How Are Online Slots Fair And Not Rigged?

One of the biggest concerns for online casino players is the fairness of the slots available on the site. How can they be sure that the games are not rigged in favour of the casino?

Well, all reputable online casinos employ a number of measures to ensure that all of their games are completely fair, not rigged and completely transparent. 

Here, we take a look at exactly how you can be assured that slot games aren’t rigged…

How they Work

Let’s take a look at the basics of slot machines and understand why reputable casinos wouldn’t even want to fix their slot games. Licensed and regulated casinos are fully committed to fair play – and have to be to avoid massive fines or even potential licence revocation. Regulated casinos, such as those found at casinos, use Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to guarantee the randomness of every reel spin. Prior to release, all slots undergo thorough independent testing and auditing processes.

While every slot has a ‘House Edge’ – to ensure the casino’s profitability over time, the RNG ensures fairness by generating random outcomes with each reel spin. This commitment to randomness assures players that their gaming experience is not rigged, is completely fair, and adheres to industry standards.

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Random Number Generators (RNGs) are the most critical components in ensuring the fairness of online casino games, particularly slots. 

Whether referring to physical or online slot machines, both rely on Random Number Generator (RNG) technology to keep the game fair. The RNG is a sophisticated algorithm that generates a random number sequence that dictates the outcome of each reel spin. This ensures the independence of each spin – and ensures that it is entirely independent of and unaffected by prior results.

Physical slot machines use mechanical components and reels, with the RNG generating a random number aligning with symbols on the reels to determine outcomes.

Online slots mirror the mechanics of physical machines but with a digital interface and graphics. The RNG in online slots works in pretty much the same way as traditional slots.

Regulatory Oversight

Regulatory oversight is another important aspect of the online gambling industry, ensuring fair play and player protection. There are various regulatory bodies across the world whose job is to regulate online casinos to ensure that they maintain industry standards and safeguard the interests of their players. 

Regulatory bodies – such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, issue licences to operators after putting through rigorous tests and evaluations. 

They monitor the platform’s financial transactions and ensure the integrity of games through audits. The fact that sites have to operate under such strict measures instils confidence among players that the online casino is operating fairly and transparently, adhering to the most stringent regulations and guidelines. 

Third-Party Auditors

Third-party auditors also play an important role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of online slot games. There are various Independent organisations, such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, and TST, that conduct regular audits of casino games and software. 

Their job is to scrutinise Random Number Generators (RNGs) to confirm that outcomes are truly random – and independently validate the fairness of all games on the site. By providing certification and seals of approval, these auditors can help to bring players even more confidence that the casino is operating completely transparently and upholds the highest standards of fairness. This external verification is absolutely essential in maintaining trust between online casinos and their player base. Many people will only play at casinos that have such certifications.

Payout Percentages (RTP)

Despite all of this, there are still all sorts of myths that circulate about slot machines, suggesting they are rigged to favour the casino. However, these claims often stem from misconceptions about RNG technology.

Casinos always incorporate a built-in advantage called the ‘house edge,’ which ensures the long-term profitability of the casino… without the need to manipulate or rig slot games.

Conversely, the Return to Player (RTP) is the opposite of the house edge. The RTP, expressed as a percentage, provides players with a rough estimate of how frequently and how much a slot pays out. This figure results from averaging thousands of spins on the game.

Obviously, the RTP can’t guarantee specific returns for individual sessions or influence bonus round chances. For example, NetEnt’s famous Starburst slot has an RTP of 96.1%, which means that, on average, over the long-term, for every £100 spent on the game, it will pay around $96.10, with the house getting $3.90.

While going for high RTP slots is a good choice, choosing reputable online casinos with positive reviews is the most important thing – so do the research. Check out other players’ experiences, as this can often be the best indicator of fairness.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the great news is that as long as you play at a reputable and regulated online casino, you can be assured of the fairness of the games. They use tried and tested RNG – and are held to the highest standards by governing bodies such as the UKGC. 

So, when choosing your site, make sure it’s licensed, look for certifications from companies such as iTechLabs, TST and eCOGRA, and you can play with peace of mind.