Are Slot Machines Rigged
There has rarely been a player who has not googled ‘how to cheat the slot machine’ at least once in their casino experience. Considering you were doing that just now, officially, welcome to the club! Of course, there could be many reasons for one to look for such information, for example, pure curiosity.
There are a number of scenarios where users of video slot, poker and other casino and bar gambling machines can be rigged to the owning company's benefit. The first rigging example has been. The slot machines featured on reputable online casino sites are not rigged. Slots' random number generators (RNG) ensure there is no 'machine memory' of previous spins as they are programmed to function on individual spins. But let’s see why the theory about rigged online slot machines doesn’t have any substantial arguments to support it. Mechanics made way for electronics. Slot machines are still experienced as machines, even though computer software was taken over and altered slot technology.
Truth be told, there is much to be said about how to manipulate a slot machine, and we will go into much details. The short answer to the question is yes, slot machines have been manipulated in the past. Moreover, we will discuss not only what players can do, but if casinos can manipulate slots as well.
Players and Slot Machines
Parx Casino: Slot machines are rigged - See 1,881 traveler reviews, 92 candid photos, and great deals for Bensalem, PA, at Tripadvisor. ALL slot machines are programmed to have a mathematical edge over the player. The casinos don’t need to cheat to make a healthy profit. The slot machine designers and manufacturers don’t need to cheat to make a healthy profit. In fact, in well-regulated jurisdictions (like Nevada), games are thoroughly audited for fairness.
However, before we go any further, we would like to point out that we do not encourage anyone to follow the given manipulation methods or attempt fraud. The purpose of this article is to provide you with an insight into what people have done in the past, and what is possible to be done if you want to cheat the system.
In addition, we will tell you what methods the casinos use, to rig their slots. If anyone is offering you a guaranteed way for you to succeed and make money, we advise you to avoid such offers as they are most definitely a scam. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Manipulated Coins
One of the most popular ways to manipulate a slot machine was to use a coin to trick the registered balance. The way this was done was by attaching a coin to a long nylon wire and then feeding it into the slot machine multiple times.
By doing this, players used to manipulate the machine into thinking that you are throwing many coins, thus depositing a considerable balance, whereas it is all but fictional. After that is done, they can just play with the fake in-game credits and collect all the winnings. This method was successful for a while because the slot machines could not detect the wire, and they were registering the coins.
In some cases, players were using magnets to influence the cash dispenser mechanism directly, making the machine to release way more money than it must. However, slot manufacturers found about that and began developing new security measures in order to detect any fraudulent attempts on the slot machines.
Nowadays, since the slots are no-longer simply mechanical but electro-mechanical, it has become more difficult for schemers to manipulate them. On top of that, the viral use of CCTV has made the business even more secure, hence it is virtually impossible not to get caught, eventually. Even if you figure a way to do it, it might take just long enough for the security to notice you’re doing something shady on the security camera and catch you in the middle of the act.
Controlling the Game and the Results
With the slot machines getting more complicated, inventive enthusiasts did not give up. They simply upped their game, trying to break the wheel once again. Despite the operating details of a slot machine to be corporate trade secrets, there were always such people that tried to figure out how the software operates and how they can topple it. We are most certain that when these rollers were preparing how to manipulate a slot machine, they did their homework on the slots. Therefore, as a future hacker to be, we suggest you check out our article on slots terminology.
Anyhow, the first electro-mechanical slot machines offered the feature to stop the reels. That meant that some experienced players with lightning fingers could essentially stop the reels when they choose, hence increasing the profit consistency. However, this was not a scam as it was provided by the slot machines themselves. With the appearance of people who knew how to increase their odds using the system, companies began to design their slot machines differently, allowing players to stop just one reel. Anyhow, the option to stop any reels was later completely taken off, leaving players unable to stop any of the reels whatsoever.
Some rollers figured a way to bypass even these security measures. The solution came in the form of an electromagnetic pulse, hidden in an electric lighter. The way it worked was that the lighter generated the appropriate amperage to create a magnetic field. When done close to the slot machine, it affects the sensitive computer, allowing players to alter and stop the reels. Anyhow, that finding did not last for long as manufacturers upgraded their operating systems, beefing them up with additional external protection.
How to Cheat a Slot Machine Software
With the software of the machines improving, their security and defences get better and better. But there are always people able to crack even the toughest shells. If one has the knowledge of behaviour and possible weaknesses of an electronic device, well, that can surely be exploited. A great story tells us of an intriguing software that allowed the hackers to have full control over the machine. It is not known how they managed to install that software on the slot, whether they were helped by an inside person, or they were working there themselves.
What is known is that they had programmed the slot to have a winning combination of buttons. This means that whenever they clicked a certain key combination, the slot was giving them a win. But wait, it gets even better, having this secret cheat combination also means that if you do not know it, the machine works just like any others. In other words, you could sit there, play a few spins, generate some profit, and leave the slot for somebody else to play at it afterwards, completely disguising yourself.
Of course, if you draw the attention of the security, and they start following your moves with the cameras, you’ll be caught sooner or later. After all, holding multiple buttons at the same time, while the game requires you to just click one, might not be that hard to be seen as suspicious.
Are Slot Machines Rigged Against The Player
Exploiting Bugs
Every one of us has experienced numerous software bugs, be they on your computer, smartphone, washing machine or a video game. With some, you just learn to live with, others you exploit. The world of the slot machines is no different. For example, some players noticed that when they are playing a certain roulette, if they placed a bet and cancelled it at the same time, their credits would go back to them, but they also remained on the table. That virtually meant that they could bet as many times as they wanted, without having any risk of losing.
However, if you participate in an activity like this one, you will most definitely get caught at one point. Moreover, since you knew about the exploit and used it for your benefit, you cannot claim to be innocent. Such actions are classified as attempted fraud and are completely illegal. Henceforth, if you are milking a bugged cash cow, you better have your running shoes with you, because you might be running straight to a sentence.
Botting
You heard it right, we will be talking about bots. These are not gigantic scary robots who seek mechanical utopia but small computer programs that automatically play the online slots, repeatedly. Their purpose is to find a weakness in the random number generator of the particular casino, that you could potentially exploit. However, the RNG aspect of the games is constantly supervised and tested by the casinos and the regulatory authorities, leaving no actual possibility for the bots to find a crack in the defence. If you would like to visit one of these bot-proof gaming sites, you can check out our review about the best slot sites.
Do Casinos Manipulate Slot Machines?
Some may wonder, if players try to cheat, do casinos manipulate slot machines as well? Unfortunately, the fraud does not happen only on the players’ end, but on the other side as well. Of course, that is one of the reasons why regulation authorities such as the UKGC exist. Prior to their creation, casinos were poorly regulated and could have cheated easily, by offering their clients rigged games. Nowadays, however, we live in a much safer environment. If you play only at legitimately certified casinos, you will not experience any crooked games.
Anyhow, there are other dangers lurking around the casinos. Regardless if it is regarding an online casino or not, imagine this shady Gollum-like person, who offers you some inside-knowledge on how to manipulate a slot game. Just only for a certain price, you will have all the information that you need to enter the first casino, grab the big cash and move to live in an Australian mansion. Isn’t it a bit too perfect? If you knew the path to the pot o’ gold, would you share it for some chunks of coin instead of taking all the riches and running away yourself?
Yeah, that is a big, red warning, isn’t it? Have in mind that this person can come in many shapes and forms, it can be a guy on the street or the perfect looking 100% legit billionaire from the internet. Anyhow, such websites exist, and their purchasable software manipulation practices are often backed up by some fake attorney’s signature and certificate.
Furthermore, this grand picture of a wonderland experience will be further strengthened by videos of how easy and safe it is, and perhaps how many people have done it. The harsh reality is that either nothing of what you’ve purchased will work, or it will be stopped by the casino’s software.
Common Slot Machine Myths
In this section, we have selected a couple of the most common myths regarding slot machines, and we are going to find answers for them and, respectively, debunk them if possible.
Activity Levels Affect the Odds
Some people believe that when you continuously bet on the same game and increase your bet per spin value, you will increase your chances of winning. Unfortunately, that is not true. Due to the RNG software in each slot machine game, the outcome of each roll is generated individually, without a mastermind standing behind the curtains tracking if you are offering more coins to the God of the reels. Anyhow, some game’s payout ratio might increase whenever you insert more coins into the particular spin. Generally, the chances of a win are always the same.
Raise the Stakes When You are Not Winning
As previously said, due to the RNG of each slot machine game, raising the stakes does not promise that you will win the next roll. As each spin is calculated on its own, losing a few in a row does not guarantee that you will start winning. Now, mathematically speaking, you cannot always loose but, hey, you never know. Anyhow, as much as this tip is a myth, there is a certain logic into it. Similar methodology has been used in the Martingale Strategy in roulette games, but once again, the rules that apply to a certain game does not necessarily apply to all.
Playing During the Night is Better
This myth goes around the idea that it is better to play during night-time since all the good players have gone to bed. Moreover, the slot machines have generated a lot of money during the day and are ready to give back. Ultimately, the machines are completely random. You can earn a jackpot during the day or the night, or not win at all.
Conclusion
To conclude, throughout the years, people have come up with numerous ways on how to manipulate a slot machine, but as with many other things, problems lead to improvement. The current state of the slot machines is safe and sound. With the constant supervision by third-party organisations, both games and providers are kept in perfect order. Ultimately, unless you are a master hacker, there is no easy way to beat the rollers’ system and get a nice profit. If you have changed your mind of manipulating the slots and want to go for a few spins, we have prepared a list of some excellent new slot sites, that will intrigue you.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are sure that you have any additional queries regarding how to manipulate a slot machine and if the online slots are rigged. Therefore, we have decided to answer some of the most commonly asked questions, for your convenience.
🎰 Can slot machines be rigged?
The answer is no! Slot machines cannot be rigged, especially at the online casinos. The casinos are regularly checked by third-party agencies that ensure their trustworthiness and safe play. To learn more about this topic, please visit the designated section.
🎱 How to manipulate a slot machine?
Unfortunately, there is no way to trick or manipulate a slot machine. The times that we live in and the technologies have brought to us the safest online casino environment ever. If you would like to read about some of the used methods, please visit the designated section on how to manipulate a slot machine.
🍀 Shall I switch slot machines if I have no luck?
As each slot machine operates with a random number generator, each spin has a stand-alone outcome. In other words, changing the slot machine does not promise that you will have a better win chance than the current game that you are playing. To gather more information, visit our common slot myths section.
🏆 How can I pick a winning slot machine?
You cannot really pick a winning game because there isn’t a 100% guaranteed winning slot machine. However, some offer more ways to generate earnings than others and even have additional bonuses and free spins. If you are interested in finding a game with great bonuses, check our top 10 most exciting bonus rounds in slots review
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View all postsToday, I’m going to answer another reader question which I received recently by email. It comes from Sarah in Scotland who wants to know “Are slot machines rigged?” I’ve copied the email directly below with her permission.
Dear GamblingSites.org team,
I’m Sarah McKeown, and I’ve been a long-time reader of your blog. I’ve found lots of interesting content over the years. I even won a healthy jackpot after playing one of your recommended jackpot slots.
However, I’ve been keeping a record of my bets versus my wins, and I’ve noticed that no matter how many big wins I have, I always end up losing it all again over the long term. Can you tell me if slot machines are rigged? Can casinos fix slot machines to make sure players lose?
Any insights you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah McKeown
Sarah, I’m going to answer your questions directly. Yes, slot machines are rigged. However, they’re not rigged in the way you think they are
In this post, I’ll explain how slot machines work, why you lose in the long-term, and I’ll give you some useful tips for beating slot machines more often. Let’s begin!
Are Casino Slot Machines Rigged?
I guarantee you that if you walk through any Vegas casino, or any casino in the world for that matter, and ask every slots player if they won, the vast majority of them will tell you no.
It’s difficult to understand how this could be the case unless slot machines are rigged. And if they are, how in the heck is that legal? Are casinos actively keeping slot machines rigged so that you can’t win? If so, what about all those stories of players who won huge jackpots?
This can all seem rather confusing, but it’s not. The simple answer is that the vast majority of players lose, and a few lucky players win. Each machine is programmed to pay out less than what’s put into it, ensuring that the casino makes a continuous profit over the long run. This could be anything from a 2% advantage on the best slot machines, to a 10% or greater advantage on some of the big-money jackpot slots.
So, in a nutshell, casino slots are rigged to make sure the casino makes a profit, but that does not mean you can’t win on any given gaming session.
Gaming commissions would never allow casinos to run games you can’t win, nor would it be good for business. Players would soon figure out that the games were unwinnable and would stop playing.
Let’s take a closer look at how slot machines work. This will help you understand that while the house always wins, you can win, too.
How Slot Machines Are Rigged
Understanding how slot machines are rigged requires you to understand how they work. Each slot has its game odds, but they all use a similar method of paying out jackpots. Here are some important things to know about slot machines.
Understand Slot Machine RTP
RTP is an acronym for “return to player.” If you read slot machine reviews, you’ll usually find each game has a specific RTP published by the developer. For example, on NetEnt.com, you can find the RTP of Starburst and other games.
RTP is a percentage.
For Example:Based on Starburst from above, the RTP is 96.09%. What does this mean in terms of money, jackpots, and wins and losses? It means that, for every £100 bet on these games, players win back £96.09.
It’s important to remember that this does not mean you’ll make back £96.09 for every £100 you bet on Starburst. It means that the casino returns £96.09 to all players spinning the reels at every casino which offers Starburst. This includes all of the small wins and losses each player wins on every spin. In the long run, the casino will make £3.91 on every £100 bet on that game, regardless of what happens in the short term.
Hopefully, this concept of RTP helps you understand how slot machines are rigged in favor of the game developers and casinos but are not rigged in absolute terms. You can win when playing slots, but you can’t win in the long run.
Understand Random Number Generators
Even though the house has a built-in advantage on slot machines, it’s clear that some players do win massive jackpots. Just take a look at this story about a British soldier winning a record-breaking jackpot from a £0.25 spin.
Lots of players wonder when the best time to play slot machines is, which slots are “loose,” and all sorts of other questions. They hope that figuring out the answers will help them win slots more often, but the truth is that this is all a waste of time.
Slot machines decide when to pay out in accordance with a Random Number Generator (RNG). Believe it or not, it’s possible for a slot machine to pay out a jackpot on two spins in a row, although it is unlikely. A Random Number Generator is a piece of software which spits out billions of numbers per second, and if it happens to spit out a number associated with a jackpot, you’ll see the high-value symbols line up across a payline and you win.
There’s no way to manipulate RNGs. You can’t cheat online slot machines no matter how hard you try. Some smart players note that RNGs can’t be truly random since humans create them, but for all reasonable and practical purposes, you can’t manipulate them.
Perhaps, someone will someday spot a pattern in the apparent randomness by using a quantum computer to crunch numbers. But until then, just assume they’re random.
While the slots developer can control the RTP via programming, it can’t control the RNG. There are third-party games testing organizations such as eCogra which test RNGs and verify that they are fair. This doesn’t mean all slots developers play fair, but big names like Microgaming and NetEnt do.
How to Win at Slots — Tips and Tricks
Now that you understand how slot machines work, and how they are rigged without being unfair, it’s time to turn the tables on the casinos. I’ve learned a lot about slot machines throughout my career as a player, and I’m going to share my best tips on how to win slots more often.
Pick Slot Machines With a High RTP
One of the first and most obvious tips is to select high RTP slot machines. These games pay back the most to players in the long run, so you’re better off playing them even if the jackpots are smaller.
Very often, the jackpots are smaller. Since the casinos have less risk to deal with when a smaller jackpot is involved, they can afford a higher payback percentage to players. It makes sense, doesn’t it?
So, which slot machines have the highest RTP? Here are five to get you started.
- Blood Suckers by NetEnt – 98%
- Rags to Riches by Cryptologic – 98%
- Good Girl, Bad Girl by Betsoft – 97.8%
- Kings of Chicago by NetEnt – 97.8%
- Wolfpack Pays by NextGen – 97.8%
Those slots have a variety of excellent bonus features, decent jackpots, and higher than average RTPs. If you want to get the most bang for your buck as a long-term player, it’s wise to play them.
Pick the Right Volatility for Your Bankroll
There’s a top-notch article on slot machine variance and volatility here. If you want a more detailed breakdown of what they are, check that out.
Are Online Slot Machines Rigged
Slot machine volatility is important to understand because it will tell you which slots are suitable for your bankroll. Volatility indicates both how often a slot should pay and the average size of the payouts.
- Low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more often.
- Medium volatility slots pay decent amounts fairly often.
- High volatility slots pay less frequently, but wins are more explosive.
If I had a smaller bankroll, say £20, I’d start by playing a low volatility slot such as Starburst. I find that it’s a good slot to build your bankroll with. Once I double up, I usually switch to a higher volatility slot with bigger payouts which occur less frequently.
Managing your bankroll effectively is about the only slot machine strategy which works. Therefore, knowing the volatility of a game is useful information.
Use Free Spins With Low Wagering Requirements
Are Digital Slot Machines Rigged
Most online casinos offer free spins bonuses for new players. Lots of them also offer free spins to loyal players who spin slots daily or weekly.
I’ve learned the hard way that not all free spins bonuses give me an advantage. Sometimes, the wagering requirements are so high that the bonus is a liability. This is especially true if it comes with predatory terms such as that I can’t withdraw my deposit until I meet the wagering requirements. Yes, such bonuses exist, I’ve seen it all over the years I’ve been playing!
Are Slot Machines Rigged Reddit
There are other free spins bonuses you will want to take. They’ll give you a chance to beat the house with its own money and have these characteristics.
- They won’t require excessive minimum deposits.
- The wagering requirements will be low, around 20x or less.
- You’ll be able to keep all of what you win when you wager the bonus.
Are Blackjack Slot Machines Rigged
Free spins with low wagering requirements are available at lots of top UK casinos. There are even casinos with no wagering requirements, and they’re especially popular in the UK market.
Final Words
Are All Slot Machines Rigged
Thanks for writing to me with this question, Sarah. It’s given me a chance to cover lots of ground with regards to slot machines, and I hope that it answers your question. Are slot machines rigged? Yes, the house has a mathematical advantage which you can’t alter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t win.
Are Slot Machines Rigged
Beating slot machines is a case of picking the right games, managing your bankroll effectively, and getting lucky. Don’t forget the last part! Luck is essential. There’s no effective way to beat the slots every time. Happy spinning, and don’t forget to pick up a casino bonus before you begin!
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