Most players wonder if the games they are playing are rigged from time to time. In fact, many players believe that both online casinos and brick-and-mortar establishments rig casino games and manipulate outcomes to ensure they lose. It’s time that Go Spin put this rumour to bed by uncovering the truth behind how casino games really work and the role RNGs play in the fairness of games, and that’s the topic of discussion in today’s blog.
How Casino Games Work
Every online casino game has its own algorithms and mechanisms for gameplay and, more importantly, triggering wins. However, most follow a very simple format, and that makes for the ideal starting point.
Types of Casino Games
There are many variants of casino games online. Best casino games include slots, both online and land-based, which work by ensuring reels spin and randomly stop, with matching symbols resulting in wins. Table games, such as internet roulette, baccarat, and craps, rely purely on luck. Blackjack and poker are known as skill games, and using strategy makes it possible to improve your chances of success. All these games feature algorithms and RNGs (random number generators), to ensure fairness. The only exception is a live casino game, which you’ll play with a human dealer controlling the action. Even then, some live casino games may still feature RNGs.
What is an RNG (Random Number Generator)?
An RNG (random number generator) is an online algorithm designed to ensure unpredictability and fairness when playing. In short, every possible combination of outcomes has a seed number. The RNG randomly picks generated seeds, and the outcome related to chosen seeds is then presented to players, either as a spin on a slot’s reels, a pocket in roulette – you get the idea. Neither the player, the casino, nor the software providers know what result or seed the bet generates, ensuring a truly random outcome for each bet.
Are Casino Games Rigged or Fair?
All casinos operate with a house edge in mind. This is the portion of each bet that the casino is going to ensure a profit. However, this isn’t the same as “rigging” casino games. Licensed casino games are fair and tested for randomness by regulatory bodies, ensuring that outcomes are not manipulated. Casinos are upfront and honest about house edges. They are businesses. You know what the edge is before you play, and by playing, you’re accepting it.
Generally, house edges are the opposite of RTP or return-to-player rates. In a slot machine, the RTP determines how much of each bet is put back into a theoretical prize pot for all players to win over time. The remaining figure is the house edge, which goes to the casino as pure profit.
In table games, the house edge is the casino’s odds advantage over you. The higher the house edge, the larger the casino can expect to profit from each bet. By using strategy, you can, theoretically, lower the casino’s edge. This is, of course, only possible in games of skill. In games of chance, the edge remains a constant.
The key thing to note here, though, is that having an edge isn’t the same as rigging a game for players to lose. House edges and RTPs are transparent. Certified casino games will have their RTPs and edges published, so you know what you’re in for.
How Casinos Ensure Fairness
Most casinos go out of their way to help their players feel comfortable and relaxed about RNGs, fair play, and safety. They go to great lengths to showcase how fair their games are. For starters, they obtain gambling licenses (UKGC, MGA, and Curacao licenses are common) to show that they are operating legally. If the licensing authorities suspect foul play, they’ll rescind their licenses from those casinos. New online casino sites, in particular, focus on transparency to build player trust and credibility from the start.
Casinos also submit their games for independent testing by agencies such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs. They check the fairness and random number generator algorithms in the casino’s games to ensure they are fair. If the casino passes the test, sites will receive an RNG certificate, which they’ll proudly show on the homepage.
Casino software providers and developers also play a role in ensuring casino fairness. Many keep the algorithms’ source code under lock and key, and don’t allow operators access to it. By keeping the inner workings of the game private, reputable software providers can ensure that the casino cannot manipulate or rig games and that the RNGs work exactly as the software providers intend.
All the above are levels of transparency that we want to see in any casino we join. They, coupled with published RTP rates, ensure confidence in the fairness of playing games at casino sites.
Why Some Players Think Casino Games Are Rigged
No matter how well we prove that casino games are fair, game rigging myths persist. There are a number of reasons why.
Firstly, losing streaks often create the illusion of manipulation. You feel as though you should win. If you get that into your head, it’s going to be tough to shake the notion that a game is rigged. The notion of hot and cold slots exacerbates this, the debunked myth that some games are due to pay out more frequently than others.
In reality, licensed casino games operate on certified Random Number Generators (RNGs), ensuring every spin or hand is independent and fair.
There are other psychological tricks at work, too. Near wins, lights and sound, and slowing reels where winning symbols just pass you by all play a part. They are designed to create excitement but may lead you to believe they are working against you. The reality is that house edges guarantee casino profits over time, so there’s little reason for them to engage in game manipulation, and in most cases, they couldn’t crack the game to rig it even if they wanted to.
Are Live Dealer Games Fairer?
Live casino games work by having a real human dealer handle the cards, roll the dice, and so on. In theory, there is no reason for RNGs to appear in these games. This often makes players believe that live games offer a more transparent experience. There’s some truth in that, and human error in some live dealer games may even see you gain an advantage if you spot it. However, some live casino games also rely on RNGs, and while it isn’t always as expressly stated that RNGs are in play, you can rest assured that online casino live dealer games are regularly tested for fair play by independent, third-party auditors.
Signs of Fair vs Rigged Casinos
You don’t have to take our word on this. Go Spin’s experts will share with you a few handy hints and ways to discover the fairness in casino games for yourself. Below, you’ll find a few signs of fair casinos and some that are indicative of less-trustworthy sites:
Fair Casinos:
- Casinos featuring top licenses, such as MGA, UKGC or Curacao licenses
- Casinos featuring games from top providers, such as Pragmatic Play, Playtech and Evolution
- Casinos that publish their RTP rates and that have transparent terms and conditions
- Independently audited casinos that feature RNG-certified games from eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and others
Rigged Casinos:
- Casinos where no clear licensing is present and no RNG certificate is present
- Casinos with unrealistic bonus T&Cs and very low maximum withdrawal limits
- Casinos that consistently delay payouts
Conclusion
For the most part, online casinos don’t rig their games. They have house edges, which gives them a long-term advantage and a guaranteed source of income. They utilise RNGs to ensure fairness. The fact that casinos have house edges may rub you the wrong way, but it’s a sure sign that a casino has guaranteed profitability, and they are open and transparent about that. If you stick to licensed casinos featuring RNG-certified games audited by third parties, you will almost always be guaranteed a fair shot of winning and a safe experience playing online.
FAQ
Can online casinos control the outcome of games?
Normally, no. Casino software providers usually lock operators out of the gaming mechanics, meaning they can’t manipulate the games.
What is RTP, and how does it affect my chances of winning?
RTP (return to player) is the percentage of each bet added into an imaginary pot for all players to win over all time. For instance, if an RTP of 97% is in place, a $1.00 bet sees $0.97 made available (in a theoretical prize fund) for all players to win, while the casino pockets $0.03 as their edge. The higher the RTP, the fairer the game for you.
Are live dealer games fairer than RNG-based games?
Not necessarily. Fair casino games are transparent about how often they pay, so you know what you’ll get before you play. Live dealer games of chance are just as random as RNGs. It can be a different story with live games of skill, though.
How can I verify if a casino is using certified RNGs?
Check the lobby or homepage. Most casinos will proudly display any RNG certificates they’ve acquired from third parties, and they’ll let you know if they are eCOGRA or iTech Labs certified by displaying their logo at the bottom of the homepage.
