One big question keeps coming up among new players trying their hand at online betting: “Are casinos rigged?” It’s understandable why players may have this concern. When there is real money involved, and you don’t know how the online game is being managed behind the scenes, it’s natural to wonder if it’s really fair.
The word “rigged” suggests a game has been deliberately manipulated and tampered with. This would mean that players have little to no chance of winning. But is that really the case?
Sometimes players might suffer a long losing streak, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the game is rigged. It could simply be bad luck. And let’s not forget licensed online casinos operate under strict regulations. They’d never risk losing their license (which can cost millions of dollars) to cheat a few players.
Moreover, online games utilize random number generators (RNGs) or multiple decks in the case of card games to ensure fairness.
The key is distinguishing between feeling cheated and actually being cheated. In this article, we’ll tell you more about deliberate rigging vs the odds and probabilities in gambling.
With online casinos, you can play anything from slot machines to live poker from the comfort of your home. It’s quite convenient for players, which might make you wonder if casino apps are rigged.
It’s important to note that these platforms don’t operate in a vacuum. Casinos depend on the following to operate their business:
These external vendors and regulators are essential for ensuring fairness.
Online casinos rarely build their own games. In reality, most platforms license these games from major software developers like NetEnt, Playtech, Evolution, Microgaming, and Pragmatic Play. The same game (or a slight variation) can be accessed across hundreds of casinos.
These companies invest millions into building advanced and entertaining games. And just like the casinos, the game makers are also subject to oversight by regulatory bodies. For example, NetEnt holds licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission and is required to ensure compliance and player safety.
Pragmatic Play, known for its popular slot games like the Gates of Olympus, also holds multiple licenses.
Their business depends on maintaining trust with both players and casinos, and any hint of cheating could damage their reputation. So, if you’re playing a game from any major developer, you can rest assured that it will operate exactly as advertised.
Games involving numbers, like slots, blackjack, or roulette, use a Random Number Generator (RNG) technology. This algorithm is designed to produce entirely random results with each spin or throw of the dice.
For example, when you press the spin button (or pull a lever) in a slot machine, the RNG selects a random combination of symbols. This process is instant, and the outcome is determined as soon as the player spins. There’s no pattern. You can’t even outplay an RNG because it can produce infinite combinations.
Reputable organizations like the eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) routinely audit these games to evaluate statistical fairness. In the audit, millions of game rounds are simulated to confirm that outcomes match the advertised probabilities and RTPs. The game receives a certification only after passing the audit.
Live dealer games aren’t controlled by regulated software and RNGs. However, they are just as transparent. These games are live-streamed from a studio or the casino itself, featuring real dealers who manage the action just like in a physical casino.
For example, a live dealer spins the roulette wheel. Multiple players are involved and watching simultaneously. Any inconsistency or unusual movement of the ball would be noticed immediately. Or, let’s say you are playing blackjack. You can see the cards being shuffled in real time. The dealer’s hand would be just as random as yours. Unless they are constantly drawing high cards, you can be assured that the game is fair.
Most people lose in casinos not just because of bad luck, but also bad decisions. Every game (where applicable) gives out its odds, house edge, and payout structure. Once you understand how these work, you can avoid poor value bets.
Odds are simply a way to express the likelihood of an outcome. They tell you two important things:
For example, if you’ve ever looked at a sportsbook and seen something like 5/1 or 4/7, those are fractional odds. 5/1 means for every £1 you bet, you’ll win £5 plus get your original £1 back. 4/7 means you have to bet £7 to win £4 plus your stake back.
In general, the bigger the odds, the less likely the outcome and vice versa.
Let’s say there’s a game between Manchester United and Brentford with these odds:
A winning bet on Manchester United will make you £0.4 for every £1. Whereas a winning bet on Brentford will make you £6 for every £1. Clearly, Manchester United are the favorites (lower payout = higher likelihood of the outcome).
Now, let’s see how the odds work in European roulette and other online games. You bet £10 on red. There are 18 red numbers, 18 black, and 1 green. So the odds of hitting red are 18/37 = 48.65%. This is an even-money bet, so if you win, you make £20 total.
If you take a different bet like “dozen”, your winning probability will change. Let’s say your bet is £10 on the first 12 numbers. The odds of hitting one of them are 12/37 = 32.43%. The dozen bet pays 2 to 1, so your total money back is £30.
As you can see, you win more in a dozen bet; however, the probability of hitting it is low.
Understanding which bets have better odds will help you set realistic expectations.
The house edge is the mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player. For example, if a game has a house edge of 5%, the casino expects to keep £5 for every £100 wagered. This is calculated over time and doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll lose £5 for £100 wagered. You might win big or lose it all in five minutes. But the average works out in the house’s favor over thousands of bets.
Games with lower house edges have better long-term odds for players. These are the edges of popular casino games:
If slots are your preferred casino game, focus on RTP instead of odds and house edge.
RTP stands for Return to Player, a percentage that shows how much a slot machine pays back to players over the long term. So a slot with an RTP of 96% means that, on average, the machine will pay out £96 for every £100 wagered. This is calculated over thousands of spins, not just a single player’s gaming session. So, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get 96% back every time you play.
Another aspect that can affect your payout is volatility, also called variance. A highly volatile game often has bigger payouts, but they rarely hit. Low volatility games have more frequent wins. For example, Slot A pays out £10 every 20 spins, while Slot B doesn’t pay anything for 80 spins, then hits for £200. Slot B is high volatility, and Slot A is low volatility.
Knowing the volatility and RTP will help you pick games that match your playing style. If you prefer consistent small wins to stay entertained, go for low volatility. If you’re chasing big wins and are okay with a higher loss, try high volatility slots.
It’s a fair question, and one a lot of beginners ask. The short answer is no, as long as you’re playing at a licensed, regulated online casino.
Reputable online casinos are licensed by gaming authorities, such as:
These regulatory bodies enforce strict rules to protect players and keep the games fair and transparent. To get (and keep) a license, an online casino must go through:
They must also display clear terms on their website and give players tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion. They openly display RTP, house edge, license number, and testing certificates. So, in just a few clicks, you can see the exact odds of the game you’re playing and make informed decisions. This is not something you’ll find as readily in physical casinos.
Basically, licensed online casinos are held to high standards, and if they mess up, they risk losing their license.
Casinos can’t “freeze” the app when you’re on a winning streak, or change the odds mid-game to stop you from getting paid out.
It’s easy to get caught up in emotions, especially when the wins aren’t coming. You’ll often hear players complain, “The game’s rigged,” after a losing streak. However, it’s a common myth that can trick you into thinking the system is unfair.
These are some common myths where players mistake statistical disadvantage for cheating:
This is known as the Gambler’s Fallacy. It’s a false belief that if the game hasn’t paid in a while, it’s more likely to pay soon. For example, if red pocket hits five times in a row in European roulette, it doesn’t make black more “due.” It’s still a 48.65% chance on the next spin.
Similarly, if a progressive jackpot slot hasn’t paid out in 400 spins, it doesn’t become due for a win. Each outcome is powered by RNG. Thinking you’re “due” for a win can lead to chasing losses.
A new player may hit a few early wins early then go cold. It’s just a coincidence: sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. Licensed casinos can’t tweak individual results based on how long you’ve been playing.
Odds in casino games are fixed and are baked into the game’s design.
This is partly true because the house has an edge. That’s how casinos make money over the long run. However, if you choose smart value bets, you can reduce the house edge. For example, in Craps, Hardways bets have the highest house edge, while Pass/Don’t Pass Line has the lowest. If you bet smartly, you can have more wins with the Line bets.
Is there a pattern where the slot game runs “hot” or “cold,” and the players just need to time it right? Not really! The RNG doesn’t account for past results and generates a new pattern with each spin.
Approach gambling as a fun and exciting way to pass the time, and follow these essential rules to play smartly:
So, to conclude, whenever you think “are casinos rigged?” – ask yourself if you’re frustrated with a losing streak, or do you actually see some questionable activity? Odds favour the casino over time. That doesn’t mean the games are unfair. As long as you stick with licensed casinos and understand how the odds and RTP work, you can be assured of a fair gaming experience.
The more informed you are, the better your overall experience will be.
We inform you that this website uses cookies. To consent, click the ‘Agree’ button or continue browsing. To learn more about our privacy policy, click here.
