The casino wheel refers to the wheel spun during a game of roulette. If the spinning of the wheel is not random, players risk losing their money. Bear with us as we explore everything you should know about rigged wheel spins at online casinos.

Why Players Suspect Wheel Games Might Be Rigged

It is very difficult to convince a casino roulette player on a prolonged losing streak that the game is not rigged. Most people will accept losses of about 50% as normal and take them in their stride.

However, when a pattern of 10+ straight losses occurs, the player will suspect foul play is afoot. It is funny, though, that a player on a similar winning streak will not complain about the wheel acting abnormally. Maybe it all boils down to the knowledge that many people are driven by greed and will steal if the conditions seem right.

How Online Wheel Games Work (RNG vs Live Dealer)

There are two types of roulette games: American and European Roulette. The normal roulette wheel has 36 segments, and any extra slots make up the house's edge. European roulette has 36+1 slots, while the American wheel has 36+2 slots, making the odds 48.6 and 47.3, respectively. Simply put, the player will always lose against the house in the long run.

To ensure that their casino games are fair, casinos deploy a software known as a Random Number Generator (RNG). The RNG picks winning numbers at random, making it impossible to predict the winning numbers. In roulette, the RNG comes into play if the roulette game is computer-generated.

Some players, however, distrust a machine picking the winning number at random. They prefer a human spinning the wheel and calling out the winning numbers. This is the live dealer game. It is more interactive than video roulette. However, even with a live dealer, the odds remain in favour of the house.

Licensed vs Unlicensed Casinos- Key Differences

A licensed online casino is, as the name suggests, one that operates under permission from a casino regulatory body. The importance of being licensed is that you run your business under the rules provided in the license.

Moreover, most players feel safer playing at licensed online casinos. Failure to follow the conditions in the license means facing disciplinary action, including revocation of the license. One of the conditions a licensed casino must accept is to operate fairly. This includes the use of RNG software.

Unfortunately, some rogue casinos operate without a license deliberately. Such casinos are not regulated and prey on unsuspecting players. This means rigging play and not paying winnings are not uncommon. Because these casinos are unregulated, victims of such casinos often receive no help in addressing their mistreatment.

How RNG Ensures Fairness

A Random Number Generator (RNG) is software used to ensure fairness in a casino by randomly picking winning numbers. This randomness ensures that the outcome of any game is unpredictable. Because a game is unpredictable, any player has an equal chance of winning the big prize in that game.

The opposite is true. It is human nature that we hate unfairness. If you knew you had no chance of winning in a casino, it would not make sense for you to continue playing. Fairness, therefore, keeps each player anticipating the highest payouts in a casino. Some games, like the live dealer roulette, do not require the RNG software because the setup of the game is based on the mathematical principles of randomness.

Warning Signs of Rigged or Unfair Wheels

The most accurate way of determining whether a wheel is fair or rigged is to collect data on the winning outcomes it gives over a long period. Patterns that defy the mathematical principles of probability suggest that the wheel is not fair. A European roulette wheel should give players a 48.6% chance of winning, and retain a 2.7% advantage for the house.

Transparency in business is one of the signs that an online casino is operating according to the rules. Transparency is notable when the casino agrees to be audited by independent industry bodies such as eCOGRA. An unregulated and unaudited casino could be hiding something, including rigged wheels in the roulette games.

Lastly, the spinning behaviour of the wheel and the movement of the ball could be a sign of a rigged roulette game. For example, if the wheel is tilted slightly, the ball will tend to land in the same segment of the wheel.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

These are some of the common myths and misconceptions about roulette:

• Myth 1: The wheel is rigged, and roulette is a scam. The truth is that at reputable and regulated online casinos, a rigged game would be detected by regulators. In addition, the house edge that is built into roulette ensures that the casino will always win against the player in the long run.
• Myth 2: Some Numbers are ‘hot” while others are “cold”. This myth arises out of a player going through a winning or losing streak. The mathematics of probability does not support the myth.
• Myth 3: Roulette strategies don’t work. The truth is that some strategies are better than others, so long as you play with a budget and stick to it. A plan is always better than no plan.

How to Verify a Game’s Fairness

If possible, get the information on whether the game has an RNG installed. Be observant and take note of any peculiar patterns that emerge from the game as it progresses. Getting the same numbers or a bunch of numbers over and over could be merely a coincidence, but again, it could mean a rigged game. 

Although difficult, physically checking the casino wheel and ball could reveal whether the casino’s roulette is rigged.

Trusted Providers and Legitimate Wheel Games

For the best roulette gaming experience online, you should always check who the game provider is. Online roulette games by industry titans such as Evolution and Pragmatic Play are trusted for quality. When these games are coupled with RNG software, then players are assured of a good time at the wheels.

The main roulette games are the European, American, and French. There are also numerous variants of the main games. A few of the roulette variants are: Triple-zero, Mini, Multi-ball, and Multi-wheel Roulette.

Most of the trusted online casinos have live dealer casino games that are streamed live. In Canada, you can enjoy your favourite roulette game at the following casinos:

• Jackpot City Casino
• Spin Casino
• Spin Palace Casino

Tips to Stay Safe When Playing

As with other casino games, safety is paramount when playing roulette at an online casino. The following tips can help you stay safe.

	Only play at licensed and regulated casinos
	Make a budget for your gambling. The budget should come from non-essential funds. Stick to that budget
	Make use of online information about your preferred casino game. Next, take advantage of free demos so that you have a feel for the game before committing real money
	Play to have fun

Final Verdict

It is highly unlikely that online casino roulette games at reputable casinos are rigged. Any licensed and regulated casino would have too much to lose if it engaged in gambling malpractices. The same cannot be said for unregulated and unlicensed casinos.

Signing up to such a casino is just asking for trouble. Apart from playing dubious games with odds tilted against you, you also risk losing your money or even personal data. Worst of all, you might be unable to get help from the casino regulatory and licensing authorities.

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