The importance of fairness and reputation in online casinos

In 2023, the global casino and online gambling industry reached a market size of $263.3 billion. The proven growth of the casino industry has made countries like Brazil work on new laws for betting and physical casinos legalization. With well-known operators on the line, reputation and reliability become crucial factors for most players when selecting an online casino platform. 

Despite the importance of factors like gaming experience, interface, online security, and responsible gaming, players often lack understanding of how these platforms ensure fairness. Here’s an overview of how renowned casinos build their reputation and why keeping players informed is crucial.

What is the public opinion of fairness?

The safety of players has always been a priority for reputable operators in the gambling industry, sparking ongoing discussions about the integrity of gambling as a whole.

Health and addiction issues have been consistently emphasized by researchers, regulators, and the media, all seeking common ground with operators to ensure fairness. However, the unsupervised media around casino and affiliate programs contributed to the bad perception of the gambling industry as a whole. 

According to this research by ENV Media, when asked about the fairness of casino games and sports betting, 35% of respondents said they were "very unfair" or "unfair," while only 19% considered them "very fair" or "fair." Unfortunately, this public opinion is largely based on the belief that most operators are interested in perpetuating scams and fraud.

How are casino games controlled for fairness?

When asked in this same study if they knew how the fairness of casino games is controlled, a staggering 74% of players couldn't respond. Only 11% claimed that games are tested, while 15% said they are both tested and monitored. This indicates a clear lack of knowledge about the processes involved in testing and monitoring these games, emphasizing the need for better education on regulatory practices.

Online casinos ensure fairness through several key measures. Firstly, they use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to produce random results in games, such as slots and instant-play games. Additionally, third-party auditors, which are external testing facilities, regularly test the RNGs and game mechanics. These auditors verify the fairness of the games and transaction methods, and casinos that pass these tests receive certificates for fairness.

Moreover, regulating authorities, which are government-owned organizations, provide gambling licenses to online casinos and conduct audits to ensure compliance with international gambling regulations. These authorities perform thorough checks to confirm that casinos match the necessary standards of fairness and transparency. 

Building trust through fairness

When most players were asked what actions could improve their perception of fairness in casino games, the split between government authorities and casino operators indicates that both parties need to work together to enhance transparency and trust. Ensuring that players being well-informed about the testing and monitoring processes is essential in building a trustworthy environment.

Online casinos also build trust through good public relations. Data from https://www.kto.com/pt/cassino/, one of the biggest online casinos in Brazil, shows that 62% of players value the security of personal and payment data, while 51% look for the reputation and credibility of the platform. That’s why maintaining reputation is a primary concern of serious operators.

Compared to social media and influencers, gaming news websites and official operator sites have less influence. The majority of players now depend on digital channels for trustworthy information about online betting and casino games. This indicates significant potential for sponsorship growth in the gambling market and iGaming industry, particularly with the forthcoming esports regulations.

While reputation and reliability are essential for online casino selection, there is a clear need for better education on regulatory practices. Ensuring transparency and building trust through various channels, especially digital ones, can significantly improve players' perceptions of fairness and reliability in online gaming.