One of the biggest concerns that many players face when signing up for a new online casino is whether they can trust the gambling site to have fair games and operate in a fair manner. After all, we have all been bitten at some point or another by a rogue casino.

If we know beforehand that a game is going to be rigged, for sure we will steer clear of the casino, but rigged games are still a major concern. There is no way of knowing until you sign up, make that first deposit and start playing.

It is quite common to start off with a winning streak, just for you to hit a losing streak just a little later. This is what makes players question whether there is something more to it.

We all know too well that the casino is going to make money off us via the house edge. The games have been set up so that the casino will win in the long run. However, this is not what we are addressing here.

A quick search yields many results when it comes to casino and live casino rigging at many rogue casinos, so today we will be addressing the elephant in the room.

Is online gaming rigged?

First off, we need to see online casinos for what they are. They are businesses and they are not there to give away money to players willy-nilly. Gambling is meant to be a form of entertainment and seeing it as a means to make money is never a good idea.

The main aim for casinos is to make a profit while at the same time keeping their players happy so they can keep on coming back. For players to do so, they need to feel safe and protected when playing online. Many laws and regulations are in place to ensure they run in a fair manner.

Since the end goal is always to make a profit, players are more likely to lose than to win, which is why suspicions always arise about games being rigged. The idea is that games will apply structured wins in key places to keep the players thinking that more wins will come.

All casino games use a random number generator, so in reality, casinos don’t have control over their games. The game developers do. It has been noted before that game developers are able to track your activity online at various online casinos. Whether game developers do something about this, we can only speculate.

They do not even need to do so, since the casino has an advantage. If they did not have an advantage, they would simply go out of business. The house edge does not mean that the games are rigged. All games are supposedly random with no such concept of hot and loose games. All games are meant to feel random. If they do not feel random, that is usually a sign that the games are rigged.

How can you test this out? Opting for online slot games may not be the best option, because they have a high house edge already. Opting for games that require a degree of decision, such as Blackjack and Baccarat could be better options. The house still has the upper hand when it comes to the house edge, but depending on your skills and knowledge of the games, you should be able to lower it. 

What measures are in place to prevent rigged games?

There are some key measures and rules and regulations in place to prevent games from being rigged. Having a random number generator is one thing, but if the games are not regularly checked, you cannot guarantee that it is working as it should.

Here are some of the measures available to ensure games are not rigged:

  • Gambling Authorities: The gambling authorities such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming authority amongst others make sure that the casinos work in a fair manner. They also enforce the rule that the games’ random number generators must undergo regular auditing.
  • Auditing: The online gambling sites can pick and choose an independent third party that will check the random number generators to ensure they are working properly.
  • The reputation: If a casino’s games are rigged, chances are that players will make it known. Having a bad reputation leads to the end of the casino. Having a good reputation also ties in with the fairness of the games.

 

Security and Fairness

Before signing up for any new online casino, you must make sure to take the time to do your research. After all, there is more at stake here, than the money deposited. Since you are supplying your personal and financial information to the casino, your information can easily become compromised.

First off, signing up for a licensed online casino is of utmost importance. Look for signs of a gambling licence in the footer, and if possible, verify that the casino is indeed licensed.  A licensed online casino will also ensure that all games use random number generators and have other features available as well.

This would include advanced SSL encryption technology and discarding any payment information supplied once a transaction has gone through. The security measures that are in place are usually posted on the casino’s home page. You might also learn about any special awards or other recognition received from reputation gambling organisations.

There are other measures that you can take to make sure that the casino you are signing up for is up to the level you expect. Read the casino reviews online, but most importantly, read what other players are saying online. Read the terms and conditions of any casino you are thinking of signing up for.

If you don’t want to claim the casino bonus, be aware that there are still wagering requirements to meet. You also should look at the payment methods and be aware of the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal thresholds.

If the minimum deposits are reasonable but the minimum withdrawal threshold is too high, move on, especially if you are a low roller.

Take responsibility for your research and make sure that when you sign up for a new casino, it meets all your needs and requirements.

Fairness of a Casino Bonus / Payment Methods

Once you are happy with your research and are ready to sign up for your chosen casino, the work does not end there. Take the time to try any online games you are thinking of playing in free demo mode. You can gauge the variance and test out the mechanics of the game first-hand.

You should be able to see wins and losses from a different perspective than when you are playing with your own money. It is easy to lose track of time or reason when you are gambling with your own money. You may hit a losing streak and think that the next win will help you recoup your losses. This may or may not be true. When you are playing in free demo mode, you can see things a little more clearly, and help reason if the game is actually generating enough wins.

Some may say that you cannot judge a game from a demo mode. This may be true to some extent as there may be other factors that come into play when playing in real money mode. That does not mean you should dismiss the idea of playing in free demo mode though.

If you are thinking of claiming an online casino bonus, take the time to read the terms and conditions. Very often players skim through the fine print or are not quite sure what the various casino terminologies mean. Familiarising yourself with these terms falls within your remit. If you don’t understand something, look it up.

If the wagering requirements are too high and you think they are impossible to meet, you are not obliged to take advantage of it. You can dismiss it.

If possible get your casino account verified as soon as possible. There is a good reason for this. It is not unheard of for casinos to come up with all sorts of excuses to disallow you from passing the verification process or to prolong things. Very often, some shady casinos will knowingly prolong the process so you end up gambling your winnings away.

This is why getting your account verified before making a deposit could help you to some extent. Once you are verified, there are very few excuses they can use.

Overall, making sure that you are one step ahead when gambling online will save you a lot of necessary trouble down the line. Research your casinos and never supply any personal or financial information to casinos that are shady. If possible, also opt for a payment method that gives you an extra layer of protection, such as an e-wallet.

While bank debit and credit cards and prepaid vouchers are also good, they come with some shortcomings. If your chosen online casino does not use encryption, this information can easily fall into the wrong hands. Sure, there is two-factor authentication, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Prepaid vouchers are also quite good, but you can be unable to cash out your winnings via this payment method, which could lead to verification issues down the line. Often casinos will request that you make a deposit via a separate payment method before you can cash out. The second deposit may be subject to wagering requirements.

Play it safe and stay ahead of the game.