Casino vs Bookmaker: Where are the Odds of Winning Higher?
5 min read
Casino is reels, slots, the ball in roulette. Bookmaker is forecasts, odds, different sports and other events (in 1win you can bet even on the Oscars). Everything seems to be on the surface. But what is really more profitable for an Argentinian player – pulling a card in blackjack or betting on the victory of River Plate? In this article, we look at how the mechanics of gambling work and why some platforms are fairer than others.
Why Casinos Almost Always Win: How Their Games Work
When it comes to casinos, many people think of chance, intuition and luck. But all this is an outer shell. In fact, there is a clear mathematics at work, designed for the player to lose. Not because of bad luck, but because every game in the casino is prearranged in favour of the establishment.
Built-in Advantage
In professional circles, this is called house edge (casino edge). It is the percentage that the casino theoretically retains from each bet. The higher the value, the less chance the player has of winning in the long run.
To understand: if a game has a 5% advantage, it means that from every 100 pesos bet, the casino earns an average of 5 pesos. And so it goes on and on.
Here’s what it looks like with examples:
- Roulette. The European version is considered “fair” – it has 37 sectors, and one of them is zero. This creates a 2.7 per cent advantage. American roulette adds another zero (00), increasing the advantage to 5.26%. So if you bet on a number, your odds are 1 in 37, but the payout is only 35 to 1;
- Blackjack. This is one of the few games where a player can move the odds slightly in his favour if he knows the strategy. But even in the best case, with perfect play, the casino’s advantage is still about 0.5%. That said, if you deviate from optimal decisions, this figure can easily jump to 2% or higher;
- Slot machines. The most popular category in online casinos. Everything here is based on randomness and algorithms. Return to player (RTP) in slot machines is usually at the level of 90-96%. This means that in the long run you will lose between 4% and 10% of all the money you bet;
- Craps, baccarat and other games. These disciplines also have their percentages, and they also have a mathematical model where the establishment always gets its share.
Casinos aren’t about Odds, They’re About Stats
One of the most common illusions is that you will be the one to get lucky. And yes, individual winning streaks do happen. Someone can come along and double your money in an evening. But if you play regularly, the pattern will take over. Example: if you make 1,000 bets on machines where the RTP is 95%, you’re likely to be left with 950 coins. The casino will get 50. All fair, but not in your favour.
Why the Games Look Fair
Casinos are great at disguising systemic loss. Bright graphics, free spins, “Luck was close” effect. It’s all well thought out. Notice how often almost matching symbols fall out on slots? This is also part of the mechanics to fuel the excitement. Such moments create the illusion of a close victory, although the algorithm initially knows the result of the spin.
What about the Bookies?
Bookmakers are about sports. About intuition, analytics, news, trends. Here too, not everything is fair and transparent, but the chance of winning is higher, especially if you understand the subject.
The bookmaker offers you odds. For example, if Argentina plays Bolivia and they give you odds of 1.25 for an Argentine victory. So, they consider this outcome almost guaranteed. But the winnings will be small.
What affects the odds at the bookmaker, using 1Win as an example:
- The popularity of a team or player;
- Current Form and Injuries;
- The volume of bets from other players;
- Sometimes it’s just a bookmaker’s “reinsurance” to reduce risks.
The margin, which the bookmaker puts in the odds, also eats up part of the potential profit. Usually it is 5-10%. That is, if the probability of the event is objectively 50/50, the bookmaker will give you not the odds of 2.00, but, say, 1.91. The difference is the bookmaker’s income.
But here comes the key difference from the casino: you can influence the outcome. Analyse the match, take into account insights, play on the bookmaker’s mistakes.
Who is Ultimately More Fair to the Players
To put it bluntly, the casino is always playing against you. It’s programmed to take. Yes, you may get lucky one night. But over the long haul, it’s the house that wins.
Bookmakers like 1 Win have loopholes. By playing wisely, you can make a profit. Yes, it’s difficult. You need to follow the news, count, be able to restrain your emotions. But it is possible to win for real.
When a bookmaker is more favourable:
- If you know a particular sport;
- If you know how to filter news and insights;
- If you play by strategy and not by emotion;
- If you understand how value-bet works – a bet with inflated odds.
When the casino seems easier (but it’s an illusion):
- When you want to “relax” and not think;
- When you’re not interested in analysing, but in the process;
- When you’re willing to spend, but not necessarily win.
Argentine Reality
In Argentina, the gambling market is heavily regulated. Online bookmakers such as 1Win and Bplay operate under licences in a number of provinces. Casinos, both online and offline, are also strictly controlled.
According to Lotería de la Ciudad, online casinos attract more users than betting platforms. The reason is the ease of entry and the colourful visuals. But that doesn’t make them more favourable for the player.
Conclusion
Casinos are beautiful, fast and, alas, predictable: the chances of winning there are always lower than at bookmakers. Bookmaker bets on 1Win, with a competent approach, give a chance to beat the system. But you need to learn, analyse and control yourself.
If you just want to have fun, a casino will do. But if you’re interested in controlling the game rather than hoping for luck, bookmakers will give you more options.
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