Can Casino Games Be Rigged? Don’t Fear the House Edge

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Anyone who has ever played and lost at a casino, whether online or in a physical one, has asked the question, “Are casino games fixed?” You've probably asked yourself this question, thinking you’ve been pushed around. Since you've lost your hard-earned money, you want to make sure the casino is honest and there is no cheating. First, let's define what we mean by “cheating”!

Busted Casino Myth: Rigged Casino Games

The question is a little trickier, and at first glance, all casino games are rigged in the house favor. We've all heard the expression “the house always wins,” which is actually true. No matter what casino you choose, they all have a mathematical advantage in every game offered, even Rooli.

So, you must face the truth: the casino doesn't take the risk; you do. However, just because the casino has a mathematical advantage doesn't mean the game is fixed.

There are two main reasons why casino games are not rigged.

#1. Regulation

Getting a casino license is either very difficult or very expensive, and there are certain rules a casino must follow to retain its license.

Just as you have to get up early, work from weekend to weekend, mind your chores, or pay taxes, any licensed online casino does the same. And if you have your own business, you are probably paying for lawyers, project managers, and other expensive staff. This costs a lot of money. All land-based and online casinos that operate for real money must demonstrate due transparency and competence. Gambling is a politically and socially controversial industry. There is a powerful anti-gambling lobby spreading rumors about people losing money to unfair casino games. What’s left to do for an online casino? The only way to gain the trust of lawmakers is to operate in a strictly regulated environment. So, what are the basic requirements for a gaming license? It is very obvious: offer players games without fraud.

The casino doesn’t need to cheat. If you stick around long enough, you will notice that it is the casino that will most of the time. This is how the casino is "rigged."

Take roulette as a very simple example. If it wasn’t for zero on the roulette table layout, the casino would never win. Zero is the literal and physical embodiment of the house edge; there are 36 numbers and zero for 37 possible outcomes. However, no matter what number comes up, the casino only gets one thirty-sixth of the bet. That's the house edge at the roulette table. Not so much, right?

#2. Reputation

Casinos that cheat their players don’t last long—take King Gaming, an online casino that was caught cheating players not so long ago. Once the news spread, the site was terminated. One of the biggest names in iGaming closed overnight. As for land-based casinos, the cheating is most likely orchestrated by either the staff or the players. It’s not uncommon for dealers to give away chips or be in cahoots with players. But what if the casino is intentionally cheating? This isn’t the Wild West—do you really think online casinos like BitStarz would risk a scandal and jeopardize their gaming licenses?

Red Flags to Avoid

Now let’s look at the signs of an unfair online casino:

• The payout table is not published or not clearly defined.
• The rules are not available upon request.
• Withdrawal amounts and times are limited.
• The online casino is not licensed by a state, local authority, or online regulator.
• The betting limits change depending on your game results.
• The online casino rejects your transaction if you win.
• The online casino does not honor a promotion or offer.
• The online casino freezes your account or withdrawal without proper notice or justification.
• The online casino has bad reviews.
• The online casino is on a blacklist.

Keep on Playing

The house doesn't have to cheat. What confuses many people about the house edge is what mathematicians call the “law of large numbers.” Simply put, casinos deal in very large numbers, and players don't. Casinos can win or lose any bet, but over time, all of these games will approach the mathematical edge of the game. As a player, you can play a few hands, roll the dice, or pull the lever, but the casino has that potential outcome millions of times a year. You could get lucky, win big, and have a great night out. But the numbers don't lie. There is always a chance that your luck will run out on you, but let’s hope that doesn’t happen.