One of the most common questions that slot enthusiasts ask is, “Are slot machines rigged?” This is especially true after consecutive losing streaks. In such cases, it seems as though the game is designed to favor the house and result in more losses than wins.
Well, here’s the truth—licensed slots, in both online sites and land-based locations, are not rigged. However, for you to fully understand why such losing streaks are possible, you need to learn the working mechanics behind these machines.
This post breaks down how slot machines work, why the best games are not rigged, and how to protect yourself when playing.
Table of Contents
How Slot Machines Actually Work
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Both online slot games and land-based machines run on random number generators, also known as RNGs. These are systems that determine the result of every spin. They use complicated algorithms to randomly select the symbol combination that appears after you spin the reels.
This means a third party can’t influence your result. It also makes it impossible to know when you’ll form a winning combination.
Thanks to RNGs, the time of play is irrelevant. Whether you play in the morning, at night, during weekdays, during weekends, or on holidays, no external party determines your outcome.
Also, no matter the number of times you spin the reels, the result of every round is independent. You can’t expect a win in the following round because you’ve had five consecutive losses. Similarly, you can’t expect to lose the next round because you’ve landed a certain number of wins previously.
RTPs in Slot Machines
Besides RNGs, you might also hear the acronym RTP. This stands for return-to-player percentage. These do not directly affect your outcome but instead inform you what to expect from playing the game in the long run.
For instance, a game with a 96% RTP means that, as per the game’s most recent probability tests, 96 coins of every 100 coins were returned to the player on average. This figure is set by the developer and approved by regulators before the game is released.
The RTP and RNG are both mechanics in slot games, but they do not affect each other. So, a higher RTP does not mean a higher winning chance. Likewise, lower RTPs do not mean you have lower chances of forming winning combinations when playing that game.
Are Online Slot Machines Rigged?
For those still wondering, are online slot machines rigged? For slots found on reputable websites, the answer again is no.
Random Number Generators and RTPs that we covered earlier are also present in online versions. The mechanics in online games run exactly as those in land-based machines, so that no player gets an unfair advantage when playing these digital games.
Additionally, the best software developers operate under strict regulations of reputable bodies, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the UKGC, and Ontario iGaming. They also subject their slots to thorough testing from eCogra and other well-known testing laboratories.
To further ensure that you can trust their offerings, the best software providers publicly release the RTP and volatility information.
You will also find the demo versions, which you can try to get a feel of the game before using Gold Coins and Sweepstakes Coins. This way, you know what to expect when playing a particular slot.
When Can Slot Machines Be Rigged?
The only time you have to worry about slot machines being rigged is when you find them in unregulated or illegal environments.
Rogue gaming sites do not follow the strict regulations of reputable platforms. As such, they offer unfair games that cause players to lose more than they win. Some are outdated machines that are no longer in operation.
Another thing to pay attention to is the game developer.
Some providers are unreliable because they are not regulated by any gaming authority. So, they do not answer to a higher authority and can provide rigged games, especially on scam websites.
Stick to games from companies with a proven track record of offering fair and safe slots.
Why It Feels Like They’re Rigged
Even when playing games from some of the best developers, it feels as though it is rigged when you lose consecutively. However, other factors can contribute to such feelings.
Here are the most important things to note:
High Volatility
Besides the RNG and RTP, you must pay attention to the volatility. This indicates the frequency of winning and the potential amount per win.
For instance, when playing games with low volatility, you have higher chances of forming winning combinations, but the amount you get per win is often small. Meanwhile, the opposite is true in games with high volatility.
So, if you’re playing a game on the higher end of the spectrum, you will experience dry spells. Essentially, you might play without winning for lengthy periods, but when you do win, it’s generally a higher amount.
The Illusion of Control & Bias
While you might not keep track of the number of times you’ve scored a win during your gaming sessions, you’re quick to remember the losses. This is perfectly normal, but at the same time, it makes it feel as though you’re losing more than winning.
Such feelings are even stronger if you come close to hitting a jackpot. In such cases, you might hold on to that loss and not count the little wins you hit afterwards.
Game Design
Slot providers create a soundtrack that often changes to reflect the game’s current state. When you win, a cheerful melody might come on. Likewise, the tune changes if you were close to a win or if a round did not yield anything.
If you are so in tune with these changes, you will want to hear more of the cheerful soundtrack. When this does not happen, you might believe that you’re losing more than you’re winning.
How to Protect Yourself
Here are a few tips that can help you stay safe when playing online slots:
- Stick to regulated platforms: Use secure sites like American Luck. Such platforms use high-end systems to protect your details.
- Look for certifications: Check the game’s win table to learn more about the volatility and RTP before you spin the reels.
- Don’t fall for unregulated apps or channels: Some parties claim to predict the correct outcome of spins. This is false, as the best games use RNGs to determine the outcome. SO, avoid such applications or channels.
Conclusion
You now know the answer to “Are slot machines rigged?” Thanks to this guide, you understand that these games are fair, thanks to the Random Number Generators they use.
Just ensure that your preferred sweeps slots are from regulated providers. Also, play on trustworthy platforms like American Luck so you don’t have to worry about your safety during your gaming sessions.
