How to Spot a Rigged French Roulette Game

French roulette is one of the most popular and player-friendly versions of roulette around. The additional rules mean it has a smaller house edge than its counterparts, and its simple gameplay has ensured it has always remained popular with players. Of course, all of this is irrelevant if you are playing a rigged version of French roulette. 

Rigged games are thankfully rare due to the widespread regulation of gambling. However, they do occur in shady corners of the betting world. Join Genting Casino in this blog about French roulette and game rigging, as we prepare you to spot and avoid rigged games and let you know which red flags to look for.

How Fair Online Roulette Works - Inside The RNG

Before you can recognise a rigged game of French roulette on the web, it is important to understand what an authentic roulette experience online looks like. 

At the heart of any online casino game is a Random Number Generator, often referred to by the initialism, RNG. RNGs are programmes that ensure all outcomes of a table casino game are random and that the operator not the player can have any impact on the outcome. 

They are complicated algorithms that recreate the randomness of the real world by randomly generating number sequences that correspond to game outcomes. In the case of French roulette, the RNG would generate a number sequence that corresponds to a position on the roulette wheel.

In the UK, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has a “Testing strategy for compliance with remote gambling and software technical standards”. It outlines the procedures for testing RNGs, the types of testing that will confirm if standards are met, and specifies when third parties might be required and which third parties are trusted to test RNGs. Always ensure there is evidence of RNG audits on a casino’s website; they are usually displayed at the bottom of every page.

Unfortunately, despite regulation and supervisory bodies, there are still situations where the game is rigged.

Red Flags for Fixed Roulette in Brick-and-Mortar Casinos

In-person casinos do not have the same RNG safeguards as online games, so monitoring a physical roulette game for fairness can be harder. There are some things you can look out for:

The Wheel Design—A clear sign of a fixed roulette game is a wheel in poor condition, poorly maintained, or unusually designed. The wheel should be perfectly balanced with perfectly matching and correctly spaced pockets. It may be hard to notice the differences with the naked eye, and a casino is unlikely to allow you to make a closer inspection, so if you have any reasonable suspicions, just walk away.

Ball Trajectory - You should not be able to predict where the ball will land. It should behave unpredictably as it bounces around and settles into the track. It could indicate the game is rigged if you notice anything like the ball following the same trajectory or landing regularly in similar places. 

Dealer Behaviour - When playing French roulette, ensure the dealer is behaving as he should. Suspicious behaviour to look out for includes applying pressure to the wheel, overly controlling the drop, or simply interacting with the wheel more frequently than expected.

Reputation—Research a casino's reputation before you enter. Whether it is online or from people local to the area, people will know if there is a history of dishonesty or shady practices.

Red Flags in Online Roulette Casinos

The signs of rigged French roulette online will be harder to spot within the game, but there will be clear signs from the casino’s website.

Licensing - The best way to ensure you are playing fair games is by exclusively using regulated and licensed online casinos. Make sure the license is legitimate and provided by a recognised regulatory body. The UKGC is one of the most stringent gambling regulators in the world. You will be safe using UKGC-licensed, trusted roulette sites. 

Lack of RNG Audits - High-security UK casino sites will proudly display their regulatory information. Details of tests carried out by eCOGRA are common on reputable online roulette casino sites, as well as verification from other trusted bodies.

No Customer Support—A massive red flag in terms of fair online roulette games and online casinos in general is a lack of customer support options. If you are unable to communicate with an online casino, you cannot hold them accountable.

Unusual Results—Look out for numbers appearing disproportionately. This can happen naturally, but it may also be the result of a rigged game.

Game Behaviour - Be aware of regular technical issues. Things like delayed results or stuttery playback are likely due to a poor internet connection, but they might also indicate a rigged online roulette game.

Verdict

The best defence against playing rigged games at online casinos is to always play at safe and reputable online casinos. If you suspect a game is rigged when you are playing in person, simply walk away and go to another casino. While rigged French roulette games are not particularly common, players should always keep their wits about them when playing. 

French Roulette FAQs

Is French roulette fair?

Yes. If you are playing French roulette at a reputable online casino, it will be 100% fair and safe to play at. 

What should I do if I think a game of French roulette is rigged?

If you believe a game of French roulette is rigged, you should either stop playing if it is online, or walk away if you are playing at a brick-and-mortar casino. 

Is French roulette better than European roulette?

While the answer to this will ultimately come down to personal preference, French roulette does have a lower house edge thanks to La Partage and En Prison rules.