The Random Number Generator (RNG) is a very important component in online gambling. Without it, there’s no way of ensuring that games are random and fair. When RNGs are regularly tested, they help to ensure that each and every player has an equal opportunity to win.
How an RNG ensures games are fair
An RNG offers a digital process that replaces the physical randomness of shuffling cards or spinning reels. It generates a stream of random numbers that corresponds to a game result. For instance, in a slot game, it determines which symbols appear on the reels with each spin. In a card game like online blackjack, it determines which card pops up next.
Players who play at licensed online casinos in the U.S. have reassurance that the games they play and payouts are fair. For example, Michigan online gambling is regulated by the Michigan Gambling Control Board (MGCB), and it ensures that RNGs are functioning properly. Certifying RNG systems is a critical process where independent laboratories test them. Multiple layers of testing, analyzing, and ongoing monitoring ensure that they meet industry standards. The tests validate their capability to produce unbiased results on an ongoing basis.
Many gamblers think that if they lose enough, they’ll eventually get a win. However, using RNGs means that outcomes aren’t influenced by prior results and each round is independent and fair. Just like physical dice don’t remember a previous roll, an RNG doesn’t have any memory of past outcomes. This protects the randomness and prevents any patterns or trends from developing. Players can’t ‘time’ a win as there is no cycle or pattern.
Types of RNGs
Two different types of RNGs are True Random Number Generators (TRNGs) and Pseudo Random Number Generators (PRNGs). Both types serve different purposes.
TRNGs source their randomness from unpredictable physical occurrences such as lightning strikes. This means they are ‘truer’ in their randomness because they don’t depend on algorithms. TRNGs are rare in online gaming because they are costly to implement and maintain. They need special hardware and constant monitoring of physical phenomena. They are also slower than PRNGs, so they aren’t as suited to real-time applications, such as in online slot machines.
PRNGs use mathematical algorithms to generate sequences of numbers. They seem random, but they are generated from a starting value or seed. If the seed is known, it is possible to reproduce the same sequence of numbers. But with the right seed number and enough iterations, the numbers these PRNGs produce are statistically impossible to distinguish from true randomness. This is what makes them suitable for iGaming applications.
Why PRNGs dominate in iGaming
With the iGaming market size increasing, the technology in the industry must be better than ever before. PRNGs can process many random results per second, and no additional hardware is needed. Relying on a computer’s processing power to generate results makes them far more accessible to iGaming operators. They are very fast, so they offer smooth, quick gameplay.
This makes them particularly suitable for online slots where players expect results in real time. The speed and scalability of PRNGs mean they can serve millions of spins daily without compromising the results. Every outcome is still independent and random.
Common misconceptions about RNGs
The unpredictability of outcomes in casinos with the use of PRNGs is mirrored by the unpredictability gamers want when they take part in popular gaming festivals today. If players doubt a platform’s integrity, they won’t stick around for long.
It’s a myth that casinos can manipulate RNGs. Another myth is that the numbers they produce are predictable. There is no way to know what number the RNG will select next. The idea that slot machines are ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ is another misconception. A machine that has just paid out a large jackpot is just as likely as any other machine to pay out another jackpot on the next spin.
Without RNGs, online gaming would lose credibility, and player confidence would be shaken. Players want to trust that they aren’t being taken for a ride when playing online. RNGs help to build this trust because they ensure that every player has an equal chance to win.