What Is a PRNG and How Does It Apply to Online Gambling?

As a gambler, you’ve probably come across the term random number generator (RNG) once or twice. An RNG is a program that generates random number sequences.

These sequences ensure that online casino games offer totally random results. Otherwise, gamblers might be able to take advantage of casinos by predicting the pattern of results. On the other side, players won’t get complete randomness over time.

One term that doesn’t come up in online gaming much, though, is a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG). A PRNG differs slightly from an RNG in that it’s only used at specific types of online casino sites. If you’re interested in learning more about a PRNG, you can do so through the following guide.

Basics of a PRNG

A pseudorandom number generator begins with a seed number. This seed number forms the basis of the random sequences that the PRNG will generate.

Here’s an example:

• A PRNG starts with a seed number of 134.
• The algorithm multiplies the number by itself: 134 x 134 = 17,956
• The algorithm then multiplies the three middle digits of the result: 795 x 795 = 632,025
• The algorithm uses three middle digits as the next multiplier: 202 x 202 = 40,804
• This process continues until the PRNG finally goes back to the original seed (134) and starts over.

In many ways, a PRNG operates just like an RNG. The key difference, though, is that it eventually reaches the original seed number and starts the cycle over again.

The length that the algorithm takes before repeating is called the “period.” This length is determined by how many digits are in the seed number.

Here are examples of the period length based on the amount of seed digits:

• 2-digit seed = 100 numbers before repeating
• 3-digit seed = 1,000 numbers before repeating
• 4-digit seed = 10,000 numbers before repeating
• 5-digit seed = 100,000 numbers before repeating

The number of digits in the seed number determines how long a cycle will be. Simply put, the bigger the seed number, the less predictable the PRNG will be.

Pseudorandom Number Generator vs. Random Number Generator

A random number generator (RNG) also begins with a seed number and continues to generate number sequences. It continues in this fashion to deliver random casino game results. But an RNG doesn’t work in cycles or any other predictable fashion. Instead, it simply spits out sequences without ever repeating itself.

In this way, you can’t ever predict what will happen next with a random number generator. Therefore, it’s truly a random program. A PRNG is also quite random. But as mentioned before, it eventually reaches the end of a cycle and goes through the previous sequence again.

The cycle can only be changed when the program is restarted with a new seed number. Assuming you figure out the PRNG’s pattern, you could raise or lower your bets based on upcoming results.

Of course, game developers that use PRNGs are likely going to employ a long seed number. Theoretically, though, you can crack these predictable cycles, especially if the seed isn’t very long.

Do Any Casinos Use PRNGs?

As far as I’m aware, no online casino uses a pseudorandom number generator. If there is such a casino, they operate in an unregulated market, where they don’t need to deal with any strong gaming authorities.

Most internet casinos operate in one or more heavily regulated jurisdictions. The gaming authorities in such markets require that casinos use RNGs.

For example, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) isn’t going to approve a casino that uses an PRNG. Instead, they demand that licensees use a random number generator.

Licensing bodies aren’t comfortable allowing PRNGs in their marketplaces. They don’t want to create a situation where crafty professional gamblers could take advantage of the situation.

Furthermore, gaming regulators don’t want any controversies surrounding the results. A PRNG doesn’t offer complete randomness due to the fact that it eventually repeats cycles.

You can see why it’s a bad idea for internet casinos to use PRNGs. After all, they’re giving players an opportunity to win real money, which could attract skilled sharks.

Social casinos, on the other hand, do use pseudorandom number generators. The stakes aren’t quite as high with social gaming. After all, a social casino doesn’t offer real money gambling. Instead, it provides players with chips that have no monetary value.

The players, in turn, use these chips to play games, increase their level, and earn achievements that they can show off to friends. However, they don’t use these chips to try and win real money.

In fact, most social casino players end up spending money at some point. They may drop $20 or more on purchasing extra chips from time to time.

Why Don’t Social Casinos Just Use RNGs?

For all intents and purposes, RNGs are more random than PRNGs. They offer a neverending stream of sequences without going back to the original seed number.

With that said, a casino can guarantee that results will be completely random when using an RNG. You’d think that social casinos would adopt the same approach as online casinos.

However, social casino apps don’t need to use overly sophisticated number generators. Again, they’re not offering real money gambling.

Another reason why social casinos avoid featuring RNGs is simply because they don’t have to. Neither the DGE nor any other gaming authority has jurisdiction over social sites.

Instead, state and national governments consider social casinos to be pure entertainment. They don’t have any special requirements for these sites to live up to.

Of course, social casino could get sued if they intentionally cheat customers. But they’re not exactly cheating anybody by using a PRNG.

Finally, social casinos get away with offering the less-complex PRNG because most players don’t care. As long as social casino customers feel that results are random enough, they’re fine with the matter.

Can You Trust a PRNG?

As established, a pseudorandom number generator doesn’t completely ensure randomness. It must repeat the cycle at some point.

However, PRNGs don’t come into play with regard to real money gambling. They’re only available at social casinos, where the stakes are low for both sides.

Simply put, a PRNG offers enough randomness to satisfy the average social player. It may not produce an infinite number of random results, but it’s close enough.

You likely don’t need to worry about being cheated by a social gaming site as long as a PRNG is in play. You’re still going to be facing random results for a long time, provided the seed number is long enough.

Likewise, the social casino doesn’t need to worry about being taken advantage of by professional gamblers. After all, they don’t offer monetary prizes.

Conclusion

A pseudorandom number generator works close enough to a random number generator. The main difference, though, is that it eventually repeats the cycle of number sequences.

This repeating aspect may not affect you or the casino in the long run. However, it does create the possibility that an advantage gambler could figure out the cycle and predict results.

Real money online casinos certainly don’t want to take the chance of this happening. They use RNGs to ensure that players can’t take advantage of them.

Social casinos don’t need to worry about this aspect, though. They’re not offering anything of substantial value and feel more comfortable using the less-sophisticated PRNGs as a result.