Casino Random Number Generator

Online Casino Guide PhotoNowadays a staggering number of online casinos have emerged as the demand for online games is rapidly increasing. The online casinos have become so popular that there is hardly any avid player who still hasn’t opted for this type of entertainment. The reason why these casino websites appeal to a lot of players is that they offer them various advantages which greatly contribute to the pleasant gambling experience they are able to get from playing 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 the modern technologies, you are able to enjoy some of the casino classics at 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 the 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 available games the online casinos provide 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 program that is responsible for generating numbers in a random manner. Thanks to this system, it is possible to simulate virtually some basic gaming activities such as shuffling cards or flipping a coin. In order to manage to successfully generate numbers, it uses an algorithm. This simply means that it follows a string of rules thanks to which the production of numbers is possible.

There are several types of RNGs which are used in the world of technology. The 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 dice.

This perpetual process of generating numbers follows a plan according to which the outcome of the virtual games is determined. New numbers are formed by utilizing the numbers that have previously occurred. For this purpose, the system performs a basic mathematical operation which is different every time.

It is worth mentioning that the RNG is used in every game that has a virtual nature. This means that the 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 slots machine. These games are generated in the same way which means that they are almost identical in this aspect to their web-based counterparts.

Random Number Generator

How the RNG Works

The Random Number Generator produces a series of numbers which don’t follow any pattern. They are entirely random and they 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 one deck games such as some variations of blackjack, the number that will be generated will be from 1 to 52. This is because every number the system generates has to be in accordance with a particular element, respectively a number on the wheel or a particular 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 a particular card. When it comes to card games which feature several packs, the process is much more complicated as more numbers have to select. However, this computer system follows a particular algorithm with which it cannot fail to match the numbers that are generated with the cards that correspond to them.

All of the digits that are produced virtually and they are generated on a regular basis. What is more, the actual process of producing numbers continues all the time, even when no one is playing. In games played with dices such as craps, two numbers have to be produced at once every time as two dices are involved in the game. Since each dice 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, it will appear directly on one side of the virtual dice.

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 manage to generate a series of random numbers, what guarantee there is that the outcome of the 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 use, is checked on a regular basis due to the fact that 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 help the regulation of the online gambling industry and to make sure that all of the available online games are truly random and fair. One such a company which is famous for performing accurate testing RNG evaluations is Technical Systems Testing, often abbreviated as 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 online 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 to be reliable and trustworthy as they have proven that the outcome of their games is completely random. This means that any outer factors such as the amount of the bet you place have no impact on the outcome of the game.

Ecogra Logo

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 the online games. For this purpose, it uses live gaming data for a particular amount 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 of 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 program called a Random Number Generator. Its main purpose is to produce number sequences 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 a RNG?

All of the available casino games that can be played online use a RNG, except for live dealer games. The live games highly resemble the games offered in land-based casinos as they are hosted by real dealers who operate the gaming process in the real time. However, not only the online casinos employ this advanced program as land-based casinos also offer games which required a 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 which 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 which gives players the needed 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.