Are online slot machines rigged
The solution I've come-up with is to play at reputable sites that have reputable private auditors testing their rngs and payout percentages.
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Are online slots rigged?
By james carter on february 19th, 2015. Updated on january 2, 2020.
Many of us have been excited about playing slots at some point, only to find the excitement quickly turning into disappointment. Nothing seems to work. Only small wins and not even a single bonus game. You feel cheated.
Was the slot machine rigged?
In all honesty, it could have been. If you played at one of the reputable real-money online casinos, however, it probably wasn't. You just happened to be on the bad side of variance (in the long run, you should lose a lot of money at slot machines anyway).
And we'll never truly know. Since you're supposed to lose at slot machines and online casinos have no obligations to share their payback percentages, they could run their machines at ridiculously low returns and we wouldn't have the slightest clue about it.
Many people will tell you that rigged online slots are rare because online casinos have no reason to cheat; they make so much money from slot machines already simply by offering fair games.
That's far from a convicing argument - as if there were no greedy people in the world. But there's some logic behind the argument as well. Since the casino already has an edge over the player, the only thing they need is to get more players. Cheating slot machine players out of their money is hardly a good way to get new sign-ups.
In a sense it's hard to define "rigged online slots" since technically an online casino doesn't cheat if it has ridiculously low payout percentages set to its slot machines.
But we should treat them the same as if they were cheating.
How to find safe online casinos
The solution I've come-up with is to play at reputable sites that have reputable private auditors testing their rngs and payout percentages. Even better if the private auditor has been allowed to publish how much the online casino has paid out monthly.
Still, one could argue that you never know if online casinos bribe private auditors to creating good reports. True. We'll never know for sure.
But if you believe that there are online casinos without rigged slots, why not trust the ones that are willing to let auditors publish their results for everyone to see? The ones that seemingly have nothing to be ashamed of?
If I were to run an honest online casino with no rigged slot machines, why wouldn't I publish payout reports? Why would I let anyone think that I could have rigged online slots at my casino?
Are online slots A scam & rigged?
Are online slots are a scam? Are they rigged by the casinos to prevent real players from winning?
These are important and common questions and we’re hear the lay them to bed once and for all. Let’s kick things off by talking about if online casinos actually have the power to rig slot machines.
Can slot machines be rigged?
The best way to answer this question is to look at exactly how slot machines work. There are two crucial mechanics you need to be aware of: the random number generator (RNG) and the return to player percentage (RTP).
Random number generators
What is important to recognise here is that the software ensures that all combinations displayed to players are random. That therefore means that there is no scope for a casino to control the result of a player’s specific spin.
Are they truly random?
When players learn of rngs and hear that legitimate machines are indeed all entirely random, many players are more than a little sceptical as they are sure that casinos must do something to guarantee that they profit from slots.
The fact is, that the casinos certainly do have those kinds of guarantees but that it has nothing to do with ‘rigging’ the machine or cheating players.
RTP percentages: the casinos edge
That ‘house edge’ is built into every slot by way of the payout or return to player (RTP) percentage of the machine.
That RTP percentage is programmed into each slots game by the software companies who make them and represents the amount paid out to players as compared with the total amount wagered on the game over an extended period of time.
How do RTP percentages work?
If an RTP percentage is 95% for example, then a machine will on average pay out 95% of what it takes in over its life time and the ‘house edge’ will be 5% – as that is what the casino or provider will take for themselves.
That combination of RNG and payout percentage therefore, is what ensures that casinos make a long term profit from slots games without the need to ‘rig’ the machines or to attempt to scam players.
The machines can – and do – payout to different players at different times after all, whilst still maintaining the overall ‘house edge’ over an extended period of time.
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How to recognise safe casino sites
All of the above should help to ease players’ minds when it comes to the general fairness of slot games, but that does of course depend upon the casino or site in question operating in an above board and legitimate fashion.
That makes it crucial then, for players to be able to spot when a site is legitimate and is therefore one that they can trust. Fortunately, there are a number of things to immediately look out for which should make this process nice and simple.
- Any legitimate site will be fully licensed by the relevant regulator for their country and will display their license number or the logo somewhere on site.
- Legitimate casino sites will frequently have their games audited and test by external bodies. Look out for the ecogra logo (mostly UK), the technical systems testing logo and the gaming laboratories international logo (mostly US) to ensure this is happening.
- Another good indicator of a trustworthy site is one which takes responsible gambling seriously. Look out for logos and information relating to this on site to verify legitimacy (responsible gambling trust, gamcare, gambleaware.Co.Uk and gamblers anonymous international service).
Are casinos honest with slot machines or do they cheat?
Now that we know RNG’s control each spin or a slot and how much control casinos have over the payout percentages of their slot machines and games, all that is left is to discuss is whether they are honest in their use of that control.
Fortunately, when it comes to the kind of legitimate sites that we have described how to identify above, the answer is a resounding yes.
As we have discussed after all, the sites do not have the ability to change the payout percentages of their games and they are rigorously tested to ensure that the percentages are indeed what they claim them to be. What’s more, some sites openly publish those percentages for players to see and most others will provide them if a player directly asks for them.
There are bad eggs out there though… so if you’re worried about playing at a fair and regulated online casino then simply select one from our list and you can rest your mind at ease.
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Are online slots rigged?
Most players are hesitant to play slot machines due to many thinking that slots are rigged. Every player has gone through a time where no matter how much they bet there would be no win in sight. After a few losses, players start to wonder whether or not the slot machines have been tampered with. We understand that when playing online, you may become a little skeptical about how slots work. Is ever spin really random? Are the games fair? Or can you actually win? The biggest question is are online slots rigged? We have decided to put all put those worries to rest.
Firstly, internet slots at reputable casino sites are not rigged. Secondly, each game is fair, and all results are completely random. We can only be a hundred percent sure of these facts if a casino is transparent about its return to player and random number generator mechanics.
Are RNG in slots rigged?
The random number generator is designed on a string of random numbers that will produce symbols on slot machines. The software aims to ensure that ever combinations on the slot is random. Essentially casino sites cannot control the results of every players spin. The RNG, as well as the RTP, ensure that casinos make a profit without having to rig slots machines.
Slots house edge
You may be wondering what the point of the house edge is in terms of slots being rigged. The house is a built-in feature that tells the players how much the slot will payout in its lifetime. Software providers such as betsoft, rival and microgaming will promote the RTP into the slot. The amount that is paid out to players in comparison to the amount wagered on the game over a certain period is the RTP.
For example, the bubble bubble slot machine from RTG has an RTP of 95%. This means this particular slot will payout an average of 95% of what it makes in its life time. The other 5% is the house edge which is what the casino or software provider will make.
Tips to make sure that you don’t play rigged slots
We have put together a few tips to play players enjoy a safe and secure slots experience.
- Check the casino sites regulatory and licensing information
- Play slots from reputable software providers
- Check that the slot game has been certified by a testing authority.
- Ensure that the casino is regularly audited.
Play honest slots
It is important that players only play slots at legitimate casino websites. This is where they can be sure that they are playing fair games that could potentially payout. There are plenty of USA online casinos that offer slot games that are not rigged. We only review legitimate casino sites, and players need to worry about the slots being rigged or being a scam. Independently audited casinos make it much easier to trust the slot machines.
If you are looking for the best casino games tips and tricks, teresa has all the answers. From blackjack to texas hold'em teresa has intel on all the much-loved card games. In her spare time, she finds new ways to win big at online casinos in the US. Find all her pages to secure your next big win!
Are land-based machines or online slots rigged?
Today, I’m going to answer another reader question which I received recently by email. It comes from sarah in scotland who wants to know “are slot machines rigged?” I’ve copied the email directly below with her permission.
I’m sarah mckeown, and I’ve been a long-time reader of your blog. I’ve found lots of interesting content over the years. I even won a healthy jackpot after playing one of your recommended jackpot slots.
However, I’ve been keeping a record of my bets versus my wins, and I’ve noticed that no matter how many big wins I have, I always end up losing it all again over the long term. Can you tell me if slot machines are rigged? Can casinos fix slot machines to make sure players lose?
Any insights you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Sarah, I’m going to answer your questions directly. Yes, slot machines are rigged. However, they’re not rigged in the way you think they are
In this post, I’ll explain how slot machines work, why you lose in the long-term, and I’ll give you some useful tips for beating slot machines more often. Let’s begin!
Are casino slot machines rigged?
I guarantee you that if you walk through any vegas casino, or any casino in the world for that matter, and ask every slots player if they won, the vast majority of them will tell you no.
It’s difficult to understand how this could be the case unless slot machines are rigged. And if they are, how in the heck is that legal? Are casinos actively keeping slot machines rigged so that you can’t win? If so, what about all those stories of players who won huge jackpots?
This can all seem rather confusing, but it’s not. The simple answer is that the vast majority of players lose, and a few lucky players win. Each machine is programmed to pay out less than what’s put into it, ensuring that the casino makes a continuous profit over the long run. This could be anything from a 2% advantage on the best slot machines, to a 10% or greater advantage on some of the big-money jackpot slots.
So, in a nutshell, casino slots are rigged to make sure the casino makes a profit, but that does not mean you can’t win on any given gaming session.
Gaming commissions would never allow casinos to run games you can’t win, nor would it be good for business. Players would soon figure out that the games were unwinnable and would stop playing.
Let’s take a closer look at how slot machines work. This will help you understand that while the house always wins, you can win, too.
How slot machines are rigged
Understanding how slot machines are rigged requires you to understand how they work. Each slot has its game odds, but they all use a similar method of paying out jackpots. Here are some important things to know about slot machines.
Understand slot machine RTP
RTP is an acronym for “return to player.” if you read slot machine reviews, you’ll usually find each game has a specific RTP published by the developer. For example, on netent.Com, you can find the RTP of starburst and other games.
RTP is a percentage.
Based on starburst from above, the RTP is 96.09%. What does this mean in terms of money, jackpots, and wins and losses? It means that, for every £100 bet on these games, players win back £96.09.
It’s important to remember that this does not mean you’ll make back £96.09 for every £100 you bet on starburst. It means that the casino returns £96.09 to all players spinning the reels at every casino which offers starburst. This includes all of the small wins and losses each player wins on every spin. In the long run, the casino will make £3.91 on every £100 bet on that game, regardless of what happens in the short term.
Hopefully, this concept of RTP helps you understand how slot machines are rigged in favor of the game developers and casinos but are not rigged in absolute terms. You can win when playing slots, but you can’t win in the long run.
Understand random number generators
Even though the house has a built-in advantage on slot machines, it’s clear that some players do win massive jackpots. Just take a look at this story about a british soldier winning a record-breaking jackpot from a £0.25 spin.
Lots of players wonder when the best time to play slot machines is, which slots are “loose,” and all sorts of other questions. They hope that figuring out the answers will help them win slots more often, but the truth is that this is all a waste of time.
Slot machines decide when to pay out in accordance with a random number generator (RNG). Believe it or not, it’s possible for a slot machine to pay out a jackpot on two spins in a row, although it is unlikely. A random number generator is a piece of software which spits out billions of numbers per second, and if it happens to spit out a number associated with a jackpot, you’ll see the high-value symbols line up across a payline and you win.
There’s no way to manipulate rngs. You can’t cheat online slot machines no matter how hard you try. Some smart players note that rngs can’t be truly random since humans create them, but for all reasonable and practical purposes, you can’t manipulate them.
Perhaps, someone will someday spot a pattern in the apparent randomness by using a quantum computer to crunch numbers. But until then, just assume they’re random.
While the slots developer can control the RTP via programming, it can’t control the RNG. There are third-party games testing organizations such as ecogra which test rngs and verify that they are fair. This doesn’t mean all slots developers play fair, but big names like microgaming and netent do.
How to win at slots — tips and tricks
Now that you understand how slot machines work, and how they are rigged without being unfair, it’s time to turn the tables on the casinos. I’ve learned a lot about slot machines throughout my career as a player, and I’m going to share my best tips on how to win slots more often.
Pick slot machines with a high RTP
One of the first and most obvious tips is to select high RTP slot machines. These games pay back the most to players in the long run, so you’re better off playing them even if the jackpots are smaller.
Very often, the jackpots are smaller. Since the casinos have less risk to deal with when a smaller jackpot is involved, they can afford a higher payback percentage to players. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
So, which slot machines have the highest RTP? Here are five to get you started.
- Blood suckers by netent – 98%
- Rags to riches by cryptologic – 98%
- Good girl, bad girl by betsoft – 97.8%
- Kings of chicago by netent – 97.8%
- Wolfpack pays by nextgen – 97.8%
Those slots have a variety of excellent bonus features, decent jackpots, and higher than average rtps. If you want to get the most bang for your buck as a long-term player, it’s wise to play them.
Pick the right volatility for your bankroll
There’s a top-notch article on slot machine variance and volatility here. If you want a more detailed breakdown of what they are, check that out.
Slot machine volatility is important to understand because it will tell you which slots are suitable for your bankroll. Volatility indicates both how often a slot should pay and the average size of the payouts.
- Low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more often.
- Medium volatility slots pay decent amounts fairly often.
- High volatility slots pay less frequently, but wins are more explosive.
If I had a smaller bankroll, say £20, I’d start by playing a low volatility slot such as starburst. I find that it’s a good slot to build your bankroll with. Once I double up, I usually switch to a higher volatility slot with bigger payouts which occur less frequently.
Managing your bankroll effectively is about the only slot machine strategy which works. Therefore, knowing the volatility of a game is useful information.
Use free spins with low wagering requirements
Most online casinos offer free spins bonuses for new players. Lots of them also offer free spins to loyal players who spin slots daily or weekly.
I’ve learned the hard way that not all free spins bonuses give me an advantage. Sometimes, the wagering requirements are so high that the bonus is a liability. This is especially true if it comes with predatory terms such as that I can’t withdraw my deposit until I meet the wagering requirements. Yes, such bonuses exist, I’ve seen it all over the years I’ve been playing!
There are other free spins bonuses you will want to take. They’ll give you a chance to beat the house with its own money and have these characteristics.
- They won’t require excessive minimum deposits.
- The wagering requirements will be low, around 20x or less.
- You’ll be able to keep all of what you win when you wager the bonus.
Free spins with low wagering requirements are available at lots of top UK casinos. There are even casinos with no wagering requirements, and they’re especially popular in the UK market.
Final words
Thanks for writing to me with this question, sarah. It’s given me a chance to cover lots of ground with regards to slot machines, and I hope that it answers your question. Are slot machines rigged? Yes, the house has a mathematical advantage which you can’t alter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
Beating slot machines is a case of picking the right games, managing your bankroll effectively, and getting lucky. Don’t forget the last part! Luck is essential. There’s no effective way to beat the slots every time. Happy spinning, and don’t forget to pick up a casino bonus before you begin!
Are online slots rigged?
There's no doubt losing can be frustrating, especially if it happens repeatedly. If you can't seem to win at online slots, it's easy to play the blame game. Since there's no skill required to spin the reels, most people assume that losing can't possibly be their fault. That's why it's simple to accuse online casinos of cheating when the outcomes are unfavourable. Yet, for the most part, online casinos in the united kingdom play by the rules. Before you let the accusations fly, you might want to look at the bigger picture.
How casinos operate
Let's face it. Putting your trust in an online casino can feel like you're taking a leap of faith at times. When playing what is a technically a real money video game, how do you know it's programmed to be fair? Do you ever feel like you always lose when the stakes are high and your few infrequent wins are modest at best? Conspiracy theorists often claim that casinos throw players periodic bones to get their hopes up. In reality it's more likely that disgruntled players only pay attention to part of the story. While it's nice to believe you win some and you lose some, it's more important to realise how casinos actually work.
Like all casino games, slot machines are designed to make the casinos money over time. Whether you play online or at a live casino, slots pay out less than they take in over the long haul. As valuable as this information is, it's hardly a secret. All respected casinos post their payout rates, which can range between 75% and 95% or more. Even though you should aim to find slots with highest payout rates, it's essential to acknowledge that even fair games are set up in the casino's favour. The good news is that due to a concept that mathematicians call variance, the house edge isn't necessarily exhibited over the short term. It's that sense of possibility that makes gambling so much fun.
Licenced and regulated gaming
Although online slots aren't rigged, that's only true if you play at reputable casinos. It might be hard to imagine, but anyone with a little computer knowledge can set up a gambling site on the internet. Yet that doesn't make the site legal or worthy of your trust. In fact, there are thousands of online casinos around the world but only a few hundred are licenced to offer games to players in the united kingdom. Even though unregulated casinos aren't necessarily rigged or unscrupulous, why take the chance?
If you love online slots, consider yourself fortunate to live in britain. While many nations turn a blind eye to internet gambling or prohibit it outright, slot machines and most other forms of betting are perfectly legal in the united kingdom. The UK gambling commission licences sites so that players can enjoy games with complete confidence. When you play at a licenced site you can count on games that are fair and random. Take comfort in knowing the payout rates are accurate, and you'll be paid promptly.
Playing fair with random number generation
With the exception of vintage mechanical slot machines, all of today's slots are computer operated. That's true whether you play on the internet or live at your favourite casinos. The outcome of every spin depends on a random number generator or RNG. These rngs use complicated computer algorithms that ensure every spin of the reels is 100% random and independent. That means that the machine has no knowledge about whether you've recently won or lost. It doesn't try to balance things out or lure you back into the game with a modest win when you've lost all hope. Yet over time everything does have a mathematical way of balancing itself out.
When you play at a licenced gambling site, you don't need to understand how rngs work. What's important is that independent auditors test, inspect, and certify the RNG technology regularly. You can view a casino's certificates, licences, and credentials by following the links on their landing page.
Online casino misconduct
If you've followed the online gambling industry over the years, you've likely heard of a few scandals. There's no doubt that some operators have cheated players. Still, there's no point losing sleep or vowing to boycott all forms of internet betting. Most of these incidents were in the distant past and occurred offshore. More importantly, none of the sites in question were licenced by the UK gambling commission. Online gambling is incredibly competitive in 2020 and sites simply have too much to lose if they violate the rules. Mere rumours of cheating players will cause people to take their bankrolls elsewhere. Management also runs the risk of fines and imprisonment. Of course, to play safely you'll need to do your part by sticking to fully licenced sites.
Going above and beyond
Despite the fact that playing at licenced sites comes with assurances, we believe it's just a starting point. Leading slots sites in the UK undergo additional certification and face further scrutiny to gain the trust of players. Be on the lookout for the ecorga logo. The firm monitors games for fairness, certifies software, and can help players mediate disputes with casinos.
Whether you are looking for slots or other games, there's no need to choose a random site and hope for the best. Before signing up, it's worth reading the expert reviews on this site. Take the time to check out the forums and social media to see what other gambling fans have to say. If something doesn't look right, steering clear is the smart move. Remember that there are dozens of amazing gambling sites right here in the UK. You should never feel pressured to settle for second best or worse.
So, let's see, what we have: are online slots rigged? How to find honest and safe online casinos? At are online slot machines rigged
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