How to Check Games Are Legit and Enjoy Online Casino Gaming

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The advent of online gambling has given millions of people a social outlet where entertainment is the name of the game. However, as fun and entertaining as blackjack, bingo, roulette, and other games are, we can't ignore the fact that results ebb and flow. Specifically, nothing is guaranteed in gambling. So, when there's money on the line, you want to know that things are legit.

What Makes Casino Games Fair?

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That's what this article is all about. In our quest to teach you how things on the internet work and troubleshoot problems, we're focusing on fairness in the gambling industry. How do you know online bingo games such as Paddy's Pennies and Crystal Room Bingo are fair? There are two ways to know. Both methods require you to first know what a random number generator is and how it works.

Every game you play, from Paddy's Pennies to slots such as Fruit Flash and Anubis Rising, is powered by a random number generator (RNG) algorithm. In simple terms, an RNG produces a random number (usually between zero and 4 billion) hundreds of times per second. These numbers are the result of complex equations and are used to determine the outcome of individual betting rounds.

For example, a number is drawn at set time intervals in a game of Paddy's Pennies Bingo. Let's say it's every 10 seconds. The RNG is spinning in the background, putting out hundreds of numbers per second. Whatever number hits when the timer reaches 10 seconds is converted into a signal. That signal determines which bingo ball is drawn. That's how you get random results in online bingo and any other casino game.

There Are Two Ways to Tell if RNGs are Fair

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That's how RNG technology works, but how do you know the algorithm isn't rigged? This is where our two validation methods come into play. The first way to tell if you're using a legit online casino and, therefore, playing fair games is by checking that it's licensed by a reputable organization. For example, in US states such as New Jersey, all gambling operators must be licensed by the NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE). The NJDGE regulates the industry and imposes strict standards on its licensees, one of which is fairness.

Gambling authorities only give operators a pass on fairness if an RNG has been certified by a third party. There are certain companies, such as iTech Labs and eCOGRA, that are approved by gambling regulators. They test the RNG technology used by game developers and casino operators to ensure they're fair. These tests are ongoing, and legit products are given a certificate of fairness.

Online gambling operators only receive a license if they've got certificates of fairness. As a player, you can check a game's certificate of fairness by tracing it back to its developer. From there, you can find out who tested the RNG and check the certificate. A shortcut to this is scrolling down to the bottom of a gambling operator's homepage. If it's been licensed by a reputable gambling regulator, such as the Gambling Commission, it has fair games. Keep this in mind, and you'll be able to enjoy online casino gaming without worrying about fairness.

Kareem Winters

Update 27 August 2024