Guides

What Is a Random Number Generator (RNG)?

At its core, a Random Number Generator (RNG) is a sophisticated software algorithm that acts as the "invisible dealer" for every digital game. It is a software program designed specifically to ensure the fairness of the online games you play. It continuously generates a sequence of random integers that determine the outcome of each spin of the reels, turn of a card, or roulette wheel spin.

Historically, random number generation in online slots can be traced back to mechanical slot machines that used physical mechanisms like levers to generate random outcomes. However, these physical methods proved problematic as external factors could influence results.

Today, these have been replaced by computational algorithms that are scrutinised by regulators to ensure true randomness and prevent the settings from being altered for favourable results.

The Two Types of Randomness

To ensure complete statistical fairness, digital platforms typically use one of two calculation methods:

True Random Number Generators (TRNGs): These generate randomness by measuring unpredictable physical phenomena. While more common in hardware, they provide a baseline for understanding "natural" randomness.
Pseudo-Random Number Generators (PRNGs): The industry standard for digital iGaming, these use complex mathematical formulae to produce sequences that are statistically indistinguishable from "true" randomness.

How Do Casino Random Number Generators Work?

Casino RNGs work by utilizing sophisticated algorithms that create a random sequence of numbers to determine a game's outcome. What is displayed on your screen - whether it’s a winning slot line or a landed roulette ball - is a direct translation of the specific string of numbers the generator produced at the exact moment you engaged the game.

Instantaneous Processing

A digital RNG runs through thousands of numbers in the blink of an eye to generate a completely random sequence. The moment you press the "spin" or "deal" button, the software captures the current number in the rapidly changing sequence to lock in the result.

The Role of Seeds

To ensure complete statistical randomness, all RNGs begin from default generator settings or seeds. In many cases, this starting point is the number 0. This is a critical component to ensure that your next spin is never influenced by previous outcomes; every outcome is an isolated, random event.

The Blockchain Advantage: Provably Fair Gaming

While standard RNGs are audited by third-party labs, Razed takes transparency a step further with Provably Fair technology. This cryptographic method empowers you to independently verify that the casino did not alter the outcome of your bet.

This verifiable process relies on three critical components working together:

Server Seed: A unique value provided by the casino's server before the game starts.
Client Seed: A unique value you provide or generate, ensuring you have a direct influence on the randomness.
Nonce: A counter that increases by one unit for every bet you place, ensuring every game result remains unique.

Before you play, the server shares a hashed version of the server seed using algorithms like SHA-256. This acts as a digital seal - it proves the result is pre-determined and cannot be changed once your bet is placed. Once the game ends, the original seed is revealed, allowing you to confirm it matches the initial hash.

Case Study: Verifying Fairness in Razed Originals

To see this in action, look at Razed Originals like Plinko. These games feature a built-in Fairness interface where you can view your Active Client Seed and the Hashed Server Seed.

By selecting "Rotate Seed Pair," you reveal your previous server seed and commit to a new, hashed one. You can then take these seeds and your Nonce (the total bets made with that pair) to an independent calculator to verify that every high-multiplier win - like the 170.00x results often seen on our leaderboards - was determined fairly by math, not by the house.

RNG Certification in iGaming: The Seal of Integrity

RNG certification is a mandatory technical audit that ensures every game outcome is truly unbiased. These independent reviews are a legal requirement for obtaining a gambling license and act as a critical trust signal for players.

The Certification Process

Testing laboratories perform deep mathematical audits to ensure a level playing field:

Source Code Review: Engineers examine the algorithm to ensure it cannot be manipulated or "backdoored".
Statistical Testing: Millions of simulations are run to confirm a uniform and unpredictable distribution of results.
Seed & Cycle Inspection: Auditors verify the background cycling and "seeding" processes to ensure no spin is influenced by previous outcomes.

Leading Independent Testing Labs

Reputable casinos typically display seals from recognized authorities in their website footer:

iTech Labs: An Australian-based firm that tests the vast majority of online casinos globally.
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI): A global leader operating in over 475 jurisdictions.
eCOGRA: A London-based agency focusing on player protection and game fairness.

Why This Matters: RTP and Volatility

Understanding the technology behind the games allows you to play with total confidence. Two key metrics to keep in mind are:

RTP (Return to Player)

The theoretical return a player may expect to receive playing a game over an extended period. It is a percentage of the money bet that will be paid back to players. The industry average RTP is 96%.

Volatility

This refers to the risk involved in playing a game by measuring how often and how much a game will pay out.

Low Volatility: Games that pay out more frequently, but tend to be smaller amounts.
High Volatility: Games that pay out less often, but offer higher potential payouts when they do.

Summary: Playing with Confidence

Random Number Generators are the backbone of a fair and unpredictable gaming experience. By replacing mechanical uncertainty with computational precision, Razed ensures that the result of each spin is completely random, with nothing a player or the casino can do to influence the outcome.

Key Takeaways:

Fairness Guaranteed: RNGs ensure that every card, spin, and roll is an independent event.
Verifiable Results: Provably Fair technology lets you check the math yourself.
Independent Audits: Third-party labs certify that our systems meet strict regulatory standards for randomness.
Informed Strategy: Using RTP and volatility metrics helps you manage your bankroll and set realistic expectations.

By combining robust RNG algorithms with the inherent transparency of the blockchain, Razed ensures that the only thing determining your success is luck - just as it should be.

FAQs

What is RNG?

An RNG (Random Number Generator) is a sophisticated mathematical algorithm used at Razed to produce a sequence of numbers or symbols that cannot be predicted. It ensures that every outcome, whether it’s a spin on a slot or a deal of a card, is entirely random and independent of previous results.

Is it possible for a player or the casino to predict the next RNG outcome?

No. The RNGs used at Razed generate thousands of random numerical values every second. Because these sequences are determined by complex "seed" values and are shielded by high-level encryption, it is mathematically impossible for any human or software to predict the result of a future spin.

How does Razed verify that its RNG is actually fair?

Razed prioritizes transparency by employing independent third-party testing labs, such as iTech Labs or GLI. These organizations rigorously audit the game source code and run millions of simulations to confirm that the RNG distribution matches the advertised statistical probabilities.

Does the RNG "remember" if a game has recently paid out a jackpot?

A common gambler's fallacy is believing a machine is "due" for a win. At Razed, the RNG has no memory. Each spin is a standalone event; the probability of hitting a jackpot is exactly the same on the spin immediately following a big win as it was before it.

What is the difference between Razed’s RNG and "Provably Fair" technology?

While they both ensure fairness, they work differently. Standard RNGs rely on third-party audits for trust. However, many Razed Originals utilize Provably Fair technology, which allows the player to manually verify the randomness of any specific round using cryptographic hashes, providing an extra layer of on-chain transparency.

Can a bonus or a higher VIP rank at Razed influence the RNG?

Absolutely not. The RNG is a fixed component of the game’s core code. While Razed promotions and the VIP Club provide extra value through rakeback and bonuses, they have zero impact on the mechanical outcome of a game. The RNG operates autonomously to ensure the integrity of every wager.

Does the RNG dictate the game’s RTP?

Yes. The RNG is the engine that drives the Return to Player (RTP). Developers configure the RNG so that, over millions of cycles, the frequency of random winning combinations naturally results in the specific theoretical payout percentage assigned to that game.