Online casino gaming has boomed in the last decade, and the safety software and measures in place have needed to adapt and change with the times. All online (excluding live casino games) use software known as ‘random number generation’ to ensure that all fans of real money online casino games can enjoy their favourite titles with fair odds and no nasty surprises.
In order to ensure this, all online casino games need to have their RNG software audited by third-party experts. Once evaluated, legitimate games will be given a certificate to prove their fairness, which players can use as a seal of approval for peace of mind when playing online. Join us as we explore the topic of RNG audits further.
What is RNG?
Random number generators (RNGS) define the fairness of all online casino games (outside of those with a live dealer). Random number generation technology is software that is needed in online games to ensure that each outcome is completely random and no pattern is formed. It is designed to mimic the human/mechanical element seen in real-world casino games (known as 'true' RNG) and is therefore referred to as 'Pseudo-RNG'.
Don’t be fooled by this name though, as there’s no winner when comparing true RNG vs pseudo-RNG - If an RNG program is working fairly, then there will be no discernable difference to the player.
How RNG Works
While we won’t go too in-depth, knowing a little about how RNG software works can be reassuring as a player and will help you understand the complex technical procedures that auditors assess, all of which do their magic in the time it takes for a round of a game to begin and end.
The player starts their next game, round, or spin, and the RNG software kicks into action. Something called a seed key is interpreted by the software. This key contains all conceivable outcomes as well as the odds presented in the game's math model, including volatility, variance, and RTP.
Next, the 'hashing algorithm' processes this data and uses it to generate thousands of possible results. What gives this algorithm an added layer of sophistication is the fact that values are not presented as numbers, as you might expect. Instead, in games such as slots and roulette, for example, each available space is viewed by the software as a tile, and each possible symbol or number is represented by a picture. This measure adds a layer of encryption to make the software harder to hack.
Of the thousands of possible results just one is selected and revealed to the player as the outcome, and as this process happens with each game, round, or spin, the RNG software produces fair, and randomised results.
Why Do We Need Auditors?
Auditors have an essential role to play in keeping casino games fun, fair, and safe for players. In the early days of gambling, rigged games were common, and casinos got bad press for rigging games; often, when completely innocent and is one of those casino RNG myths that persist to this day.
Crackdowns and the formation of regional regulatory bodies helped to make gameplay safer. When the world went online, things got tougher as the reach of games, sites, and communities went from a town, city, or county to continents. The new software was still developing and there were plenty of chinks in its armour which could be exploited.
Take the case of Ron Harris. When his buddy Reid Errol McNea scooped a cool $100,000 playing digital keno in 1995, suspicions were raised. Luckily the regional regulations mentioned earlier helped buy officials time as the law required state gaming authorities to authenticate awards above $35,000, and when they looked closer they discovered the scam.
Reid’s pal Ron Harris was a bit of a tech whizz, neigh a specialist in the world of digital casino games. In his job as an engineer, he had direct access to the computer chips of some of the machines and could manipulate them to generate specific outcomes that Reid could then play at the opportune time. In fact, Harris already had plenty of experience doing so, as he’d been skimming off the top at other Las Vegas casinos for years. Luckily, thanks to the regulations in place, authorities were able to unravel the scam, and Harris ended up with a lifetime casino ban and served 2 years of a 7-year sentence.
Cautionary tales such as these have helped regulators, developers, providers, and lawmakers stay one step ahead of the game. This means that whenever new technological strides are made in the online gaming industry, such as the development of RNG software, all bodies come together to ensure the security and safety of the players. For example, at the dawn of the internet age, RNG software called ‘Message Digest Method 5’ (MD5) was developed for the burgeoning computer community by Ronald Rivest; an updated version of which is still being used today.
By maintaining a strict and diligent approach regulators and the auditing bodies who work with them ensure that cases of RNG manipulation are rare and when discovered dealt with seriously and with serious punishments attached.
Meet the Auditors
There are many recognisable Auditing bodies, some of which specialise in certain regions, others in certain game types, and others have gone global. Below are some of the most prevalent and established auditors, whose RNG certification is awarded to some of the biggest and best online casino games.
- BMM Testlabs: The world's oldest and most experienced private independent gaming certification lab, BMM Testlabs has supplied gaming industry technical and regulatory compliance services since 1981.
For over 40 years, BMM has tested and certified Class III, Class II, VLT, AWP, HHR, online/iGaming, sports betting, social, pari-mutuel, and lottery products. BMM created the first independent and internet gaming standards in 1992 and 2001, respectively.
- iTech Labs: Since 2004, iTech Labs has offered a range of services to the online casino community, including impartial RTP audits and RNG output analysis of games.
They also design testing and project management instruments and assess network infrastructure/security to not only keep standards in the industry high, but improve upon them year on year.
- Global Laboratories International (GLI): Founded in 1981 and with 23 office locations around the globe, Global Laboratories International is one of the best-known and highest-regard gaming test labs in the world.
Known for their work testing titles in some of the strictest regions, GLI also offers technical consulting, regulator training, and gaming security audits, with specialisms in iGaming, lottery, sports betting, and horseracing.
- eCOGRA: Founded in 2003, with their head office in the UK eCOGRA will be a name familiar to British players, though it is known worldwide. As an internationally authorised testing laboratory, eCOGRA certifies iGaming software and systems and supports industrial software developers, operators, and service providers. eCOGRA are incredibly well-regarded and follow IAASB Auditing criteria, the highest criteria for professional auditors.
How RNG’s Are Audited
Correctly working RNG algorithms are a software marvel that many players do not even know exists. With a working model, every betting round is random and fair since advanced algorithms decide the outcome. However, a malfunctioning software can undermine randomisation, and while this is likely to be an honest mistake, like a 0 or bracket in the wrong place, it could indicate intentional manipulation. To weed out honest errors and prevent the prevalence of manipulated software, auditors conduct thorough exams that answer the following questions:
- Does the data reflect statistical randomness? That is, are they dispersed so that no number is favoured?
- Does the RNG's computer code have no errors?
- Is the seed created randomly?
- Can outcomes be repeated?
- Do the outcomes achieved align with the purported math model for the game?
All auditors must be independent third-parties, meaning they can have no affiliation with the casino industry (outside of their role as auditors), and no connection with the site or brand requesting the audit. This ensures there is nothing that can bias the auditor, so all findings are fair and honest.
You can check the RNG Certification status of games on your favourite online casino site by looking for:
- Certificate of Fairness: eCogra, for example, gives operators a logo and a quick link to their findings. Legitimate casinos will feature this link at the bottom of their webpage.
- UK Regulatory Logo: Look for the UKGC symbol, or any other regulation that is permitted in your region. This logo will have a similar link to the certificate, but some sites also fully disclose their license number in writing at the bottom of every page. A regulated site with a current license will use a fair system as otherwise they risk losing their license and facing legal and criminal actions.
The Role of Regulators
Many regulating authorities protect players against gameplay manipulation and guarantee that the casinos they oversee meet high standards and respect local laws. A large part of this process involves working with auditing bodies to consistently improve upon the standards and testing measures used to keep gaming fair and players safe. Top UK gambling authorities include the UKGC, MGA, GBGA, GSC, and AGCC, and any legitimate online casino will hold a license with such bodies. This provides a clear indicator to players that said site offers a fair and legal experience.
In the strictly regulated gaming industry, non-compliant casinos risk substantial implications that most customers are unaware of. They may be punished or lose their license, which is costly. Violating any of the aforementioned laws might land CEOs in prison. Non-compliance can hurt a casino's reputation and customer loyalty, and it is through the combined efforts of auditors and regulators that safer and higher standards are consistently upheld.
If You Have Concerns, Reach Out
If you have questions about whether the game you're playing is fair, you may report it to the site's license holder or check the UK Gambling Commission's website for updates on the most recent offences or current investigations.
As emphasised throughout this article, RNG manipulation is rare, even more so at a licensed and regulated site. However, keeping your wits about you is part of responsible gambling, so if you think you start to notice atypical patterns or outcomes, it’s best to be on the safe side and reach out to the relevant authorities. Just remember that chance can produce weird seemingly unlikely results (you're equally likely to win the lottery with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 as 5, 19, 32, 37, 40, 43), and in the short term fluctuations such as the same outcome back-to-back may occur. However, if you start to notice a pattern after a few rounds, then something suspicious may be afoot.
You can assess your concerns by looking at the math model information provided by the developer. For example, a low volatility slot is likely to have more frequent payouts at lower values than its higher volatility counterpart. The hit rate, when stated, can also be helpful, as a game with a 25% hit rate, for example, should payout every 4 spins or so. While there can be dry spells, in a game with these odds, you shouldn’t be waiting 20 spins or more to land a winning combination.
Licensing and Certification Equals Peace of Mind!
The continued efforts of licensing bodies and third-party regulators have helped to make online casinos safe and accessible to all players of legal betting age. As these bodies have a no-nonsense approach and high standards, all players need to do to ensure they’re playing at a legit and fair casino is to check for the site's license, and/or RNG certificates.
At Spin Genie, we’re licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain (account number 39326) and hold a certificate from iTech Labs, who’ve independently tested the games on our site and evaluated their RNG software as fair. So for a worry-free, fun online casino experience, sign up and play today at Spin Genie. Good luck, have fun, and as always, gamble responsibly.
