Are Online Casinos Rigged? How to Tell for Yourself

Written by: Webster Lupton, Casino, Gambling, and Sports Journalist
3 minute read
are online casinos fair or rigged?

It’s only natural for a player to wonder if they’re victim to a scam or not when things aren’t going their way with online casino games. When playing virtual games like online blackjack or slots, it’s impossible to find out if the algorithm puts you at an extreme disadvantage or not. The question that crosses many gamblers’ lips: “are online casinos rigged?”.

This article covers everything you need to know about rigged gambling sites, how to avoid them, and where you can play safely.

Is It Possible for Online Casinos to Be Rigged?

It’s hard to answer this question definitely, but depending on the gambling site you play at, they could be, yes. That’s why it’s crucial that you do diligent research and sign up at a reliable one.

Some casinos are certified by independent third parties that study the site’s algorithm to ensure no rigging takes place. Those are the legit gambling sites that you should be playing at if you’re worried about authenticity.

Unfair Practices The Bad Players Use

Online Gambling OUSC

The two main ways that casinos put you at a disadvantage are by tweaking the odds heavily in the house’s favor and duplicating scenarios in-game

If you’ve ever played real money slots online, you’ll probably start to think the game is altered when every single spin gives you nothing at all. Although the outcome of all slots is produced by a random number generator (RNG), there are ways to tweak the algorithm so that the house wins more often than the player.

The second method casinos can rig a game is by duplicating a scenario in their games. When playing online blackjack, there will probably be times when you know the outcome will benefit the dealer; for example, when you get a 19 against a dealer’s face card, and they always get 20 in the end. When a gambling site is rigged, it’s no coincidence that this happens often – they structure the game to do that.

How to Identify a Fair Casino Site

Many illegal casinos have opened throughout the years, and many individuals have fallen victim to their tactics. However, we’ll show you the best ways to identify whether or not a gambling site is fair or not.

  1. Positive Reviews

    The first thing gamblers should do is read reviews online from players just like them. Look at websites like Trustpilot to find real users’ sentiments, and then look at websites that professionally review casinos to get the in-depth details. This way, you can make an informed decision before you sign up.
  2. Licensing

    Usually, at the footer of a casino’s website, you can find certificates and badges to show users that they are trustworthy. It is illegal for sites to post these without verification or fake them. If the certification is legitimate, though, it’s almost sure that the casino operates fairly.
  3. Trusted Software Operators

    Online casinos that host games from trustworthy game operators are likely legitimate sites. Examples of reliable operators include NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Yggdrasil Gaming, Betsoft Gaming, etc.
  4. Algorithm Transparency

    It is increasingly rare for an online casino to disclose their algorithm and RNG odds, but it’s a bonus if it does. A little bit of transparency goes a long way.

Play at Trusted Online Casinos and You’ll Get a Fair Shake

With the newfound knowledge of successfully identifying a fair casino, you’ll never fall victim to an illegal site that will steal your money from you again. If you follow our tips above, it should be easy to tell when a website is legit or not. 


Webster Lupton

Webster Lupton Casino, Gambling, and Sports Journalist

Webster Lupton is a journalist and expert sports and casino writer with over 30 years of experience. Webster is a seasoned researcher and a published author. He also enjoys the outdoors and birdwatching.

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