Fact vs. Fiction: Myths About Online Casinos Explained
There’s a lot of bad information out there about online casinos, which creates major misconceptions. This leaves gamblers suspicious of online casinos’ motives and gives them a negative perception of online gambling. Anyone who wants to succeed with online gambling needs to understand how online casino operations work, especially if they’re interested in making money.
Our review will debunk many common myths and misconceptions about online casinos to help you make informed decisions while enjoying your favorite casino games. Primarily, we’ll address the lies that all online casinos are entirely illegitimate and out to scam you. We have so much information to disprove these myths that it will make your head spin. Let’s hop to it!
Myth #1 – Online Casinos Are Rigged
One of the common misconceptions of online casinos is that they manipulate game outcomes to screw people out of the money they staked. While it’s true that online casinos are designed with a built-in house edge to ensure they can make a profit, these platforms aren’t engaging in illegal activities or rigging games because this could put their operating license at risk.
Some platforms engage in these unsavory activities, but they are unregulated online casinos that are not held to any higher standards. You won’t find these problems with legit online casino apps, such as the ones we recommend to our readers.
Fact—Use of RNG Technology
All regulated online casino apps use random number generators (RNGs) for games that involve physical actions like card shuffling, spinning roulette wheels, tossing dice, or spinning slot reels. The RNGs ensure fair play and keep things completely random using advanced algorithms. This ultimately dispels the idea that online casino games are rigged.
Another technology used in regulated online casino gameplay is games with return-to-player (RTP) rates that ensure customers get back a certain percentage of the money they’re staking on their favorite games. Slots can offer an RTP anywhere from 92-97%, while table games like roulette have rates around 94%. If you’re playing games like Keno or bingo, the rate can fall below 90% down to 70%.
Fact—Independent Audits and Certifications
Independent testing agencies like eCOGRA are essential in offering gaming certification services for online casinos. eCOGRA stands for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. Essentially, this third party keeps online casinos accountable for offering clean games to their customers, games run on RNGs, and paying customers a certain percentage of the money they put into the games.
Because eCOGRA has its hand in the regulated online casino market and concentrates on enforcing fair gaming, reputable online casinos cannot scam their customers or rig games. If these platforms are caught in unsavory acts like the ones we’ve described, their gambling licenses could be in jeopardy.
Myth #2 – It’s Impossible to Win at Online Casinos
Another common misconception amongst online gamblers is that players can’t win real money using online casinos. While casino games are designed with a built-in house edge to ensure the operator has a fair shake at making a profit, there are ways for gamblers to overcome these obstacles and win some money while enjoying their favorite casino games. However, you must use common sense and choose games that offer the best return-to-player rate if your primary goal is to win money.
Fact—Real-Life Success Stories
The largest payout in online casino history in the United States occurred in 2020 when BetMGM paid out a prize of $3.2 million. Still, that record was shattered the following year when Dori B. from New Jersey won a record $3.5 million while playing the exclusive MGM Grand Millions slot.
The win came on November 29, 2021, when Dori B. played the jackpot slot and entered a $10 bet! She felt the slot would pay soon, so she acted quickly with a minimal stake and became a millionaire in seconds.
Fact—Understanding House Edge
All casino games have a house edge. The operator always stands the best chance of winning, and the game is purposely designed this way so websites and mobile apps can remain profitable, cover their operational costs, and continue to deliver their services to customers.
However, it’s essential to understand that the house edge is much smaller in some games, and these are the ones you’ll want to focus your efforts on if your primary goal is winning and growing the total balance of your bankroll. If you’re interested in winning and making money, there are some games you’d benefit from avoiding altogether. Let’s give you an idea of how the most popular online casino games fair in terms of overall house edge:
| Games | House Edge |
|---|---|
American Roulette | 5.26% |
Baccarat | 1.01-15.75% |
Blackjack | 0.5% |
Craps | 0-16.67% |
Keno | 20-40% |
Slots | 2-15% |
Video Poker | 0.46% |
Caribbean Stud | 5.22% |
Texas Hold’em | 2.36% |
Sic Bo | 2.78-33.33% |
Table games and slots are the best choices to increase your chances of winning over the house. Table games have a low house edge, which can be further driven downward if you use a basic game strategy like blackjack, poker, roulette, etc.
Myth #3 – Online Casinos are Not Safe
Another major misconception amongst online gamblers is online casinos are unsafe and prone to fraud. You might find some of these sheisty players out there, but these are unregulated online casinos that aren’t held accountable by third parties like eCOGRA. The fact is that any online casino that has a valid license and is overseen by a regulatory body is entirely safe to use. Let’s dispel this myth and introduce you to licensing/regulatory bodies and other advanced security measures!
Fact—Licensing and Regulation
Reputable online casinos are licensed and regulated by authoritative bodies. Certain states have signed online casino gameplay into law in the United States, so you might have a gambling platform regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement or the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. These bodies issue licenses for these online casinos to operate in the state and issue regulatory rules that the platform must abide by and adhere to.
Fact—Advanced Security Measures
Online casinos that are regulated and licensed by legitimate gambling authorities use security protocols like SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect player data. An encrypted connection keeps the user’s private data and financial information completely contained on the platform. It’s never in danger of being accessed by anyone outside, and the website or app cannot sell the data to third parties.
Myth #4 – Bonuses and Promotions are Scams
Some people have a stigma about online casinos, believing that the bonuses and promotions are too good to be true. A lot of this stems from not fully understanding the terms and conditions set by the online casino regarding these promotions. It can be especially tempting to believe that online casinos are trying to scam you, but it’s simply not understanding how these deals work, mostly in terms of the rollover requirements.
Fact—Legitimate Bonuses with Terms
Knowing the terms and conditions attached to bonuses is important before attempting to redeem one. For example, let’s take the welcome bonuses that so many online casinos offer. Most of the time, you must make your first deposit with the casino app to qualify for the deposit match. However, you cannot immediately access these funds because there could be playthrough requirements that you must fulfill first.
Fact—How to Identify Genuine Offers
The best way to spot legitimate online casino bonuses or promotions is to use legitimate online casinos. However, there are some excellent tips and tricks for recognizing legitimate bonuses, which can ultimately help you avoid scams. Here are the key factors to consider when you’re seeking legitimate bonuses or promos:
- Check out the Online Casinos Registration: Look at the regulatory bodies that the online casino is affiliated with. These entities ensure fair play, so even if they wanted to, they couldn’t offer fraudulent deals that take advantage of their users.
- Read Customer Reviews: A quick online search of any online casino can tell you if the platform is legit and the bonuses or promos are up and up. However, you must tread carefully with user feedback because anyone can post comments, and they tend to be based on negative experiences. Someone could post about being ripped off, but it was because they didn’t understand the bonus terms and conditions.
- Scrutinize the Terms and Conditions: Look over the terms and conditions of each bonus. It’s typical for these deals to require you to perform specific actions, like depositing up to a certain amount of money in your account and playing through the funds for a certain amount of time before cashing out any of that cash.
- Look at Wagering Requirements: Most online casinos promos come with wagering requirements, so it’s more of a red flag if the promo came without them.
- SSL-Encryption: If the website or mobile app uses a secure, SSL-encrypted connection, it’s likely a legit online casino regulated by a reputable jurisdiction. These signs point to the bonuses they offer being the real deal.
- Secure Payment and Deposit Methods: Online casinos that have secure payment methods like credit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, or PayNearMe are usually platforms with a good reputation as they have partnered with legit institutions.
- Look for Legitimate Ownership: If the online casino is affiliated with a big name in the gambling industry, there’s a solid chance that it is offering legit bonuses and promos. The big name didn’t get where it is today by scamming people—it is held to the highest standards in fair play gaming.
Myth #5 – Online Casinos Encourage Problem Gambling
While it’s true that online casinos technically offer a product that could be a huge stumbling block for people with addictive tendencies, it’s the customers’ choice to use or not use the product. These online casinos don’t encourage users to gamble aggressively or play games recklessly. On the contrary, they promote responsible gambling practices by offering deposit limits and resources for dealing with problem gambling, like access to self-exclusion lists and support organizations.
Fact—Responsible Gambling Measures
A few responsible gambling measures in place are deposit limits and banking options that let you access funds in accounts away from your regular bank (e-wallets, prepaid credit cards, etc.). It’s these resources and limits (that the online casinos put into place to keep their members in a pattern of responsible gambling) that make it difficult to argue that they are trying to encourage gambling addictions.
Fact—Support and Resources
All reputable online casinos have resources available for people who have gambling problems or addictions, most notably the self-exclusion list, which allows customers to ban themselves from the online casino for a specified length of time. It’s a voluntary measure—the gambler chooses to add themselves to the list, and they can select the amount of time they want to spend. A major perk of the self-exclusion list is that they are challenging to pull yourself from, so once you’ve added yourself, this decision keeps you accountable for your recovery!
In addition to the self-exclusion list, you can access nationwide resources to help you deal with problem gambling habits or addictions. These include hotlines where you can talk with a professional or a support group and surround yourself with like-minded people with similar goals and struggles. Online casinos will also list state-level resources for dealing with problem gambling.
National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Text: 800GAM
- Chat: 1800gamblerchat.org
Other Resources
- Gambler Anonymous: Click Here
- GamTalk: Click Here
- Gam-Anon: Click Here
Myth #6 – Online Casinos Are Only for Tech-Savvy Individuals
If you’re not confident using new technology, it’s easy to rule out platforms like online casinos as too challenging to learn about or game to your financial advantage. A simple browse of any reputable, licensed online casino shows this idea is a myth. Modern casino apps are backed by some big names in the gambling industry (BetMGM, Caesars, etc.) and can more than afford to offer products that are appealing to the eye and are highly user-friendly!
Fact—User-Friendly Interfaces
Any good business looking to expand its customer base will make things as easy, enjoyable, and appealing as possible to draw more people in—there’s no need for advanced technical skills to play at online casinos! We’ve tested these online casinos and found it super easy to deposit money into our bankroll, read up on the games, choose what you want to play and collect your winnings.
These casino apps are designed with straightforward navigation, plus quality graphics and audio that make them appealing to the sight.
Fact—Customer Support Assistance
Customer service options are typically available in the footer menu. In particular, the live chat is commonly available at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. This makes it easy to get assistance when problems occur. Your best bet is to access the site or mobile app’s help center, where you can find additional help options like a toll-free phone number, email address, or generic contact form.
Don’t Fall for the Online Casino Myths
While some illegitimate online casinos are in the market, it doesn’t mean that all operators are no good. There are plenty of regulated casino apps that are well worth your time and attention—you can win real money playing online casino games!
Keep these things in mind about online casinos that are doing their due diligence and working to foster a safe, secure environment for their gamblers:
- Legit casino apps use random number generators to deliver fair games to customers.
- Independent testing agencies hold online casinos accountable for fair play practices and ensure compliance with measures to protect users’ private data.
- Understanding House Edge can help you choose games that give you a greater chance of winning.
- Online casinos use SSL-encrypted connections and two-factor authentication to secure their user’s personal and financial information.
- Know the terms and conditions of the bonuses through and through before you claim them. Be aware of rollover requirements, excluded casino games, or betting limits.
- Casino apps have user-friendly interfaces and excellent customer service, allowing gamblers who are so tech-savvy to thrive!
Check out the other sections of our website for more detailed information and tips on recognizing reputable, legit online casino apps when you come across them!
