Slot machine games are a big attraction at bricks-and-mortar casinos, and now they’re taking the online world by storm too. They come in all sorts of variations and themes, offering up seemingly endless ways to spin up some fun, and possibly some cash prizes too. Naturally enough, popularity goes hand in hand with some tall stories, and these are 7 of the biggest myths about online slots currently doing the rounds.

1. Online slots are rigged

All reputable slot games use random number generators (RNGs) and complex mathematical algorithms to ensure that every spin delivers a completely fair and unpredictable outcome. It’s not just a case of taking the developer’s word for it either, as appropriate testing is a condition for any UK licensed slot site. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) ensures all games hosted at safe, secure and trustworthy sites are tested by an independent regulator, such as eCOGRA.

2. Review sites are never trustworthy

It’s true that some review sites have affiliate links, so it would be reasonable to assume that they want players to click through under any circumstances, but that’s not the case. Producing completely honest and trustworthy slot site reviews is in the best interests of any reviewer hoping to stay the distance. It’s only through developing a reputation for providing solid, reliable information that such sites can flourish. Any genuine slot site reviews will point out any deficiencies in a site, as well as the positive aspects.

3. Land-based slots are better than online slots

When you play a land-based slot machine, it’s a full-on sensory experience. There’s the buzz and chatter of other players, the lights and sounds of nearby games, with drinks and snacks available whenever you want them. You won’t have any of that when you play online, but with fewer overheads, operators can afford to be generous.

The average RTP, or Return to Player percentage, of an online slot comes in at just over 96%, giving a house edge of less than 4%. The RTP at a bricks-and-mortar casino could be as low as 75%, with the casino attempting to lower the frequency of payouts to offset the huge expense involved in lighting, heating and staffing costs. Not only are the potential returns better when playing online, but operators also pass on savings in the form of bonuses and free spins.

4. Slots have hot and cold streaks

All slot games have RNGs to ensure completely random results with every spin, although this is something that the human mind struggles to comprehend. Logic tells us that if a game has just paid out a jackpot prize, that level of payout won’t happen again for a long time. However, it’s perfectly possible to spin up two, three, four or even more jackpots, one after the other, as every spin works independently of any other.

Toss a coin and the only results are Heads or Tails. It’s possible to keep landing Heads multiple times in a row, no matter how statistically unlikely. Ultimately, over millions of throws the results will show an even 50/50 split. It’s exactly the same with slot machines – random winning or losing streaks are completely meaningless and have no impact on future results.

5. You can’t win big when playing with bonus funds

Whether you play an online slot game using real cash or bonus funds, the outcome of a spin will still be the same. Games certainly aren’t rigged to deliver different outcomes when played using bonus credits. This myth probably came about because it’s usually only the bonus winnings that can be withdrawn, not the bonus itself.

6. You can change the outcome of a spin by using the Stop button

Online slot games often include a feature in which the Spin button becomes an optional Stop button while a spin plays out. Hitting the button during play brings the spin to a premature end, cutting short the moment when you discover whether you’ve achieved a win. But although the Stop button brings the game to a halt, it doesn’t affect the final outcome.

From the moment you hit Spin, the game’s final result has already been decided by the in-built algorithms. This is something that players can check for themselves when playing blockchain-based slot games with Provable Fairness built in. Players can request a seed to be sent to their device before the game plays out – once completed, the seed reveals that the outcome had already been recorded.

7. You can cheat playing online slots

There used to be tales of ‘fixing’ slot machine cabinets by using magnets, although those days are long gone. When it comes to trying to cheat online slot games, there’s no point even trying. Online gambling sites are so sophisticated these days that there’s no way of hacking into the games to cheat. Even professional hackers don’t stand a chance – digital encryption protects all site data and communications  offering the highest levels of protection day and night.

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