Although gambling has always captivated people, there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding it. The main ones relate to the winning possibilities and the tendency to addiction. In this article, we’ll cover the most common false beliefs about gambling and try to refute them. Debunking these gambling myths will help you understand this notion better and adhere to safer and more responsible gaming practices.
If You Gamble Longer, Your Winning Chances Increase
The outcome of each subsequent wager is unaffected by the length of time spent gambling. The results depend more on chance than on how much time you invest, whether you're playing at a land-based casino or looking for the best gambling online. This phenomenon is called the “independence of the events”. A roulette spin, a slot round, or a lottery draw are the most frequent examples of scenarios where the outcomes don’t rely on the previous bet made. It is crucial to consider that gambling typically ends up in spending money instead of earning it. Setting boundaries and playing sensibly is essential because diligence and determination won't change the course of events.
Gambling Addiction Is Not As Serious As Other Addictions
The term "addiction" is associated with physical obsession. This is a typical misconception. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized gambling addiction as serious as tobacco or alcohol addiction. Virve Marionno and Janne Nikkinen wrote a detailed review about gambling obsession that was posted on the National Library of Medicine website in 2022. The experts cited some shocking statistics there. Up to 39% of gamblers have considered suicide at some stage of their lives. Almost 18% of them have acknowledged making suicide attempts at least once. According to some scientists, one of the leading reasons for suicide in the modern world is gambling addiction. This obsession is not always the core reason. But it can make matters worse by driving people to act and think in such a way.
Legalizing Gambling Increases Addiction Cases
Gambling addiction is a widespread issue, regardless of whether gambling is legalized in the country or not. The myth that legalizing this activity provokes an increase in the number of gambling addicts stems from the fact that, with legalization, cases of addiction begin to be properly documented and tracked. If there are no clear laws regulating the gambling business in the country, no statistics are kept on it.
On the contrary, with the increasing number of bans, there is a growing tendency of numerous shadow operators and illegal casinos. This situation hinders free monitoring, and it becomes practically impossible to help people desperately in need. "Problem gamblers" don’t emerge overnight after the legalization of gambling. They had already engaged in this activity but were not given due attention and were not controlled in any way.
Higher Bets Improve Winning Odds
You can find a huge number of schemes and life hacks for casinos and slots. Some even try to speculate on this and sell strategies that do not really work. Some believe that if you bet more per spin, especially on progressive jackpot machines, the chances of hitting the jackpot increase. The random number generator in slot machines determines the outcome of each spin in each session for every player. So it is impossible to influence the outcome by increasing the bet amount.
Long Period Of No Wins Produces Winning Streak
There is a belief among players that if a slot machine hasn't produced any winnings during the round, then it's about to happen soon. Some think each slot machine collects money for a certain period and starts awarding winnings once the collected money has reached a specific quantity. All you have to do is figure out the right time to break the bank. According to statistics, this is not true. The winning or losing odds are independent of when the previous win occurred or how long it has been since the jackpot was drawn. Losing several consecutive bets does not increase your chances of winning the next round. Gambling is still a game of chance.
Bottom Line
Gambling has been surrounded by numerous myths since its conception. The typical disbeliefs include the idea that gambling addiction isn’t as serious as other addictions, unproven strategies for increasing the winning chances, and more. It's critical to start gambling with full knowledge of associated risks. Keep in mind that outcomes are determined by chance for most games. Neither strategy nor frequent sessions can change this fact.