Gambling, in its many forms, has been popular across the globe for millennia. From our ancient ancestors rolling stones to the latest games that can be played in virtual reality - the chance to win and lose is a thrill that many enjoy pursuing. 

In simpler times, when gambling was all about the outcome of a game rather than flashing images and exciting sounds, it was easy to see a win and loss for what they were. However, modern games make this a little more difficult to navigate.

Thanks to Random Number Generators (RNG), return-to-player percentages (RTP), provably fair technology, and strict rules that need to be followed by software providers, we can almost guarantee that games are fair. This is particularly true when playing at a trusted and licensed casino. But that doesn’t mean that games aren’t able to fool even the smartest players and make losses look like wins.

 Disguising Losses as Wins

Modern casino games like Online Slots and live dealer titles are designed to be as entertaining as possible. That means you’ll find flashing lights, exciting animations, coins falling from above, and upbeat soundtracks. However, it also means that game designers will attempt to minimise the disappointment of losing too.

You may be wondering how this is done. It’s actually very simple and is done plain as day on every casino game you play. Whether you’re new to the industry or an experienced punter, you may have fallen prey to these smart tactics.

✓ 1. Real Wins vs Losses

This is the most obvious tactic that goes under the radar. We all know the deal - you place a bet while playing a bright and colourful slot, and when you win, the screen explodes with coins and fun animations! But is that win really a win?

Not all wins are as they seem. This is particularly true when you’re placing bets of $10 and only winning $5. Yes, technically, the winning payline was triggered and paid out $5. But in reality, you lost $5, and if this happens over and over, you could very quickly be done much more than you deposited. 

✓ 2. Credits and Currency

It may seem to be an insignificant detail, but playing with credits rather than with your chosen currency can cause a sort of ‘loss blindness’. Rather than seeing your losses as real money down the drain, credits don’t necessarily feel real.

When you’re losing hundreds of credits rather than hundreds of dollars or euros, you may be more inclined to keep playing, even when you’ve spent more than you had budgeted. Playing with credits gives the illusion of playing demo games but with real money being spent on every spin.

Many slots still have credits as an option that can be changed in the game settings. Some even have this option selected as the default.

✓ 3. Free Spins That Aren’t Free at All

In jurisdictions like the UK, providers and operators are required to be more honest about what a free spin offer really entails. In the past, operators simply offered “free spins” as part of a bonus. The reality is that these bonuses require a deposit - which means those spins are free.

It may be a fun addition to your bonus, but they still cost money, and there are wagering requirements that need to be met before you can withdraw any winnings from those spins. This means you are paying for the chance to play a slot and also paying for your winnings.

Unless you claim a no-deposit bonus that gives you free spins with no wagering requirements, you aren’t getting any spins for free.

 How To Play Smart at online casinos

If you’re wondering how to counteract these legal (but not entirely ethical) disguised losses, responsible gambling tools are the answer.

Any licensed and regulated online casino worth its salt will have safer gambling tools and features available. You can use these to control your gambling experience. You can also make sure that you follow a few simple rules when playing online to make sure that you get ahead of any potential losses.

• Always set a budget and stick to it - You should only be willing to gamble what you can afford to lose.
   
• Use responsible gambling tools - Setting deposit and loss limits, as well as reminders that reveal how much you’ve lost in a single playing session, is always a good idea.
   
• Read the terms and conditions - Never claim a bonus (even one with the word “FREE” in it) before you read the T&Cs.
   
• Opt for currency - Always make sure that you have currency as your active choice and not coins when playing online slots or tables.
   
• Pay attention to your losses - As you play, keep an eye on your overall bankroll, not just the wins that appear. 
   

Above all else, only play at a trusted and licensed online casino. This is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re in good hands. Take a look at our top-rated casino reviews and learn more about a site before you deposit and play.