Whenever people want to spend money on something, they might wonder at first if their small or big investment will turn out to be worthwhile. Usually, we do spend on goods and services, and the quality of purchased things depends on our perception of what we get in comparison with the expected. What about the service of using money to make even more money through gambling? Is the money considered well-spent only if we win or is the game itself what matters the most – the old story of road vs. destination.
Although you appreciate the road despite the fact that it might not bring you exactly where you aimed, you’d probably like to know if you’re seeing the right signs or they might be the ones pointing you to the wrong direction and dead end.
Saved by the software
In the online gambling world, there are some important things to have in mind to be sure the game is trustworthy. Those who pay attention to fairness always use the so-called True Random Number Generator or short TRNG. It’s not as complex as it might seem. This means there’s an implemented calculating program that generates numbers randomly and isn’t manipulated by either human or system-driven unfair algorithms. In other words, the outcome is always fair and unpredictable.
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This generator enables that the outcome emerges from certain outside changes, such as TV signal waves, noise from the electronic equipment, or another type of signal emission from the physical world to ensure the untraceable and fully random deal for the player. The result might change and doesn’t last for good, so the best casinos usually display the result of the latest updated TRNG test on their websites.
Trustworthy or not
Online slots are not rigged, although for many online players that is their main concern when they play games at online or even land-based casinos. One of the things that matter most to online players is whether they can put their trust in casinos and game fairness.
Usually, we can hear stories about how mathematicians and other experts in related fields can’t enter some casinos because it’s probability-based and they can understand the pattern and trick the system. Yet, we can say people have natural striving to understand the pattern of something and use it for their benefit.
We can doubt many things when it comes to luck games, yet, unless we do have proof of something being rigged for real, we need to leave it as ‘highly-unlikely’ or ‘highly-likely’ to happen and move on wondering. We can also use some tools to understand the thing better and get some guidance about the casinos in one place if we are to proceed with trying our luck – or, for example, check this and resolve the existing dilemmas we might have.
For everything we want to disassemble and make it better in order to be able to make better use of it, we need to ensure the understanding of its nature and its operating flow. If you know how it works, you can make the best of it. We do know that all casinos are being developed so that the house can always win, otherwise, we would have countless gamblers getting rich and hosts going bankrupt. This doesn’t mean you won’t win, just the opposite – yet there’s a very well-hidden threshold under which the house will never go to keep their profits secured.
There’s a chance that some of them can be rigged. How to distinguish? Unlike what you might expect, this isn’t a common situation. Many lists of casinos are being marked as ‘at risk’ due to not being licensed any longer or they have never been. The best to do here? It’s simple – just avoid them.
Usually, the unfair ones, whether on the blacklist or not, will request from you to perform numerous different layers of claiming your winning to get paid. This isn’t something you should be worried about, as it’s more than enough to ensure you stick to the licensed houses with good software and proven practice.
Never enough of precaution
Apart from using casinos that have TRNG, there are also some additional indicators that the game is fair or not.
- Encrypted data
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We might be familiar with the so-called SSL encryption. This is the abbreviation from Secure Sockets Layer, which is being used to keep users’ information safe from some unauthorized accesses. This encryption converts the data that contains both numbers and letters to codes using mathematical functions. The result – the companies that use this keep our data safe, while those that avoid using it expose the sensitive users’ information to the darkness of the web. This way, your personal information can be used even if you don’t know about it while you aren’t aware of it. Since casino services are all about cash, you might want to make sure your casino is using this technology.
- Privacy policy
This is a part of every credible website that needs to use the confidential information from the users as an important part of the service they provide. When you want to start using certain services, the online platform usually asks you if you agree with their policy (including this part). By accepting it upon signing up, you have given the casino the right to use the information in the way they stated in this document. Well, if they decide to use it otherwise, they might face legal action. If you don’t like the Privacy policy and the way they oblige to protect your data, you don’t have to proceed using their services.
- Terms of Use
Terms of Use is the general guideline the company creates to explain to the users or clients how they operate in different areas of their business and how they handle different activities. Similar to the previous, yet a bit wider and content-filled, this is where the casino shares with you how they operate and what are the rules in case you want to use their services.
It’s great to know that maybe you have the right to some bonus you might have overlooked or what the steps if you win some huge amount or maybe a top prize are. Maybe making several screenshots of the rules that you consider important is a good idea to avoid having the rules change in the meantime. This way, you won’t end up confused about what your rights are – or better say – were, at the time you became eligible for something, that mysteriously changed after a little while.
If you’re new to the casino world, just explore at first. It’s indeed a golden rule when starting something new. Until you establish the conditions under which your private information will be shared with some online gambling operator, avoid giving it out. Another thing – never underestimate the power of a good review. Other gamblers might post their reviews or other types of feedback online about their experience which might bring a better look from the bird’s perspective on the house you will hand over your money and your luck to. Choose wisely and test your knowledge once you’re sure about it!
It's all About Numbers & Probability
Aside from losing money and getting emotional about it, casino naysayers often claim that certain games are rigged because they see something that they think can't be possible. As humans, we naturally look for patterns in order to understand things, so when we see something that we believe constitutes a pattern we take note.
In the casino online world, the people who claim the industry is rigged will point to instances where a set of results looked odd. For example, if a player is taking a shot at roulette and they see the number 8 roll in six times in a row, they will identify this as a pattern that proves the casino has rigged the game.
Unfortunately, this line of thinking is misguided. Although a run of six 8s in a row is improbable, it's not impossible and that's the key. Each spin of the roulette wheel is known as an independent event and that means each previous result has no bearing on the future. Therefore, according to the laws of probability, it's entirely possible for six 8s to spin in and not be the result of a rigged casino.
Of course, while you won't often see results such as this, it can happen and that's the important thing to understand. Although it's not impossible that an unregulated casino online could have a rigged system, it's highly unlikely. Moreover, the fact that certain results might look odd doesn't prove anything other than the reality of probability.
When the Odds are Stacked Against You
If you understand how casino games work, you'll quickly realise that a casino doesn't have to cheat to come out ahead. In fact, casino games favour the house by their very nature. Whether you play roulette, blackjack, craps, baccarat, or any other casino staple, the game is set up so that the casino pays out less money than they take in.
You've probably heard the expression that the only way to win playing casino games is to open your own casino. Naturally, as we mentioned earlier, anything can happen over the short term. The same outcomes that cause some players to cry foul can cause other to jump for joy. It all depends on where you've placed your bets.
Random Number Generators - Keeping Things Random
If you're still not convinced and don't like to put your faith in abstract concepts such as probability, then there is hard evidence that legit online casinos aren't rigged in the form of random number generators.
All licensed casino online sites in the UK have to pass a slew of stringent tests before they are given a licence, and one of these tests is the fairness of their software. Powering every casino online site in the UK is a piece of software known as a random number generator. As its name suggests, this software generates a series of random numbers; numbers which are then turned into results on the screen such as a blackjack hand or roulette spin. That means that every roll of the dice, slot machine spin, and shuffle of card deck at a casino online mathematically mirrors what could happen at a land based casino.
Before an online casino is certified, it must allow a third-party organisation, such as eCOGRA, to test the software. Only after thousands of outcomes have been carried out and assessed will the operator be given a seal of approval.
Once the casino has had its random number generator certified as fair, they can then apply for a UK iGaming licence. However, this isn't the end of the story. To ensure that an online casino doesn't let its standards slip, regulatory bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) will continually monitor operator's random number generators. Sites often display their certificates and audit reports on their sites.
How to Spot a Rigged Casino
Rigged online casinos are far less common than you might expect. If you manage to find an unlicensed casino or a gambling site that had its credentials revoked, you run the risk of playing rigged games. Generally, if you stick to recommended sites, you won't have to deal with unfair games or other troubling issues. The easiest way to spot a dishonest gambling site is to rely on blacklists, detailing exactly which sites to avoid and why.
It's worth noting that unfair games aren't the only thing to watch out for when gambling on the internet. Unscrupulous sites are more likely to make you jump through endless hoops to claim your winnings or fail to honour their bonuses. We're mentioning these points not because we want to scare you, but so you are cautious about where you play. Fortunately, there are dozens of terrific sites that offer fair games and keep their part of the bargain.
Do Something About It
Every online casino we recommend will have a valid gaming licence, which means the random number generators are all certified as fair. Of course, if you're still not happy with the service you've received and feel as though a site is rigged, you can take your grievances to the UKGC.
As the industry's governing body, the UKGC is responsible for investigating any complaints made against an online casino in the UK. If you do suspect that a casino online is rigged, then you can simply contact the UKGC by phone, email, or post and outline the nature of your complaint.
Tell them the site you've played on, the series of events you find suspicious, and any other background information you feel is relevant. After noting your complaint, the UKGC will look into the issue and inform you if it finds any instances of cheating or rigged software.
Fair Play is in Your Hands
While the potential for rigged games certainly exists, it's far less common than you might suspect. Most of the evidence disgruntled players provide doesn't withstand minor scrutiny. Nonetheless, there's nothing wrong with a little vigilance.
Always stick to licenced online casinos. If something goes awry, don't be afraid to speak up. Finally, if you aren't satisfied with the gameplay at an online casino, it's not hard to find another place to play. All it takes is a quick swipe or click to uncover endless new options.