The pandemic has been a blessing for the online gambling market. As millions of consumers were forced to stay at home, the consumption of digital entertainment soared. Casinos have been popular for centuries, and now they are more accessible than ever. This industry has always been associated with financial loss, but does it mean that gambling websites are scams by definition?
Obviously, this is not true. Reliable gambling vendors reviewed on beattheodds.bet are licensed by credible organizations like the UK Gambling Commission. They use strong encryption to protect personal data and work with plenty of payment methods, from MasterCard to Bitcoin. Players who choose casino sites at random may end up getting scammed. Winning on trusted platforms is possible, but you need to understand how they work.
1. Everything Is Random
Gamblers are prone to the same mistake as traders in financial markets — chasing losses. Whenever real money comes into play, humans make irrational decisions on the spur of the moment. Traders keep opening new positions to make up for a loss, while gamblers continue making new bets. In both cases, frustration causes deviation from the strategy. Chasing losses only exacerbates the damage.
In gambling, this behavior makes no sense at all. Online casinos have random number generators — special engines that calculate the outcome of every spin or game. The RNG comes from the software developer, and it may not be altered. Responsible casinos have their engines audited regularly by trusted testing agencies like eCOGRA.
Guaranteed randomness means that your past behavior and results do not determine the future. The website does not care how many bets you have placed, and how much you have lost or gained. Unfortunately, some players seem to perceive a casino as some kind of conscious entity.
2. The House Always Wins
One of the ways to compare casinos is to look at their RTP — return to player. This percentage shows how much of your wagers will return in the long run. This indicator never reaches 100%, as it includes the inherent advantage of the provider. However, this does not mean you are guaranteed to lose, as RTP is the average long-term result. Commonly, you can see 97% or less.
Every game comes with a specific house, which can help you choose the best odds. Generally, variations of table games like blackjack or poker have a higher house edge, so you should stick to the classics.
3. Progressive Jackpots Are the Largest
Gamblers dream of winning a fortune, and it is actually possible thanks to popular slots like Mega Moolah. The term ‘progressive’ describes the way their jackpot pools are formed. They include a fraction of every single bet across the casino network. As these games are found on hundreds of websites, it is clear how seven-digit prizes can be possible. For example, every game from the Mega Moolah family offers four jackpots, the biggest of which grows from 1 million until someone hits it.
At the same time, these games usually have high volatility. This means that payouts are not frequent. In comparison, low volatility games deliver minor but steady wins. Every player should decide what to prioritize — the size or frequency of winnings. This works for any slot.
4. Casinos Are Designed to Be Addictive
Gambling addiction is a serious problem around the world. Land-based and online casinos alike use features that make their visitors stay longer and spend more. On the internet, these include attractive graphics, sound effects, rewards, and other tricks.
Did you know that the Instagram feed resembles a slot machine? To reveal new content, you have to pull it down, just like a slot player pushing the lever or clicking the “spin” button. It is no secret that social media platforms have adopted some of the most prominent casino techniques.
The sound effects in many games are similar for winners and losers. These celebratory soundtracks confuse the brain, so failures are less frustrating. As a result, gamblers can easily exceed their budget and continue playing when they should have quit.
5. There is No Strategy in Slots
Regardless of what online guides can tell you, you cannot influence the odds in games of chance. Slots are completely randomized. The gameplay requires no strategy — just place your bets and spin the reels. What can make a difference is your attitude to that thing. Sticking to your limits is crucial. Play mindfully and never chase your losses.
6. Never Play When You Are Stressed
Fatigue and any strong emotion, be it joy, disappointment, or fear, affects our decision-making. Brokers advice traders to leave the market if they are tired, excited or depressed, and the same works in gambling. Exhaustion and strong feelings cloud gamblers’ judgment, so they make expensive mistakes.
For example, if you find yourself on a losing streak, leave the casino. Otherwise, you may lose self-control, and bet more than you should. Resume playing when you feel refreshed.
7. Prevent Excessive Losses
To avoid losing more than they can afford, gamblers must set strict betting limits for their daily, weekly, and monthly activities. Consider adding some external barriers — for example, setting limits on online transactions via your banking app.
Do not let casinos turn into your main source of entertainment. Most importantly, do not focus on winning. Obsession with jackpots is a recipe for compulsive gambling. Or if you feel that your activity is getting out of control, seek professional help. Gambling Anonymous has branches in different countries.
To Sum Up
Gambling is both exciting and potentially dangerous. Winning the biggest jackpot in a trusted casino is possible, but it does not often happen. Players should focus on the games, rather than the winnings. Gambling should not become the only source of entertainment, and it must never be viewed as a source of profit.
While excellent casinos exist, there are also a plethora of shady sites that steal data and money. If you decide to gamble, do it responsibly, and check the casino thoroughly before making a bet.
