How online slots actually work outside the casino itself

[andy67]

For non-UK regulated casinos (i.e. not on Gamstop), I'm puzzled about payout rates (slots) that seem to be widely different.

The casinos say that they have no control over the slots payouts, so what actually dictates that? 

Is the slot itself controlled outside the casino (centrally)?

As an example, I've tested 2 non-GAMSTOP casinos, playing the same slots (various) on each in tandem at the same time (two screens).   One pays out OK and the other is terrible.

It's got to the point where it 'feels' like one of the casinos is somehow restricting payouts.

I know they have ups and downs but I'd have thought the slots would play the same if they are centrally controlled (not influenced in any way)?

Probably a rookie question about where the slots are actually 'hosted' (urls of them imply elsewhere) but any input would be welcome please?

[Afi4wins]

Hi there and welcome to Askgamblers forum Andy.

From your questions, it's apparent to me that you are still 'new' to casinos and casino games, but that's okay, we all are 'new' once before. 

All games are played from the game provider's server/s, which may be located at various locations around the globe, not at the provider's HQ. Casinos merely host the games as a medium to play the games.

Playing one same game at different casinos will definitely give differing game play and payouts. No two casinos can give identical or near identical game play, due to so many variances coming into play at each and every casino or location. Even though the main RTP of the game is the same, what you get playing the game won't be...some may get a good game, most others would not.

Casinos have no control over the game's payouts (except for rogue casinos) as they are only the middlemen or agents for the games provider.

Payouts are regulated by the game's designated RTP, plus various other sub-programs that provide additional regulating mechanisms to the game, such as artificial intelligence for one. Here again, no two game providers would have the same regulating mechanisms or payouts schedules.

Hope that gives you a better picture of how slots work. 

[andy67]

Hey, thanks - you'd think after playing online for 15 years, I'd have asked the question before but it's only become an issue since I registered with GAMSTOP, regretted it and am now stuck with the non-GAMSTOP ones.  

Maybe that's the issue - I could be using rogue casinos (which may explain why the payout differs so much).

In an ideal world I'd pay a magic fairy to remove my details from GAMSTOP (mine doesn't expire until 2022) because then I'd at least feel that I was gambling within a more regulated environment.   It'd be worth a sizeable fee to make that happen vs the losses racked up on what could well be rogue casinos.

 

[pinnit2015]

Word of caution - even though your Gamstop may finish in 2022 you may find that, upon trying to re-open, many casinos (i think think of a few i've heard of) may not do so - regardless of whether your GS period has finished.

You obviously signed up to GS, which is a pretty big step, for a reason so, rather than scouring the web for the 'best' rogue casino, might be better to think why you wanted to stop 

[Afi4wins]

11 minutes ago, andy67 said:

Hey, thanks - you'd think after playing online for 15 years, I'd have asked the question before but it's only become an issue since I registered with GAMSTOP, regretted it and am now stuck with the non-GAMSTOP ones.  

Maybe that's the issue - I could be using rogue casinos (which may explain why the payout differs so much).

In an ideal world I'd pay a magic fairy to remove my details from GAMSTOP (mine doesn't expire until 2022) because then I'd at least feel that I was gambling within a more regulated environment.   It'd be worth a sizeable fee to make that happen vs the losses racked up on what could well be rogue casinos.

 

Been playing for 15 years? Ooops...that's not a 'new' player by any standard...my bad.

You can always check at the casinos list here to see if they're reliable ones. If they're not listed, they may or may not be rogue ones. Not all casinos are in the list here anyway.