Glossary Entry: Are Online Live Casinos Rigged
Definition: Online Live Casinos are digital versions of traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, where players can place bets and play popular casino games such as blackjack, roulette, and poker in real-time through live video streaming. The controversy surrounding these online live casinos is whether they are rigged, meaning if the games are unfairly manipulated to give the house an advantage over the players. This glossary entry aims to explore and provide insights about the topic “Are Online Live Casinos Rigged?”
Rigged:
The term rigged refers to a situation where something is manipulated or controlled in an unlawful or unethical manner. In the context of online live casinos, it means that the outcomes of the casino games are pre-determined in such a way that the players have a lower chance of winning and the house has a higher probability of winning.
Online Live Casinos:
An online live casino is an internet-based version of a traditional physical casino, where players can place bets and play popular casino games in real-time. These games are streamed live to the players, allowing them to interact with the dealers and other players in a virtual environment. Online live casinos aim to provide the same experience as a land-based casino, but in a more convenient and accessible manner.
Random Number Generator (RNG):
A random number generator, commonly referred to as RNG, is a computer program that generates numbers randomly. It is used in online live casinos to ensure that the outcomes of the games are not predictable or influenced by any external factors. The RNG generates a sequence of numbers in milliseconds, which determines the results of the games.
Software Providers:
Software providers are companies that design, develop, and supply online casino games to online live casinos. These providers are responsible for creating games with high-quality graphics, sound, and user-friendly interfaces. Some well-known software providers in the online gambling industry include Microgaming, Playtech, and NetEnt.
Audit and Licensing Bodies:
Audit and licensing bodies are organizations that regulate and monitor the activities of online live casinos. They ensure that the casinos comply with the regulations and standards set in the online gambling industry. These bodies also conduct audits to ensure that the games are fair and the outcomes are truly random.
Provable Fairness:
Provable fairness is a concept used in online gambling to ensure that the outcomes of the games are unbiased and fair. In online live casinos, this is achieved by using an algorithm known as a cryptographic hash function, which can verify the results of the game and confirm if any tampering has occurred.
Instances of Online Live Casinos Being Rigged:
Despite the regulations and measures taken to ensure the fairness of online live casinos, there have been instances where they have been found to be rigged. Here are three documented cases that have raised concerns about the fairness of online live casinos:
1. Inexperienced Dealers Manipulating the Results:
In 2016, a live-dealer online casino was found to be rigged when an investigation by a media outlet revealed that the inexperienced dealers were intentionally slowing down the games and manipulating the results to favor the house. The dealers were instructed to do so by the casino’s management and were given tips on how to exploit the players.
2. Software Bug Manipulating the Outcomes:
In 2017, a glitch in the software used by an online live casino resulted in a player winning an abnormal number of hands in a blackjack game. The casino later determined that the bug was responsible for the player’s winning streak and refunded the player’s losses. However, this incident raised concerns about the integrity of the software used by the casino.
3. Casino Not Paying Out Winnings:
In 2019, an online live casino was accused of deliberately withholding a player’s winnings under the guise of a “technical error.” The player had won a significant amount of money while playing live roulette, but the casino refused to pay out the winnings, citing an alleged malfunction of the live roulette game. After much dispute and media coverage, the player was finally paid, raising questions about the honesty and fairness of the casino.
Conclusion:
While there have been documented cases of online live casinos being rigged, these incidents are rare and are not representative of the entire industry. Online live casinos employ strict regulations, audits, and licensing bodies to ensure that the games are fair and the outcomes are truly random. Additionally, players can use provable fairness to verify the results of the games and confirm if any manipulation has occurred. It is crucial for players to choose reputable online live casinos that are licensed, well-regulated, and use RNG to ensure a fair and enjoyable gaming experience.
