Everything you need to know about random number generators (RNG) in online casinos 

Online casinos have become one of the most popular forms of online entertainment in recent years. This industry combines the latest technological advances with secure methods for conducting online transactions. But how do online casino games actually work? Can we be sure that the systems are truly fair?  

The answer lies in RNGs, or random number generators. In this article, we will explain the key aspects of this fundamental concept.  

The secrets of random number generators  

In land-based casinos, a croupier is responsible for dealing the cards or spinning the roulette wheel. This is done in full view of the players, which contributes to the transparency of the game. In online casinos, the RNG system fulfils this role.  

How an RNG works is crucial. The fairness of every game and the reputation of the online casino depend on it. The RNG system is a complex set of mechanisms. At its core is a system that continuously generates a series of random numbers.  

As soon as a player clicks a button to start the game (for example, ‘deal’ or ‘spin’), the system randomly selects a number from the sequence. This number is then sent to the software and converted into a result, whether that be a card, a symbol or a monetary amount. 

How RNG systems work 

RNGs use highly sophisticated algorithms. These algorithms, in turn, consist of four essential parts:  

• The seed value  

• The multiplicative constant  

• The additive constant  

• The modulo (a kind of counting machine)  

Most of the numbers used by online casinos are actually pseudo-random. This means that a value is entered internally and remains constant. This value is called the ‘seed’. By using the same seed, sequences with similar values are generated. The modulo ensures that everything is calculated correctly. 

Ensuring transparency  

Online casinos must demonstrate that their RNGs are truly trustworthy. To do so, they turn to international gambling authorities. These include organisations such as the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority and the UK Gaming Commission.  

These bodies issue licences and quality certificates, which can be viewed on each casino’s website. These documents confirm that the RNGs are indeed reliable and that there is no fraud involved. Consequently, you should only trust online casinos that display these seals. 

Furthermore, online casino operators must be licensed by the relevant national authorities. In Belgium, this is the Gaming Commission.  

Can you beat RNG?  

Casino games are based on mathematical probabilities that are calculable and objective. Theoretically, an expert in this field could find a way to cheat the system. However, this could have legal consequences.  

One example is the Russian mathematician known by his first name, Alex, who used his talent to crack the RNG system of some of the most well-known games. His team visited numerous casinos around the world to send videos back to their headquarters in Saint Petersburg. Thanks to the information gathered, the group was able to circumvent the systems and win up to $250,000 a week.  

However, these practices took place in a legal grey area. Alex claimed that he was not breaking any laws in force in Russia. Casino operators, on the other hand, claimed that this was illegal and had to be stopped.  

In the end, Alex managed to strike a deal with Aristocrat, one of the game developers whose games he had targeted. In any case, such actions can lead to arrests or fines, depending on the laws of each country.  

The differences between RNG, RTP and volatility  

RNG, RTP and volatility are three distinct but complementary concepts:  

• The RNG is the system that determines the outcome of each spin or game in an unpredictable manner, ensuring that each result is independent of the previous one. 

• RTP, or return to player, indicates the theoretical percentage of stakes that a game pays back to players over the very long term, without guaranteeing an individual win. 

• Volatility, meanwhile, describes a game’s level of risk: low volatility often yields small wins, whilst high volatility offers less frequent but potentially higher wins.