Simulated randomness. It sounds, to those of us whose math knowledge struggles to keep up with that of a twelve-year-old’s, complicated. And it is.
Random number generators are what keep slot machines and other casino games fair and consistent in an inconsistent way?
You can confidently spend your time and money on casino apps that pay because RNG algorithms are there to keep things fair and honest. Are they complicated? Sure.
Still, you don’t need to understand math to know that this technology is your friend. When you find online casinos that are fully licensed, you can be sure that they are using RNGs to regulate fair play.
RNG Overview
Alright, fair warning. We are diving into a mathematical situation here. RNGs are basically algorithms. There are two primary types—true RNGs, which as the name suggests, are genuinely randomized number sequences. They follow no determinable pattern. In other words, you could take the entire sequence and have no ability whatsoever to determine what the next number will be. Then there are pseudo RNGs. These appear very random but do follow a predictable pattern if you have all of the data.
True RNGs are used when absolute randomness is essential. They often use physical processes like atmospheric noise or radioactive decay. These are ideal for high-security applications but can be slower to generate numbers.
Pseudo-RNGs are what most online casinos use. They’re faster and more efficient for gaming purposes. They start with a “seed” number and use complex formulas to create sequences that seem random. While technically predictable with enough information, good pseudo-RNGs are practically impossible to crack during normal gameplay.
Online casinos rely on pseudo-RNGs because they need to generate thousands of random numbers quickly. The algorithms are regularly tested by independent labs to ensure fairness. Players never see the patterns, and each game outcome appears completely random from the user perspective.
How RNGs Result in Fair Play
So why do RNGs correlate to fair play? Well, casino games need to meet two unique criteria. On the one hand, they need to be unpredictable. That’s the point, right? You enjoy the thrill ride of not knowing what will happen when you spin the wheel. But they also need to fulfill a promise made to the player. For brevity’s sake let’s call that promise the “return to player percentage.”
Casinos can’t—and won’t—try to tell you how much money you will make or lose in an evening. They can—and are required—to indicate what happens on average. That’s the “return to player percentage,” which is generally viewable in a game’s description at most online casinos. So a slot machine with a 96% RTP rating will give back $96 out of every $100 wagered to the player. If you feed the machine $200 in bets you’ll, on average, lose $8. Obviously, your actual experience will depend pretty significantly on your betting style and your luck.
Regardless though, it is the RNG’s job to maintain that RTP score while still providing an unpredictable experience. That’s a complicated responsibility that requires some serious math.
The RNG handles this balancing act by ensuring each individual outcome is truly random while the overall distribution matches the promised return rate. Think of it like rolling dice—each roll is unpredictable, but over thousands of rolls, you’ll see specific patterns emerge. This is why casinos can remain profitable while still offering fair games.
Licensed online casinos must have their RNGs regularly tested by independent agencies. These agencies verify that the algorithms produce truly random results and maintain the advertised RTP percentages. This testing helps ensure players get a fair chance at winning while casinos maintain their expected edge.
Why it Works
You might think—ok, but why? Why do casinos use RNGs to ensure fair play when they could just as easily use them to line their pockets? Let’s say you’re a cynical sort of person who won’t accept “basic ethics,” as an answer.
Well, a more compelling reason might be that casinos have a vested interest in keeping their games fair. Asking why casinos don’t use RNG to cheat is a little like asking why your coffee shop doesn’t cut its java with dish soap. They’d go out of business—though not before accumulating a few lawsuits.
There are intense regulatory standards guiding how games are formatted. No casino is going to risk millions just to put their thumb on the scale of a game that already favored them, to begin with.
