic real brands. The most common patterns include:

• Typosquatting — a small misspelling of your brand

• Combosquatting — your brand combined with extra words

• Homograph attacks — characters that look identical to humans

The goal is simple:
get users to click the wrong link — and steal credentials, payments, or deposits.

Why It Matters for iGaming Operators

iGaming brands are high-value targets because:

• Branded queries have strong intent

• Trust is fragile

• A single phishing page can trigger chargebacks and overwhelm support teams

Squatting also damages brand reputation.
Users blame the brand — not the clone.

What Actually Helps

1. Register Your Trademark

A trademark is proof of ownership.
Without it, enforcement can stall at: “Please provide proof.”

2. Monitor How Your Brand Appears in Google

• Look for logo misuse and “official-looking” pages

• Watch for redirects and mirror sites

3. Act Fast

Start with Google delisting to stop traffic bleed.
Then enforce at the source wherever possible.

Free Audit for iGaming Brands

Need a quick reality check?

We offer a free audit for 1 brand / 1 domain.
We will identify trademark and logo abuse within the top 200 Google search results.

Results are typically ready within 24 hours, though in some cases it may take up to 3–4 days depending on volume.