Online casinos have made gambling more convenient and accessible to a wide range of players. However, the most difficult task they faced was to make the outcome of online casino games emulate the randomness of their real-life counterparts. Fortunately, the technology is very advanced to make this possible.
Online casinos now use RNGs or random number generators to make sure the outcome of the game is random. This makes online casino games transparent and fair. Today, we will be exploring if random number generators (RNGs) are as random as the online casinos claim them to be. So, let’s get started.
Understanding Random Number Generators (RNGs)
A random number generator (RNG) does what its title says. It generates a random number from a set of numbers, with each number having the same probability to get chosen. They are essentially a series of codes or algorithms that are made by programmers to be used in online casino games and digital casino games.
Today, the RNGs are available in software and hardware modes that determine the outcome of online lotteries and casino games. The RNGs used in licensed online casinos and reputable gambling sites are transparent and can be checked by the players. Most casinos also audit their RNGs to ensure fairness.
Types Of Random Number Generators (RNGs)
- Pseudo-Random Number Generators (PRNGs): Most online casinos use PRNGs on their platforms to determine the outcome of the casino games. PRNGs use an algorithm and an initial seed to generate a number sequence and select a number from it. The sequence generated will be completely random and will pass all the randomness tests. However, PRNGs are not true RNGs since they use an initial seed to base the results on.
- True Random Number Generators (TRNGs): TRNGs are called as such because the outcome is not based on an initially generated seed. The random numbers generated are based on an unpredictable phenomenon such as an electromagnetic noise or the noise generated by the chaotic movements of the electrons. TRNGs are considered truly random as the results are based on complete randomness that cannot be influenced.
Are The Numbers In Online Casinos Truly Random?
Slots, Baccarat, Blackjack, video poker, any casino game, you name it, uses RNGs to determine the outcome. Slots use RNGs to determine the symbol on which the spinning reels stop. Similarly, for table games, the cards being dealt are based on an RNG. A few games like Blackjack and Baccarat also use a variation of RNG such as Continuous Shuffling Machines to shuffle the cards randomly during the gameplay.
However, every casino player will doubt whether the outcome of online casino games is rigged against them. Here’s how the numbers in online casinos are determined as completely random:
- Game Outcome: Online casinos use PRNGs to determine the random outcome of a casino game. The PRNGs are algorithms that drive the game mechanics and determine the random outcome of the game. It uses an initial seed to select a random number from a sequence of numbers. Slots, table games, video poker, and specialty games use PRNGs to ensure the results are as random as possible.
- Reputable Providers: The RNGs used in online casinos determine the randomness of the outcome. The RNGs are, however, not developed by the online casino. They are provided by leading game developers. The RNGs are supplied by leading and reputable game providers like RTG, Microgaming, PlayTech, etc. These game providers are highly reputable and trustworthy in the online gambling industry, so online casinos rely on their RNGs to determine the outcomes of the game.
- Auditing: The RNGs used in online casinos are regularly audited by several leading third-party auditors to ensure the fairness of the games and the total randomness of the results. The RNGs are audited by eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance), TST (Technical Systems Testing), GLI (Gaming Laboratories International), etc.
- Provably Fair: If players doubt the outcome of the game, most online casinos allow them to test the games. These are called provably fair games, that can be accessed from the online casino that you want to test. It proves the outcome of the game and RNG to be completely random. The provably fair games use a server seed and a client seed to prove to the players that the outcome is random.
- Blockchain Technology: Most crypto casinos have a decentralized RNG that is immutable. If the RNG is manipulated by the operator, it can be viewed by the player, thus ensuring the transparency of the online casino and the randomness of the outcomes.
Conclusion
The numbers generated by online casinos need to be random to maintain the fairness and trust that casino players have. Several types of RNGs ensure the randomness of the outcome. However, most online casinos use Pseudo-Random Number Generators (PRNGs) to ensure the fairness of casino games. PRNGs are algorithms that are programmed to emulate the randomness of a real-life casino game.
To ensure the numbers generated by online casinos are random, the RNGs are sourced from reputable providers, externally audited, and can be tested by the players. Recent technological advancements like blockchain technology make RNGs more random and immutable. However, to truly enjoy a casino game that is entirely based on sheer chance, you need to play at licensed and reputable online casinos that employ the latest RNG.
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