Gambling is a very popular activity now, especially online, but it is also one that comes with a lot of myths attached to it. One myth is that the word is interchangeable with gaming, when in fact there are clear differences between them.
Both are activities that have largely migrated from the physical world to the digital one and both are competitive, but gambling is a subsector of the gaming industry that involves play for real money. Indeed that is one of the things that its fans most love about it.
This is not the only mistaken notion the public has about gambling though and some of those notions prevent people from trying out an activity they might otherwise enjoy. That is why we have decided to debunk some of the standard gambling myths in this article.
Myth One: Online casino games are fixed
This is something that many believed about land-based venues, but the number of people that have convinced themselves that the games at online casinos are rigged against them is much higher. There is not even an element of truth in this particular notion; it is entirely myth.
The online casino industry is very tightly regulated. Most of the sites operate from Malta and fall under the jurisdiction of that country’s Gambling Authority. They are able to continue in business because they can demonstrate that their games are completely fair.
They do this by deploying Random Number Generator technology to ensure that the results of the slots, roulette and other games do not follow any pre-set patterns. They also provide transparent information such as the return-to-player (RTP) for slots to allow people to make informed choices.
You will always find fair games if you play at a casino that has been licensed by a regulator.
Myth Two: Online gambling is not legal
There is some degree of truth to this, but as a blanket statement it is definitely false. The situation when it comes to the legality of gambling online is very different from one country to another. Indeed, in the US, it varies depending on the state.
There is also some variance based on the type of gambling. Some countries or states permit internet sports betting but not online casinos, while others have legalized all forms of digital gambling.
It is simply a matter of finding out what the legal situation is wherever you happen to live.
Myth Three: The time of day matters when playing slot games
Some people earnestly believe that what time during the day you play a slot game has an effect on how much you can win. The idea is that these games pay out larger amounts during the slower periods in each day.
To be absolutely clear: the time of day that you happen to start playing a slot will make no difference whatsoever to the size of the payout you get in the event of a win. It would be a breach of the industry regulations for casinos to tamper with the payouts in that way.
The jackpots for every slot are made clear by the casinos and the size and frequency of the wins are determined by how much you bet and the RTP for each game. So this is another complete myth.
Myth Four: Online gambling is a data security risk
One belief that stops a lot of people from signing up to an online casino is the idea that their personal data will be at risk from cyber-criminals. It is not a complete fantasy, but the danger is largely overstated.
The top casino sites have invested large sums of money in protecting the data of their customers. They utilize cutting edge SSL encryption tech to safeguard both personal and bank details.
Think about it: would the sites really have remained popular if data breaches were commonplace? Making sure your information is secure when gambling online is really just about the exercise of common sense. Good casinos tell you exactly what security measures they have in place.
Stick to gambling at licensed ones and you will be fine.
Myth Five: Betting on sports is easier
Casual observers often think that betting on sports is simpler than casino gambling. However, while it may be less tricky than games such as poker or blackjack, there is more to sports betting than is commonly thought.
People who enjoy consistent success at it spend hours every week doing detailed research into everything from form to injuries that could potentially impact sports results. It is also a form of gambling that has many different types of bets, so it is largely untrue to claim that it is easier.
Hopefully busting these myths will make you more willing to give gambling a go.