Truth in Internet Casino Gaming: Busting the 3 Biggest Myths

Internet casinos have been around for more than two decades now. I’ve been partaking in their services for about half as long. Considering the phenomenal advancements in technology that have taken place in all that time, I find it amazing that so many incredulous myths about the industry still exist.

Today, we’re going to bust the three biggest myths and discover the truth behind gambling over the internet, starting with the biggest one of all…

It’s not Safe!

This is the biggest myth, and I heard it time and time again. In its infancy, the world wide web was a vast open space with very little protection. As programmers realized the need for tighter security, technology was developed to fulfill that need. In fact, it was right about the time the “HTTPS” security protocol was universally established that the internet became a safe place to perform financial transactions.

HTTPS was created by Netscape in 1994, but was used mostly to secure business communications back then. Around 2000, it became a mainstream URL prefix when online banking, shopping and internet casino gambling really took off. Fifteen years later, the improvements in data encryption and security have only gotten stronger.

The majority of desktop, laptop and mobile users do some type of financial transactions online, whether it’s paying bills, buying merchandise or logging onto your paid Netflix/Amazon Video subscription to watch a movie. So when you ask if gambling online is safe, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Software can carry Viruses, I’m not Downloading anything!

There are a few points I’d like to make on this subject. First, yes, software can carry a virus, but not if it’s coming from a trusted source, and no one else has access to the file before it gets from point A to point B (the developer to the downloader).

We’re talking about major software giants that provide their casino client to hundreds of websites; brands like Microgaming, Playtech, NetEnt, Betsoft, etc. They would never sabotage their own business by integrating a virus, malware, trojan or anything else negative into their software. Each download is ready made by the developer for the casino operator you’re downloading from, with no one else able to access the script. If you’re playing with a reputable internet casino, you can trust the software.

Another point I’d like to make is that downloads aren’t even required. Most developers do give the option to download the casino client, but many have converted strictly to a browser-based software. Those who do choose to download get the added convenience of more games and faster load times, but again, it’s optional, and completely safe.

Playing internet casinos on your mobile device or tablet is also an option, and again, whether you play directly on your device or download an app is entirely up to you. And a little education will help you determine if you can trust that app.

I Can’t Win anyway… Internet Casinos are Rigged!

That’s another myth that seriously needs dispelling. Why would an internet casino rig its software so that the player always loses? Where’s the repeat business in that?

They don’t have to, anyway. The house edge on every game, pre-programmed with a Random Number Generator (RNG), will ensure the operator makes a profit. Rigging the software isn’t just pointless, it would cause the casino to lose players.

The iGaming industry is vast, and extremely competitive, just like the brick-and-mortar casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Having good promotions is what draws customers in, but it’s the high payout percentages that earn loyalty. You’ll never find 100+% payouts in a live or online casino, but 95+% is very common.

In fact, for slots lovers, internet casinos come highly recommended. Go to any live casino in Vegas, Atlantic City, London, Macau, Melbourne, you name it… you’re going to find slots that pay anywhere from 85% to 93% at most (and 93% is really pushing it). With a lot less overhead, operators of online slots are able to deliver anywhere from 95% to 98% payouts. You can’t beat that!