Can you recommend a casino game with minimal anti-cheat problems?

For a card-room veteran like me, the safest games are always the “honest” ones: blackjack, baccarat, and RNG slots. Why? Because it’s easier to spot corruption where the stakes are simple. A blackjack table is easy to read – you can even count the cards. And if a slot machine touts an independent RNG certification seal, from iTech or Curacao, then it’s safe. The more complicated a game (like Caribbean Stud or “progressive” jackpot slots), the harder it is to monitor, so avoid these unless they have been independently audited.

I I recall a Blackjack pit boss describing how players once noticed that a dealer was palming cards and had it corrected immediately. Slot machines are even more secure; I’ve participated in slot machine tournaments where the random number generator (RNG) seeds are set in front of all the players.

But trust is also a matter of being open about what you’re doing. Play at places where the “house” odds are publicly posted; take part in online poker tournaments run by reliable authorities. Only then will people feel free to express themselves and have fun.

Blackjack is relatively immune to gaming in a brick-and-mortar casino or on online gambling sites that use live-dealer video streams (the cards are re-shuffled frequently and the dealer is always under surveillance). I have heard players complain about dishonest dealers on occasion, but during my career I have not witnessed any incidents of such fraud. Slot machines are also protected from corruption by the fact that most have third-party certifications of their random number generators (e. g. , eCOGRA). To maintain trust, offer games that have such certification, and use live-dealer video streams for those games where such streams are available. The community must be encouraged to share accurate results and avoid sharing anecdotes that could be misleading. Players want to feel like they understand how a game works, so encourage transparent play and be vigilant about deleting inaccurate information from your wiki.

Slot machines and games of chance (roulette, video poker, or black jack) are the safest bet. They rely entirely on an RNG, which is externally audited and tested. I know how it works because I am a casino security expert and once spotted a dealer stealing money by marking cards. It’s rare now, but online roulette and black jack games from established vendors such as Microgaming and Evolution (which, unlike your local casino, are not reliant on a single employee) are the way to go. Online games keep logs, and the RNGs are regularly checked. With fewer people, there are fewer opportunities to cheat players out of their bets. And always remember: The house has a statistical edge no matter what. Do all this right, and you’ll have a good chance of keeping your players happy.

I’ve been at this for a while, but my experience tells me that Blackjack is the most honest table game there is. It’s straightforward, and it’s difficult to cheat (no “random number generator” nonsense). Both Craps and Baccarat are honest games, as well: fast-paced, clearly defined rules, no way for dealers to manipulate outcomes. And Roulette is great, particularly if it has a live dealer. I remember seeing a player attempt to tamper with the shoe in a Baccarat game. He was caught as he was flipping the cards. Modern electronic detection devices are sophisticated in legitimate casinos. Stick to games where the outcome depends on simple mechanics and can be externally verified. You’ll have fewer problems later on.