I'm skeptical about these arcade games. How do I know the ball drop isn't rigged to land in the middle every time? Is there a site that is actually transparent about the odds?

That’s a fair concern. That is why I stick to Plinko UK . They use the "Provably Fair" system, which allows you to verify the hash of every single drop to prove the outcome wasn't manipulated. It’s much safer than standard slots. Plus, the RTP (Return to Player) is generally way higher than what you get on the fruit machines at the pub.