Thanks to their colourful visuals, and enticing sound effects that bring the gameplay to life, slot machines have long been a popular gambling choice in casinos around the world. It’s no wonder why slot machines often take the biggest chuck of lobby space in both brick-and-mortar casinos like Casino de Montréal and iGaming websites such as the https://mr.bet/at Casino online.
Of course, besides their entertainment factor, their potential to earn you massive jackpot payouts fair and square is what makes players come back for more. Speaking of winning potentials, have you ever wondered how slot machines work as you spin the reels in a land-based or online casino? How is it possible for this machine to continue generating millions of unpredictable outcomes in every single spin for all players?
Well, the answer lies in the phenomenal science of randomness. All slots produced by a licensed game developer are powered by a Random Number Generator (RNG), which is essentially the brains of the machine. This sophisticated technology is at the heart of every result of the machine and the secret to keeping things completely fair. Read on to discover how the RNG works and everything else around it.
What Is a Random Number Generator (RNG)?
An RNG as the name suggests, is a type of computer software program that produces arbitrary outcomes in every round of play. With each fleeting second during the gameplay, RNG software creates random numbers that follow no logical pattern. Thus, this software provides a single or a collection of numbers from a series when needed at any point as players spin the reels.
So, how do slots incorporate the RNG working into coming up with the outcomes they do? The answer lies with the two types of RNGs, which are True Random Number Generators and Pseudo Random Number Generators. Whilst true RNGs are the powers behind the vintage or mechanical slot machines, the latter gave rise to the digital era, or rather, the online slots. Here’s how these two types of RNGs work:
True RNGs
These use physical events to generate outcomes. For example, the noise signals the software receives may be the basis upon which it generates arbitrary figures. The unpredictability of true RNGs emanates from the fact that, ideally, you can’t predict the physical event that this software will use to generate an outcome. That’s because there are infinite numbers of physical events that the outcomes may be based on.
Pseudo-Random Number Generators (PRNGs)
This type of RNG utilizes algorithms to generate large strings of numbers that are rooted in a shorter string of numbers. The shorter strings of numbers in the case of the slots are known as a seed number, which at times may also be based on a tangible source, just like we outlined with True RNGs. That said, these systems are digital, and the only way one would access the outcome is by trying to determine the seed number and the algorithm which is highly improbable.
How Slot Machine RNGs Work
Let’s assume, for instance, that you are playing a 4-reel casino game that contains 10 symbols per reel. When you hit the play button, the online RNG will proceed to randomly assign values to each symbol, then randomly select a value from 1 to 10 for each of the four reels in the slot machine. What this creates is a result where the four symbols are all assigned independent values. Should these symbols form a winning sequence, then you will be paid accordingly.
Are RNGs 100% Fair?
All trustworthy online casino sites strictly host games that are powered by provably fair RNG software that has been fully audited and awarded a seal of approval by independent assessors. This ensures that players can have the time of their lives, playing their favourite slot game without having to worry that the title they are playing may not be fair. Together with mathematical tests, game payout verifications and reporting, some of the other checks and audits that RNG software is subjected to include:
- Statistical Randomness: Are the results truly arbitrary? Is there any bias exhibited?
- Internal State of RNG: Does the RNG code contain any errors?
- Seeding and reseeding: How is the seed generated? Is it truly an arbitrary process?
Can You Hack a Slot Game’s RNG?
It is practically impossible to hack into the RNG of a slot machine game. Reputable software providers are required by licensing bodies to integrate fool-proof security features onto their games which essentially make the games impossible to hack. While there are genius cyber criminals out there who are willing to go toe to toe with the crafted individuals on the good side, it is an exercise in futility. So, if you have any reservations about the fairness of slots, then put them to rest now that you know how RNGs work.
