Online gambling has grown in popularity in recent years. The ongoing global pandemic certainly played a significant role in showing people that online casinos were a great source of entertainment whereby they could potentially win big without having to leave the safety of their own homes.
However, for those new to online gambling, this world can be a somewhat overwhelming place. Naturally, you want to know that you are playing a fair game when you are parting with money, and they’re really some horror stories when it comes to unscrupulous actors conducting illicit activities under the guise of being a gaming platform. This is why you need to do your research and pick a reputable online casino before you start betting with real money.
When all’s said and done, and you want to get on the online gambling bandwagon, we advise you to choose the best. You can find exhaustive information about top-rated operators at Zebra Casino, where you’ll find exhaustive top lists, depending on what you’re looking for. You can find a variety of casinos offering free slots, real money and even no deposit bonuses, to mention but a few!
In addition to choosing a good casino, you should be aware of some basic facts and myths before getting stuck in.
FACT – Slot Machines Must Pay Out At Least 70%
When you start playing online slots, you might notice the initials RTP popping up a lot. RTP stands for Return To Player and refers to the money that is expected to be paid out in relation to player stakes. The UK Gambling Commission has stated that the minimum RTP must be set to 70% at all online casinos. This means for every GBP 1 spent, 70p must be paid out to gamblers on average.
MYTH – The Whole System Is Rigged
Once you get into the gambling world, you will likely hear people say that casino tables or slot machines are rigged, so the casino always comes out on top. While this may have been the case decades ago, when people played on machines that were easy to tamper with, rigging a game is much harder in this modern digital age. The gambling industry is heavily regulated, and independent game labs regularly audit licensed casinos to ensure that every game is truly random.
FACT – Playing Poker Is A Lucrative Second Career Option
While we aren’t advising anyone to give up their day job, there are several examples of people who’ve made successful second careers from playing pokers. Notable examples include Teddy Sheringham, a former Manchester United and England striker, who is said to have made over GBP 330,000 playing poker and Victoria Coren Mitchell, a writer and broadcaster who is the first-ever two-time winner of the prestigious European Poker Tour trophy. With that being said, before you quit your job and head down to the casino, remember these examples are few and far between. What’s more, in many cases, they not only had the skill but the comfort of a financial safety net to fall back on.
MYTH – Casinos Pump Out Oxygen To Keep Players Awake
This is probably not something you need to worry about if you play your slots online, but a famous urban myth worth debunking nonetheless. Many people believe that casinos secretly pump oxygen into the building to keep players alert and wanting to play. This is simply not true. It would be in violation of health and safety regulations as it could lead to potential health complications. Sure, casinos may turn up their air conditioning, but that is about as far as it goes.
FACT – Skill and Strategy Are Important
Many people will say that winning the type of games you play at a casino is down to luck. However, studies have shown that card games like poker and blackjack will give you better odds if you can employ a degree of skill and strategy. While this doesn’t always mean you’ll take home the jackpot, you are more likely to enjoy the game if you know what you are doing.
MYTH – You Will Always Win Eventually
A common mistake that gamblers make is believing in the gambler’s fallacy – that they are due a win at some point. For instance, by playing a game that gives you a 20% chance of winning, you should win after five consecutive rounds. This is simply not the case because, in reality, each round is independent. Even if you were to keep gambling until you won, chances are you’ll go home at a loss.
FACT – The First Casino Was In Italy
When we think of casino destinations such as London, Macao and of course, Las Vegas is what comes to mind. However, the institution known as a casino originated in Italy. The word ‘casino’ derives from the Italian word ‘casa’ and was developed to describe a variety of games houses and social clubs.
MYTH – Following Trends Will Lead To Success
As is the case with stocks and shares, people develop trends based on a game’s past performance and use this information to predict future payouts. While this is possible if you have a good mathematical mind, the difficulty lies in ensuring the trend is correct. The fact is payouts are random, so while a trend may be correct in theory, the chances of money falling through the roof is probably more likely.
FACT – The Record Win On A Online Slot Machine is EUR 17.8 Million
Believe it or not, six-figure payouts are possible when playing online slots. A player from Finland set the current record of a whopping EUR 17.8 million win was set in 2013 by a player from Finland.
MYTH – The House Always Wins
Even though the house edge suggests the casino always wins statistically, this only applies in the long term. This doesn’t mean you won’t end your night with a profit. Of course, a little beginner’s luck might be involved, but it is wise for novices to read a little about game strategy before getting started. If nothing else, this will add to their enjoyment.
In short, we’ve debunked some of the most common myths about gambling, but there are loads more out there. So, be sure to question what you hear and do your research, but most of all have fun!