Slot Machine Guides - What is RNG?

What is RNG?

Nowadays, online slot machines are considered the most popular casino game, accounting for up to 70% of a casino operator’s income. They are so popular because they come in plenty of shapes and sizes to please any taste and needs.

Every land-based machine has an internal computer controlled by a Random Number Generator or RNG for short that deals with the randomization of the result. The RNG technology is so well designed that it’s impossible to control the outcome in any way, and the results are always guaranteed to be random.

You can say that the RNG is in a perpetual motion, at least as long as the power cord is plugged into the machine or as long as the online slot operates on the server. Each millisecond, the RNG generates a value between 0 and approximately 4 billion. 

This value is then associated with a set of numbers corresponding to the symbols on the reels. Therefore, the result of every spin is determined by the value generated by the RNG.

Online slot machines follow the same rules as their land-based counterparts, and each time you click the spin button, an algorithm will deal with the randomization in a very similar process. 

It’s not only the online slots that work based on the algorithm but also all the modern casino games, including keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. 

Slot machines RNG - Is it influenced by RTP and Volatility?

Depending on the predefined RTP (Return to Player) and volatility of the slot, the hit frequency will vary significantly from one title to another. This hit frequency represents the chance that a winning combination will occur.

The RTP represents the theoretical return to the player, and it’s often referred to as the theoretical payout percentage. Let’s assume that you play a slot machine with a theoretical return to player of 95%, and you wager $1. 

We can assume theoretically that out of 1,000 spins, which will count as $1000, the player will get back an average of $950. The 5% left, meaning $50 in our example, represents the house edge or the operator’s profit.

The RNG of a slot takes into consideration all these predetermined factors to process a random outcome.

If a slot machine has a high RTP and low volatility, the hit frequency will be higher, and if the RTP is low and the volatility is higher, the hit frequency will automatically go down.

Slot RNG Myths

Ever since the appearance of the first slot machines, players have tried to find different ways to cheat the machine or somehow control the outcome of a spin. Many myths appeared over time regarding “hot” and “cold” slots, warm coins and so on.

Even if many of the original ones were busted, as the slots evolved, so did the myths, and nowadays, some gamblers think that if you play faster on slots that didn’t pay in a while, your chances to win are higher. 

Just like the myths long ago, these new theories are also false because slots are 100% games of chance, meaning that it’s absolutely impossible to control the outcome. 

There is indeed a sort of truth behind these myths, meaning that the early online slot machine sometimes had glitches due to the imperfection of the algorithm; however, any game that presented an error was quickly fixed or temporarily disabled by the provider, because let’s face it, no casino operator or software/machine provider will ever lose money willingly.

Are the slots’ RNGs rigged?

This subject can also be associated with the common casino myths, since players frequently fear the slots’ RNG is rigged. The answer is no, or at least, it shouldn’t be.

For starters, no reputable casino operator will ever provide rigged games. As shown above, the casino already makes a profit due to the “house edge” or the RTP so it’s useless to risk losing its reputation and clients over a rigged game.

Trustworthy casino software developers like Microgaming or NetEnt, among many others, follow very similar rules, meaning that all the slots that come out of their gates are tested by independent auditing labs like iTech Labs and eCogra. These labs certify if the game’s RNG is completely fair towards any gambler that plays it. 

What’s unfortunately true is the fact that there are some blacklisted casinos on the market that offer rigged games from shady companies. If you’re not careful and you ever find yourself playing at one of these rogue casinos, you may end up with a very bad gambling experience. 

Fortunately, there are some ways to avoid that if you follow some simple rules:

1. Only play at reputable online casinos that are properly licensed and regulated by an independent authority like the Malta Gaming Authority, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. 

2. Only play online slots from reputable software providers that have their RNG tested by independent labs. It’s very easy to spot it because the logo of the authority that certified the slot is usually displayed during the loading screen or right under/around the slot. 

3. Whenever possible, try to play the online slot that interests you in a demo version at free online casinos. Spend as much time as you need and see how the game acts and what it has to offer before actually investing real money. 

4. If possible, try to stick to fixed results slot machines and avoid progressive jackpot slots. Surely, a progressive jackpot slot may offer stunning wins; however, they tend to generally have a lower RTP and very high volatility, meaning a very small hit frequency. 

It’s better to win smaller prizes more often than to risk more for a bigger prize that may never come.

Final thoughts

RNG is an important part of any casino game. The randomization software is what made online gambling a safe and secure environment, keeping it fun and entertaining by providing random results.

So, instead of thinking “Oh, I lost a lot, it means that the machine will start spitting money now” , understand that responsible gambling means knowing when to quit even if you’ve lost. The future outcome will never be influenced by your previous results.

Play safe and continue having fun!