How Does Online Slot Machines Work

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Slots are electro-mechanical gambling machines that use randomized numbers and produce probable results.

Slot Machine Random Number Generator Inbuilt into the slot, a Random number generator (RNG) is a very complex algorithm which basically generates all outcomes that cannot reasonably be predicted, in order to ensure that every result is independent of the previous spin. When you do decide that you wish to play slot games online then you are going to have several different decisions to make, namely which online casinos to play at, for with there being many different casinos available to play online then you do need to know the merits of playing at any casino site and just which types of slot games are available.

Payout table

The pay table shows the player what combinations pay out and how much.

Winning lines

Most machines have multiple winning lines on the reels, so options are given for how many lines the player wants to bet. Each line is equal to one bet, so on a five-cent machine, betting on five lines would equate to betting 25 cents.

Coin bin

Though many machines print redeemable tickets, machines that pay out in coins have a large bin to catch them.

Credit meter

A credit meter keeps track of how much credit the player currently has as well as winnings when the reels are spun.

Credits are often used instead of showing actual cash amounts because, to the player, losing credits may not seem as negative as losing money.

Arm or button

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Once the player has selected how many lines they want to bet, pulling the arm or pressing the bet button locks the settings, selects a random number, and spins the reels.

RNG

The RNG continuously generates thousands of numbers per second while the machine is on.

Some RNGs may use a device that collects thermal noise and converts it into electrical signals to help generate the numbers, as computers alone are only able to generate pseudo-random numbers.

How

EPROM

The EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory) controls the weighting of the machine to make sure the desired payout percentage is reached.

Machines

(See “Odds & Weighting' section below).

Bet button

When the bet button is pressed, the number generated by the RNG at that exact moment is selected and used.

Reels

Reels are for show, and by the time they’re spinning the machine already knows what the outcome will be. Spinning and stopping reels in sequence helps build suspense and excitement for the player, keeping them more interested.

Stops

Each reel usually includes 20 to 30 stops, which are the symbols and blank spaces on the reel.

Odds & Weighting

Over many random play sessions, odds are predictable. By adjusting payouts for winning spins, casinos observe legal requirements while delivering an entertaining experience.

Payouts

Odds are predictable over time,

so adjusting payouts per possible winning spins


yields predictable results over many random play sessions

Required legal payout percentage

Many states have laws that require certain payout percentages. For example, a machine that returns 85 or 90% of the cash it receives over time would still give the casino a 10% - 15% cut.

Weighting

The programmable EPROM allows weighting to fine-tune the play experience.

For example, if a reel has 10 blank spots, as long as that quota is met, it doesn't matter which blank spots are used. The machine could be programmed to land on blank spots around jackpots to give the player the impression of a 'near win.'

How Does Online Slot Machines Work In

Stacking the odds:
multi-reel machines


On a multi-reel machine, the odds of winning decrease exponentially. For example, taking the single reel example from above and multiplying it to 3 reels (all with identical symbols as the first), the chances of a winning combination (3 of the jackpot symbol instead of 1) drop from 1/20 chance to 1/8000 chance.

Anti-tamper

Slot machines are designed to be tamper proof to both the players and the casino.

Cabinet & screen

The cabinet and screen act as a faraday cage to disperse electricity and ground electrical signals, preventing outside electrical signals from interfering with the machine’s processes. The screen is coated in a clear, electrically conductive chemical, and connects to the metal cabinet to allow conductivity between the two.

Coin comparator

The coin comparator accepts or rejects coins that are put into the machine. It compares incoming coins against a coin previously placed in the comparator (e.g. if a nickel is in the comparator, then the machine would only accept nickels).

EPROM

How Does Online Slot Machines Work

The EPROM is programmed and tested in factory, then placed in the machine with a tamper evident sticker over it. This style of chip is reprogrammable using ultraviolet light and must be removed from the machine to do so, which is allowed only when a gaming authority is present.

Coin dispenser

Coin dispensers use a light sensor to count the number of coins dispensed.

Reels

Reels have sensors that detect extra movement, so trying to move reels manually causes an error to display on the LCD screen and any winnings are negated.

References
  • (2017). Retrieved 7 January 2017, from https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/clins/my_job_is_writing_software_for_slot_machines_and/
  • Slots Random Number Generator - Hit Frequency vs Payout Ratio. (2017). Casino News Daily. Retrieved 7 January 2017, from http://www.casinonewsdaily.com/slots-guide/random-number-generator-hit-frequency-vs-payout-ratio/
  • CC-40 A Coin Comparitor - YouTube. (2017). YouTube. Retrieved 7 January 2017, from https://youtu.be/k9ybYjS8jOI
  • How Slot Machines Work. (2017). HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 7 January 2017, from http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/slot-machine.htm
  • Patent US4448419 - Electronic gaming device utilizing a random number generator for selecting the reel stop positions. (2017). Google Books. Retrieved 7 January 2017, from https://www.google.com/patents/US4448419
  • How It’s Made Slot machines. (2017). YouTube. Retrieved 7 January 2017, from https://youtu.be/wjBSXUKn4Qw

• Copy/paste the code below to share this project on your site (in an iframe).

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The first gambling sites appeared on the Internet in the mid-1990s. During this time the basic principles of the online casino were laid down, which are still valid by the present day. Operators use digital technology to determine random winning combinations, receive bets, payout winnings and conduct draws. But this approach requires a lot of effort, money, specially developed software, and various online solutions.

A Brief History of Online Gambling

  • The early 90s – the first free slot machine emulators appear on the Internet;
  • 1994 – Microgaming develops the first digital casino platform;
  • The mid-90s – legislation is being formed, the first regulators appear;
  • 1996 – Playtech launches the Europa Casino website;
  • 2003 – at the initiative of Microgaming, the eCOGRA technical laboratory is created to test software and laid principles of Honest Game;
  • 2011 – NetEnt presents the first video slots for mobile devices;
  • 2014 – Microgaming releases the first mobile casino software;
  • 2016 – Online casinos became available in VR;
  • 2019 – Implementations of AR technologies started to appear in online casinos.

Random number generator

Machines

The best example of a classic casino meets only two conditions: the outcome is unpredictable, and victory depends on the player’s luck. Compliance with these principles in ground-based institutions is achieved through the use of certain objects and devices – a deck of playing cards, a roulette wheel, slot machines, etc. They guarantee a random outcome of the game.

However, conditions for gambling in casino online is based on randomly determining the outcome of a game without the use of special devices and human involvement. That is why RNG (the random number generator) was made. RNG – a program that is responsible for the prize combinations, regardless of the player’s actions. RNG guarantees the absence of any pattern in the sequence of issued outcomes. The work of modern video slots, roulette, video poker, etc. is based on this principle.

Payment Security in casino online

The possibility of payment on the Internet exists longer than online casinos work, but with their appearance, the principles of payments on the Internet have changed. All funds are stored on the client’s account, and payments are made in both directions: the player makes deposits, and the casino pays winnings.

The gaming account is similar to the online banking account, tied to a specific client and must be reliably protected. Data is stored on servers, access to which is open to a narrow group of specialists and is under the control of the security service. For convenience, players connect new payment systems, expanding the list of payment methods for deposits and withdrawal of winnings.

The requirements for operators regarding the protection of personal information are taken into account in a number of laws. For example, in 2018, a regulation of the European Union came into force, which regulates gambling business and all payments made in this niche.

Work control

The operation of the sites is governed by the laws of the country under whose jurisdiction the operator is registered. Most often, licenses are issued by the gaming commissions of Curacao, Malta, and Great Britain. These organizations monitor the implementation of laws by the company and protect the interests of players. Regulators strictly monitor how online casinos work, and in case of violations or complaints, they may issue a warning, fine or revoke a license.

Honest casinos operate strictly within the law and use only licensed software. Reliable providers issue licensed software with valid certificates.

All licensed software must undergo regular checks. The presence of a certificate is an important confirmation of the honesty and reliability of the casino operator. The most respected software auditors are eCOGRA and iTechLabs. Inspection information is usually found on the casino website and on the pages of technical laboratories.

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