Does the RNG Keep Online Casinos Fair?

Casino Games

Being an immensely popular source of entertainment, online casino operators of the highest rank offer the best line-up of slots, roulette, blackjack, and video poker variations, as well as live dealer games that closely mimic the experience at a classic land-based establishment. Most probably, fans of online casinos have sooner or later asked themselves about the trustworthiness of operators, and the means they use to ensure a fair gaming environment for all players.

Random Number Generators (RNGs) play a vital role not only in providing an exciting variety of games to play and profit from but also in securing honesty and integrity in the contemporary online gaming industry. Read on to find out how online casinos incorporate random number generation into their operation.

What is a Random Number Generator?

RNGs are becoming more and more popular on a global scale and find a perfect application in many industries. In the context of online casino games, an RNG is an algorithm that produces a random sequence matching a particular symbol from an online casino game. The RNG algorithm used in slot games, blackjack, and roulette works on a non-cyclic basis. Putting it another way, every single result follows no pattern or a predetermined cycle.

The variation of RNG applied to the gambling industry is referred to as a Pseudo-Random Number Generator (PRNG). It is characterized by the fact that it does not necessitate outside data to produce an output. RNGs create new seed numbers (initial values) every millisecond by taking the last one or two digits and applying a particular mathematical operation to submit a new result.

This allows online gaming developers to concentrate on graphics, sound effects, and bonus rounds that are all designed to enhance players’ gaming experience. They may rest assured that every time they wager a certain amount on a slot game, their chances of winning are completely random and independent of previous rounds.

How are RNGs Used in Online Casinos?

Online slots have gone a long way over the years, and nowadays they feature multiple paylines. The algorithm used for a slot game generates numbers corresponding to each of the symbols appearing on the reels. To put things in perspective, let us assume we play a slot game featuring 3 reels in total, each having 10 symbols.

The RNG would produce a value from 1 to 10 for each of the 3 reels. When the symbols on the reels line up in a winning combination, online casino operators pay out winnings in accordance with the predetermined pay tables.

The same principle is applied to table games, where a series of random numbers determine the rolling of a ball or the dealt hand of cards.

As far as live dealer games are concerned, they do not employ RNGs. Instead, professional dealers and croupiers are employed to ensure the randomness of every single round and a fair game for all players.

Is It Possible to Cheat RNGs?

Considering that RNGs are computerized algorithms, they are vulnerable to hacker attacks. However, bearing in mind the sophisticated security protocols being used, that is certainly not a walk in the park.  Furthermore, third-party regulators within the gambling industry are tasked to supervise the fairness and authenticity of RNGs utilized by online operators. According to gamblingplex.com, casino players should only sign up for reputable operators delivering fair and transparent gaming conditions.

Once casino operators undergo meticulous checks and audits, they are presented with a certificate, confirming that their slots, roulette, blackjack, poker, and other casino games are in line with the latest standards of fairness and impartiality. Outside variables, such as the size of the stake, the length of the gaming session, or hitting the spin button in a particular sequence do not impact the outcome of games. Ultimately, each player stands the same chance of winning or losing.

Conclusion

The application of RNG systems to the gaming industry has been a crucial moment. Regarded as fundamental components of the contemporary online gambling industry’s fairness, RNGs ensure that every single casino game is as random as programs can be and that the element of luck is always present.

Mark Funk
Mark Funk is an experienced information security specialist who works with enterprises to mature and improve their enterprise security programs. Previously, he worked as a security news reporter.