Ask the Slot Expert: Do the RNGs in online slots run constantly?

Hi,

I saw a show on the making of slot machines. The man said a slot machine at a casino is constantly going through codes. When the button is pushed, whatever code it's on is what the outcome on the wheel is.

What about internet slot machine games? Are they the same, going by codes that are constantly running?

I have been playing this slot machine game on here and wonder if it's the same. http://www.freeslots.com/Slot22.htm

Thanks for your time to answer my question,
Pat

Dear Pat,

The constantly running RNG (random number generator) is an anti-cheating measure. If the RNG did not generate new numbers constantly, a cheat could conceivably figure out the order of outcomes and bet minimum coin on losing spins and maximum coin on winning spins.

There's no money at stake on the free slots you've been playing, so there's no reason for those games to have constantly running RNGs. Online slots on which money is at stake will have constantly running RNGs to prevent anyone from discerning a pattern in the outcomes.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.