Online Casino RNG: How Does It Really Work?

A random number generator is the life force of online casino games. They are the instruments / technology by which fairness can be assured. No matter how much money certain players claim to have earned from a game, the best no deposit free spins Australia 2022 have ever given are all dependent on these RNGs. As such, rather than believing in the conspiracy theory that games are rigged, fine-tune your theories and play on. Until then, though, you might need further knowledge of how RNGs work. If you belong to this select group of doubters (or you are simply a knowledge junkie), read on.

Why Do Casinos Need an RNG?

This question is simple to answer. They need it for fairness and transparency. In a land-based casino, watching a dealer carefully is enough to prevent or catch any illegal actions (on the part of the casino) in card games. In dice games, you would feel if the dice are loaded and notice if anything is wrong. Slot machines are usually regulated by gaming commissions to prevent any foul play. However, online casinos run all of these games virtually (except live dealer games).

Unfortunately, that would mean all of the power to alter gaming results lie with them. A casino taking advantage of such a power would mean being able to affect results to better their own books. In essence, you would be at their mercy. Luckily, the concept of RNGs prevents that in the following way:

1. RNGs make use of an algorithm that generates a stream of numbers.
2. A random number of the stream is pumped out every time you click the action button (roll, deal or spin) of a game.
3. The number would then be translated to give a result like a card, die position or slot character.

For any casino newbie who wants to learn games and gambling without wagering real money, casinos provide such opportunities. 

Can an RNG Be Predicted or Cheated?

An RNG is just a program, an algorithm that spits out random numbers and results. Theoretically, it can be hacked, and we are sure many have tried. It also seems like most have failed, indicating that the general claim of these RNGs being difficult to cheat is true. In the event that you do succeed in cheating one of these difficult-to-beat algorithms, we would have you know that you would be committing a crime if you’re doing it for profit. In summary, RNGs can be considered almost unbeatable, and if you managed to achieve the feat, you would owe the state, the gambling commission and the casino a prison sentence.

Another way some people try to cheat in online casino games is to count cards. That is incredibly laughable. Hollywood might have made counting cards in land-based casinos seem like a winning (though criminal) strategy, but even they would never attempt to sell the lie that the trick would work online. Companies sell the best casino operations for more than $1 billion but not lies. If you did it, you would literally be counting nothing because the cards being dealt would be coming out of no deck. Some strategies might still work in other games, though, especially those that involve computing probabilities. Beyond those, the randomness of an RNG allows for no tricks.

Can Casinos Tamper With the Results of an RNG?

They should be able to, but it is unlikely that they actually do so. The unlikeliness is because their gaming licences are dependent on it. What this means is that the RNG of each game would need to be tested and assessed before the game is allowed to go online. Online casinos would need to submit the games to the appropriate authority for testing, and the tests would be carried out by labs. The results would meet the Remote Technical Standards of the licensing authority before it is approved. In addition, the test would be carried out regularly to ensure that the standards are always being adhered to.

Which Games Use RNGs?

All of the games in online casinos make use of RNG. The exceptions to this are the live casino games that make use of real dealers, cards, and tables. By now, it should be obvious that having them is generally beneficial to gaming because it keeps things fair. With an RNG in place, you need not fear that you’re being cheated by the casino or a fellow player. Even games that have an RTP are being monitored regularly to ensure that the RNG is working right. If you win, it’s because the number you needed was the one that was generated.

How Can RNGs Help Your Selection of a Casino?

RNGs help to maintain fair gameplay in online gambling enterprises. However, if you think about it, you realise that the trustworthiness of an RNG is dependent on the labs that test it and the Licensing authority that approves it. Essentially, if you want to select the best online casino to play in, the following could help.

1. Pick the one with the most reputable test labs and licence backing it. So, there are online operations out there with faulty RNGs (why wouldn’t there be?). However, selecting one with a highly reputable licence reduces your chances of being ripped off.
2. Look for those you can verify further. Some licensing authorities even grant players the opportunity to access the RNG testing results of casinos, and you can use that in your decision-making as well.

Final Thoughts

The world of land-based casinos and online gaming sites can be very different for gamblers. A lot of people would celebrate the absence of side tricks, which are intended to loosen purse strings, in land-based outfits. There are also those whose results in online casinos would take a hit because of the absence of mistakes/cheating opportunities. However, it would be hard to argue with any semblance of logic that RNGs do not make the game fairer. In many ways, they have improved the fun in gambling.

Back in the day, the potential for confusion meant that slot games were simple and straightforward, usually with only a single payline. Today, gamblers can enjoy multiple paylines and increased chances of profitability. The RNGs also paved the way for game designers to go all out on the creative aspects, knowing fully well that the game processes themselves were above board. As a result, slot machines are arguably the most fun option in any type of casino, but, most importantly, people are still winning.