This is one of the most circulated myths in the industry, and when evaluating it there are two main things to consider. Firstly, this is most likely searched when people are on a losing streak. Secondly, online casinos are a business, and like any other business they aim to make a profit. The house edge is their way of making a profit, but this is not illegal and does not mean they are rigged. House edges are openly disclosed, and the experiences of players at the same casino will differ, especially in the short term. Some players could experience a prolonged losing streak, but overall, the house edge will align.

That’s not to say that there has never been a case of fraudulent online casinos. There’s been plenty, especially in the poker arena. Luckily, this kind of fraud has been mostly eradicated thanks to better regulation and smarter tech. Random Number Generators (RNGs) are used in many games to ensure the outcome of each move is randomized in accordance with the house edge. This is sophisticated technology and any casino skewing the odds will be found out quickly.

Our advice to players is to only play at online casinos that have reputable regulators backing them. You can usually find this information out quite easily, but if in doubt get in touch with the operator. Better safe than sorry!

Yes, online casinos are subject to strict rules to allow them to operate. There are lots of organizations in place who ensure standards are met and rules are adhered to. There are all sorts of casinos claiming to have been vetted, but let’s just say some regulators are more stringent than others. There are plenty of excellent regulators including the UK Gambling Commission and the Nevada Gaming Commission. Remember to check the casino’s accreditation before you sign up, so you don’t get caught out.

In short, no. Online casinos cannot ban you strictly for winning, but they can ban you if they suspect you of anything untoward. You might see a phrase in their terms and conditions stating that they have the right to withhold payment if they suspect a player of any fraudulence, collusion or improper activity. Clauses like this can give a casino the right not to pay out, or to ban you from their site.

So long as you are playing by the rules, you shouldn’t be banned. Just be aware that casinos do have the right, which you agree to when you sign up, to withhold winnings and to ban players, whether you agree with their reasoning or not. Again, the best way to play safely is to check the terms and conditions before signing up.

Sadly, there is no way to become an expert in slots as it is a game of chance. The reels are run using an RNG so each time you hit spin, nothing you do can influence what will appear. It helps to stay focused and alert though, especially in slots tournaments. There are plenty of people who could be considered slots experts in terms of having played a variety of titles, but skill is not the key factor. However, we know this doesn’t take away from the fun!

The answer to this question is entirely dependent on where in the world you are. In the US, online gambling is legislated on a state-by-state basis and this is subject to change so make sure you check with your state’s rules before playing. Many countries allow it but have restrictions in place which can complicate things.

The need for online gambling legislation arose in the early 2000s and has since been constantly evolving. In many cases, countries that have legalized online gambling have only done so for licensed casinos. Make sure to check the rules where you are to be safe.

No. Although card counting is a popular tactic for many players in real-life games of blackjack, it doesn’t work the same way online. That’s because thanks to RNGs, the decks get shuffled after every hand. This method stops any would-be card counters in their tracks.

Card counting is a strategy where players keep track of the high and low value cards to work out when to bet more and less. This can help minimize the factor of chance, but with frequent shuffling in online versions it’s useless. Players will have to brush up on their other blackjack skills to be in with a chance of winning.

I don’t come from a family who were gamblers, but I always enjoyed gambling with my girlfriends. We would go to Reno or the Indian Casino a couple of times a year. It used to be a fun thing to do for an hour or so. Then I started going more often and I used gambling as an escape. It was a way to numb out childhood traumas and grief.

I began gambling more, making higher bets and soon all the signs were there. I would lie about why I was gone for so long, I missed family get-togethers, I’d call in sick to work if I was winning. I even ignored medical and dental appointments. The money problems led to arguments with my husband.

In 2002 I attempted suicide. I had my first addiction Crisis Center stay and began treatment for gambling addiction. I ended being up part of the statistics: 1 in 5 gambling addicts will attempt suicide.

I began selling things of value, took out credit cards and payday loans my husband had no idea about. I dug us in a huge financial hole and lost most of my friends. I would argue with co-workers and even lost jobs over it. Eventually, after two failed suicide attempts, I was gambling with my life.

After my second failed suicide attempt in 2006, I started gambling addiction treatment in the Addiction Crisis Center for the second time. I finally surrendered to the fact that I would never be able to gamble responsibly. I had lost all control over my gambling to the point that it almost cost me my life.

I began in-patient treatment for 30-days and transitioned into outpatient for the next six months where I attended Gamblers Anonymous for many years. I had therapy to overcome the childhood trauma I was trying to numb, and I learned the process of forgiving and making amends. This new approach allowed me to slowly start paying off my debts.

To help myself better understand what gambling addiction had taken from me, I decided to write a memoir. Addicted to Dimes: Confessions of a Liar and a Cheat was published in 2013 and details how I became a gambling addict.

Don’t suffer in silence like I did. There is help available and there is no shame in reaching out for help. For those in the US, my website has a page of places I trust, and you can also find help on Casino.org’s Gambling Addiction and Treatment page.

No matter what type of gambling problem you may have, there are many ways to help you gain your life back. In my experience, gambling triggers and cravings only subside when you refrain from gambling. When you reach out for help, you will find ways to overcome these urges so you can recover successfully.