RNG in Casinos: How Does the UKGC Audit RNG?

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) sets the technical standards that licensed gambling businesses must meet for remote gambling and gambling software in Great Britain.

For RNG-driven online casino games, the goal is to make sure random number generation and game outcomes are "acceptably random". The UKGC says this means randomness should be demonstrable to a high degree of confidence using appropriate statistical analysis.

However, it is useful to clarify what an "RNG audit" actually means.

The UKGC does not manually watch every spin or generate every test result itself. Instead, its regulatory framework requires licensed operators to use approved testing processes, submit relevant test reports and undergo independent security audits.

This creates several layers of oversight around RNGs used in regulated online casino games found in licensed casinos like Genting Casino. Learn more about this through the following points:

• What Does the UKGC Actually Audit?
• How RNG Testing Works
• What Does RNG Testing Check?
• How Security Audits Protect RNG Systems
• What Happens Before an RNG Game Is Released?
• What Happens When an RNG or Game Changes?
• Does the UKGC Test Every Spin?
• How Does RNG Oversight Apply to Live Casino?

What Does the UKGC Actually Audit?

The UKGC's role is broader than checking whether a list of numbers looks random.

Its Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards (RTS) set requirements for the following:

• Random number generation
• Game outcome determination
• How random numbers are mapped to outcomes
• Software changes
• Security
• Testing procedures
• Live dealer studios
• Other technical aspects of remote gambling

RTS 7 requires RNG output and game outcomes to be acceptably random. It also states that game rules and outcome probabilities cannot generally be changed while a game is available for gambling, subject to specific exceptions.

The framework therefore looks at the RNG itself and the way its output is used by the casino game. The occurrence of this may be found in casino games like online slots.

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How RNG Testing Works

For regulated RNG-driven games, an approved independent test house analyses the RNG before release. 

Testing covers both the randomness of the output and how random numbers are scaled and mapped to game outcomes. This ensures the RNG works properly and the software applies its results correctly. 

What Does RNG Testing Check?

The UKGC's RTS says an RNG should demonstrate several important qualities. 

Uniform distribution	The RNG output should be uniformly distributed across its output range, while game outcomes should follow their expected or theoretical probabilities.
Unpredictability	Future RNG outputs should not be practically predictable. For a software RNG, the UKGC says predicting the next number should be computationally infeasible without complete knowledge of the algorithm and seed value.
No predictable cycles	The RNG should not repeatedly reproduce the same output sequence in a predictable cycle. Separate RNG instances should also not produce synchronised streams.
Secure seeding	Seeding and reseeding should not introduce predictability into the output.
Correct scaling	Any scaling applied to RNG output should preserve the relevant qualities of the random data.

These requirements help ensure that an RNG is not merely producing numbers that look random but is functioning in a way that supports fair game outcomes.

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How Security Audits Protect RNG Systems

Security is also important. The UKGC requires applicable licensees to undergo an independent annual security audit based on relevant ISO/IEC 27001 standards. These audits assess compliance with the RTS security requirements and help protect systems that generate and process random numbers.

Operators must also submit relevant game and RNG test results. Security audit reports must be provided when requested, and major non-conformities must be reported to the UKGC.

What Happens Before an RNG Game Is Released? 

A regulated RNG-driven game must be tested before release. 

An approved independent test house checks the RNG and how random values determine outcomes, while the operator must submit the relevant test results to the UKGC. This means games undergo technical testing and reporting before they can be launched. 

What Happens When an RNG or Game Changes?

RNGs and gambling software may be updated over time. Changes that could affect fairness may require further testing before release.

Under RTS 7, game rules, probabilities and other key parameters generally cannot be changed while a game is available, unless permitted by the rules. Customers must be informed of applicable changes.

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Does the UKGC Test Every Spin?

No.

The UKGC does not examine every spin. Instead, it relies on technical and statistical testing, software reviews, reporting and security audits. Large samples of RNG output are analysed to check whether they behave as expected. A single unusual result or short sequence does not prove an RNG is unfair.

How Does RNG Oversight Apply to Live Casino?

RNG auditing mainly applies to games where software determines the outcome. Live casino games may instead use physical equipment, such as roulette wheels or cards, so they are not subject to the same RNG testing requirements. 

However, live dealer studios still follow UKGC requirements covering equipment, training, supervision, surveillance, access controls and game records. If a live game uses RNG-based features, those components must meet the relevant technical standards.

Genting Casino Tip: When researching whether an RNG is fair, focus on the testing and regulatory framework behind the game rather than trying to judge fairness from a short run of results. Individual outcomes cannot show whether an RNG is functioning correctly.

How UKGC RNG Oversight Works

The UKGC assesses RNG fairness through technical standards, independent testing, reporting and security audits rather than monitoring individual game results. RNGs must meet requirements for unpredictability, distribution, seeding and scaling, while significant changes may require further testing. 

Annual security audits also help check that gambling systems meet UKGC requirements. For Genting Casino, this framework supports the fairness requirements applied to its regulated remote gambling activities. However, RNG testing cannot make individual outcomes predictable, so responsible gambling remains important.

Understanding how the UKGC tests RNGs does not guarantee any gambling outcome. RNG results remain random, so avoid chasing losses or using gambling to solve financial problems. Gamble within your limits and stop if it no longer feels controlled or enjoyable. Gambling marketing must be socially responsible and must not encourage harmful behaviour or present gambling as a way to make money or escape financial difficulties.

FAQs

Does the UKGC personally test every casino RNG?

No. RNG testing is carried out by approved independent third-party test houses under the UK's regulatory testing framework. Operators must submit relevant RNG and game test results to the UKGC.

What does the UKGC look for when testing an RNG?

Testing can assess whether the RNG output is appropriately distributed and unpredictable, whether it avoids predictable cycles and synchronisation, and whether seeding and scaling preserve its random qualities.

Does the UKGC audit RNG security?

Security is covered by the wider RTS framework. Applicable remote gambling licensees must undergo an independent annual security audit against the relevant security requirements.

Can an RNG be changed after it has been tested?

Software can be changed, but changes that affect game fairness can require further testing. The UKGC also restricts changes to game rules, probabilities and other parameters while a game is available for gambling, subject to specified exceptions.

Does RNG testing apply to live casino games?

Not physical live dealer equipment in the same way as RNG-driven games. Physical devices such as roulette wheels and decks of cards are treated separately, while live dealer studios have their own technical and operational requirements.