How can I tell if a casino game is rigged or just bad luck?

So how can you tell whether you’ve encountered bad luck – or a crooked casino? There’s no foolproof way, but here are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, remember that licensed casinos are regulated, and a vast majority of their games are carefully audited for fairness. If the outcome doesn’t go your way, and you’re facing a house advantage either way, that’s not necessarily because the dice have been loaded against you.

If you have doubts, think about whether your winnings are ridiculously unlikely. Have you got four royal flushes at video poker? And if you’re suspicious, consider whether there’s a pattern, such as a slot machine that doesn’t pay or a roulette wheel that won’t hit red. Machines break down, but when they do so consistently, they don’t.

The secret is to gamble only in reputable, licensed establishments (look them up quickly on the internet). Sharpshooters don’t survive for long. But what if you are still not convinced? Don’t gamble. If you lose because of pure bad luck, you will feel bad. If you lose because of someone else’s skullduggery, you will feel even worse. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

It’s OK to lose sometimes – online casinos use a random number generator (RNG), after all. But if you’re losing all the time, there may be something fishy going on. Make sure the casino is licensed by a reputable regulator (Malta, UKGC…). Genuine casinos have their operations continually checked by a third party. And finally, try out the games for free. If they don’t feel random and you’re losing consistently, it may be time to find another casino. Remember, these sites are meant to be fun, but you risk losing real money. So pay attention to the warning signs.

True randomness sucks. Early losses are no sign of manipulation. Beware if the house edge is always unusually high, “near-wins” happen too often, or if the game does not use a certified RNG. Reputable operators provide evidence of testing at accredited labs. If something doesn’t seem right, capture the screen and record the times. Contact customer service. But yes, some nights you are just unlucky. Listen to your instincts.

Don’t get too worked up about a losing streak if you have no reason to believe the results are fixed. Losing a few hands in a row just means you had a bad run. On the other hand, if there is any evidence (or even strong hints) that the game’s outcome isn’t purely random – for example, it never pays out the highest possible prize or it’s an unlicensed version of a licensed game – you should be concerned. Genuine online gambling companies are independently certified by reputable organizations like eCOGRA. If you notice an unexplained pattern of near-misses on a particular game, contact customer service. But if you simply lose 20 games in a row? Sorry, that’s just your luck. Go right ahead and try again; just play responsibly.