Do Online Casinos Cheat? Exploring the Fairness of Online Gambling Platforms

With more and more online casino operators available every day, it’s no wonder many prospective gamblers find themselves wondering—do online casinos cheat? This is especially common among gamers with little experience as they don’t fully understand how online casinos work and how to choose a trustworthy venue to avoid big losses. They’re also often unfamiliar with terms like house edge or return to player, which determine the amount you get to keep if you win at casino games.

In this article, we’ll dispel the misconceptions about online casino cheating and explain how to turn the tables and make the most of your casino experience.

Do Online Gambling Sites Cheat?

Contrary to some beliefs, the answer to “Is there a lot of cheating in online casinos?” is—no.

To ensure fair betting, it’s important to prioritize venues with valid licenses when selecting an online casino. Reputable online venues are completely transparent when it comes to their operations. These establishments are subject to strict oversight to confirm the fairness and randomness of their casino games, making them less likely to engage in cheating or unfair practices. To make sure an online casino is safe and trustworthy, check how it fares in the following aspects:

1. Online casino regulations
2. Third-party casino audits
3. Game ownership
4. The use of random number generators (RNGs)

Online Casino Regulations

When the casino industry started expanding to the digital world in the 90s, online casinos weren’t well-regulated. This led to many online casino scams. Today, the situation is different thanks to gaming regulations, which allow players worldwide to enjoy their favourite games in a safe gaming environment. 

However, Canadian gamers sometimes find themselves confused about Canadian gaming laws and whether playing in an online casino is legal. While the Criminal Code of Canada declares gambling illegal, the Canadian government allows its provinces to tailor the gaming laws for their jurisdictions. This means that every province can regulate its gambling market as it wishes. 

Some provinces, like Ontario and Quebec, have well-defined laws, while others aren’t that specific.

If the province didn’t decide otherwise, players can engage in gambling activities in online venues that are either:

1. Licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)
2. Located off-shore

Before registering at the online casino, check if it holds a license from one of the following respected regulatory bodies:

1. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) 
2. Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
3. Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GGC)
4. UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)
5. Swedish Gambling Authority (SGA)
6. Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB)

Third-Party Casino Audits

In addition to having the necessary licenses, online casinos should be regularly audited by independent third-party casino auditing bodies. Third-party audits serve as an indication that the online casino operates fairly and transparently, ensuring players that the venue isn’t cheating or engaging in fraudulent practices.

These organizations are responsible for testing the following:

• Fairness of casino games—Testing the legitimacy of casino’s random number generators (RNGs) and payout percentage 
• Transparency of financial activities—Ensuring financial transactions are fair and safe
• Casino operations—Evaluating fair, ethical, and transparent practices of casino employees

Some of the most respected third-party casino auditors include: 

• eCOGRA
• iTechLabs

Game Ownership

All the games available at a reputable online casino’s library are made by top software suppliers, who are also in control of the games’ quality and content. The only duty entrusted to the online casino is to give gamers access to these games. Online casinos can’t manipulate the games because they didn’t create them.

Everything related to a game, including the payment percentage, is chosen by the developer rather than the casino. After the game is developed, the online casino will use its software to provide players with access to these games. The software that online casinos use to deliver these games is frequently tested to prevent game manipulation and ensure fair play.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Casinos use random number generators to ensure the fairness of their slot and roulette games. This software generates random numbers that determine the outcome of each spin. If correctly implemented, RNGs can’t be manipulated, and there’s no way to predict which result will be next. 

Reputable online venues periodically undertake tests by independent third-party auditors to verify the true randomness of their RNGs. You can usually find confirmation of the passed test on the casino website.

Why It Might Seem That Online Casinos Cheat You

Source: besteonlinecasinos

The perception that online casinos cheat isn’t so uncommon among players, especially if they find themselves on a losing streak. While reputable casinos don’t engage in cheating, the presence of a built-in house edge might give the impression that they do. This inherent advantage is a standard practice in the gambling industry and is openly disclosed.

What Is a House Edge in an Online Casino?

The easiest explanation of the house edge is that it’s the casino advantage. It’s commonly shown in percentages, and it’s the direct opposite of the return to player (RTP).

The house edge shows you the following:

1. Payouts—The average payout per game over the course of its existence
2. Best returns—The games that provide players with the highest odds of winning

The house edge isn’t set by online operators but is a result of the game itself. 

Here’s a breakdown of the casino advantages for the most popular casino games:

In addition to showing how different games come with different house edge percentages as a result of specific game conditions, this table also explains why there are so many slot games in casino offers.

Slots usually have a low RTP, which amplifies their profit potential for the casinos. 

To increase your winning chances, always choose the games that have a higher RTP. If you do decide to play slot games, play the maximum number of paylines to lower volatility and increase your odds of winning.

Trustworthy Online Casinos That Don’t Cheat

To make your search for a reputable online casino that operates fairly easier, we bring you a list of ten trustworthy online venues. These long-standing establishments are approved by multiple regulatory licenses and offer a wide range of casino games, payment options, and enticing campaigns that can enhance your casino experience.

Check out the online casinos that are worth your attention:

These renowned online casinos are trustworthy, fair, and transparent in their operations.

Before making your pick, read the casino reviews and learn all you need to know about:

• The games they offer
• Attractive campaigns
• Deposit and withdrawal methods
• Customer service options. 

Armed with this information, you can play at your chosen venue with confidence, knowing that it’s a legitimate operator.

Use Bonuses To Increase Your Chances of Winning

Source: AidanHowe

To attract new players and reward the loyalty of existing ones, casinos offer different bonuses to their customers. 

The five most common types of bonuses include:

1. Deposit match bonus
2. No-deposit bonus
3. Cashback bonus
4. Bonus spins
5. Loyalty rewards

Making use of some of the casino bonuses available is a great chance to check if an online gambling site is cheating without risking your money. Make sure to check all the terms attached to the bonuses offered.

Although casinos offer free casino money or additional spins, these bonuses usually come with specific wagering requirements. Players need to meet these requirements before they can convert the bonus into real money and withdraw the funds using their preferred payment method. 

Knowing how casino bonuses work will allow you to properly use them to see for yourself whether the casino is cheating—if you’re able to walk away with a nice bonus, chances are that it’s not. 

Finding the slots with the highest payout percentages and playing them is one technique to turn the odds in your favour and use the bonuses to your advantage. How frequently a slot machine pays out and how big the wins are depends on this rate. To make a long-term profit, it’s best to place lower wagers and establish a constant flow of small winnings.

Featured image source: AidanHowe