Is Online Roulette Rigged?

Roulette is a popular casino game, both online and offline. However, many players doubt if online roulette is fair. Is it true that online casinos rig their roulette games? How can you spot a rigged game? In this post, we'll look at the aspects that influence the perception of rigged online roulette and how to recognise fair games.

🎯 Key Takeaways

• RNGs ensure fairness in online roulette, making outcomes random and unrigged in licenced casinos.
• Licensing is key to fair play, with reputable regulators ensuring compliance and testing.
• Watch for rigged games by checking for licensing, patterns, and negative reviews.
• Fair games have third-party audits, RNG certification, and transparent practices.

How Online Roulette Works 

Online roulette is, in its simplest terms, a type of roulette in which the player wagers on a computerised roulette wheel running random number generation (RNG) software, guaranteeing fairness. While some online roulette games allow several players at once, in others it is just the player and the software.

Common Types of Roulette

There are three main types of roulette that online casino players may encounter: American, European, and French. Each variation offers a unique gameplay experience, with American Roulette increasing the house edge due to its additional 00, and French Roulette introducing exclusive side bets. In the realm of online casinos, the experience is further enhanced with live dealer options, offering players immersive gameplay through live roulette. These live casino games provide a more interactive and dynamic experience, bridging the gap between traditional and online play.

The Fundamentals of Roulette

The fundamental concept of roulette is that, when the roulette wheel is spun, one must predict the number a ball will land on. Depending on the type you're playing, you place bets on a roulette wheel with either 37 spaces (36 numbers and one 0) as used in French or European Roulette, or 38 spaces (36 numbers, and one 0 and 00) as seen in American Roulette, and a range of betting alternatives. Should your wager prove successful, you will receive a payout per the game's paytable. The 'straight-up' bet, which is a wager on a single number, is the highest-paying wager. As you can see, roulette is a chance-based table game with very simple rules, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

Random Number Generators and Online Roulette

Online roulette uses a random number generator (RNG) to ensure fairness. The RNG randomises outcomes, preventing any predictable patterns, making it impossible to influence the result or guarantee a win. These generators continuously produce thousands of numbers every second, selecting one the moment you press play or spin.

Common Concerns about Online Roulette 

It’s natural for players to worry that online roulette might be rigged, especially during a losing streak. Many of us have some mistrust of computer programmes, particularly when we can’t see how systems like RNG work or fully understand them without a tech background.

However, fair gameplay is heavily regulated. Casinos undergo rigorous testing and assessment to obtain a licence, often at great expense, and continuous checks are required to maintain it. This ensures that legitimate casinos comply with legal standards and offer fair games, making rigging them far more trouble than it’s worth.

Moreover, third-party testing by organisations like eCOGRA and Gaming Laboratories International further ensures game fairness. While rigged games are rare, you can report suspicious sites to gambling authorities, and regulatory bodies like the UKGC provide accessible reports on recent violations.

Signs of Fairness and Signs of Rigged Games

Now that we've covered the basics of online roulette and the software and regulators that ensure fairness, it’s time to learn some telltale signs of a fair online roulette game and a rigged one.

Ensuring Fair Play in Online Roulette

Legitimate online casino and fair online roulette games are easy to spot, partly because they are in the majority! There are plenty of examples of trusted online casinos, such as us here at Prime Casino. So long as the site checks out in its licensing, player reviews, and general reputation (including affiliations with other networks), you can be pretty certain that the online roulette game you play is fair.

Reputable sites will offer complete transparency regarding licensing, accreditation, testing, and so on. They will also highlight responsible gambling and have a well-implemented customer support service. 

Recognizing Possible Rigging in Online Roulette

There are three simple ways you can spot a potentially rigged game:

• Unusual Patterns and Results: As a game of random chance, there should be no predictable pattern to outcomes. While the same few numbers can appear over 10 spins, and even the same winning number can occur twice in a row, a game with a discernible pattern over the long term is likely to be rigged.

• Lack of Licensing and Regulation: As we highlighted previously, it takes a lot of time, money, and effort to become licenced. Therefore, if a casino holds an up-to-date licence with a recognised body such as the UKGC, MGA, AGCC, or GRA. If in doubt, you can reach out to the regulator mentioned on the site directly to confirm their licence has been maintained.

• Poor Customer Reviews and Feedback: The Internet age has plenty of drawbacks, but when it comes to finding out people's true opinions and experiences, the web leaves nowhere to hide. If a site is rigged, or operating under predatory practices, customer reviews and feedback will let you know all about it.

The Role of Licensing and Regulation

Regulatory bodies are essential in the online casino world. It is because of the establishment of these bodies that shady practices and dirty dealings within the gambling world have become the minority. It is the role of the regulator to apply rigorous testing to every aspect of the site, as well as to monitor the sites holding their licence to ensure they continue to comply with current and changing laws and practices.

The most eminent regulator in the UK, the UK Gambling Commission, outlines what it looks for in a legitimate site. They demand that all gaming companies provide random-number-generator-driven games which comply with their testing approach. This includes testing under certified test houses. While the UKGC is the most regarded regulator in the UK, other regulators such as the Malta Gambling Authority (MGA), the Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC), and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA) are all highly regarded bodies as well.

How To Tell If an Online Roulette Game is Fair

To recap all that we’ve discussed, let’s list the top ways that you can tell if your chosen online roulette game is fair:

1. They are licenced and regulated by a recognised authority
2. The game is created by a recognised development team
3. The game has a certified RNG system which has been third-party tested
4. The game's maths model (RTP/volatility/variance) is clear and easy to find
5. The site which hosts the game displays ethical and transparent practices
6. The game plays reliably across devices and platforms
7. The casino has been audited by an independent party
8. The casino has positive player reviews and experiences

FAQs

Is online roulette truly random?

Yes, by using a random number generator and third-party testing, online roulette is both random and fair.

Can online casinos manipulate roulette outcomes?

Reputable online casinos will never manipulate their games. Doing so would risk losing their licence and reputation, not to mention heavy sanctions, fines, or legal action.

How can I know if an online roulette game is fair?

Apply what you’ve learned in this article! Look for recognised licensing, independent audits, player reviews, and RNG certification.