Fact Or Faction: Is Online Blackjack Rigged?

If you’re a blackjack player, the question “Is online blackjack rigged?” might have crossed your mind, especially after a bad beat.

Let’s clarify from the start: online blackjack isn’t typically rigged, but it can happen if you aren’t careful about where you are playing.

This guide will help address any lingering skepticism about the fairness and integrity of online blackjack.

Fair Online Blackjack Games

Here, you’ll only find links to reputable online blackjack sites for US players, each holding a license from the states where they operate. Below, we explain why this matters and ensures you only play blackjack online safely.

Is Online Blackjack Fair?

Skepticism is inevitable in online gambling. A run of tough losses, and suddenly you might find yourself thinking, “Am I being ripped off? Is online blackjack rigged?” And it doesn’t help that online blackjack’s mechanics remain a mystery for most, unlike the in-person play

It can be easier to blame the online casino than to rethink our strategies or analyze the math behind the game.

Dubious practices and disgruntled players sharing their mistrust on various platforms only add fuel to the fire, creating a narrative of suspicion. But before we let rumors and myths cloud our judgment, let’s uncover the truth one fact at a time:

Random Number Generators

The fairness of online blackjack, like in all online casino games, rests upon using random number generators (RNGs). These sophisticated programs simulate the unbiased nature of card shuffling through algorithms and mathematical equations, nullifying any player or dealer influence.

RNG software produces long strings of random numbers with no regard for previous outcomes or discernible patterns.

This process is entirely random and ensures the card you get has no bearing on previous or future hands.

There are two core types of RNGs: true random number generators (TRNG) and pseudo-random number generators (PRNG). Most online gambling sites use the latter to power blackjack games.

While PRNGs are deterministic and could theoretically repeat the sequence, the advanced nature of these algorithms and regular game audits render predictions and exploits nearly impossible.

Legal online blackjack sites use certified random number generators.

Reputable Online Blackjack Sites Use Secure Software Providers

Online blackjack sites don’t usually develop blackjack games in-house. Instead, they procure them from external software providers.

Software developers must provide comprehensive evidence of their games’ integrity before they can enter a market.

The US casino market is heavily regulated, and only reputable companies succeed. Jurisdictional regulators require more than just software validation from casinos; they mandate that the games hosted on their platforms undergo a thorough inspection and rigorous scrutiny from regulators to get licensed.

For example, developers must provide detailed calculation sheets outlining the Return to Player (RTP) percentages of their online blackjack games.

Gambling licensing authorities don’t carry out this extensive audit process alone. Renowned agencies like Gaming Laboratories International also participate in certifying games for online blackjack sites.

With such rigorous checks, players can feel confident about the fairness of online blackjack games.

Outside Testing and Regulation of Blackjack Games

Regulation in the online casino market ensures a fair playing field, primarily through strict audits conducted by independent agencies or laboratories. They ensure that online blackjack sites meet the necessary criteria to secure a license from the local regulator.

Agencies like GLI, eCOGRA, SIQ, BMM Testlabs, QUINEL, iTechLabs, and TriSigma undertake the vital task of certifying blackjack games for fairness. They analyze the games offered by focusing on two key components: the Return to Player (RTP) rate and the random number generation (RNG).

These audits involve both the supplier and vendor (casino), guaranteeing the games’ specs are accurate and the operator’s product handling is transparent.

For instance, Michigan’s Gaming Control Board mandates internet gaming platforms to submit their platform for evaluation either to the board itself or an approved independent lab.

The screenshot below, taken from the Michigan Internet Gaming rules page, illustrates the extensive requirements to secure a license.

In another example, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board stipulates a similar submission requirement, in addition to insisting on specific standards for RNG systems.

To emphasize, the RTP and RNG are systematically audited, providing a comprehensive check on the fairness and randomness of online blackjack games.

This stringent process minimizes any room for manipulation, reassuring players of a fair and honest gaming experience.

Understanding Blackjack House Edge

The house edge in blackjack represents the average gross profit a casino expects to earn per bet and is expressed as a percentage.

The house edge gives casinos a guaranteed profit margin and eliminates any need to tamper with the outcome of a blackjack game.

Remember, house edge is a long-term calculation. In shorter sessions, players will see some variance.

On average, the house edge for most online blackjack game variations ranges between 1%–2%. With optimal play using basic blackjack strategies, it can be reduced further.

Other factors can further influence the house edge in online blackjack. For instance, the S17 rule (where the dealer stands on a soft 17) can reduce the house edge by 0.22%.

The number of decks in play also matters. In single-deck blackjack, the house edge can be as low as 0.13%, although very few casinos offer this variation.

In any case, casinos must clearly display the game’s house edge, either in the lobby or in the in-game settings.

Blackjack True Winning Odds

True odds indicate the actual probability of winning a blackjack bet without the house edge factored in , representing a fair game where neither the player nor the casino would have an advantage.

Statistically, a player has around a 42.22% chance of winning each hand. Yet, this doesn’t imply the house wins the remaining 57.78% of the time. There’s also a possibility of a tie, or a push, which averages around 8.48% of the games. This leaves an actual loss probability at about 49.10%.

It’s worth noting that these odds are not set in stone and can vary significantly based on the specific blackjack variant, the rules applied to the player and dealer, and your playing style.

Online Blackjack Player Protections

Key reasons why it makes no sense for online blackjack sites to rig their games:

• Guaranteed casino profit: The house always wins in the long run. Blackjack apps don’t need to rig games to make a profit. Built-in house edge ensures casinos’ profit in the long run.
• Regulatory licenses: Online blackjack operators must obtain licenses from jurisdictional regulatory agencies. This certification ensures that the casino and its software providers have passed audits undertaken by independent testing labs, guaranteeing fair play.
• Operator reputation: Rumors and suspicions about rigged online blackjack games can irrevocably tarnish a casino’s reputation. In the digital age, accusations can spread like wildfire on social media. If blackjack players believe they are being ripped off, they can reach out to the state regulator for player protection.
• Immutable house edge: It is a common misconception that online casinos can tweak the house edge or Return to Player (RTP) of games mid-session. However, this would require access to the game developer’s source code, which is not only improbable but also illegal. Misunderstanding arises due to some slot games having adjustable RTP configurations. But these configurations are set before the game is offered to blackjack players, and they cannot be changed in real time.

Beware Of Offshore Blackjack Sites

Illegal offshore online casinos have been caught cheating players at online blackjack games.

Often, offshore blackjack sites have not obtained proper licensing, and don’t submit to any fairness auditing of their gaming software.

Avoid illegal offshore blackjack sites at all cost.

Final Thoughts: Is Online Blackjack Safe To Play?

Despite the skepticism surrounding online blackjack, the reality is that reputable online blackjack sites are safe to play at, as long as you do so responsibly.

With regulatory licenses and a reputation to maintain, tampering with online blackjack game outcomes would be an extremely risky venture.