Are Online Casinos Rigged? What’s Myth, What’s Real And Everything Else You Need To Know

Are online casinos rigged

When signing up and depositing your money with a new casino, you assume they are honest but what if you never win?

Or, hit one jackpot, and then nothing! No one wants to lose money. Are online casinos rigged?

Tight machines and cheating exist. However, legit casinos do not rig their machines (whew!). They also offer BIG money bonuses to keep the good times rolling!

Let’s explore where to find the best casinos for consistent payouts – and which to avoid!

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Do Online Casinos Cheat?

Reputable casinos do not cheat. However, some illegal operators try to scam players by rigging their machines.

Hence, it is advisable to only gamble in fully licensed and secure sites (like the online casinos on our list) for fair gaming (and consistent winnings).

Best Online Casinos To Gamble Online Safely

Rank
Payment Grade
Rating
Bonus
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  • 1
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    500% Up To $7,500
  • 2
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    300% Up To $1,500
  • 3
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    280% Up To $14,000
  • 4
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    100% Up To $2,500
  • 5
    A+
    4.8/5.0
    100% Up To $500
  • 6
    A+
    4.6/5.0
    100% Up To $5,000
  • 7
    A+
    4.9/5.0
    50% Up To $250
  • 8
    A+
    4.7/5.0
    250% Up To $12,500
  • 8
    A
    4.8/5.0
    100% Up To £30

Why players might think online casinos are rigged…

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! Spinning on your favorite slots and not consistently hitting the bonus rounds (or only hitting smaller jackpots) are big red flags – and it happens in online and land-based casinos. 

And because you are playing online, you cannot see what happens behind the scenes. Hence, players might question are online casino games rigged if they consistently keep losing.

But there are other reasons why gamblers might feel cheated at an online casino. 

Cheating Occurs At Land-Based Gambling Operations

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What happens in Vegas… It is natural to assume that if a brick-and-mortar casino is dishonest, so are some online casinos.

As an example, an untrustworthy land-based casinos can use tools under their roulette wheel tables that control where the ball lands (to prevent payouts). 

In another example, games like baccarat and blackjack might have fraudulent shuffling techniques to prevent players from winning.

Online Casinos Have Software-Generated Games

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Since hacking incidents and cyberattacks are prevalent online, gamblers are sometimes reluctant to play.

How can you tell if your information or data is compromised or a machine rigged?

In a physical casino, you can see all of your gameplay. However, it is not the same with remote environments.

A dishonest casino can use software BIG on graphics and animation. However, it might not include mega bonuses and progressive wins. 

Furthermore, because the games are automated, there are no reel wheels spinning or dice to roll, and if you do not win after a few hands or games, you might think the odds are clearly in the casino’s favor.

It also might mean that you cannot find a good machine like you would at an older land-based casino.

Games Can Have High Or Low Volatility

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Volatility is another major factor with casino games like slots. While some slot games might lead to several small bonuses, they may not include BIG payouts. Hence, your bankroll never increases. 

On the other hand, high volatility is also a problem. You might find a machine that leads to a big jackpot and then does nothing for what feels like hours.

It might start to look like all you did was put your winnings back into the machine. What a ripoff!

Volatility can also occur with games like roulette. While single number bets pay 35:1, American roulette is 37:1 and 36:1 with European Roulette.

Then, there are slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette, and baccarat, which can run with special software.

Hence, in those online gambling platforms, you might never hear the clicks in the slot machine as the diamonds drop into position for a sudden jaw-dropping prize. 

The House Maintains An Advantage

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Another concern is the house edge. Casinos always have an advantage which is why you should know their RTP before signing up.

Without knowing the Return-To-Player (RTP) percentage (which is not always transparent), you might gamble in a casino where you will lose more money. 

As an example, Casino A has a 99.5% RTP. Meaning, if you gamble with $100, you should eventually win back $99.50.

But what if you unknowingly gamble with Casino B, which has a 70% RTP? That means you might only win back $70

Reputable casinos want your business. They offer high RTP rates to ensure consistent and fair wins. They also want to keep players happy and engaged.

If you are on a hot streak and winning hundreds or thousands (whew-hew!), you will keep coming back and telling others about your experience. However, if the machines are skewed, you risk losing your pot quickly!      

…And why most casinos are actually honest 

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The good news is you do not have to worry about an online casino rigging their machines if you stick to the legit casinos that we review and recommend

Our preferred casinos all have good reputations and provide high RTPs. They rely on their reputation for fair payouts and are routinely audited and tested by third parties.

They also work hard to ensure they use sophisticated software to avoid security breaches, which might damage their business reputation. 

The importance of good reviews

Online gambling sites are smart. If they lose customers due to negative reviews or cheating scandals, they will lose money. Hence, they work hard to maintain transparency.

While casino developers likely have the best damage control and PR, rebuilding trust is not a wager they want to place. 

The other concern is if a casino operator has tight machines, gamblers are more cautious and will not stay to play.

The gambling establishments know that players sometimes base their playing time and wagers on word-of-mouth, i.e., reviews.

Hence, they read through the comments and look for large jackpot prizes or the mention of tight/loose machines and fair play.

Look at the example again:

  • A player loads their account with $100. However, the rigged blackjack game only has a 70% RTP.
  • They wager $5 for each hand 100 hands in 60-minutes. Hence, 100 x 5 = $500 gambled or 500 x 0.7 = $350 in potential winnings for that 60-minutes
  • That 500 – 350 = $150 in losses (theoretically). The result? Their bankroll is short-lived, and they feel cheated.

Top Online Casinos You Can Trust

We have done our research to find the most recommended and safest online casinos for US players.

Rest assured, our established gambling operators do not have rigged machines, are fully licensed, and have excellent reviews backing them. 

Check out what each site has to offer below! 

Rank Online Casino Deposit Bonus Get Started
1 Deposit Bonus 500% Up To $7,500 Play Now
2 Deposit Bonus 300% Up To $1,500 Play Now
3 Deposit Bonus 280% Up To $14,000 Play Now

Best Bonus To Start Gambling Today: DuckyLuck

DuckyLuck Casino Review

DuckyLuck is one of the most well-liked and reputable providers topping our list.

Licensed in Curacao, the gambling operator offers the most secure environment for mobile gameplay.

Popular games include slots, live dealer games, and table games like baccarat, blackjack, and Texas Hold’em. 

With a whopping 500% up to $7,500 welcome bonus, DuckyLuck is a preferred site for US gamblers.

Their Crypto Bonus goes up 600%, and they provide a few other special promos for Crypto Elite members. Payment methods include credit/debit cards and cryptocurrencies.

Not All Online Casinos Are Rigged: Tips to Choose a Trusted Site

When looking for a reputable casino, there are a few factors to look for to help you identify if it is legit or one that you should avoid.

Full Transparency

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The most trustworthy casinos display their licensing information and reviews upfront.

You can also view who they share third-party data with and clearly see their terms and conditions.

Excellent Reviews

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Bad reviews – and fake reviews always in the gambling operator’s favor are big no-nos. Avoid casinos where players complain about rigged machines. 

You might also want to skip the gambling operators that only have a few reviews or have all fake reviews, and they are all 5-star (but share no relevant details). 

It is a red flag if you do not see real people on social media who share their comments and mention which machines they played when they hit it big.

Fast Payouts

Fast casino payouts icon

If you see online complaints about payment delays, skip these sites. Reputable casinos offer fast payouts within 24-48 hours.

Hence, if a casino does not have the winnings available promptly, they may have other dishonest practices.

24/7 Support

Casino customer support icon

Reputable casinos are responsive and helpful. They will offer players multiple communication solutions (text, email, phone).

That way, they can quickly address your questions so you can get back to your games (and winning!). 

Lucrative Offers

Lucrative casino offers icon

To attract players, the best casinos offer matching bonuses. These can sometimes equate to lucrative cash offers for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

If you want to review these offers, use our list of preferred sites and sign up for their casino welcome bonus. Then, look for other return player promotions.  

Make your first casino deposit in simple steps

It is easy to sign up with the recommended casinos on our list with a few simple steps. Then, start playing – and hopefully racking up the BIG money!

Number 1 casino icon

Select a Casino

Pick one of the trusted online casinos on our list. On their website, click on the “Sign Up” button and give the information they request.

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Make Your Deposit

Set up your user ID and password. Verify your email and then log into your new account. Then, select “Bank” to fund it with money.

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Pick Your Offer

Choose your welcome offer (casino bonus, cryptocurrency offer…). Review the terms and conditions to see if there are any wagering requirements.

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Select Your Games

After your match offers loads, you are ready to play. Select the option to head to the casino or click on the tab to check out their specialty games, and enjoy!

Start Gambling At Trusted Online Casinos Today!

As you can tell, different factors can help you verify if an online casino is legitimate or possibly rigged. However, why risk it for the biscuit?

Pick from the secure gambling sites in our list and enjoy a verified and highly-encrypted gaming environment. Then, go enjoy all the slots and table games you want! 

FAQ

Are online live casinos rigged?

In general, legit, live casino operators will not rig their games. They want return players and know that new players will read their reviews.

They also do not want to lose money by being caught in a cheating scandal. 

Are online casino games rigged?

On occasion, legitimate casinos can become rigged if a cyber attack occurs. While this is rare, it can happen if the casino is not securely encrypted.

The reputable casinos on our list have the highest Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption and the latest, tamper-proof technologies.

Check Out Our Complete Guide To Real Money Casinos

About the Author

Sarah Sheikh

Sarah Sheikh

Content Researcher and Writer

Sarah has been researching and writing for the iGaming industry for more than 10 years. She writes both betting and casino content for SBS with a unique honest perspective.

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