7 Quick Checks To Make Sure Casino Games Are Fair (And Not Rigged)
Ever started doubting if a casino game is fair? I know that buzzkill. The good news? It’s not hard to spot fair games from the rigged ones. All it takes is a quick check or two. Well, okay, seven. Read on to learn more.
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Assess a Gambling Site in 7 Steps
1. Start with the License Check
The first thing I look at? It’s the casino’s license. Legit casinos always have one. They’re often licensed by reputable bodies, such as:
- The Malta Gaming Authority.
- The UK Gambling Commission.
- Curacao eGaming.
These regulators confirm the fairness of the games and payouts.
How to check? Head down to the website’s footer. Most operators show the license seal there. Click on the license badge. It should link to the official regulator site, showing that it’s valid.
2. Stick to Trusted Game Providers
Another dead giveaway of fair play? That’s the casino’s software provider. Some of these game devs are more trustworthy than others.
Names like NetEnt, Microgaming, and Play’n GO care about fair play. They use strict standards for randomness, which is what you want. When I see a title from one of these providers, I feel much more confident.
When in doubt, do a quick Google search for the provider’s name. Is it a known, licensed provider? Chances are high the game is fair.
3. Look for RNG Certifications
Next, check if the game has an RNG certification. RNG stands for Random Number Generator. It’s the tech that makes sure each spin, card, or roll is random.
Legit casinos get their RNGs tested by third parties. Some of the big names are eCOGRA and iTech Labs. You’ll see a certification badge for these agencies on the casino’s site. Usually in the footer.
4. Check the RTP (Return to Player)
RTP tells you the average payout over time. It’s shown as a percentage. Most fair games have RTPs around 95-99%. Anything below 90% should set off alarm bells.
Most casinos post the RTPs in the game info section. Found an RTP of 96.5% for a NetEnt slot? That tells you it’s not a money-grab game. It’s designed to give fair chances. I make it a habit to skim through the RTP before I proceed with gambling.
Avoid anything with a mysteriously low RTP. Casinos that hide RTPs are usually up to no good. Or, are trying to get away with rigged settings.
5. Read Reviews (The Real Ones)
Another proven way to know if a casino’s legit? Hear from others! Forums, review sites, and Reddit are full of folks who’ve tested these games. If there’s something fishy, someone’s already talked about it.
Look for reviews uncovering fairness issues or payout delays. Seeing too many players saying they lost unusually often? Or, even worse, didn’t get paid? I’d walk away.
A personal trick: read the worst reviews first. They give the raw details. If the same complaints come up a lot, it’s not a good sign.
6. Test Customer Support
Then, checking customer support can tell you a lot about a casino. Fair casinos don’t dodge players. If they’ve got nothing to hide, they’ll have a responsive support team ready to help you out.
Shoot them some questions. Anything basic, like “How often are games audited for fairness?” A good casino will answer in detail. Sites that dodge or delay answering? Not a great sign.
Is the support team hard to reach? A red flag on its own. Trustworthy sites invest in customer service as they know it builds trust.
- Watch for Game Patterns
Sometimes, I just play around in free mode before committing real money. It lets you get a feel for how the game plays.
Fair games do have patterns. But, they’re random within those patterns. Noticed strange things, like a streak of odd results or unusual win/loss cycles? I’d start getting suspicious.
Also, what happens when you switch from free play to real money mode? Does the game change too much? Some sketchy casinos rig the real-money mode. If it feels different, it might be a trap.
The Bottom Line: Play Smart, Play Safe
A few simple checks can save you from a frustrating (and costly) experience. Playing smart means knowing these quick tricks and spotting any warning signs.
Stick to these checks. They’re simple but solid, and they work. And remember — good casinos will pass these tests without a problem.
