The Truth About RNG in Gambling Revealed!

I got into gambling in the digital era. I have mostly played at online casinos, and I have visited a couple of land-based casinos to get a vintage experience. Since the beginning, I have searched for gamblers’ conversations to learn. If you pay attention, like I did, you will detect a constant term in casino players’ conversations: the RNG. 

 At the very beginning, I thought it was sort of a gambling code. Players frequently mentioned that their betting rules (amount, frequency, etc.) were strict since they knew everything was defined by this magical number. One guy went to specific, saying that to win by rolling dice, turning a card, or spinning a wheel was more connected to the RNG than to the lady luck. “How come?”. I thought. “Isn’t my lucky finger or special gambling talent influencing the outcomes?”. Then, I decided to take that special number seriously and investigate. 

What is the RNG?

The RNG, or random number generator, is a software algorithm that produces sequences of numbers without any predictable pattern. It’s like the brain behind a slot machine-you press the spin button, and the RNG generates a sequence that determines the outcome you see on the screen. 

Within every physical slot machine or app and game of a chance, there will be a random number generator to ensure that the game’s results are completely and truly random and are not influenced or determined by other factors. The RNG algorithm is the way for casino game developers to guarantee fairness and transparency. Currently, such software is sophisticated enough to guarantee unbiased results. That is very important for all involved parties, casino players, casinos, game developers, and authorities. Being the core of the game, independent parties regularly audit RNGs to guarantee the correct performance and that every game is genuinely random. 

If you bring back the memory of your last slot machine session, you spun so the numbers or symbols appeared until the machine stopped and showed the outcome. It sounds zero exciting when you can picture that the random number creator is doing the job. However, game developers have included extra elements, such as cascading symbols, expanding symbols, sticky wilds, and more, to make the game more dynamic and exciting. 

Types of gambling RNGs 

There are two types of random number generators you should be familiar with. One is called TRNG or true random number generator, and it relies on unpredictable physical phenomena. Craps dice, roulette wheels, or the ball blowers used in bingo and keno are good examples of TRNGs you for sure know. 

The other RNG is called PRNG or pseudorandom number generator, and it works through an algorithm and initial seed values to create numerical sequences. For instance, when you play slots, the symbols you see on the reels every time you spin are defined by this PRNG. 

How does the RNG work?

We will focus on the pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) because it is completely computer-created and the most used currently. 

Usually, a PRNG follows a predefined algorithm to create numeric sequences that mimic randomness. It uses a mathematical equation or formula to produce numbers, with the randomness factor coming from a seed number. This seed changes with each new calculation, and the result of the previous formula becomes the seed for the next. 

The limitation of PRNGs is that, eventually, the initial seed will repeat, causing the sequence to restart, as there are only a limited number of possible outcomes. This is why it’s called a pseudorandom generator. 

To prevent repetition and looping in casino games, these generators operate continuously, even when no one is playing. When a player initiates a game, the last number generated is retrieved from memory to determine the outcome of the card draw, dice roll, or spin. 

How does the RNG work in slot machines?

First of all, know that many different casino games work with a random number generator (video poker, bingo, keno, lotteries, craps, automatic table games, slot machines, etc.). Its operation differs a bit based on the game’s mechanics. For instance, when you play keno or bingo, the algorithm lists combinations of the numbers from the limited pool. In card games, the RNG maps the cards’ order in the virtual deck. The algorithm is the one shuffling the cards constantly. 

We will explain the specific case of slot machines only because millions worldwide play slots daily. Just look at your favorite online casino games menu and see that most titles refer to slots. Their popularity is crazy! 

In slot machines, the random number generator determines the outcome of each spin. It runs continuously in every slot machine, generating numbers every millisecond, even when no one is playing. These numbers correspond to the possible outcomes on the reels, such as symbols and their positions. 

Every number generated by the random generator is mapped to a specific position on the virtual reels. For example, if a generated number corresponds to a certain symbol (e.g., a cherry or a bar), that symbol will be displayed on the reel when you (the player) spin. 

When you hit the “spin” button, the RNG selects the most recent set of random numbers generated. These numbers are used to determine which symbols will appear on each reel. The process happens almost instantaneously, deciding the spin’s outcome before the reels stop spinning. 

The RNG ensures that each spin is independent of previous spins, making it impossible to predict or influence the outcome. No matter how long the machine has been played or how often it has paid out, every spin is a fresh, random event without connection to past results. 

How does the RNG affect the gameplay?

Knowing how the RNG works, it is easy to see that the random number generator significantly impacts gameplay in games such as slot machines. Keep this idea in mind: the RNG oversees that every outcome is completely random and independent of previous or future spins. Now, based on that idea, it is easy to elaborate on how the RNG affects the gameplay.  

• The RNG generates unpredictable outcomes, making it impossible for players to anticipate or influence results. 
• Since every spin is independent, the outcome of your current spin isn’t affected by what happened in previous spins. If the machine has just paid out a big win or has not paid out in a long time, the chances of hitting a jackpot or landing a losing spin remain the same. The random number creator ensures that there’s no pattern or cycle that players can exploit. 
• Every spin has an equal probability of landing any particular combination, regardless of whether you’re the first or hundredth person to play the machine. It prevents any form of bias or predictability, ensuring the game is fair. 
• No strategy can guarantee wins or predict outcomes. So, many strategic bits of advice you have read to win the slots jackpots are only myths. When other players tell you about “hot” or “cold” machines, think about the randomness we have explained and that every spin is determined by the RNG in real time.

As you see, the random number generator truly affects the gameplay.

How to beat the RNG while gambling?

Thinking it is possible to beat the RNG with a trick or specific combination of keys is only one of the thousand myths you shouldn’t believe. The random number generator is sophisticated software specially designed to ensure completely random and unpredictable outcomes. 

 Beating an RNG would mean walking an illegal path. The only way to do that is by hacking the software within the slot machines or other games. Accessing such software would require strong skills to violate the security measures implemented by game developers and to manipulate the algorithm. It is not an easy endeavor and is far from the entertaining purpose games have.

How to gamble smartly against the RNG?

Even though you (players) can’t directly control or influence the RNG in casino games, there are still smart ways to play that can help you maximize your chances and manage your bankroll effectively. How? Here you have some tips.

Manage your gambling budget wisely

Set limits for how much you’re willing to spend and strictly stick to them. Use smaller bets per spin to extend your playtime and increase your chances of hitting a winning combination. Very important, don’t chase losses! Treat gambling as entertainment, not a guaranteed way to make money. 

Understand the game rules, terms, and conditions

Know the odds, payout percentages, volatility, RTP (return to player) percentage, and how the RNG works for each game. You need this knowledge to strategize your game. 

Choose high-RTP games

Focus on games with higher return-to-player (RTP) percentages, as these give you a better chance of recovering a percentage of your money over time. For instance, slot machines with an RTP of 96% or higher are usually considered favorable. 

Use bonuses and promotions

Use deposit bonuses, free spins, and loyalty programs to extend your playing time and get extra chances to play and (hopefully) win without the chance to lose your own money. 

Ignore the myth of “hot” or “cold” machines

Every spin is independent of the previous one. Believing that a machine is due for a payout (hot) or unlikely to pay out (cold) is a myth. Don’t risk your money pointlessly! Now you know how the RNG works! 

Play games with volatility that matches your style

Low-volatility games give smaller but more frequent payouts. This is ideal for players who prefer steady play and want to avoid big swings. 

High-volatility games can pay big but less frequently, so they’re better suited for risk-takers with a bigger bankroll. 

Prefer skill-based games

There are games of chance and skill-based games (blackjack, poker, etc.) in every casino. When you play the second, your skills and strategy truly influence the outcome, not the chance alone. 

Take breaks and set time limits

Breaks help you stay clear-headed and prevent making impulsive decisions. Set time limits to control how long you have been playing and how much you have spent.

Quit while you are ahead

If you’re lucky to hit a big win, consider walking away instead of reinvesting it all. Gambling’s unpredictability can quickly turn a winning session into a losing one.

Conclusion

The truth about the random number generator in gambling has been revealed! Now, you know it is not our lucky finger or special gambling talent but the random number generator (RNG) influencing the outcomes every time we play. I accepted it a long time ago, but guess what? I haven’t stopped gambling. I am a big fan of slot machines and truly enjoy the games. I feel the excitement every time I tap the spin button and wait for the winning combination to land on the wheels. I think the games are exciting enough to enjoy. Besides, in my opinion, the thrill of the game comes exactly from its unpredictability rather than from the illusion of control. Those adrenaline seconds you wait to see the outcome, feeling so close to that massive jackpot… Man, the experience is totally worth it!  

Common gambling RNG FAQs