Debunking the myths of gaming – fact versus fiction
The gaming industry is regulated in South Africa so any notion that any aspect of gaming is unfairly loaded toward the establishment that a guest is visiting is completely unfounded.
There are many myths that exist in the world of gaming – it’s common knowledge that one of the biggest ones is ‘The house always wins’ but is this really the case?
“This is definitely not true especially where machine wins are concerned. Slot machines operate randomly at all times irrespective of how many wins or losses have occurred in each machine’s past,” says Silverstar’s Marketing Manager, Sanele Ntombela.
This myth is further shattered when Sanele reveals that moving to another machine after hitting a big payout does not guarantee a win. “The odds of another big win remain the same as they were before, in the gaming industry there is no such thing as a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ machine,” she says.
Also important to note about the slot machines is that they are subject to rigorous testing by approved gaming labs and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) – which has been approved by the various Provincial Gambling Boards.
The gaming industry is regulated in South Africa so any notion that any aspect of gaming is unfairly loaded toward the establishment that a guest is visiting is completely unfounded.
“Breaking any of these rules and regulations may have serious repercussions for not only the particular venue but in our case the Tsogo Sun group as whole,” adds Sanele.
Some of the most common myths busted include:
• Cards are marked – not true again! All cards are stored and issued under strict controls; they are opened and checked in front of players at the beginning of each day. Thereafter they are placed in a ‘shoe’ with a lid and a brush covering the back of the top of the card and only the dealer is allowed to touch them.
• Dealers are able to land the ball in certain areas of the wheel or hit empty numbers in America Roulette – again this is not true. Many factors influence the outcome which is also random, some of these factors include the speed at which the wheel and ball travel, the slope of the cone, in other words the centre of the wheel, and any hazards that may deflect when the ball hits. These design elements ensure that it’s impossible to land the ball in certain areas of the wheel or hit empty numbers.
• The Roulette wheel is unbalanced – yet another myth. Roulette wheels are serviced monthly and checked twice a year by an external manufacturer to make sure they’re balanced.
• Casinos keep random amounts allocated to players on slot machines – this too is not true, the Gauteng Gambling Legislation prescribes that a minimum Return to Player (RTP) must be 80%.
• Casinos only offer hold percentages and RTP’s that are approved on a letter of certification from an approved gaming laboratory or the SABS. Machines don’t pay out – also incorrect. Slot machines are registered gambling devices which are subject to rigorous testing by the gaming labs and SABS, and thereafter approved by the Provincial Gambling Boards.
• Legislation dictates that these machines must maintain a certain standard for public use within the casino. The casino can only select the RTP percentage (return to player) as documented on the letter of certification issued by the Gambling Board.
• Casinos remove people that are on a ‘winning streak’- yet again this is also not true, gaming establishments can’t request a patron leave because they are winning. They will only request that a patron vacate the premises if they are behaving inappropriately. Playing with a rewards card decreases or increases your chances of winning – again not true! The rewards cards are cards through which patrons can earn points and enjoy exclusive rewards and offers; the card gives no patron any advantage while playing because the loyalty system operates independently from the gaming mechanisms of the machines. The rewards are free and what many may not know is that casinos are unable to pass on your personal information in terms of the Consumer Protection Act.
“We hope that by highlighting these myths we’re putting our patrons at ease and letting them know that as a gaming establishment we have to adhere to legislation and regulations,” says Sanele.
Silverstar is currently undergoing a refurbishment that is adding a whole host of new facilities to the property as well as giving the interior of the complex, including the casino floor, a facelift.
“We’re really excited about the new facilities and fresh new look our complex is getting. We’re adding new eateries and entertainment facilities to transform our property into a true family destination,” says Sanele.
Contact Silverstar on 011 662 7300 or visit www.silverstarcasino.co.za.
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