Many gamblers wonder whether online casinos are rigged, especially when they hit a cold streak or miss out on big bonuses. Unlike land-based casinos, where players can physically see the games unfold, online casinos rely on software, which can sometimes raise suspicion.
While it’s true that some rogue casinos engage in unfair practices, the majority of legitimate online gambling sites operate fairly. Regulated casinos use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure fair play and maintain transparency. Additionally, independent audits and licensing authorities hold them accountable, ensuring that their games offer real chances to win.
To protect yourself from dishonest operators, it’s crucial to play at trusted online casinos with positive reviews, high Return-To-Player (RTP) rates, and proven reputations for fair payouts and security. This guide will break down why players sometimes feel casinos are rigged, how to spot a reputable site, and tips for ensuring a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.
Why players might think online casinos are rigged…
Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! Spinning on your favorite slots and not consistently hitting the bonus rounds (or only hitting smaller jackpots) are big red flags – and it happens in online and land-based casinos.
And because you are playing online, you cannot see what happens behind the scenes. Hence, players might question are online casino games rigged if they consistently keep losing.
But there are other reasons why gamblers might feel cheated at an online casino.
Cheating Occurs At Land-Based Gambling Operations
What happens in Vegas… It is natural to assume that if a brick-and-mortar casino is dishonest, so are some online casinos.
As an example, an untrustworthy land-based casinos can use tools under their roulette wheel tables that control where the ball lands (to prevent payouts).
In another example, games like baccarat and blackjack might have fraudulent shuffling techniques to prevent players from winning.
Online Casinos Have Software-Generated Games
Since hacking incidents and cyberattacks are prevalent online, gamblers are sometimes reluctant to play.
How can you tell if your information or data is compromised or a machine rigged?
In a physical casino, you can see all of your gameplay. However, it is not the same with remote environments.
A dishonest casino can use software BIG on graphics and animation. However, it might not include mega bonuses and progressive wins.
Furthermore, because the games are automated, there are no reel wheels spinning or dice to roll, and if you do not win after a few hands or games, you might think the odds are clearly in the casino’s favor.
It also might mean that you cannot find a good machine like you would at an older land-based casino.
Games Can Have High Or Low Volatility
Volatility is another major factor with casino games like slots. While some slot games might lead to several small bonuses, they may not include BIG payouts. Hence, your bankroll never increases.
On the other hand, high volatility is also a problem. You might find a machine that leads to a big jackpot and then does nothing for what feels like hours.
It might start to look like all you did was put your winnings back into the machine. What a ripoff!
Volatility can also occur with games like roulette. While single number bets pay 35:1, American roulette is 37:1 and 36:1 with European Roulette.
Then, there are slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette, and baccarat, which can run with special software.
Hence, in those online gambling platforms, you might never hear the clicks in the slot machine as the diamonds drop into position for a sudden jaw-dropping prize.
The House Maintains An Advantage
Another concern is the house edge. Casinos always have an advantage which is why you should know their RTP before signing up.
Without knowing the Return-To-Player (RTP) percentage (which is not always transparent), you might gamble in a casino where you will lose more money.
As an example, Casino A has a 99.5% RTP. Meaning, if you gamble with $100, you should eventually win back $99.50.
But what if you unknowingly gamble with Casino B, which has a 70% RTP? That means you might only win back $70.
Reputable casinos want your business. They offer high RTP rates to ensure consistent and fair wins. They also want to keep players happy and engaged.
If you are on a hot streak and winning hundreds or thousands (whew-hew!), you will keep coming back and telling others about your experience. However, if the machines are skewed, you risk losing your pot quickly!
…And why most casinos are actually honest
The good news is you do not have to worry about an online casino rigging their machines if you stick to the legit casinos that we review and recommend.
Our preferred casinos all have good reputations and provide high RTPs. They rely on their reputation for fair payouts and are routinely audited and tested by third parties.
They also work hard to ensure they use sophisticated software to avoid security breaches, which might damage their business reputation.
The importance of good reviews
Online gambling sites are smart. If they lose customers due to negative reviews or cheating scandals, they will lose money. Hence, they work hard to maintain transparency.
While casino developers likely have the best damage control and PR, rebuilding trust is not a wager they want to place.
The other concern is if a casino operator has tight machines, gamblers are more cautious and will not stay to play.
The gambling establishments know that players sometimes base their playing time and wagers on word-of-mouth, i.e., reviews.
Hence, they read through the comments and look for large jackpot prizes or the mention of tight/loose machines and fair play.
Look at the example again:
- A player loads their account with $100. However, the rigged blackjack game only has a 70% RTP.
- They wager $5 for each hand 100 hands in 60-minutes. Hence, 100 x 5 = $500 gambled or 500 x 0.7 = $350 in potential winnings for that 60-minutes.
- That 500 – 350 = $150 in losses (theoretically). The result? Their bankroll is short-lived, and they feel cheated.
Not All Online Casinos Are Rigged: Tips to Choose a Trusted Site
When looking for a reputable casino, there are a few factors to look for to help you identify if it is legit or one that you should avoid.
Full Transparency
The most trustworthy casinos display their licensing information and reviews upfront.
You can also view who they share third-party data with and clearly see their terms and conditions.
Excellent Reviews
Bad reviews – and fake reviews always in the gambling operator’s favor are big no-nos. Avoid casinos where players complain about rigged machines.
You might also want to skip the gambling operators that only have a few reviews or have all fake reviews, and they are all 5-star (but share no relevant details).
It is a red flag if you do not see real people on social media who share their comments and mention which machines they played when they hit it big.
Fast Payouts
If you see online complaints about payment delays, skip these sites. Reputable casinos offer fast payouts within 24-48 hours.
Hence, if a casino does not have the winnings available promptly, they may have other dishonest practices.
24/7 Support
Reputable casinos are responsive and helpful. They will offer players multiple communication solutions (text, email, phone).
That way, they can quickly address your questions so you can get back to your games (and winning!).
Lucrative Offers
To attract players, the best casinos offer matching bonuses. These can sometimes equate to lucrative cash offers for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
If you want to review these offers, use our list of preferred sites and sign up for their casino welcome bonus. Then, look for other return player promotions.
Play Smart: Find Trusted Casinos That Play Fair
While the fear of rigged games is understandable, the reality is that most online casinos operate fairly to maintain their reputation and retain players. Sticking to well-reviewed, licensed, and regularly audited gambling sites can help ensure you’re betting in a fair environment.
If you’re new to online gambling, using our real money casino guide can help you navigate the best platforms, find the highest RTP games, and maximize your winnings. By choosing reputable casinos with transparent policies, fast payouts, and strong player support, you can enjoy an exciting, fair, and rewarding gaming experience.
FAQs
Are online live casinos rigged?
In general, legit, live casino operators will not rig their games. They want return players and know that new players will read their reviews.
They also do not want to lose money by being caught in a cheating scandal.
Are online casino games rigged?
On occasion, legitimate casinos can become rigged if a cyber attack occurs. While this is rare, it can happen if the casino is not securely encrypted.
The reputable casinos on our list have the highest Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption and the latest, tamper-proof technologies.
About the Author
Sarah Sheikh
Content Researcher and Writer
Sarah has been researching and writing for the iGaming industry for more than 10 years. She writes both betting and casino content for SBS with a unique honest perspective.
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