Is Online Slot Rigged?

Slots are the most popular online casino game and a staple of brick-and-mortar casinos too. Making up the majority of sites’ game lobbies, plenty of players spin the reels. It is therefore no surprise that many players, often after a losing streak, question whether internet slots are fair. The elements influencing this assumption of rigged online slots will be discussed in this article together with strategies to guarantee you are playing fair games.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• Online slots use third-party tested RNG software to ensure fairness and randomness.
• Unusual patterns or payout inconsistencies could indicate a rigged slot game.
• Licensed casinos value transparency and provide clear terms and responsible gambling resources.
• Rigged online slots are rare due to strict regulations and audits in the industry.

How Online Slot Works 

Online slots are virtual versions of the traditional slot machines often found in actual casinos. Operating on the same basic idea as their physical counterparts, in these digital versions, players choose a stake amount and the number of paylines they want to play, then start the reels spinning. Aligning particular symbols in predefined patterns across the reels is the aim of the game. When successful, these alignments set payouts depending on the specific combinations and values described in the paytable of the game. A great example of this is Big Bass Splash, a popular fishing-themed slot that offers vibrant visuals and exciting bonus features to keep the gameplay engaging. Online slots are the most diverse casino game type, with many themes, extra bonuses, and creative gameplay mechanics.

Online casino slots use software known as random number generators (RNG) to ensure that all outcomes are completely random and do not follow any predictable pattern that could benefit the casino or the player. This software is third-party tested by auditors such as eCogra, and the casino which hosts the site should be licensed and regulated by a recognised regulatory body such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Common Concerns about Online Slots 

In a physical venue, it might be easier to spot dodgy dealings and poor practices. However, with online casinos, everything is neatly concealed behind a digital interface. This means that many online slot players are concerned they’re being scammed with no way of telling. After all, if you were playing a game of poker, for example, and the dealer blindly dealt everyone else cards before selecting through the deck to pick out aces, you certainly wouldn’t want to wager or even play!

Of course, the majority of players know that in the long run, the house will always win. The concern for players is rigged games where the house edge is increased astronomically or, more concerning, subtly, so players are fleeced of their funds with little return.

So, how can we tell if the online slot games we’re playing are fair? One of the biggest factors in confirming a safe site over a scam one is the presence of licensing from a recognised authority. The games themselves should also pass third-party testing to ensure fairness.

The software of the game itself is also designed to ensure fairness. While the mechanical slot machines of the past used moving parts to determine results, online slots rely on RNG software to replicate this process and guarantee that every spin is random.

RNG is a computer algorithm which generates hundreds of thousands of possible outcomes per second. When the player clicks spin, one of the outcomes generated within that second will be picked by the programme and the game will convert this into an outcome for the spin. This software ensures complete randomness, and therefore fairness, with neither the player, the casino, nor the game able to predict or form patterns from outcomes.

If, however, you have concerns about whether the game you are playing is truly fair, you can reach out to the authority the site is a licence holder of (more on these later), and you can make a report or keep up to date with records of latest offences on the UK Gambling Commission’s website.

Rigged Games Vs. Fair Games: What’s the Difference?

While the existence of current licensing is largely enough to put your mind at ease, knowing the signs of rigged slots compared to fair ones will also empower you as an informed and responsible player.

Recognizing Possible Rigging in Online Slot

The following three signs can be seen as a checklist to help you avoid or spot rigged slot machines. If the site or game meets the first criteria, move on to the next; if it doesn’t, look elsewhere!

• Lack of Licensing and Regulation: As we’ve mentioned, licensing is the most important factor when it comes to staying safe playing online slots. The site should display its licensing information at the bottom of every page. This information should include the body awarding the licence and the casino's licensing number. Doing a quick Google search on these will ensure the licence is accurate and current.

• Negative Customer Reviews and Feedback: The internet is an invaluable tool for connecting like-minded people, and you can use this to your advantage when it comes to rigged slot games, scam sites, and even sites which are fair but poorly operated. It’s safe to say that if there’s an issue with a particular casino site or game, players will let the community know about it through forums and review sites.

• Unusual Patterns and Results: As we learned earlier, RNG software is designed to achieve truly random results that do not form any patterns. While chance can give some strange outcomes (you’re as likely to win the lottery with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, as you are 5, 19, 32, 37, 40, 43), it could lead to the same outcome appearing twice in a row. If you’re noticing a reel producing a handful of similar outcomes, it’s likely the game is rigged. Another thing to consider is the game’s ‘hit rate’. This is a percentage representing how often (on average) a winning combination should land. For example, if a slot has a 25% hit rate, players can expect a winning combination every 4 spins on average. Of course, as an average, nothing is guaranteed, but if a slot with a projected hit rate of 1 in 3 spins isn’t paying out after over 20 spins, you might have cause for concern.

Ensuring Fair Play in Online Slots

Fair online slot games and legit online casinos are easy to find; partially because they represent the majority of sites out there! There are many reliable online casinos, including Prime Casino. You can be somewhat sure that the online slot game and casino you use is fair if you can answer yes to our lucky 7 questions:

1. Does the site hold a current licence from a recognisable regulatory body?
2. Are the games third-party tested to ensure fairness?
3. Does the site have a good reputation and positive player reviews?
4. Does the site have comprehensive customer support such as phone chat and live chat?
5. Does the site host games from top development houses?
6. Is the information on the site displayed? Can you easily find terms and conditions for promotions, and is there a range of respectable banking methods?
7. Does the site operate ethically and transparently? Are there easy-to-access responsible gambling tools?

The Role of Licensing and Regulation

Acquiring gaming licences requires a lot of effort and money from online casinos. The regulator will evaluate the online casino, look into its background, test it to award a licence, and will keep doing so at regular intervals. Regulators require games to submit to third-party testing from unaffiliated auditors such as iTech Labs, Gaming Laboratories International, and eCogra.

Licensing plays a huge role in preventing scam sites. For online casinos, manipulating games and losing reputation and licence just isn't worth it; licensing fees are costly, time-consuming, and require annual renewals.

Know the Signs of Legit Online Slots

Let’s recap everything we’ve learned about legitimate online slots and the casinos that host them in 5 simple facts:

• Legitimate Sites Will Have a Licence: Legitimate online casinos will always have a licence from a body such as the UKGC. They will also employ third-party auditors to ensure fairness.

•  Legitimate Games Have Third-Party RNG Certification: Independent auditors such as iTech Labs, Gaming Laboratories International, and eCogra will be used to ensure that the RNG software of the game is operating fairly.

• Legitimate Slots Have Random Outcomes: If the RNG software for the slot is working correctly, there will be no discernible pattern. Remember, short-term statistics have greater variation. This means while a few similar results back-to-back are entirely possible and do not indicate rigging, if you can spot a pattern over a consistent number of spins, or find that the payout rate doesn’t match the maths model, then the game might have been tampered with.

• Legitimate Casinos Care About Transparency and Ethics: Legitimate casinos care about not only their reputation but also the player experience they provide. There will be no smoke and mirrors with a fair casino, and their terms and conditions will not only be easy to find but also easy to understand. Legitimate casinos are also advocates for responsible gambling practices and will ensure that players have access to relevant resources and services.

• Rigged Online Slots Are Far Less Common Than It Seems!: Due to effective regulation and licensing practices, scam casinos and rigged online slots are far less common than hearsay might suggest. As long as the points mentioned throughout this article are present, it is unlikely that any site meeting these criteria is hosting rigged games.

FAQs

Are online slots truly random?

Yes, legitimate online slots use third-party tested random number generation (RNG) software to ensure random and fair outcomes.

Can online casinos manipulate slot machine outcomes?

While scam casinos might, reputable and licensed online casinos will only feature fair slots on their sites as the consequences of rigging games far outweigh any financial gain.

How can I know if an online slot game is fair?

Make sure the casino you play at is licensed and regulated, and check that the game comes from a trusted developer and has been third-party tested.