Fairness and randomness are two of the most important factors when it comes to casino games. Casinos must ensure that their games are unbiased and give all players a fair experience, no matter what game they happen to be playing.
One element that helps to ensure fairness and randomness is present in many modern games is the random number generator (RNG). It doesn’t matter whether you play Slots online or offline, unless you’re playing on an old mechanical slot game then there will be a RNG running the game. But what exactly is a RNG and how does it work?
Understanding the basics of random number generators
The name is pretty self-explanatory – random number generators are computer algorithms that generate random sequences of numbers. By their nature, RNGs are designed to produce strings of numbers in a way that can’t be predicted, lacking any discernible pattern or biases.
There are actually two major types of RNG, depending on the way they aim to replicate random chance. True random number generators (TRNGs) utilise physical processes like electronic noise as the basis for their randomness. Pseudo-random number generators (PRNGs) instead use mathematical formulas to produce their number strings.
PRNGs are the kind that you’ll find in slot games and other digital casino games. While PRNGs are based on formulas and start from an initial seed value, this doesn’t stop them from emulating true randomness to an almost indistinguishable degree.
The role of RNGs in slot games
So, how exactly do RNGs keep slot games fair? The RNG in a slot game is what ultimately determines the outcome of a spin. Once a player engages the game – whether that’s by pressing a button, tapping a screen or pulling a lever – the RNG will lock in its current sequence of numbers. Each of these numbers will correspond to the position of a symbol on the reels, telling the game what symbols should appear when the reels stop spinning.
The RNG is what makes modern slot games fair, as a spin is made entirely independently of any previous result and has an impossible-to-predict result. As no player can predict or influence the results of a spin the entire game is kept fair and players can rest assured that they have the same odds as anyone else.
Before any slot game can go into service, its RNG is subject to rigorous evaluation and testing. Independent bodies and regulators ensure that RNG is functioning correctly and producing random outcomes with no bias or unfair weighting.
The level of testing these regulators undertake makes sure that the RNG is replicating true randomness as closely as possible before any player has the chance to try the game. Any reputable online casino is also subject to regular audits and re-certification of their games, meaning that the RNG must always function properly and without manipulation.
As you can see, RNGs are an essential part of what makes slot games – and other online casino games – fair. By producing random, unpredictable results, these algorithms ensure that players receive a fair and unbiased gaming experience.
