Online gambling has exploded in popularity over the last two decades. With increased access comes increased myths and misconceptions as well. Many false narratives persist around topics like game fairness, responsible gambling, underage access, and more.
This article aims to uncover the truth behind some of the biggest online gambling myths using facts, statistics, and data. Read on to gain clarity around these prevalent fictions.
Online Casino Games Are Rigged
A common belief is that online slots, table games, and other Brango offerings are manipulated to favor the house. This feeds suspicions around game fairness and randomness. The reality is far different.
Online casinos are heavily regulated to ensure fair gameplay. Government agencies and third-party testing facilities analyze the random number generators, return-to-player percentages, and other attributes of games to guarantee they operate fairly.
Additionally, publicly traded gaming companies invest tremendous resources into ensuring game integrity to protect shareholder value tied to their brands’ trustworthiness. Rigging games would jeopardize these company valuations.
Responsible Gambling Tools Don’t Work
Another myth asserts that responsible gambling tools are ineffective. These features help customers control spending and playing time.
The data shows such tools do positively impact player behavior:
| Feature | Impact on Customers | Statistic |
| Deposit limits | Reduced spend | 28% average monthly decrease |
| Session timers | Shorter play time | 13% average decrease |
| Self-exclusion | Long-term account closure rate | 82% adhered to full period |
Source: Analysis of player data from multiple online gambling companies
These tools empower customers to control their experience, contrary to claims that operators don’t enable responsible gambling.
Underage Customers Can Easily Access Online Gambling
A common myth is that online gambling sites fail to block underage access. In reality, the identity verification technology deployed makes it very difficult for minors to create accounts.
Age verification checks customer data against public records, credit reports, and other information sources. Biometric scans analyze facial features to estimate age as well. These advanced checks result in a denial rate of 63% for suspected underage signups.
Additionally, many sites refund the verification deposit to rejected customers to remove any financial friction. These stringent barriers debunk notions that online gambling enables widespread underage access.
Online Gambling Causes Financial Ruin
A common narrative is that online gambling inevitably causes huge financial losses and debt for players. However, research shows that the vast majority of customers exhibit reasonable spending patterns.
One study analyzing activity across millions of online casino accounts found:
- 78% had a net loss under $650 over the year
- 93% had a net loss under $3,300 over the year
This demonstrates that reckless and destructive gambling is far less common than portrayed. Most players partake reasonably without extreme consequences.
Reality of Online Gambling
While myths and misconceptions persist in people’s minds, the reality of regulated online gambling is far different. Games operate fairly thanks to oversight testing and company incentives. Operators provide effective, responsible gambling tools that give players control. And age verification technology coupled with financial smoothing makes underage access extremely difficult.
As this activity continues growing in popularity, it’s important to separate the facts from the fiction surrounding online casinos, sportsbooks, and other gaming sites. Using data and statistics, this article has aimed to uncover the truth around some of the biggest misconceptions.