Online gaming has become a multi-million-pound industry over the last two decades. According to the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), remote (aka online) betting and gaming is worth over ￡3 billion per year. That’s 52.3% of all gambling revenue generated in the UK, which means online activity is driving the industry.
Using our reviews and other means, thousands of people have found their way to the best online casinos and betting sites. The vast majority of these insiders enjoy their experience. However, to those on the outside, the industry is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty. This article is designed to create some certainty and, most importantly, dispel 10 of the most common online casino myths.
1. Games Are Rigged
The biggest myth about the online casino industry is that games are rigged. Online games are indeed powered by random number generators (RNGs) that have certain pre-set conditions. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not fair. RNGs are designed to be as fair and random as the live games they’re mimicking. What’s more, all RNGs are tested and certified by third-party companies. Anything unfair isn’t allowed to be used.
2. Your Money Isn’t Safe
Your money is extremely safe inside an online casino because all player funds are kept in secure bank accounts. Moreover, your money is segregated from the operator’s funds, meaning it can’t be used by anyone else but you.
3. Operators Are Acting Illegally
People still think that online gambling is illegal in the UK. It’s not. The 2005 Gambling Act was updated to include regulations that govern online operators. In turn, the UKGC was given control of industry and for licencing operators. Therefore, if a site is licenced by the UKGC, it’s 100% legal.
4. There Aren’t Any Regulations
Online casinos are not only legal in the UK, they’re also highly regulated. The UKGC is regarded as the toughest regulator in the world. Everything from the way your money is processed to the advertising guidelines operators have to follow is tightly controlled.
5. Bonuses Are Impossible to Claim
We review all the best online casinos bonuses and part of our job is to say how accessible they are. Some are indeed harder to unlock than others; however, it’s not true that you can’t claim bonuses. All you have to do is meet the wagering requirements, which usually means staking a certain amount of money based on the size of your bonus and/or deposit.
6. The Dealers Are Cheating
Live dealer casino games remove the need for RNGs because you can see the action happening in real-time. However, some people still don’t believe their eyes and think the dealers are cheating. Nothing could be further from the truth. Live dealer studios owned by the likes of Evolution Gaming are just as regulated as bricks and mortar casinos. What’s more, cameras are watching every game, all of the time.
7. You Can Cash in but Can’t Cash Out
A myth created by rogue operators of the past is that you can make deposits but never collect your winnings. This is because many years ago, certain companies ran into financial issues and used player funds to cover their costs. That does not and cannot happen today if you use regulated gaming sites. Why? Because regulations state that operators must keep player funds in segregated bank accounts and have the means to guarantee all withdrawals.
8. You Will Get Addicted
Gaming can be enjoyable and some people may take things too far. However, there are plenty of tools in place to help you stay in control of your gaming habits. Deposit limits, betting limits, cooling-off periods and reality checks work in tandem with security teams that are always on the lookout for problematic gambling behaviours.
9. Operators Are Laundering Money
Another myth that’s a hangover from the days of unregulated online gaming is that operators are offshore entities laundering money. This isn’t true. All licenced UK gambling sites are legitimate companies that have to provide details of their business address, accounts and more to the UKGC and other official agencies.
10. Anyone Can Gamble
Online casinos and gambling sites aren’t open to everyone. Customers have to prove they’re located in the UK and old enough to gamble by providing proof of their ID and address. UK gambling regulations also state the customers have to prove they can afford to play. These checks ensure casinos only accept people who can and should gamble.
