There are some terms that you come across regularly in an online casino. These include, for example, free spins without a deposit, welcome bonuses, live casinos, table games, or slot machines. Then there are some that you rarely hear about, and random number generators (RNG) definitely fall into this category. Most of our readers would probably associate the algorithm with social media like Facebook. However, both terms are actually an integral part of an online casino. In the next few sections, we will explain what they are, how these two technologies work, and where they are used.
The development of slot machines – from mechanical slots to random number generators
Slot machines are devices with a long tradition, with the first ones dating back to around 1889. That was the year the Caille brothers built the Black Cat, and just one year later, Charles August Fey’s Liberty Bell was the first machine to feature a set of three rollers. Why a trip into the history of slots is important becomes clear when you look at how the devices work. Back then, slot machines used purely mechanical processes to determine the outcome of the game. Around 50 years later, slots were already equipped with an electromechanical interior. A little later, they came in electronic versions and were controlled by software. This is precisely where random number generators and algorithms came into play.
What exactly is a random number generator?
A random number generator is, in principle, just that: a computer programme that randomly generates or, in our case, selects numbers. But aren’t there symbols on the reels of a slot machine, not numbers? Yes, but each of these symbols has been assigned a number. The number generator, also known by its abbreviation RNG, spits out randomly mixed numbers every time a player presses the spin button on an online slot machine. It is therefore the RNG that is responsible for determining the outcome of the game. It is important to note that neither the game developer nor the online casino can influence or even manipulate the RNG. For players eager to dive into a reliable gaming platform, Richard Casino provides easy access to a variety of RNG-powered slots, ensuring a fair and secure gaming experience.
How does a random number generator work in practice?
But how does it all work in practice? Online slot machines from various developers have no memory capacity. This ensures that the result of each spin is actually determined completely independently of the previous one. The spin results are also not calculated in advance. We would like to illustrate how a random number generator works with the help of an example:
- The random number generator continuously ‘rolls’ numbers in a random order.
- When a player starts a spin, the generator selects a predetermined number of numbers.
- Each symbol is assigned to a number combination from the outset, which now appears on the reels.
- The decisive factor for the outcome of the spin is therefore solely when a player presses the spin button.
Can you trick random number generators?
Random number generators (RNGs) are at the heart of lotteries, online casinos, and even the rapidly growing esports betting market, as they ensure that results are truly random and fair. The integration of RNGs into esports betting systems is especially critical, given the unique dynamics of this emerging industry. There are always rumors and attempts to trick or outsmart these RNGs, but the reality is different. Modern RNGs are regularly checked and certified to prevent manipulation.
While isolated vulnerabilities have been discovered in the past, operators and developers have been quick to patch any security holes. For instance, in 2010, an employee of the state lottery in Iowa, USA, used his position to hack the lottery’s RNG. Eddie Tipton and his brother Tommy used a computer code he had developed to help them ‘predict’ the results of lotteries on certain days. The plan allegedly netted the pair $24 million from lotteries in at least five states before they were caught, arrested, and sent to prison. Similarly, in the esports betting market, ensuring the integrity of RNGs is paramount, as the stakes are high and the audience is tech-savvy. Robust security measures are continually evolving to keep RNGs secure and maintain trust in this fast-paced and competitive field.
Why can’t you always win?
Even if RNGs are fair, that doesn’t mean you’ll win on every spin. Slots are designed to give the casino a small edge over time, often referred to as the house advantage. Nevertheless, many players experience big wins, even though they don’t happen on every spin. In this context, it is particularly important to understand the RTP (return to player) of a slot. This value indicates how often you will win on average.
To summarise, RNGs play an essential role in ensuring fair and random outcomes in online slot machines. They are designed to prevent patterns or manipulation from occurring, so players have a fair chance with us and other regulated online casinos. RNGs do their job correctly and offer you a fair gaming experience.
The role of the algorithm in an online slot machine
The algorithm is something like the all-arranging and ordering hand. It is he who generates the required numbers for the random number generator. The number of numbers and their size makes this necessary. The algorithms use numbers from 1 to 1 million+. But that’s not all, because they are so advanced that they can generate about 1,000 numbers per second. An algorithm is therefore the ‘component’ that is superordinate to the random number generator.
The algorithm and the random number generator work hand in hand
In summary, the way an RNG and an algorithm work can be seen as teamwork. However, both work completely independently of each other. The random number generator does not know the numbers that the algorithm gives it to roll the dice. As already mentioned, there is no memory capacity. This is precisely how it is possible for a player to trigger the free spins round with two consecutive spins. Other players have to overcome a longer dry spell to achieve the same. For each spin, the numbers are first determined by the algorithm, rather than being shuffled and selected by the random number generator.
So do random number generators really produce random game results?
The crucial question here, however, is whether the result of the game has actually come about without manipulation. In theory, at least, yes, but how can a player be sure? There are two possibilities here. The first is the licence, because licensing authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority check that the random number generators are working correctly and require documented proof of their correct functioning. A second possibility is the results of tests carried out by independent testing laboratories such as iTech Labs or eCOGRA, which are published on the online casinos’ websites.
Do paylines and the like influence the outcome of a game?
The answer here is a clear no. The algorithms that determine the numbers are explicitly adapted to the individual slot machines. Therefore, it is completely irrelevant whether an online slot has 3 or 5 reels or 10 or 50 paylines. The number of symbols also has no influence on whether one slot machine has a higher chance of winning than another. Therefore, you can find slot machines with 3 or 5 reels in an online casino, each with an identical payout rate of 96%.
Can online slots be hacked?
If neither a game manufacturer nor an online casino can officially influence the game results, then external influence can also be ruled out. This actually seems to apply to online slots, because to date, there has been no publicised case of players demonstrably succeeding in manipulating an online slot machine. However, this does not apply to stationary machines. For example, a mathematician managed to decode the algorithms used by the manufacturer over a period of years. This enabled him to calculate exactly when a winning spin had to be made.
However, an algorithm can have other uses in an online casino
However, algorithms are not only used in an online casino to determine the results of an online slot machine. They are also used in other areas. This includes, for example, making game suggestions to players. In principle, this works in the same way as streaming providers such as Amazon or Netflix use algorithms that select and suggest similar films and series based on those watched by users.
Looking ahead, what might the next stage of RNG development look like?
The future begins now, and this also applies to the algorithms and random number generators used by online casinos. For example, the manufacturer Spribe has already ushered in the future with its Provably Fair System. With this system, the determination of a game result is outsourced to the players’ computers. This makes the randomly generated game result even more secure. With the provably fair method, players can see for themselves how the game result is determined and thus practically check for themselves whether everything is running without manipulation.
Random number generators together with algorithms form the core of fair gaming
Online gambling did not always have an easy start. Many players were understandably sceptical at first as to whether they were simply being cheated. After all, how were they supposed to know that the games were not being manipulated on a foreign server? With the introduction of online gambling licences, the industry was finally regulated by government and independent regulatory authorities. They check documents and test whether the games produce manipulation-free results. Random number generators and algorithms therefore play a key role in ensuring fair gaming.