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What is RNG? The role of Random Number Generators in online casinos

Many novice players fear fraud from online casinos. There are many legends about casino owners manipulating the course of the game, preventing users from winning. Player trust is a key factor in the gambling industry’s existence. Each licensed online casino provides reliable user protection and guarantees fair play. This can be done using advanced technological tools, one of which is RNG.

Understanding how this technology works will allow you to understand how little casinos have influenced the course and outcome of modern games and how autonomously the games generate the result. Read this article to learn how the random number generator works and why you can trust it.

RNG – what is it?

RNG stands for Random Number Generator. This technology was introduced in the 1950s and has since found wide application in various industries, including the gambling industry.

In casinos, RNG is used in games such as slot machines, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and others. The program generates a random sequence of numbers using a mathematical algorithm. The generated result determines the outcome of each round of the game. The numbers generated by the RNG cannot depend on any external factors – which guarantees a fair and unbiased outcome of the game, which cannot be predicted.

The use of RNG in online casinos has significantly increased the transparency of gambling, as this technology excludes the human factor or the possibility of manipulation. If in land-based casinos, the game’s fairness often depends on the dealer’s honesty, then in online casinos that use RNG, the results of each game are completely random.

Types of Random Number Generator

There are two basic types of RNG: TRNG (hardware random number generator) and PRNG (pseudo-random number generator):

  • The hardware random number generator is a microcircuit or board connected to a USB port on the casino server. It uses unpredictable natural processes, such as atmospheric noise or radioactive decay, to make it as safe and tamper-proof as possible.
  • The pseudorandom number generator is more practical and easier to implement than hardware generators, which is why it is often used in online games. The technology is created as software code that constantly and chaotically generates numbers, determining the outcome of the round even before the reels are launched. Usually, the number π is taken as the basis of the technology.

Both technologies aim to make the game’s outcome random. The main difference between them is how the numbers are generated: TRNG uses physical processes, while PRNG works thanks to mathematical algorithms that appear random.

The device generator is considered more secure and reliable because its numbers are random and cannot be predicted or changed. However, the pseudorandom generator is also an authoritative technology used by the largest online casinos in the world.

The principle of operation of the random number generator

Random number generation begins with a seed value used to create a mathematically related series of numbers, creating the original sequence of random numbers. These numbers are then subjected to additional mathematical operations to obscure their relationship to the seed value further. The result is truly random numbers, and the entire process takes fractions of a second.

The RNG generates millions of numbers per second, each completely independent of the others. It is impossible to predict future outcomes, so those who believe you can calculate the next number in the output and cheat the generator are wrong.

The algorithm itself and its parameters are as reliable as possible. Its correct operation is crucial for the fairness of the games it connects to. Therefore, the RNG technology itself is regularly tested and verified – this allows to guarantee its fairness and security. Even for the casino, the results of the games do not matter: for the RNG, its employees are the same users as the site’s guests.

Why do online casinos use RNG?

Today, the random number generator is one of the most authoritative technologies that allows you to guarantee a fair game result. It is no wonder that officially operating online casinos want to create games based on RNG in their portfolio, which significantly increases players’ trust in the platform. Users can be sure that the outcome of each game is truly random and that the results are not faked or predetermined. If a casino operates without fraud, it is interested in offering equally fair games.

If you want to be sure that the game’s outcome is determined randomly, choose legal online casinos. Platforms with an official license complement their collection with quality games from well-known developers that generate results using RNG.

Can RNG be hacked?

Random number generators (RNGs) play a big role in our digital world. They are used in various areas, from online gambling to data analysis. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many people wonder if this technology is unhackable and if RNGs can finally be hacked.

Theoretically, RNGs can be hacked, but the chance of doing so is very small. It depends on many factors, including the technology’s complexity and the potential hacker’s skill level. In addition, most random number generators are regularly tested and audited by specialized organizations that monitor the technology’s performance.

One such organization is NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), which regularly tests and certifies RNGs. The company uses various statistical tests to check for possible regularities in the numbers generated. Regular checks and tests help the RNG resist potential attacks and provide peace of mind to people who use this technology in their projects.

Final thoughts

The RNG is the backbone of the randomness and unpredictability of online games. This means that every outcome is completely random; hence, it is fair to the players. Knowing how RNGs work will provide one with greater confidence in the integrity of online casinos, knowing full well that luck and chance truly govern the results. No strategy can take control over RNG outcomes, but being informed about it helps nurture very realistic expectations and further enhances the fun of gaming responsibly.

5 min read
September 3rd, 2024

Michael Black is an experienced content writer and strategist with a deep focus on the online gambling industry since 2015. He specializes in online slots, gambling legislation, and sports betting.

As a published peer-reviewed iGaming author, he has contributed to the field over the past few articles, demonstrating his expertise and commitment to the industry.

He is also a vocal advocate for responsible gambling and stays abreast of the latest trends and developments in iGaming, ensuring his work reflects the most current insights and practices.

Michael Black
Product Owner, MB Partners Media

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