These are exciting times in the UK online gambling world, and it’s great to be able to report from the frontline as new casinos emerge into the market.
Holly - Online casino expert
Rigged Online Casinos: Dispelling a Gambling Myth
How many times have you anted up in the casino online arena and heard someone say: "this game is rigged!" Ever since online gambling became a booming industry, a small number of people have been quick to suggest that something is awry. These people will state, as if it was fact, that online casino games are rigged.
Although these people's exact reasoning isn't clear, their implication is: the online casino operator is deliberately manipulating the odds. Of course, it will come as no surprise that these potentially libellous accusations always come in the wake of a significant loss. While this fact doesn't prove that the accusations are inaccurate, it does give you some indication as to why you will often hear the phrase "online casinos are rigged."
Fortunately, we don't need to rely on this emotional bias to discredit this claim. In fact, we can rely on two logical arguments to swiftly dispel the myth that licensed and regulated online casinos are rigged to favour the house.
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.
