Everything you need to know about online casinos
The world of online casinos is filled with beliefs and myths that persist over time. While some are clearly false, others remain deeply rooted in players’ minds and can sometimes influence the way they play.
Madness Bonus will debunk them one by one.
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#1 – Casinos are rigged and manipulate game outcomes
This is one of the most common beliefs we’ve heard over the years. People often think that online casinos are rigged and that they can directly influence the randomness of their games.
While casinos do have a built-in advantage (house edge), everything ultimately comes down to luck and chance. Additionally, online casinos are regulated by external authorities, and cheating could result in them losing their gaming license.
Finally, it’s important to know that online casinos do not host the games themselves (such as slot machines and live casino games). Instead, they work with game providers (like Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO, Quickspin, etc.), meaning they have no control over the slot machines or game results.
#2 – Online casinos don’t pay players
This is another persistent myth. Do you really think online casinos would remain so popular if they didn’t pay out player winnings? At Madness Bonus, we list over 20 casinos and have never received complaints from our community members about not receiving their winnings.
Who hasn’t heard stories of big winners who couldn’t withdraw their earnings? While this may seem unfair, the harsh reality is that most of the time, it’s the player’s fault.
Casinos have no interest in refusing to pay winning players, as it would severely damage their reputation. The only reason they might not pay is if the player didn’t follow the casino’s terms and conditions. You’re free to play as you wish when wagering RAW funds, but bonuses come with specific rules that must be followed.
That’s why we strongly recommend reading the terms before playing—so you avoid surprises when withdrawing your winnings.
#3 – Online casinos are illegal
Let’s be realistic—if online casinos were illegal, they would have already been shut down. Instead, they have become increasingly popular over time. While online gambling is illegal in some countries, there is no global legislation banning it.
Each country has its own laws and regulations regarding online gambling. In some places, online casinos are neither fully authorized nor explicitly banned—they are simply tolerated or awaiting proper regulation.
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#4 – You can count cards at online blackjack tables
“Blackjack is easy—just count the cards, and you’ll know what’s coming next.” If only it were that simple. While this was possible in the past, land-based and online casinos have taken precautions to make card counting nearly impossible. Today, counting cards is more of a myth than a viable strategy.
We’ve all heard stories of card counters who won big and were banned from casinos. However, with modern safeguards in place, card counting is now extremely difficult.
In online blackjack, the game is played with a shoe containing seven decks. The shoe is shuffled as soon as the dealer reaches the cut card (a solid-coloured plastic card). This cut card is placed randomly in the deck, meaning you never know whether you’re playing with five, six, or seven decks—which makes counting cards nearly impossible.
#5 – The Martingale system is the best way to win at roulette
Whether you’re new or experienced in gambling, you’ve probably heard of the Martingale system. This strategy involves doubling your bet after each loss, and some players believe it’s a foolproof way to win money.
However, there is no guaranteed way to win at a casino. Roulette is a game of chance. Imagine starting with CAD 100 and betting CAD 7.5 on black. If red comes up four times in a row, you’ve already lost CAD 75.
There is no 100% winning strategy in roulette—only luck. Additionally, Martingale is a very expensive system, requiring a large bankroll to sustain multiple losses and continue doubling bets.
If you want to learn more about roulette and its rules, check out our guide: “How to play European Roulette online?“
#6 – Hot machines (high RTP) guarantee easy wins
More and more casinos now display slot machine RTPs in real time or over the past 24 hours. Since players often look for ways to increase their chances of winning, some choose their slot machines based on RTP (return to player).
Some players select a hot machine with an RTP above 100%, hoping it will continue paying out. Others prefer a cold machine that hasn’t paid in a while, thinking it’s due for a big win.
Who is right? Neither. Gambling is entirely based on chance, and just because a slot machine has paid some players doesn’t mean it will pay everyone.
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#7 – Casino streamers’ accounts are rigged
If you regularly watch casino streamers, you know this isn’t true. Streamers don’t have better luck than regular players—they simply play more frequently. Playing more often naturally increases their chances of landing big wins over time.
Some viewers claim that streamers have boosted accounts or receive special advantages. However, most viewers only discover a streamer when they win, meaning they weren’t there for their losing streaks.
If you take the time to watch casino streamers on Twitch, you’ll see that they have no more luck than you do.
#8 – Blackjack is 100% random, and there’s no strategy
This statement is both true and false. Yes, blackjack is a game of chance, especially online, where players come and go at any time. While there is no 100% guaranteed strategy, a basic strategy can help reduce the house edge to around 0.5%.
Not following basic strategy can increase the house edge to 2%. Simply put, this strategy helps you make decisions with the best risk/reward ratio.
If you want to learn more about basic strategy, check out our guide: “Blackjack: how to play and (almost) always win”.
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#9 – Slot machine RTP is fixed
First, let’s explain RTP (Return to Player). RTP represents the percentage of money a slot machine returns to players over time. While RTP in land-based casinos is between 70% and 90%, online casinos have higher RTPs, typically between 94% and 98%. A slot machine with 96% RTP returns 96% of the money wagered over a long period.
The key here is the long term. Slot machine RTP is not fixed but fluctuates. If you deposit CAD 100 into a machine, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get CAD 96 back. Instead, RTP balances out over time, meaning one session may return 50%, another 180%, another 20%, and eventually, it will average 96%.
#10 – “I won on a machine, so it won’t pay anymore”
Many players believe this. They trigger three scatters, win free spins, and immediately leave the machine, assuming it won’t pay out again. However, this is pure superstition—slot machines are 100% random.
You might spin 500 times without hitting a bonus feature or trigger three bonuses within 40 spins. In the end, what matters most is playing the slot machines you enjoy and having fun.
