10 Online Casino Myths Busted - Common Misconceptions about Online Casinos March 2026

Q: Can an online casino keep your winnings?

In general, if you land a real money win, a licensed online casino has to pay out in accordance with the T&Cs. This might not be the case if you claim a welcome bonus and violate any of the terms, or if you sign up under false pretences, as winnings can potentially be forfeited.

Q: Can you count cards at online casinos?

The simple answer to this is no, you can’t count cards at an online casino, because the games use Random Number Generator technology and continuous shuffling, so counting cards wouldn’t come with any real results. You’re better off using strategy if you’re playing poker or blackjack.

Q: What is the house edge at online casinos?

The house edge refers to the amount of money that the casino keeps after payouts. In general, online slots have a house edge of about 4% or 5%, but for table games and live casino games this can be much lower, for example 1% or 2%.

Q: Do online casinos control when you win?

Online casino games like slots use Random Number Generator technology, which means that every spin on a particular game has exactly the same chance of winning. An online casino can’t control when you win, except in the case of games like daily jackpots, that have to drop within a certain timeframe.

By Farah Barry

Mar 23rd, 2026 7:44 AM EDT

Fact Checked By Mark Fordham

Game Over text image over neon shapes and tropical leaves

If you’re brand new to online casinos, you probably have a lot of questions. Are the games fair? Will the casino steal my money? Are online casinos even legal? Don’t worry, there are a lot of online casino myths out there, but we’re here to bust them and help you understand exactly how to have a fair and safe experience at an online casino.

We’ve gathered some of the most common casino myths and asked our experts for their take. We’re going to tell you how to find legal online casinos in your area, which payment methods to choose for reliable withdrawals and how to tell if a game is really fair.

Table of Contents

1. All Online Casinos Are Illegal
2. All Online Casinos Are Rigged
3. Online Casinos Steal Your Card Information
4. Online Casinos Don’t Pay Out Real Money
5. It Can Take Weeks To Get Your Money Out Of An Online Casino
6. You Can’t Play Live Games At An Online Casino
7. Online Casino Games Are Only Based On Luck; There’s No Skill To Them
8. Online Casinos Encourage Underage Gambling
9. Slots Pay Out In A Pattern
10. You’re More Likely To Win Depending On The Time Of Day You Play
Always Gamble Responsibly
Final Thoughts

1. All Online Casinos Are Illegal

This is really going to depend on where you live. There are a lot of US states where US online casino gambling for real money is illegal, while other states allow it at licensed sites. Other countries like the best UK online casinos have their own regulators, while others still fall under a common offshore licence from a body like the Malta Gaming Authority. Offshore online gambling at sites that hold licences in regions like Malta or Curacao is generally legal, as long as you’re not in a jurisdiction that completely bans online gambling. These licenses are issued by established, trustworthy bodies, which ensure that the casino sites adhere to strict safety and security standards.

2. All Online Casinos Are Rigged

The idea that all online gambling sites are rigged is one of the most common casino myths out there. And we’re happy to say that it’s definitely not true, as long as you’re playing at a licensed site. Legit online casinos only offer games by trustworthy providers, where Random Number Generators are used to determine the outcome of each spin on a slot. This means that each and every spin has the same chance of showing a winning combination. Casinos are subject to regular audits to make sure games are totally fair. You can look out for certification from bodies like eCOGRA and iTechLabs, which test games for fairness.

3. Online Casinos Steal Your Card Information

You might want to choose payment methods that give extra levels of security, or keep your online casino money separate from the rest of your bank account. E-wallets like PayPal and Skrill are a good option.

Adam Kenny Online Gambling Expert

4. Online Casinos Don’t Pay Out Real Money

5. It Can Take Weeks To Get Your Money Out Of An Online Casino

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6. You Can’t Play Live Games At An Online Casino

If it’s your first time playing live casino games, we’d recommend trying something easy to understand (and based on chance) like roulette, as opposed to blackjack or poker.

James Stoddart Online Casino Expert

7. Online Casino Games Are Only Based On Luck; There’s No Skill To Them

8. Online Casinos Encourage Underage Gambling

This can be a big concern amongst newer online casino players, but it’s not true at all. As long as you’re playing at a casino that’s licensed in your region, there are strict checks in place to make sure that you’re of legal gambling age. For example, in the US you need to be aged 21+, which can be verified by giving your SSN to the casino site when you’re signing up. In the UK, on the other hand, you only need to be 18, but you’ll still be asked for verification documents. Sites tend to ask you to enter your date of birth when you’re signing up and upload your ID before you can withdraw.

9. Slots Pay Out In A Pattern

The first thing to understand is that there’s no such thing as a “hot slot”, nor are you “due a win” after you’ve been playing for a certain amount of time. This is because all online slot games are completely fair and based on chance. Random Number Generator technology is a sophisticated computer algorithm that randomly determines which symbols land on the reels each time you spin and each spin is totally independent. Slot games all come with a Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which should give you an indication of how much the slot pays out over a long period of time (the higher the better). However, it’s never a guarantee of a win in a single gaming session. Before you play, make sure you check the paytable so that you can understand how to play online slots, find out how payouts work and see what the RTP and volatility are.

Betting big doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get a win - it’s as likely as winning at a smaller bet level. The exception here is some progressive jackpots, where the jackpot round is more likely to trigger at a higher stake amount.

Mark Fordham Sports Betting Journalist

10. You’re More Likely To Win Depending On The Time Of Day You Play

It’s a popular casino myth that slots pay out better early in the morning or late at night. But that’s 100% false. The Random Number Generators that drive slots determine their outcomes independently, so games simply can’t pay out differently depending on the time of day, or day of the week. Online casinos also don’t change up their payouts. You might also be wondering if slot games can remember you and know when you haven’t won in a while. Well, slots don’t care whether you’ve won recently or not. The Random Number Generators work the same way every single time you spin, so you’re just as likely to land a payout on your first, 100th or 1,000th spin.

Always Gamble Responsibly

Although online casinos offer a fair and safe experience where you’ll have a chance at getting a real money payout, winning is never guaranteed. You should always set yourself limits, make use of your preferred casino’s responsible gambling tools and never play with more money than you can afford to lose.

Final Thoughts

We hope we’ve busted some common casino myths for you and that you feel more confident playing at top online casino sites. The most important thing to remember is that you should only ever choose a licensed online casino, so that you can be guaranteed a fair, safe and fun experience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Casino Myths

Are online casinos safe?

As long as you choose a site that holds a valid licence, online casinos are totally safe. All of the games are tested and approved as fair and licensed casinos have strong account verification and payment security measures in place to keep you safe.

Can an online casino keep your winnings?

Can you count cards at online casinos?

What is the house edge at online casinos?

Do online casinos control when you win?

About the Author

Farah Barry

More About Farah

Farah is an online casino expert, having worked with one of the UK's biggest gambling brands, before turning her attention to freelance writing. When she's not writing about all of the latest casino and slot releases, you'll find her planning her next trip to Las Vegas.