For players, visiting a casino is all about testing their skills, their judgement, and their luck. That’s what makes the experience so thrilling and what keeps them coming back to the tables again and again.
As the operator of an online casino, it is absolutely essential that you foster an environment where your players feel like they have a chance of winning big. Without this, they will feel like their efforts are pointless, and will be quick to leave for somewhere that they believe gives them a better chance. For online casinos, fair play is guaranteed through the use of random number generators. Let’s take a closer look at what these are and the role they play in online casinos.
What are Random Number Generators?
The idea of randomness is central to gambling. In traditional casinos, the spin of the roulette wheel or the turn of a card is how randomness is introduced and how players’ fortunes are decided.
When casinos and gambling services began shifting into the online sphere, operators were faced with a problem. How could they replicate this randomness without the use of classic casino equipment like cards and dice?
The answer is through the use of random number generators. These are computer algorithm-based systems that generate a completely random sequence of numbers.
There are two different types of random number generators, true random number generators and pseudo-random number generators. True random number generators use physical inputs like white noise to generate numbers, making the results impossible to predict or be altered.
Pseudo-random number generators use a collection of numbers known as a seed number to generate a longer sequence of different numbers. Technically speaking, if this seed number was somehow known, the outcome of the sequence could be predicted. However, in reality, this is essentially impossible, given the sophistication of today’s technology.
How do Online Casinos use Random Number Generators?
Random number generators have various uses, and they can be found in a range of different tech products.
For online casinos, random number generators are used to recreate the element of randomness that would traditionally come from a deck of cards, a set of dice, or a roulette wheel.
For example, when playing a digital roulette game, a random number generator will be used to determine where the ball lands on the wheel. Similarly, when playing online blackjack, a random number generator will decide what cards you are dealt.
By using random number generators, online casino operators can ensure their games are just as fair as their traditional physical counterparts.
Why is Fair Play Important?
Modern internet technology changed the gambling industry forever. Now, online gambling accounts for the largest sector in the industry, according to data from the Gambling Commission.
However, one criticism often levied at online casinos, particularly in the early days of online gambling, was a perceived lack of fairness. Players felt that entirely digital games were likely to be rigged in favour of the house and that they offered no real chance of winning.
This idea of perceived fairness is extremely important, as studies have shown that it can influence user behaviour. If a player believes that a game is unfair, they are less likely to return and play it again in the future. Conversely, if a player perceives a game as being fair, they are more likely to continue playing and spending money on it.
How Fair are Random Number Generators?
So, just how fair are random number generators? While the concept behind the technology should in theory provide players with a fair and level playing field, how can they be sure the software isn’t being manipulated to stack the odds against them?
If you are an online casino operator who makes use of random number generators, your systems will be regularly inspected and audited by regulatory bodies and organisations. This is done to ensure the random number generators you are using are working correctly and offering players an acceptable level of fairness.
If these systems are deemed to be of an acceptable standard, online casinos will be certified. This certification is vital for assuring players that your platform is legitimate and reliable and that it will offer them a fair chance of winning big.
Conclusion
Randomness is the key to gambling. As the industry moves ever further into the digital landscape, we can expect to see the use of random number generators become more and more prevalent. These are essential for guaranteeing fair play and ensuring players have a positive online gambling experience.
