When it comes to gambling, many consumers will have their own superstitions and processes that influence how they do it. Some of these will be purely down to habit, while others may have some basis in reality.
Feeling comfortable and confident when playing at land-based or online casinos is important, and if this includes wearing your lucky socks or carrying a lucky charm, then it could benefit your performance.
Statistical analysis of other factors can also help gamblers give themselves the best opportunity of winning, and the time of night or day, when a player logs into an online casino, could make a slight difference.
Online Casino Proliferation
Online casinos date back to the ’90s but have enjoyed a massive increase in popularity in recent years thanks to improving connectivity and technological developments in mobile communication.
Smartphones have made it easier than ever before for consumers to do a multitude of things, including gambling. Dedicated online casino apps and websites offer users unparalleled convenience. They can even provide secure options for consumers living in states where online casino gambling is still prohibited according to gambling expert Graziella Calleja.
Licensed online casinos that use robust security protocols including SSL encryption provide US customers with security and peace of mind, which is why it is always recommended to verify the security in place before signing up.
Gambling online can give consumers access to a wide selection of betting markets and casino games including traditional table games like poker and roulette, as well as state-of-the-art slots where players can win life-changing sums of money.
The online gambling industry in the US can be confusing, with the majority of states now allowing online sports betting, but Connecticut, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey have licensed online casino gambling.
All other states prohibit operations from being set up inside state lines, but offshore operators licensed in other countries can be legally accessed by consumers.
In 2023, the online gambling industry had a value of $11.68 billion and this is projected to grow as more states contemplate legislation to allow different online betting markets.
As more consumers are expected to gamble online, finding the best ways to improve the odds of winning has become a priority for many. Consumers should always gamble responsibly and never wager more than they can afford, but planning ahead can sometimes improve their chances.
Factors that Influence Online Casino Payouts
Anyone who has gambled will know that there is so much more to it than just blindly hoping for a result. Doing a bit of research on the market you plan to bet on will make a big difference to the outcome, and the following factors should all be considered.
RTP Percentage
The RTP (return to player) percentage refers to the average potential return a player can expect. Slot machines typically have RTP percentages in the mid to late 90s, this means that if a player stakes $100 on 100 spins, an RTP percentage of 97% would return $97.
Of course, the player could also win significantly more than this.
Finding a casino that has a high RTP will give the player a better chance of returns over a longer period of play.
Game Type
The game you decide to play at an online casino will also have different odds involved. Blackjack has a win percentage of 49%, with craps and roulette also having bet types with a similar margin. In craps, the player can place a pass-line bet on whether they think the shooter will win or lose.
Roulette lets you back the numbers you think the ball might land on at 37/1 (US double-zero wheels), but you can also choose whether you think the ball will land on red or black, the zeros on the wheel give the house the edge on these types of bets.
House Edge
The house edge provides the operator with an average gross profit from a game. This is achieved through a variety of advantages like the 0’s on a roulette board.
This is something that all casinos have to ensure they can make a profit, while still allowing fair gaming.
The RTP percentages associated with slot machines provide a good example of a casino’s house edge. If the RTP on a game is 97%, the house edge is 3%.
Skill and Game Knowledge
Experience and skill will play a big part in how successful a gambler will be. Understanding the rules so you can identify opportunities during a game is essential to success.
Time of Play
According to some research, the time you choose to play online casinos might also impact your chance of winning. Playing while you are alert and can concentrate will obviously benefit players, but other factors affect success rates when playing at different times.
How Afternoons and Evenings Can Be the Best Time to Play
Slot machines use RNGs (random number generators) to create fair outcomes for players. This means that all results will be completely random and they are not designed to pay out more at different times.
However, some factors can affect payout percentages and these small fluctuations can give players a slight advantage.
While slot RNGs are not designed to provide advantages or disadvantages based on time, they do react to gameplay. This means that during times of high traffic to a site they can temporarily increase the RTP as a way of keeping players active.
Players aren’t guaranteed to win at these times, but afternoons and evenings tend to be peak hours for online casinos. There are no rules set in stone, but traffic tends to be higher between the hours of 4 pm and 11 pm, with quieter periods between 2 am and 11 am.
It can also benefit players to look out for designated time slots for bonuses, tournaments, or happy hours that can also offer a better chance of payouts.
It is worth noting that jackpots can still be won at any time, and any improvement to return potential will be minimal.