The word “rigged” is a loaded term, and yet I see some gamblers use the word when talking about slot machines – that the casinos are out to get the players and the games are harshly tilted against the player. Are they rigged?
STATUS: If you know how a slot machine works, no, they’re not rigged. But they are negative expectation games that are designed to capture income for the casino. They’re designed to take your money over time.
Slot machines are complicated, mathematical marvels that aim to balance an entertaining experience with the ability to earn income for a casino. While slot machines are purposefully designed to capture income, they’re also designed to be a fun experience for gamblers.
“Rigged” would bring to mind games that never pay out, only take and never give, and are designed so harshly as to be unfair to the player. But the reality is that the games are just the opposite. Higher volatility games may pay more rarely, but they still pay, and games are designed with a lot of care to ensure they’re fun, even as they sometimes take in money.
As I said recently in another post, a player that is thinking so negatively and harshly about a casino to the point they think they’re offering unfair games should reconsider their gambling and whether it’s healthy or not – why gamble when you don’t trust the places you’re going to gamble? Spend it on things that make you happy.
