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How to spot fake slots
Did you know that fake online slots exist? Well, unfortunately, they are a very real thing.
CasinoWizard is a big advocate of Responsible Gaming, and fake slots are anything but.
In this article, we will show you some examples to look out for and how to ensure that you always play on legit and fair slots.
What are fake slots?
Fake slots are copies of the real thing.
The fake version might look and behave like the real thing, but underneath the hood, a different math model often lowers the Return To Player (RTP) percentage and payout rates for the symbols.
Some fake slots advertise progressive jackpots that can never be won or are paid out to casino owners’ family members behind the scenes.
How to spot fake slots
There are a few things to look out for when spotting a fake slot.
Look for discontinued slots
One sure telltale sign to spot a fake slot is if you find an online casino offering discontinued slots like NetEnt’s South Park.
While the South Park slot was an excellent game, it had a license agreement attached. Once the license expired, the slot was closed from the servers and removed from all top 10 UK online casino game lobbies.
Original versions of the South Park slot are no longer available at casinos after the expiration date. If you still find this slot offered at a casino, it’s a fake version.
Keep an eye out for glitches
A bad internet connection is one thing, but if you notice that the slot behaves weirdly while playing on an unknown online casino, you should ensure that fake slots aren’t being used.
Today’s leading game studios create slots using the latest technology and tools, so glitches are uncommon. Watch for strange slot behaviour during gameplay.
Does the casino operate under a questionable license?
Playing slots on online casinos using a questionable license is preferably avoided.
Instead, choose reputable online casinos that are licensed by some of the most well-known authorities, like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
If your country is locally licensed, only play on casinos that have obtained a legal gambling license, like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) for the UK slots sites markets.
Novomatic slots in an unlicensed market? That’s a big red flag!
Some big slot studios, such as IGT and Novomatic, will only do business in regulated markets.
So, if you live in a country where gambling is not (yet) regulated and you see Novomatic slots (such as Book of Ra) in the casino lobby, chances are high that those are fake slots.
Check the game rules
Always check the game rules and look for the official Return to Player.
Fake slots often do not display the RTP, while slots in a reputable, licensed online casino always show the payback percentage.
Why do fake slots exist?
Fake slots exist because shady operators want to avoid costly licensing fees to offer real games to their customers. These dishonest companies also cheat to make a quick buck.
When offering fake slots, they can decide the payout rates and percentages.
Real slots are already in the casinos’ favour because the odds are on their side long-term, but playing on fake slots takes away all your possibilities to win anything.
Why you should never play fake slots
The most apparent reason to never play on fake slots is to avoid giving away your hard-earned money to swindlers and criminals.
The cheaters are stealing from the actual creators, and you don’t want to contribute to that.
The RTP is unclear and probably in super low settings, giving you minimal (if any) chances of winning anything.
How to ensure you are playing on real and fair slots
We don’t want to ring the alarm bells and create fear out of nothing, but fake slots do exist and can easily be avoided altogether.
All you need to do is play in top 10 UK Online Casinos appropriately licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and seen as fair and respected.
At these casinos, your money is safe, and the slots used are real, providing a fair outcome using a Random Number Generator (RNG) where the games have been tested and licensed by approved third-party companies.
Frequently Asked Questions about fake slots
How can you recognize fake slots?
If you see irregularities or glitches or can play discontinued slots from big providers, chances are high the slot you are playing is fake.
Do fake slots pay out less than real online slots?
Well, that is the big question. As independent auditors do not test fake slots, there is no way to know their real return to the player. Fake slots will probably pay out less than real slots.
Which providers’ slots have been copied?
Although this list is incomplete, we have seen fake NetEnt, Aristocrat, Novomatic, Wazdan, and Quickspin slots.
Can you win on fake slots?
Yes, you can win on fake slots, but it will probably be more challenging than winning on real slots. There is another risk involved, though. If the online casino is willing to cheat its players by offering fake slots, will they let you withdraw your winnings easily? We think not.
Why do online casinos use fake slots instead of the real thing?
Fake slots exist to allow rogue online casinos to cheat on their players and offer “big name” slots from reputable providers without paying said providers their rightful fees. As a result, these casinos win more and pay less, which makes it a double score.
Is a cloned slot the same as a fake slot?
No. A cloned slot uses the same mathematical models and gameplay features as another slot but with a different theme and graphics. Cloning slots is a popular strategy for slot providers, allowing them to release low-cost new versions of their creations. A fake slot has copied all elements of an entire slot without permission from the creator.
Old fake slots versus new fake slots
Because it takes time and money to copy a slot, fake slots are often copies of older slots, with a proven success rate. Fake versions of new online slots are seldom seen.
