If you are a slot enthusiast, you will have played slot machines at land casinos and may have even taken a few spins online. Many questions whether a casino or an online operator has the ability to alter the odds of a game. It is easy for a player to assume a casino has this control, and while it does seem that the house always wins, it is not at all possible for any casino to alter the odds of any game that is offered.
The latest technology is being used with all casino games and with slots, all game outcomes are controlled by a random number generator. There is no way possible for an operator to alter the RNG to change how any machine will pay. Your individual chances of winning when you take a spin on the slots will be affected by many different factors, but casino control is not one of them.
Understanding the Random Number Generator
The slot machines you see today are all controlled by computers and the developers who create these games make use of random number generators. This technology allows for random and individual results to appear on a slot with every spin of the reels. There are billions of possible outcomes that can appear on a slot and these will never depend on previous game performance.
The newest technology allows these generators to generate different numbers and prevents you from ever knowing when a machine will hit or what the next winning combination could be when you play. The random number generator is built into the machine when it is created and this cannot be accessed by any casino or any online operators.
Can Casinos Change the RTP of a Game?
This is another myth that you may have heard or may even believe. The RTP of a slot game is represented by a percentage and this is the amount the machine will pay back after a certain amount of money has been wagered. Games that have a higher RTP will have better chances of offering better long-term odds of winning.
You may have the fear that a casino can change these odds at any time. The RTP is completely separate from the RNG that was discussed earlier. The RNG simply is a program that cycles through various combinations to ensure random results on a game. This has no effect on the RTP of the game and neither of these can be altered by a casino.
You may have heard players talking about a casino being able to simply flip a switch and change the odds of a game, and this is a common myth surrounding video slots. However, these games are run through software programs and while a casino can change the computer chip in a game, there are strict regulations regarding this action and many casinos simply do not have the ability to do so.
Casinos already maintain an edge over a player, so they have no need to alter any game odds or payouts. The belief that a casino can change how a game pays is a complete myth and this is not something that will happen when you play at your favourite land or online casino.
Myth: Native American Casinos Have Complete Control
Just because a Native America Casio operated on the sovereign ground, they still have to follow gambling laws and regulations. All Native casino must operate in accordance with the standards that are set forth by tribes and the state in which they operate. All agreements are them approved by the US Department of the Interior.
Native American casinos do not have any more freedoms than a commercial casino when it comes to the control of game odds or payouts. The games found in these establishments are created by the same companies that supply large commercial casinos. This means that the random number generators are being used and there is a set RTP for each game that is available.
Using Player Cards
Another common misconception is that by using a player card, the casino has the ability to choose when and how much a player will win. A card inserted into a slot machine simply provides player data so that comp points can be collected. There is no way in which the use of these cards can affect the game or can allow the casino to make any changes to the set odds.
Some players believe that they will win more when their card is not in the machine. Again, the outcome of any spin on a slot is completely random, so it will not matter if you use your player card or not. It is always best to use your card so that you get the best incentives and perks from being a loyal player at any casino.
Cards or any other devices will never affect the outcome of any game and no casino has the ability to simply flip a switch to alter when a game pays, how much it will pay, or to alter any odds. Winning on slots is all about luck and has nothing to do with a casino’s ability to change game settings or odds.
