Online gambling is an excellent pastime that has many fans, but recently, more scammers have appeared who create fake casinos with a rigged system. Indeed, it can be quite nerve-wracking to determine which of the many existing platforms are real and which are scams. This guide explains what rigged casinos are, how they work, and some things the player needs to watch out for to avoid falling prey to them. So, are online casinos rigged? Let’s find it out!
What Are Rigged Casinos?
The rigged casinos control the games to be tight to give the house an added advantage over the players. While there are online casinos that are licensed and monitored to ensure they follow the rules and regulations and have to submit themselves for auditing, these black sheep platforms do not have any supervision. Therefore, players do not stand a chance of winning or getting their wins.
Many rigged casinos will use certain strategies to alter the RTP rates usually provided at the casinos. The RTP stands for a return to player percentage, which shows how much money a game returns with time after gambling. For example, a game with 97% RTP means the game pays back 97 dollars to the player for every 100 dollars wagered. However, rigged casinos adjust this rate, drastically reducing the likelihood of winning.
The Difference Between Regulated & Unregulated Online Casinos
Legal brands provide and offer legal platforms for gambling online and are governed by the legal systems of various countries. These are checked often and conform to current guidelines in their field. On the other hand, rigged online casinos may change their games and rip off players since they are not checked regularly. Although not all casinos without regulations are fraudulent, the probability increases greatly. So, are casinos rigged? Here is an answer!
Regulated Online Casinos
Legal online casinos operate under strict legal frameworks and guidelines. Various regulating authorities must license these casinos, which entails a strict examination of their functions, software, and fiscal management. Security audits are conducted routinely to ensure game fairness and protect the players' personal information. Here’s why regulated casinos are considered safe:
- Online casinos must obtain licenses from commissions such as the UK Gambling Commission to offer legal and regulated services. These licenses are difficult to obtain and are subject to rigid standards and conditions.
- eCOGRA or GLI are just some independent bodies that constantly conduct reviews of the regulated casinos regarding game fairness and the RNG systems used.
- The casino should protect the players by providing secure banking methods, facilities for managing compulsive gambling, and adequate protection of the players’ data.
These casinos must be credible about RTP rates, terms and conditions, and bonuses offered. If players at regulated casinos are in any way aggrieved, they can seek redress from a court of law or engage third-party dispute resolution agencies.
Unregulated Online Casinos
Is online gambling rigged? Fortunately, not completely, and you can find trusted websites. However, legal entities do not control unregulated online casinos, and they are a dangerous option for a player. In particular, these casinos do not follow any rules of fairness or even player protection, and they may differ greatly. Here are some characteristics of unregulated casinos:
- They are often not fully licensed, or their licenses originate from some of the Caribbean territories.
- Third parties do not often audit these casinos, so one cannot be sure that those games are fair and that the RNGs are not skewed.
- Lack of regulation means there are no mechanisms to prevent misconduct, fraud, or theft regarding players' funds or personal data.
- Without regulation, casinos are not obligated to publish their RTPs, terms and conditions, or bonuses, which may include sudden additional fees and bias.
- Players who face problems with unregulated casinos cannot report to the law or contact a third party and may become victims of scammers.
Consequently, while legal casinos ensure higher reliability and security, non-legal casinos involve certain dangers. Players should always make sure that they check the licensing and regulatory body for any online casino they intend to play in.
How Does Rigged Casinos Work?
Do online casinos cheat? Rigged casinos use all sorts of tricks that enable the casino to make it almost impossible for the player to win or even be allowed to cash out. The awareness of these tactics will assist you in not being the victim of such scams. Here’s how rigged casinos operate:
- Scam casinos may change the RTP ratio, the overall share of bet money a game pays back. For instance, if a game has a return-to-player ratio of 97%, the casino may adjust it to 85% or even less without informing players about this decision, significantly decreasing their chances of winning.
- The RNG is the element that makes outcomes unpredictable, so no one can predict the game's results. Skilled casinos alter the RNG to give a predictable pattern that will always favor the casino and against the players, making it impossible for players to win.
- Some casinos can be rigged and may have high RTPs to deceive the players. For instance, they may state an RTP of 99%, but it may be much lower, depending on the game. This deception makes players place more bets in anticipation of the big win that will most likely never be realized.
- Rigged casinos may have higher charges on deposits and withdrawals of your money. Such fees may be buried deep in the terms and conditions or not mentioned, limiting the amount of money a player can withdraw.
- Any reputable casino that deserves your time and money should be able to process withdrawals efficiently. However, rigged casinos also delay the payouts, expecting that the players will lose hope and keep on gambling.
- To create an account at an online casino, one has to give some of his or her personal details. Fraudulent casinos may use this data for identity theft or phishing scams, for example.
- Such casinos offer players insanely large bonuses, such as a 500% first deposit bonus or stating that their slots have 100% RTP. These offers are normally deceptive, and the ‘winning’ terms and conditions usually mean one cannot profit from the offer.
Due to the possibility of getting rigged casinos, they employ software with a peculiar look or appearance. This can include glitches in images or logos of the games, which are somehow altered, suggesting that the games have been tampered with. These casinos could copy game aspects from other reputable casinos, making them slow and unprofitable for players. Through understanding these tactics, the players can be in a position to avoid the cases of rigged casinos.
What to Check to Avoid Rigged Casinos
The only way to avoid rigged casinos is by being very keen and researching to avoid getting scammed. Here are essential steps to ensure you play at a fair and trustworthy online casino:
- Ensure that the online casino you intend to play at is licensed.
- In general, it is not recommended to rely on the information provided on the company’s official website or on any studies and opinions of the company’s employees or those affiliated with the company.
- Also, ensure that you evaluate the RTP rates for the games.
- Call customer support to confirm their licensing, security features, and games library.
Confirm that the casino accepts and uses reliable payment options. Some payment methods include credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, and ensure that the site has SSL encryption. Bonuses and promotions should be read thoroughly, accompanied by their terms and conditions.
Conclusion
Now, you have enough information to easily distinguish a legal casino from a platform where nothing but disappointment awaits you. Try to follow all the tips and markers mentioned earlier. With an integrated approach and care, you are highly likely to identify a scam casino and be able to secure your deposit. Remember! Not all online casinos are scammers, and thanks to this guide, you can find an honest platform.