Online casinos have been around for quite a few years and are one of the most convenient ways to indulge in gambling. The many significant aspects of playing online have helped these sites expand into a multi-billion-dollar industry in a relatively short space of time.
While millions of players log on each day to try their luck, some would like to but have too many reservations about gambling online.
Some avoid them because they were scammed by an untrustworthy site in the past or believe that playing from anywhere must be too good to be true. Other players avoid these sites simply because they believe certain myths about them.
To quell these fears and dispel rumors, we’ve compiled a list of the most common myths about online casinos. We’ll also explain why these are just myths that, for the most part, should be overlooked.
Myth 1: Online Casinos Have Fewer Winners Than Physical Casinos
Many people claim that online casinos are rigged. Because players aren’t playing on a physical machine, they believe that casinos can simply change the software settings to ensure fewer people win.
The truth is that online and physical casino games operate almost the same. Slots, for instance, use advanced algorithms and RNGs (random number generators) to ensure that games are fair and that no pattern emerges while playing. The same type of software runs the games available online and those found within gaming cabinets at physical casinos.
Myth 2: Gambling Online Is Illegal
Saying that gambling online is illegal is entirely dependent on your geographical location. While it is true that some territories don’t allow any form of online gambling, more do than don’t.
With the significant expansion of online casino websites, more and more countries are allowing this popular pastime. However, you’ll need to check your local laws to ensure you can play online before you begin.
To aid you in this, almost all legitimate online casinos automatically ban players from any region where their services are prohibited.
Myth 3: Playing in a Physical Casino Gives You Higher Winnings
It is often said that winnings are significantly less online than at a brick-and-mortar casino. In reality, online gambling can actually lead to higher winnings. Especially in the case of a progressive slot jackpot because more people are playing the slot online and adding to the jackpot than in physical casinos.
Aside from this, and again using online slot games as an example, online games generally have a higher RTP (return to player) percentage than physical slots. This is because online slots don’t incur the overheads of a physical casino. Therefore, they can pay out more to lucky winners.
Myth 4: Online Casinos Aren’t Safe
One of the biggest concerns people have revolves around the security—or perceived lack thereof—of their funds and personal information when playing with an online casino. After all, many other websites get hacked or scam people each day, so why wouldn’t online casinos?
The reality is there are plenty of perfectly safe casinos on the internet that are owned by major companies. If you’re ever unsure, check out a review of the latest casino sites, read about other players’ experiences online, or look up which gaming authority issued its gambling licensing.
Bodies like the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Government of Curacao all issue gaming licenses. Any site with a license like this has been audited and found to be operating according to regulations. These are generally safe to use.
Myth 5: You Won’t Get Your Winnings from an Online Casino
Possibly the most widely accepted and inaccurate myth is that if you win, the online casino you were playing on won’t pay you out your money. While it’s true that some scam websites probably wouldn’t pay you, any reputable and licensed casino certainly will.
Not paying winnings breaks the relationship between a casino and the player and leads to a reputation from which a casino site may not recover. Because of this, online casinos ensure that each time a player gets a verified win, their money is paid out regardless of the amount.
Only two instances would lead to a payment not being honored when using a secure and well-known casino. The first is if the player has somehow rigged the game and flagged the casino’s security sensors to win. The second is if the terms and conditions of the site have been breached by the player, particularly in terms of not providing accurate personal information.
Myth 6: It Is Easier to Lose More Playing Online
When playing at a physical casino, a time comes when you have to go home, so the amount of money you can spend in a single session is somewhat limited. Contrary to this, many people believe that online casinos lead you to spend more because you can play around the clock from anywhere.
While there is some truth to this, online casinos have many safeguards to protect you from yourself and overspending. Almost all casino websites offer a function in each player’s account where they can limit the amount deposited daily. Some even allow you to limit play time.
Aside from these steps, all online casinos support programs like BeGambleAware. These are designed to help players who may have a problem with wagering more than they can afford. Links to programs like this can usually be found in any online casino’s webpage footer.
Conclusion
Online casinos are a great source of entertainment and an excellent way to make some extra money if luck is on your side. Ignoring the rants, ramblings, and myths spread by players who are bitter about losing will let you experience the fun of playing online.
You only have to ensure that the site you’re playing on is a reputable casino with a relevant license to operate. Doing these simple things will keep you safe and help you realize that sometimes, a myth is just a myth.