Let’s face it: many online casino players worry that the games might be rigged in the casino’s favor. That’s where random number generator (RNG) technology comes in, along with testing and certification by independent agencies like Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).
RNG technology is designed to produce fair and unpredictable results, while third-party certification helps verify that the software works as it should. In this guide, we’ll explain how RNGs & fairness work in online casinos. By the end, you’ll understand how casinos ensure their games are fair, so you can play with confidence knowing the results aren’t rigged.
An RNG, or Random Number Generator, is a computer algorithm that, as the name suggests, generates random sequences of numbers with no predictable pattern. At licensed and reputable
US online casinos, RNGs are built directly into casino games to ensure that outcomes are genuinely random and not rigged.
Whether you’re spinning the reels on a slot machine, drawing a card in online blackjack, or rolling virtual dice in craps, the RNG determines the result of every game that isn’t run by a live dealer. Because of this, outcomes can’t be predicted, influenced, or manipulated by either the casino or the player. This randomness is what keeps games fair and ensures you have the same chance of winning as anyone else.
Pros and Cons of RNG Technology in Online Casinos
Pros and Cons
Ensures fair and random outcomes
Prevents manipulation
Tested and audited by third-party agencies
Used in a wide range of games
Offers no guarantee of winning
Applications of RNG in Online Casino Games
With the exception of live dealer games, all games offered at licensed online casinos use RNG technology to determine outcomes.
Game types
How RNGs are used
Slots
When you spin the reels on an online slot machine, the RNG produces a random number that determines the reel positions and, ultimately, the symbol combination displayed. This ensures that every spin is completely independent and unaffected by past or future spins.
Table games
In table games such as roulette, blackjack, and baccarat, RNGs are used to determine the outcome of each wheel spin or card dealt. For example, in online roulette, the RNG generates a number corresponding to a specific pocket on the wheel, which determines where the ball lands once the virtual spin is completed.
Other casino games
RNGs are also used in casino games like video poker, keno, scratchcards, bingo, and dice games like craps. Basically, any casino game that does not involve a live dealer uses RNG technology to produce fair, random results for every action you take.
Why Does an RNG Not Apply to Live Dealer Games?
Live dealer games do not use random number generators because the outcomes are produced by real, physical equipment rather than software. These games are run by human dealers using equipment such as roulette wheels, decks of cards, and shuffling machines, just as you would find in a land-based casino.
The randomness comes from physical actions, such as spinning a roulette wheel or shuffling and dealing cards, all of which take place in real time and are streamed live to players. To ensure fairness, live casino providers such as Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play operate under strict regulatory oversight and use certified equipment that is regularly tested and audited.
RNG Testing and Certification
The fairness of an RNG is not left solely to the discretion of online casinos. If it were, the system would be open to abuse, and you would have no reliable way to know whether games are genuinely fair.
This is where testing and certification by independent third-party agencies come into play. Organisations such as Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), iTech Labs, eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), and Technical Systems Testing (TST) carry out routine audits of online casinos to verify that their RNGs operate exactly as they should.
These audits involve rigorous testing, during which agencies analyse vast numbers of game outcomes. The goal is to confirm that results are truly random and consistent with the game’s published return-to-player (RTP) percentages.
Once an RNG successfully passes these independent tests, it receives certification confirming that the games are fair. This certification is typically displayed in the website footer, allowing you to quickly verify that the casino’s games have been tested and approved.
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Conclusion: RNG Technology Is Essential to Ensure Fairness
So there you have it. That covers everything you need to know about how RNGs & fairness work in online casinos. The key takeaway is simple: when you play at licensed, reputable online casinos in the US, game outcomes are generated by RNG technology designed to produce genuinely fair results that cannot be manipulated.
Just as importantly, you don’t have to blindly trust that these RNGs are working as they should. Independent testing agencies such as GLI, eCOGRA, TST, and iTech Labs regularly audit casino software, analysing vast volumes of game results to confirm that outcomes are truly random and that each game performs in line with its published RTP.
The result is peace of mind. By sticking to regulated casinos that use certified RNGs, you can play with confidence, knowing the games aren’t rigged in the casino’s favor. If you want help finding regulated casinos that use certified RNGs, check the banners on this page to see our top recommendations, all of which offer fair games from trusted software providers.
RNGs and Fairness in Online Casinos FAQ
RNG technology ensures fairness by generating completely random and unpredictable outcomes for online casino games.
You can verify RNG integrity by checking whether the casino is certified by recognized testing agencies such as GLI, eCOGRA, or iTech Labs.
Most online casino games use RNG technology, including slots, table games, and video poker. The exception is live dealer games, which use physical equipment and human dealers to determine outcomes.
