There is still a handful of naysayers out there, complaining about how online gambling is somehow bad or wrong. Although there’s a good chance these people are just unlucky and jaded
because they didn’t win anything off their free spins, sometimes what they say actually sounds like it could be legitimate. That is, if they weren’t totally wrong. It’s time to put those perpetual
myths to rest once and for all. Here are seven of the top misconceptions about online gambling, as well as sources that back up the truth.
1. Online Gambling Increases Problems Associated with Problem Gambling
There is no evidence that shows this to be true. In fact, studies indicate that the availability of online casinos does not increase the number of problem gamblers.
Moreover, gambling regulation agencies require operators and developers to provide players with tools for responsible gaming and safe play.
2. Online Casinos are Used in Money Laundering Schemes
No doubt, a few companies have been charged with this and similar things. Most notably, the US targeted Bodog’s Calvin Ayre with a money laundering charge. While there’s no indication that
the charge will stick, it’s the result of how Americans were using alternate payment methods to bet on his site when the US was trying to clear the country of online gambling. Multiple studies,
including research from Cardiff University, a paper requested by the European Parliament, and other recent information all indicate that money laundering is not a problem in regulated gambling.
Moreover, many jurisdictions have strict requirements that must be followed to ensure it doesn’t happen.
3. Online Casinos Enable Kids to Gamble
All regulated markets have checks in place to ensure kids are not allowed to gamble.
The UK Gambling Commission actually performed “mystery shopper” tests to verify if the safeguards were present and effective. They were.
4. Countries Can and Should Block Gambling Sites to Curb the Habit
If history tells us anything, it’s that prohibition is ineffective. When the US banned gambling, bookies opened up shop and organized crime took hold. The UK also had a surge of illicit betting halls when
they tried it. The aforementioned story of Bodog is a recent example. If there is no legal gambling permitted, people find their way into unregulated markets. Moreover, technological advancements in the
private sector have made it near-impossible for municipalities to block access. This means that when safe options for gambling are removed, people move into unknown sites, which may or may not provide
protection against poor business practices, responsible gaming options, and other necessities.
5. Online Gambling is Unfair to Betters
In regulated markets, this is not true. All of the known regulated markets have checks in place to keep out dishonest parties. Software developers receive third-party testing and require licensing, as do
online casinos, themselves. Those who do not make the cut do not receive licensure or have theirs revoked. Moreover, online casinos have much less overhead, so they often yield higher return-to-player
percentages than land-based casinos.
6. Online Gambling Cannot be Regulated
Check any of the links previously listed and they will contain mentions of successful regulatory agencies. People prefer to gamble in regulated casinos and markets, because it makes them feel more secure,
knowing that the companies will be held accountable for their actions. When regulated casinos exist, people gravitate to them due to the protection they afford.
7. Online Casino Games Are Rigged
In fact, they are rigged. This is the nature of a random-number generator, which most online casino games use as part of their software. For example, an online slot machine will have numbers assigned
to each spot on the reel. Some of these stops will have more numbers assigned to them. When the random-number generator determines a number, the reel stops on the corresponding space. Due to
precise mathematical formulas, developers can tell theoretically how often a reel should land on a space. By adding or removing numbers from a stop, the developer essentially “rigs” the machine to pay
back a certain percentage of the time. Most gamblers know this as the return-to-player percent, or RTP, and they appreciate this “rigging,” because it allows them to choose to play a game that has a higher
probability of allowing them to win money. In regulated markets, the random-number generators and games are all tested by third-parties to verify they are random and fair.
Although they could be considered “rigged,” it’s actually done to ensure fair payouts.
Countless studies have shown that the key to safe online gambling is regulation. In fairly-regulated markets, both casinos and players are protected. This helps to curb problem gambling,
underage gambling, plus it works to create a better environment for players. Right now the world is seeing some drastic changes in the laws surrounding online gambling.
Some countries are tightening laws, while others are relaxing them. Without a doubt, there will be more case studies in the future which verify the safety and security of online casinos.
because they didn’t win anything off their free spins, sometimes what they say actually sounds like it could be legitimate. That is, if they weren’t totally wrong. It’s time to put those perpetual
myths to rest once and for all. Here are seven of the top misconceptions about online gambling, as well as sources that back up the truth.
1. Online Gambling Increases Problems Associated with Problem Gambling
There is no evidence that shows this to be true. In fact, studies indicate that the availability of online casinos does not increase the number of problem gamblers.
Moreover, gambling regulation agencies require operators and developers to provide players with tools for responsible gaming and safe play.
2. Online Casinos are Used in Money Laundering Schemes
No doubt, a few companies have been charged with this and similar things. Most notably, the US targeted Bodog’s Calvin Ayre with a money laundering charge. While there’s no indication that
the charge will stick, it’s the result of how Americans were using alternate payment methods to bet on his site when the US was trying to clear the country of online gambling. Multiple studies,
including research from Cardiff University, a paper requested by the European Parliament, and other recent information all indicate that money laundering is not a problem in regulated gambling.
Moreover, many jurisdictions have strict requirements that must be followed to ensure it doesn’t happen.
3. Online Casinos Enable Kids to Gamble
All regulated markets have checks in place to ensure kids are not allowed to gamble.
The UK Gambling Commission actually performed “mystery shopper” tests to verify if the safeguards were present and effective. They were.
4. Countries Can and Should Block Gambling Sites to Curb the Habit
If history tells us anything, it’s that prohibition is ineffective. When the US banned gambling, bookies opened up shop and organized crime took hold. The UK also had a surge of illicit betting halls when
they tried it. The aforementioned story of Bodog is a recent example. If there is no legal gambling permitted, people find their way into unregulated markets. Moreover, technological advancements in the
private sector have made it near-impossible for municipalities to block access. This means that when safe options for gambling are removed, people move into unknown sites, which may or may not provide
protection against poor business practices, responsible gaming options, and other necessities.
5. Online Gambling is Unfair to Betters
In regulated markets, this is not true. All of the known regulated markets have checks in place to keep out dishonest parties. Software developers receive third-party testing and require licensing, as do
online casinos, themselves. Those who do not make the cut do not receive licensure or have theirs revoked. Moreover, online casinos have much less overhead, so they often yield higher return-to-player
percentages than land-based casinos.
6. Online Gambling Cannot be Regulated
Check any of the links previously listed and they will contain mentions of successful regulatory agencies. People prefer to gamble in regulated casinos and markets, because it makes them feel more secure,
knowing that the companies will be held accountable for their actions. When regulated casinos exist, people gravitate to them due to the protection they afford.
7. Online Casino Games Are Rigged
In fact, they are rigged. This is the nature of a random-number generator, which most online casino games use as part of their software. For example, an online slot machine will have numbers assigned
to each spot on the reel. Some of these stops will have more numbers assigned to them. When the random-number generator determines a number, the reel stops on the corresponding space. Due to
precise mathematical formulas, developers can tell theoretically how often a reel should land on a space. By adding or removing numbers from a stop, the developer essentially “rigs” the machine to pay
back a certain percentage of the time. Most gamblers know this as the return-to-player percent, or RTP, and they appreciate this “rigging,” because it allows them to choose to play a game that has a higher
probability of allowing them to win money. In regulated markets, the random-number generators and games are all tested by third-parties to verify they are random and fair.
Although they could be considered “rigged,” it’s actually done to ensure fair payouts.
Countless studies have shown that the key to safe online gambling is regulation. In fairly-regulated markets, both casinos and players are protected. This helps to curb problem gambling,
underage gambling, plus it works to create a better environment for players. Right now the world is seeing some drastic changes in the laws surrounding online gambling.
Some countries are tightening laws, while others are relaxing them. Without a doubt, there will be more case studies in the future which verify the safety and security of online casinos.
Last edited by a moderator:
