The concept of a “fair game” is critical in the gambling industry. Players need to know that the casino is not going to trick them… that the games aren’t designed to deplete the player of their entire purse or wallet’s contents.
Casinos must ensure all gambling activities are conducted fairly and responsibly. They use technology to make sure the result of every spin or deal has nothing to do with the previous one. Importantly, allowing players to see that the games are fair builds trust between the players and the casino operator.
Below is a look at some of the features players should keep an eye out for when choosing a casino gaming site, including security features and how reputable casinos prioritize fairness for their players.
Spotting signs of fairness at a casino
Reputable casinos do their utmost to protect players and make the gaming as fair and safe as possible. So, how does a player ascertain whether a casino has prioritized offering fair games? There are several signs to look for.
Licensing
The casino’s licensing should be the very first thing to look for. To receive a license, operators must prove to the regulators that their games are fair, secure and transparent. Regulatory bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority hold online casinos to high standards, and the operators are accountable to these bodies.
Fair-operating casinos will display details of their licensing clearly on the website. They want players to know they can trust them.
Certifications of fairness
Reputable operators, like DraftKings Casino, will also display certification of audits by independent testing agencies for fairness. Different auditors will test different aspects, such as random number generation (RNG) and results, software fairness, return to player (RTP) percentage accuracy and player protection. Certifications to look out for on websites include those by eCOGRA, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), iTech Labs and BMM Testlabs.
Random Number Generation (RNG)
Random number generators (RNGs) are essential to keep games fair. These sophisticated pieces of software generate completely unpredictable outcomes rapidly in both slot spins and card dealing. No one can influence the result, not even the casino operators. Players can check for RNGs in games by looking for RNG certifications on the operator’s website or by visiting the game provider’s website and reading details about RNG certification.
Identifying rigged games
Unfortunately, unscrupulous operators also run online casinos and will fix games in their favor. How can a player tell when they’re falling foul of a rigged casino, or about to fall foul of one?
Casinos that refuse to disclose the RTP on games are a red flag, since they must disclose RTPs publicly and these must match independent audits. Players should compare RTP claims with certified audits and player feedback and keep watch for unusually high RTPs but poor payouts over extensive periods.
Operators should always display RNG certification and details about how they’ve tested their RNG. They should never be vague about it or hide the information. Players should look for certification of RNG fairness by eCOGRA, iTech Labs or GLI — and stay well away if it’s absent.
Protecting players with strong security throughout their gaming
As well as obtaining the appropriate licensing and certifications and displaying them, trustworthy online casinos will implement robust security to keep gaming safe. This is another major priority for them.
One measure is the use of SSL encryption technology to protect players’ personal information. This blocks third parties from viewing details of transactions between the casino and the player, and protects players’ login details, playing history, financial details, personal details and communications with customer support.
Another is offering a variety of secure payment processing methods. Rather than forcing players to surrender financial information, the best online casinos prioritize players’ safety by allowing payment via digital wallets, bank transfers, prepaid cards, debit cards (processed via secure payment gateways) and even cryptocurrencies.
Prioritizing players’ experience
It’s not only security and fairness that keep players safe. The best online casinos encourage responsible gambling and offer tools to help players monitor and control their gaming. These include time-, deposit- and loss limits, “reality checks” which notify players how long they’ve been playing, self-exclusion tools, and even resources players can consult if they feel at risk or irresponsible gambling.
This is a completely different approach from less scrupulous sites that want players to spend as much money as possible, regardless of the problems it could cause the player, and will do nothing to support the player or stop them from spending more money than they can afford.
Operating transparently and offering fair games that hide no details about RNGs or other features of the games is essential to build trust between players and online casino operators. Responsible operators will always display certifications and details of their licensing and will generally make it as safe as possible for players to use their website and services. Malicious operators will take none of these steps.
