Many casino players ask themselves, at some point, 'are casino games rigged?'
New players wonder this because they've heard the popular expression, 'the house always wins.'
- Slot machines seem so good for casinos, it makes you wonder: are slot machines rigged? The answer is no, and yes. Really, it depends on what you mean by rigged. Defining Rigged. In order to decide whether slot machines are rigged, we first need to talk about what rigged might mean in this context.
- An RNG is a complex piece of software especially designed and created to produce strings of entirely random numbers and these numbers then dictate what symbols are displayed on the slot machine. What is important to recognise here is that the software ensures that all combinations displayed to players are random.
The slot machines featured on reputable online casino sites are not rigged. Slots' random number generators (RNG) ensure there is no 'machine memory' of previous spins as they are programmed to function on individual spins.
Some experienced players also ask themselves this question because they've experienced overall losses when they calculate their profits and losses over time.
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In this piece, I'll answer the question with facts about casino games. As you will see, casino games are rigged to favor the house. But as long as you're playing legit games at trusted casinos, you can still win.
Allow me to explain…
Understanding House Edge and RTP – How Casino Games Are Rigged
Before we can discover whether casino games are rigged or not, we have to define what rigged means.
If you're asking whether it's true that the house will always win, the answer is yes.
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The casino will always make money on its games in the long term because it has a mathematical advantage.
However, if you mean rigged as you can't win, no matter what you do, the answer is no.
Legit casino games aren't rigged to cheat you.
There's a chance that you can win, but even if you do, the casino will still make money because other players will lose enough to cover your win plus deliver some profit.
When playing casino games online, it's important to understand two concepts.
- House Edge – This is the casino's mathematical advantage. It varies from game to game. The house edge on slot machines is usually 4%, whereas, in blackjack, it can be as low as 0.5%.
- RTP – This is the average amount of money returned to players. For example, on slot machines, it's usually 96%, whereas, in blackjack, it might be 99.5%.
You'll notice the relationship between the house edge and RTP numbers. The house edge lets you calculate the casino's profit on the game. So, does the RTP, but it tells you how much the casino will return to players. They're two ways of expressing the same thing.
That means out of every $100 wagered on slots; the casino will make $4.
The RTP on a slot machine might be 96%.
This means that of every $100 wagered on a slot machine, players get $96 back.
In this example, do not make the mistake of thinking that the casino will only keep 4% of your money or will return $96 out of every $100 wagered by you. It's possible that 10 players could lose $100 each, then one lucky player would win $40 on a $1 spin. RTP and house edge figures are averages.
Casino Slots Are Rigged Lottery
Likewise, if you win a jackpot, you can be sure that the casino has either already taken more than that in profits or will do in the future. That's why the house always wins. In this sense, casino games are rigged in favor of the house.
The House Edge for Popular Casino Games
Now that you understand the concepts of house edge and RTP, let's look at the house edge for some popular casino games. Learning these will help you decide the best casino game to play to reach your goals.
Before we begin, note three things.
- First, the higher the house edge, the bigger the potential payouts.
- Second, different bets within a game can alter the house edge.
- Lastly, the house edge can be affected by what game variant you play.
Game | House Edge |
Blackjack | Between 2% and 0.28% depending on strategy and player experience. |
Baccarat | 1.06% on player bet. 1.24% on banker bet. 14.3% on tie bet. |
Roulette | 2.7% on European Roulette. 5.26% on American Roulette. |
Slot Machines | Variable is 96% average. Up to 15% on progressive jackpot slots. |
Keno | Variable is 20% to 30% depending on variant. |
Video Poker | Variable depending on variant. |
Craps | Variable depending on bet. 0% for taking the odds, up to 13.89% for 2, 12, and hard hops. |
Sic Bo | Between 2.78% and 33.33% depending on what bet you place. |
As you can see, slot machines, keno, and some craps bets have the highest house edges. Casinos make most of their money on these games. That's one of the reasons they're almost always permitted in casino bonus terms and conditions. However, these games also offer you the largest potential returns.
Video poker almost always has the lowest house edge. It does vary depending on what variant you're playing, but there are some games such as Jacks or Better have a house edge as low as 0.46% and can even have a negative house edge when played with a perfect video poker strategy.
Avoiding (Actual) Rigged Casino Games
You now understand that all casino games give the house a mathematical advantage, the extent that they do so depends on the game variant and often how you play it, and that even if you win a jackpot, the casino will still make money in the long game.
These greedy merchants aim to lighten your wallet by running rigged casino games in a literal sense. While it saddens me to have to report this, I believe in being positive.
Therefore, I'd like to focus on two things:
- There are far more honest, legit online casinos than there are rogue ones. I'd say it's at least a 10:1 ratio.
- You can avoid rigged casinos by being aware of them and learning how to spot them.
Here are some clues that casino games might be rigged.
- The games aren't powered by legit and verified safe software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, RTG, or Evolution.
- You lose more frequently than you statistically should. The house edge table above will give you a clue as to how many hands, rolls, or spins you should win out of 100.
- The casino operator doesn't have a valid gaming license. This is a red flag, and you have to ask yourself why.
There are also cloned casino games that appear to be from legit software providers. With experience, you can easily spot these because there will be glitches and other tells. They just won't be of the same quality as authentic casino games.
Look out for rigged casino games, and if you have any doubt, avoid them. They're bad for you, the casino industry, and even the scammers who run them. They'd be much better off in the long-term if they ran honest, legit casinos that stood the test of time.
Rigged Casino Games – Frequently Asked Questions
I often like to wrap up my blog posts with three or four related questions I've encountered often. I'll do so here on the subject of rigged casino games.
- As I've outlined in this post, every slot machine gives the casino a mathematical advantage. It's well known that casinos make most of their money from slot machines. However, this doesn't mean you can't win a jackpot. If you play at honest online casinos, you have a fair shot at winning big.
If all casino games are rigged to favor the house, what's the point of playing them?
Some people would argue that there isn't one. However, I believe that's a negative view of casino games. First, they're a form of entertainment. I've played slot machines for hours with a $100 bankroll and find the ups and downs to be thrilling. Second, the idea is to get in and get out. The existence of a house edge means you'll lose if you keep playing forever. If you get lucky and hit a jackpot or big win, and you stop playing or dramatically reduce how often you play, you can come out ahead.Are there any strategies I can use to reduce the house edge?
Yes, but only on specific games. Games like slots and keno are down to pure chance, and strategies don't work. However, if you play video poker, blackjack, or poker online, you can impact the game outcome with effective strategies.
It's very common for people to state that slot machines are 'rigged'. If your definition of 'rigged' is that the casino is guaranteed to make money off of slot machines over a long period of time then you're right. However, slot machines from reputable casinos that use random number generators (RNG) are not 'rigged' so that you will lose.
Many times when we are losing at a slot we envision someone at the controls making us loose. We get angry and imagine that the casino has flipped a switch that makes it impossible to win. This is where the misconceptions take place. Slot machines are completely random and if you are having a string of bad luck it has nothing to do with anybody 'rigging' the machine.
The slot machine has a computer program that dictates the overall payback percentage of that machine. That means if the machine is set to payback 95% then the casino will receive 5% of every dollar that is played in a particular machine. This is when some people become confused. In no way does that mean you will lose 5% of each dollar you play in a machine. In fact, a slot machine may payback more than it takes in over a day, a week, or even a month. The preset percentages don't come about until the long term.
What is the long term? There is a bit of ambiguity as to what constitutes the long term, but usually it means there must be thousands if not millions of spins. What does this mean to the average player? Basically, it means that you are not being cheated. Unless you play everyday day, year after year, on one slot machine, you will probably not receive the same rate of payback that the machine is set at. Granted, there will be more losers than winners at slots, but there are winners and you have the same chance to win as anyone else.
Players have two major things that they can control when playing slots. What machines they play and how long they play. Those two powers can't be taken very lightly because they may be the difference between whether you win or lose.
The first power you have as a slot player is choosing what games you will play and at what casinos. Slot machines can range from a payback of 70%-99.5%. Does that mean if you play the 70% payback you are going to lose? No, but statistically speaking you have a much greater chance of winning on a slot with a payback of 95%+. That means you should only play slots that have a higher payback percentage. Again, this doesn't guarantee success but it can improve your chances of success dramatically.
You are more likely to find higher payback slot machines online than you are in land-based casinos. Online casinos have a huge advantage over land-based casinos because the cost of over-head is so much lower. This enables them to offer higher payback machines because they can achieve a profit much easier. There are some high payback slots in land-based casinos, but in general online casinos offer better paybacks. If you'd like to learn more about payback percentages, you may want to read the article on how online casinos offer better paybacks written by my friend Jared Bates who runs the website casinobonusandfreechip.com
As a slot player, it is your job to research and find out which online casinos offer the best payback machines. All reputable online casinos are independently audited and tested to verify the payback percentages that they advertise. Only play slots that offer high paybacks to insure you are giving yourself the best chance to win.
In this example, do not make the mistake of thinking that the casino will only keep 4% of your money or will return $96 out of every $100 wagered by you. It's possible that 10 players could lose $100 each, then one lucky player would win $40 on a $1 spin. RTP and house edge figures are averages.
Casino Slots Are Rigged Lottery
Likewise, if you win a jackpot, you can be sure that the casino has either already taken more than that in profits or will do in the future. That's why the house always wins. In this sense, casino games are rigged in favor of the house.
The House Edge for Popular Casino Games
Now that you understand the concepts of house edge and RTP, let's look at the house edge for some popular casino games. Learning these will help you decide the best casino game to play to reach your goals.
Before we begin, note three things.
- First, the higher the house edge, the bigger the potential payouts.
- Second, different bets within a game can alter the house edge.
- Lastly, the house edge can be affected by what game variant you play.
Game | House Edge |
Blackjack | Between 2% and 0.28% depending on strategy and player experience. |
Baccarat | 1.06% on player bet. 1.24% on banker bet. 14.3% on tie bet. |
Roulette | 2.7% on European Roulette. 5.26% on American Roulette. |
Slot Machines | Variable is 96% average. Up to 15% on progressive jackpot slots. |
Keno | Variable is 20% to 30% depending on variant. |
Video Poker | Variable depending on variant. |
Craps | Variable depending on bet. 0% for taking the odds, up to 13.89% for 2, 12, and hard hops. |
Sic Bo | Between 2.78% and 33.33% depending on what bet you place. |
As you can see, slot machines, keno, and some craps bets have the highest house edges. Casinos make most of their money on these games. That's one of the reasons they're almost always permitted in casino bonus terms and conditions. However, these games also offer you the largest potential returns.
Video poker almost always has the lowest house edge. It does vary depending on what variant you're playing, but there are some games such as Jacks or Better have a house edge as low as 0.46% and can even have a negative house edge when played with a perfect video poker strategy.
Avoiding (Actual) Rigged Casino Games
You now understand that all casino games give the house a mathematical advantage, the extent that they do so depends on the game variant and often how you play it, and that even if you win a jackpot, the casino will still make money in the long game.
These greedy merchants aim to lighten your wallet by running rigged casino games in a literal sense. While it saddens me to have to report this, I believe in being positive.
Therefore, I'd like to focus on two things:
- There are far more honest, legit online casinos than there are rogue ones. I'd say it's at least a 10:1 ratio.
- You can avoid rigged casinos by being aware of them and learning how to spot them.
Here are some clues that casino games might be rigged.
- The games aren't powered by legit and verified safe software providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, RTG, or Evolution.
- You lose more frequently than you statistically should. The house edge table above will give you a clue as to how many hands, rolls, or spins you should win out of 100.
- The casino operator doesn't have a valid gaming license. This is a red flag, and you have to ask yourself why.
There are also cloned casino games that appear to be from legit software providers. With experience, you can easily spot these because there will be glitches and other tells. They just won't be of the same quality as authentic casino games.
Look out for rigged casino games, and if you have any doubt, avoid them. They're bad for you, the casino industry, and even the scammers who run them. They'd be much better off in the long-term if they ran honest, legit casinos that stood the test of time.
Rigged Casino Games – Frequently Asked Questions
I often like to wrap up my blog posts with three or four related questions I've encountered often. I'll do so here on the subject of rigged casino games.
- As I've outlined in this post, every slot machine gives the casino a mathematical advantage. It's well known that casinos make most of their money from slot machines. However, this doesn't mean you can't win a jackpot. If you play at honest online casinos, you have a fair shot at winning big.
If all casino games are rigged to favor the house, what's the point of playing them?
Some people would argue that there isn't one. However, I believe that's a negative view of casino games. First, they're a form of entertainment. I've played slot machines for hours with a $100 bankroll and find the ups and downs to be thrilling. Second, the idea is to get in and get out. The existence of a house edge means you'll lose if you keep playing forever. If you get lucky and hit a jackpot or big win, and you stop playing or dramatically reduce how often you play, you can come out ahead.Are there any strategies I can use to reduce the house edge?
Yes, but only on specific games. Games like slots and keno are down to pure chance, and strategies don't work. However, if you play video poker, blackjack, or poker online, you can impact the game outcome with effective strategies.
It's very common for people to state that slot machines are 'rigged'. If your definition of 'rigged' is that the casino is guaranteed to make money off of slot machines over a long period of time then you're right. However, slot machines from reputable casinos that use random number generators (RNG) are not 'rigged' so that you will lose.
Many times when we are losing at a slot we envision someone at the controls making us loose. We get angry and imagine that the casino has flipped a switch that makes it impossible to win. This is where the misconceptions take place. Slot machines are completely random and if you are having a string of bad luck it has nothing to do with anybody 'rigging' the machine.
The slot machine has a computer program that dictates the overall payback percentage of that machine. That means if the machine is set to payback 95% then the casino will receive 5% of every dollar that is played in a particular machine. This is when some people become confused. In no way does that mean you will lose 5% of each dollar you play in a machine. In fact, a slot machine may payback more than it takes in over a day, a week, or even a month. The preset percentages don't come about until the long term.
What is the long term? There is a bit of ambiguity as to what constitutes the long term, but usually it means there must be thousands if not millions of spins. What does this mean to the average player? Basically, it means that you are not being cheated. Unless you play everyday day, year after year, on one slot machine, you will probably not receive the same rate of payback that the machine is set at. Granted, there will be more losers than winners at slots, but there are winners and you have the same chance to win as anyone else.
Players have two major things that they can control when playing slots. What machines they play and how long they play. Those two powers can't be taken very lightly because they may be the difference between whether you win or lose.
The first power you have as a slot player is choosing what games you will play and at what casinos. Slot machines can range from a payback of 70%-99.5%. Does that mean if you play the 70% payback you are going to lose? No, but statistically speaking you have a much greater chance of winning on a slot with a payback of 95%+. That means you should only play slots that have a higher payback percentage. Again, this doesn't guarantee success but it can improve your chances of success dramatically.
You are more likely to find higher payback slot machines online than you are in land-based casinos. Online casinos have a huge advantage over land-based casinos because the cost of over-head is so much lower. This enables them to offer higher payback machines because they can achieve a profit much easier. There are some high payback slots in land-based casinos, but in general online casinos offer better paybacks. If you'd like to learn more about payback percentages, you may want to read the article on how online casinos offer better paybacks written by my friend Jared Bates who runs the website casinobonusandfreechip.com
As a slot player, it is your job to research and find out which online casinos offer the best payback machines. All reputable online casinos are independently audited and tested to verify the payback percentages that they advertise. Only play slots that offer high paybacks to insure you are giving yourself the best chance to win.
The second power slot players have is the ability to dictate how long they play and how much they are betting. It is very important for slot players to use a money management system that will enable them to walk away when they win and limit their losses. Do not let emotions dictate your rate of play. Utilize preset limits to let you know when to walk away.
If you play slots at a reputable casino you can be sure that the machines are not 'rigged' to make you lose. Yes, they are programmed to take in more than they payout over the long term, but that in no way means you are being cheated. You have exactly the same chance of winning as anyone else, and yes there are people that win playing slot machines. Find high payback slots and utilize a strict money management system and you may just walk away a winner. Most importantly enjoy yourself while you play because if you're not having a good time then there is no sense in playing.