RNG Guide: How Casino Outcomes Work

RNG Guide: How Casino Outcomes Work

7 min

The RNG may be a mystery to newer Irish players. So, our CasinoAlpha Ireland team applied to the matter and created this handy guide for those who want to know whether a casino is fair and just how random a Random Number Generator can be.

Why is it important to understand RNG?

There is a variety of games to check out, all programmed with RNG. Since it affects your playing outcomes, we analysed how this microprocessor works on a significant range of games.

What is RNG?

RNG or Random Number Generator refers to a program determining what symbols and cards you will get when wagering on slots and card games. Naturally, online casinos with live dealers do not operate with such technologies.

Can Irish players predict its pick of symbols and jackpots?

Theoretically, yes, but practically, it is impossible for the Irish players. There are two categories of this generator, and neither of them allows for quick prediction.

The two RNG types

Without further ado, the two categories in aleatory number generation are:

The-two-RNG-types

  • PRNG (Pseudorandom Number Generators)

These are the ones that randomise sequences up to a point. Then, the elements will start repeating.

Even though this makes it apparently predictable, it takes remarkably long for repetition to occur. Most top online casinos use it.

  • HRNG (Hard Random Number Generator)

This type ensures entirely random sequencing, and the possibilities are infinite.

Most people in the tech and entertainment industries avoid it since it is famously difficult to manage.

Can you trust a Pseudo Number Generator?

Even though it does not contain fully arbitrary sequences, it will take a remarkably long time before the numbers start repeating.

In fact, although the combinations are not endless, they tend to reach infinity.

Why are pseudo generators popular?

The reason why developers choose these pseudo versions of RNGs is their accessibility. They are much more comfortable to manage than hard number generators.

Informaticians have tried to develop randomisers since the late ‘40s. Alan Turing was the first to create a calculator that generated random lines, an HRNG. Later, scientists focused on the easier-to-manage PRNGs.

How does RNG work on slots

Did you know that 70% of all gambling sites’ income comes from slot plays?

Slots are the most frequent pick for Irish players because they are played within the best free no deposit spins. Thus, CasinoAlpha Ireland is your slot guide and shows you how this system works on them and how this can influence your gameplay.

Online gambling is safer!

Land-based slots also employ Random Number Generators, but since they are physical machines, they are more susceptible to rigging.

Improvements in programming make online slots go through the possible spins more times, which translates to enhanced security.

The system adapts to your playstyle

The bottom line is that your gameplay does not need to change to accommodate the generator.

Playing according to a betting strategy will also not help change the outcome – knowing that a website employs RNGs is simply the way to see that you are safe while playing, and all results come from fair gaming.

The hit frequency’s role

This value refers to the rate at which you may land a positive combination. This way, you can appreciate how much of the funds you staked may return to you over time through the average RTP rate.

This hit frequency differs according to the game type: for slots is lower, while for table games is higher.

Knowing a slot’s hit frequency will let you know your virtual chances of gaining turnover.

Don’t fall into the trap!

It is not clear-cut and still not a way to predict your outcomes. Scoring a jackpot has a 27000 to 1 probability, and the everchanging numbers make it almost impossible to land the pot.

Games with higher frequencies will often dish out smaller payouts; jackpots are more likely when you play spins on low hit frequency titles.

Remember that the rate will drop significantly on a progressive jackpot slot.

Is there a tie between RTPs and RNGs?

There is no actual tie between these two, but gaming organisations will generally test both when applying their expertise.

How does RTP & RNG testing go?

After trying a game’s randomiser, the testers will also check its Return to Player rate, or RTP, for short.

Although each game provider chooses the RTP for its products, the institutions must check the integrity of this value.

Card games and live dealer games

Software-based table options also operate on random generators. Whether you prefer Blackjack, Roulette, Video Poker, or other styles, what matters the most is whether they are software-based or live dealer products.

RNG is not universal in top casinos Ireland!

Naturally, live dealer products have no such system.

Instead, they have the croupier use multiple decks to randomise the gambling outcomes.

Fairness is still checked and ensured

Even so, software providers for live casino options like Evolution Gaming respond to the same authorities, and their sessions do receive testing for fairness.

Although these sessions are different, and none of them is superior, software tables come with more regulations, while live dealer games win in the brick-and-mortar-feel department.

Are RNGs rigged?

Rigging is out of the question. When a casino operator wants to make his business legitimate, he must obtain certifications from game testing authorities. They may go for a Random Number Generator certificate or invest in a more encompassing eCOGRA, GLI, or TST approval.

How to check that a casino uses RNG

Please note that such information must be public!

RNG-Guide-How-Casino-Outcomes-Work

Checking a casino’s footer is your best option

When you scroll down, you will be able to see core information about the website. Here is what CasinoAlpha Ireland found:

  • The managing company’s name, along with its serial number and physical address;
  • The authority licencing it, including the licence number and registration date;
  • The certificate it has (an eCOGRA/GLI/TST/Verisign is preferable to an RNG one);
  • An RTP page (if not available in the footer, each game’s paytable must display it);
  • The casino’s Alternative Dispute Resolution or the way in which they manage casino disputes.

How to obtain certification

The operator must contact a testing authority or a lawyer who will do so on his behalf.

If he asks for an RNG certificate, a testing authority will verify the platform and its games. However, an eCOGRA, GLI, Verisign, or TST certificate is even more valuable – it contains additional, more thorough tests. Furthermore, all these authorities operate within the Republic of Ireland, complying with the terms of the Irish Betting License issued by the Revenue Commissioners.

Certification is an intricate process, at the end of which you may be sure that the casino you’re browsing is safe.

Once an operator receives his documentation, he must publish it on the casino page. Otherwise, he risks fines, and the authorities can take legal action against him.

If you do not see this information, especially the RNG-related one, CasinoAlpha Ireland advises Irish players to check the Terms and Conditions page of any online casino Ireland. If there is no info there either, we advise you to leave the casino and head to a more secure gambling page.

Can RNGs be predicted?

All reliable slot sites go through testing before establishing a type of RNG. And there are numerous authorities regulating gambling sites’ activities. There’s no real possibility of prediction.

This is not the only value that gets better in online gaming

The most reliable indicator of your outcome, the Return to Player, is also higher than what you’ll find in brick-and-mortar locations.

Why does that matter?

Because you get a clear picture of how the house edge will affect you in the long run. Maintaining a land-based casino costs more than a web version, so the payout gap tends to be higher. And like RNGs, transparent RTPs result from a fully licenced and secure online casino.

Checking out our website will ensure that you only find legitimate gambling businesses, which operate on RNGs.

Are RNGs really random?

Are-RNGs-really-random

Random number generators are, as implied, random.

Many other authorities in the field evaluate the casino businesses’ algorithms and overall fairness before applying their seal of approval. So, Irish players must not be able to predict the outcome.

The system must be intricate enough for third-party software not to guess the following sequence of numbers and symbols.

A predictable system might not only create room for irregular play, but it also casts a shadow of doubt over the casino’s legitimacy.

If such a situation arises, the Office of Revenue Commissioners which issues the respective Irish Betting license may take legal action against it.

How do you beat an RNG?

To be more specific, the level of randomness is too high even for a machine to process.

As such, it would be impossible to collude with casino play even if you had technology on your side. Especially on slots, the gameplay is left up to chance.

While you may accrue skill in the table and live dealer games, the outcome still is ultimately aleatory.

Final remarks on this software

For a fair gaming experience, RNGs are essential. These algorithms will ensure that you receive a fair outcome – even though the house does famously have an edge, it cannot widen it by ‘rigging’ its available products.

Authorities advocate for it

Authorities like eCOGRA, TST, and GLI make sure of it, as do the licensing authorities.

Always check the websites’ footers and T&Cs pages to find these institutions’ seals of approval!

What you should know

  1. Although the sequences will generally not repeat infinitely, the randomness factor is high enough for repetition to take nearly an eternity to occur.
  2. Games with a valid RNG system, especially combined with sign up bonuses no deposit, will help your casino budget.

Methodology

When creating this casino guide, CasinoAlpha Ireland checked multiple sources. We consulted:

  • Legal pages;
  • Irish gambling legislation;
  • Other institutions which ensure the games’ safety.

Other resources that we’ve used

To contextualise RNG, we also accessed articles on the history of science and did our best to present the information clearly and concisely. Our guide is a means to popularise this concept, which is prevalent in iGaming and other e-products.

CasinoAlpha Ireland did practical investigations. To ensure your security while browsing online casino sites, we conducted empirical research.

We saw where you can find RNG-related information and what seals of approval to search by entering and reviewing multiple casino websites. Learn more about our team’s mission to find out even more useful guides like this one.

References

A brief history of random numbers

eCOGRa Certificate

Authors
Ioana Constantinescu
AuthorIoana ConstantinescuAuthor & Editor at Casino alpha

Ioana's background in the law domain helps her understand the rights and obligations of each gambler and, thus, come up with player-oriented reviews that answer each player's needs. Also, her interest in psychology motivates her to find out more about gambling addiction and its consequences.