Nowadays, a staggering number of online casinos have emerged, as the demand for online games is rapidly increasing. Online casinos have become so popular that there is hardly any avid player who still hasn’t opted for this type of entertainment. These casino websites appeal to many players because they offer various advantages that greatly contribute to a pleasant gambling experience available online.
Long gone are the days when video poker, blackjack, roulette or baccarat could be played only in brick-and-mortar casinos. Thanks to the advent of modern technologies, you can enjoy some casino classics in the comfort of your home. What is more, you can even play a wide range of casino games on your smartphone or tablet, meaning that you have the freedom to choose when, how and where to gamble.
However, the success of online casinos wouldn’t have been possible without the so-called Random Number Generator. Various casino websites have an impeccable reputation when it comes to fairness and credibility because they feature such a device. Thanks to it, the games available at online casinos cannot be predetermined in any way, as they are produced in a completely random manner. It is not possible to predict the outcome of a particular casino game due to the main principles on which the generator is based.
Basics of the RNG
In brief, the Random Number Generator is a complex computer programme that is responsible for generating numbers in a random manner. Thanks to this system, it is possible to virtually simulate some basic gaming activities such as shuffling cards or flipping a coin. To generate numbers successfully, it uses an algorithm. This simply means that it follows a set of rules that make number production possible.
There are several types of RNGs which are used in the world of technology. Online casinos use the so-called Pseudo-Random Number Generator, which operates according to an algorithm and a seed number. What sets this system apart from the rest of the available types is that it doesn’t require any external data in order to work. Also, it is constantly active, meaning that it produces numbers all the time, which are instantly transformed into different elements – a card, a symbol or a die.
This perpetual process of generating numbers follows a plan according to which the outcomes of virtual games are determined. New numbers are formed by utilising the numbers that have previously occurred. For this purpose, the system performs basic mathematical operations that differ each time.
It is worth mentioning that the RNG is used in every game of a virtual nature. This means that online casinos are not the only ones that employ this technology. Many land-based casinos also offer games that feature this system, such as video poker or video slot machines. These games are generated in the same way, which means that they are almost identical in this aspect to their web-based counterparts.
How the RNG Works
The Random Number Generator produces a series of numbers which don’t follow any pattern. They are entirely random and differ from one casino game to another. For instance, every time you play European Roulette, it will produce a number that ranges between 1 and 37, whereas in single-deck games, such as certain variations of blackjack, the number generated will range from 1 to 52. This is because every number generated by the system has to correspond to a particular element, namely a number on the wheel or a specific card.
In this sense, contrary to the popular belief that the RNG shuffles the cards, it actually generates a series of numbers which correspond to particular cards. When it comes to card games which feature several packs, the process is much more complicated as more numbers have to be selected. However, this computer system follows a particular algorithm that ensures the generated numbers always match the corresponding cards.
All of the digits are produced virtually and generated on a continual basis. What is more, the actual process of producing numbers continues all the time, even when no one is playing. In games played with dice, such as craps, two numbers have to be produced at once each time, as two dice are involved in the game. Since each die has six sides, the number that the RNG has to produce will be from 1 to 6. Whichever number is randomly selected during the game will appear directly on one side of the virtual dice.
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Legitimacy & Regulation of the RNG
When speaking of a Random Number Generator, the question concerning its fairness and legitimacy inevitably arises at some point. Even though its main principle is complicated enough to generate a series of random numbers, what guarantee is there that the outcome of online games is also fair? First of all, you should know that all leading online casinos are fully regulated by a third-party testing agency. This means that the RNG a particular online casino uses is checked on a regular basis because this device is responsible for producing the outcome of the games.
There are a number of independent companies which specialise in iGaming testing. Their main priority is to support the regulation of the online gambling industry and to make sure that all available online games are truly random and fair. One such company, famous for performing accurate RNG evaluations, is Technical Systems Testing (often abbreviated to TST). It also conducts live dealer evaluations, audits of poker systems, penetration testing, game payout verification and other such tests.
You can easily recognise the online casinos whose games have successfully met the requirements of being fair and random, as they receive a certificate or a badge. The online casinos which display such a certificate on their website are safe to play at. They are considered reliable and trustworthy, as they have proven that the outcome of their games is completely random. This means that any external factors, such as the amount of the bet you place, have no impact on the outcome of the game.
When it comes to Random Number Generator evaluations, eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is another independent testing company which specialises in gaming certification. It is an approved testing agency which performs system analyses in order to determine the fairness of online games. For this purpose, it uses live gaming data for a particular period of time which the online casino operator is required to provide.
It tests the RNG used on various games such as blackjack, video poker, roulette, poker and others. Apart from RNG evaluations, it also conducts payout reviews which determine how efficient and fast the payouts are. Ever since its foundation in 2003, the company has been improving and developing its many services. All of the online casinos that have the seal of approval from this independent regulatory body are considered fair and credible.
FAQ
What makes online casino games fair?
The reason why online casino games are fair is that all of them use a special programme called a Random Number Generator. Its main purpose is to produce sequences of numbers in a completely random manner, which are translated into particular elements. It operates according to a complicated algorithm, thanks to which it generates new outcomes each time.
Which casino games use an RNG?
All of the available casino games that can be played online use an RNG, except for live dealer games. The live games closely resemble those offered in land-based casinos, as they are hosted by real dealers who operate the gaming process in real time. However, online casinos are not the only ones that employ this advanced programme, as land-based casinos also offer games which require an RNG because of their virtual nature. For instance, all slot and video poker machines you can find in brick-and-mortar casinos work on the same principle as their web-based counterparts.
Is it possible to find out the algorithm the RNG uses?
The RNG uses a complicated algorithm, or in other words, a set of rules which enable it to produce a series of random numbers. It also has seed numbers which are generated within short periods of time, or more precisely, every millisecond. They serve as a basis for all of the mathematical operations that are performed so that a new random outcome can be created. Unless you know the exact algorithm and the seed number the RNG uses, there is no way to determine the final result of a particular game.
Which are the reputable testing companies that conduct thorough RNG checks?
Some of the reputable third-party auditors that conduct frequent RNG checks are eCOGRA and Technical Systems Testing. They have proven to perform their duties in a professional manner, which is the reason why they are considered trustworthy and reliable. Both conduct RNG evaluations on a regular basis, providing players with the peace of mind that all online casinos which have their seal of approval offer fair games.
When does the RNG determine the outcome?
It depends on the game you are playing, but in general, the outcome is determined at the moment you take an action that reflects your choice. For instance, if you are playing slots, the outcome is determined when you click the spin button. It should be noted that regardless of which casino game you are playing, the final result produced by the RNG is always random.