Online slots can be frustrating. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. In fact, sometimes it feels like you could spin a thousand times and not win. But we’ve also all experienced the lucky streak where it feels like you can’t lose. In this blog we answer the age-old question; are online slots rigged? Are they fair? How does it all work? How does it differ from a football bet, for example? (Check out some football betting tips here) Keep reading to find out more.
Random Number Generators
Every single online slot runs from random number generator – you may also see it referred to as an RNG. These are clever algorithms that decide the outcome of every spin, in a millisecond.
The best part is that you don’t even see this happening when you are online gaming. Nobody wants clunky or lagging slots, and so all the smart tech happens in the blink of an eye. Spins aren’t pre-determined, you must click ‘spin’ (or be on autoplay) for it to complete its generation.
These random number generators apply to all spins, including those that determine bonus rounds. You may have experienced it before, where you’ve lost connection during a bonus round. Then when you log back on to the site you see the pre-determined winnings already in your account, even though you never saw it finish.
One thing we hear a lot and have experienced ourselves as players is the frustration of losing connection to a game. This is worse when it feels like you’re on a lucky streak. It’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling like you’ve lost a lucky ‘session’, and that when you go back onto the game you will have lost that privilege. To reiterate, these are the facts:
- Every single spin is unique, not session, it’s nothing more than (a great) coincidence when you repeatedly win
- Neither the casino nor the software developer is allowed to find ways to stop you winning
- The UK Gambling Commission regulates casinos for fairness
Who Regulates Online Slots?
Each operator offering online slots to paying customers has a license and regulation from the UK Gambling Commission. Such licenses require operators and developers to adhere to strict rules. This includes the fairness of slots and your chance of winning.
Assessments and investigations get carried out regularly. They can happen randomly and in response to complaints from punters. Violating any of the code would result in an online casino getting shut down. So, you can rest assured that you’re playing at a fair casino that treats players respectfully.
Never, ever play with an online casino or slot site that doesn’t have a UK Gambling Commission license. We would never recommend a non-compliant casino and we strongly suggest you don’t go looking for them.
So, Are Online Slots Rigged?
The answer is no. Trust us. Not only do we work in the online casino world, but we have also worked in, and had plenty of experience in gaming software. We know how it works, and all the Gambling Commission laws around fairness. Online casino games and casino sites are subject to independent testing, so you have nothing to worry about.
Playing slots online works in swings and roundabouts, and understanding that is an important mentality if you want to keep it fun. No matter how much of a bad experience you have had with a slot, the operator isn’t sat there rubbing their hands together. They can’t ensure you lose – even though it might feel that way sometimes.
Online slots and slot machines each have their own return to player percentage (RTP) and this can have an impact on how frequently you win or how much. Be sure to always check the RTP on your favourite slot before you play it. This data will always be readily available.
