Online casinos have gained popularity in recent decades. Online casino games are enjoyed by millions of people today. Online casinos offer convenience and entertainment value, but many players wonder what goes on behind the scenes. Software and technology powering online casinos are among the most important aspects.
RNG stands for random number generator. It is a computational program designed to generate a sequence of numbers or symbols that lack any pattern and appear random. These randomly generated numbers then determine the outcomes of games like slots, roulette, blackjack, and more. In a physical casino, this randomness would come from the natural variability of shuffling cards or spinning a roulette wheel. Since online casinos have no physical components, the RNG creates this digitally. The Random Number Generators used by reputable online casinos are advanced and ensure provably fair outcomes.
How does the RNG work in slots?
A popular game in online casinos is slot machines. In a physical slot machine, the spin outcome depends on the precise timing of the spin and where the reels happen to stop. Online casino bonuses, it is the RNG that determines the spins. The RNG picks random numbers to represent the stop positions of each reel on a slot game. Each combination of reel stops corresponds to a certain symbol combination. The RNG runs through millions of number sequences per second and the instant you hit spin, it grabs that millisecond’s number to pick the stopping positions for the reels, resulting in the symbol combination you see appear on screen.
Importance of RNGs for fairness
The randomness of the outcomes is critically important for ensuring fair gameplay. Any patterns or predictability would be detected and exploited by players immediately. The reliability and transparency of the RNG give players confidence that the next spin or deal has the same odds as any other, unaffected by previous outcomes. Reputable online casinos utilize RNG testing by third parties to prove their fairness. Various certification bodies and government regulators perform extensive RNG auditing on online casinos. They test huge samplings of game outcomes under different conditions to verify perfect randomness.
RNGs in other casino games
While especially important in slots, RNGs feature prominently in most major casino games:
- Roulette – The RNG determines where the roulette ball lands about the wheel’s slots to produce random results.
- Blackjack – Shuffling of the decks is digitally simulated with RNG algorithms to prevent card counting. The deals from the shoe follow no patterns.
- Craps – From the roll of the dice to the shuffling of the card decks, RNGs ensure the outcomes aren’t influenced predictably.
The RNG even has a role in more player-driven games like video poker, by randomizing cards that replace discards, etc. Very little is left to chance!
