How Do Online Casinos Work? The Software Behind Online Casinos, Explained

At legal online casinos, random number generators (also known as RNG) serve as the backbone of all games. This requirement is strictly enforced by regulating bodies to ensure that all game outcomes are random and fair. Put simply, an RNG is exactly what it sounds like. Every time a spin is made on a slot or a hand is dealt on a table game, random numbers are automatically generated on the backend to establish the result. This guarantees that games at legal online casinos aren’t rigged.

Online casinos aren’t the only place you’ll find RNG. You can also find random number generators at retail casinos in games such as video poker, video slots, and electronic table games. These work with the same idea in mind—generate random numbers that create random and fair results.

Progressive jackpots offer some of the largest potential wins in the online casino world. They begin with a certain “seed” (the minimum amount contributed by the online casino). The progressive jackpot then grows by a certain amount with every spin by every player until it is eventually won. These lucrative yet elusive progressive jackpots can grow up to over $1 million.

Now that you’ve learned more about the inner workings of online casino games, you may be wondering what the difference is between digital table games and real table games. Put simply, not much. By utilizing RNG, they are essentially the same in terms of outcomes. Looking in more detail, the biggest difference you’ll find is that digital table games have you playing on your own instead of with other players (except for live dealer games), and digital table games that feature cards use an automatic shuffler between hands. That being said, many casinos on the Vegas Strip have also begun using automatic shufflers on their real table games, further increasing the similarities between digital and retail table games.

Online casino software uses constant data transfer to keep you in the game. For that reason, a strong and reliable internet connection is vital to help you make the most of your experience. Take steps to ensure your connection is solid, such as sitting near your Wi-Fi router if your signal is low strength.

As with anything on computers and mobile devices, making sure you have the latest updates is vitally important. Always make sure that your operating system, whether it be Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android, is up to date. Along with that, ensure that your casino app is updated and that you have the latest geolocation software if you’re playing on a desktop. It may also help, in the case of any issues, to clear your cookies and cache semi-frequently to ensure the website is displaying its latest version.

While many casino app ratings may be a bit skewed by people experiencing unrelated issues, you can still get a good idea of the reputation of casino apps by looking at the stars. For example, it’s likely that an app with a 1.2-star rating will end up being buggier, clunkier, or generally harder to use than an app with a 4.8-star rating.

Always ensure that you’re playing on legal, licensed, and regulated online casinos. Illegal online casinos can’t back up a guarantee of protecting your personal and financial information, because they’re under almost no oversight or regulations. As we mentioned earlier, offshore casinos may even rig their games by failing to utilize true RNG. And, even if you do win, there’s no guarantee that they’ll allow you to withdraw your money.