The Science of Random Number Generators in LotteriesPrev TopicNext Topic

• Tucker Black

  

  Colorado
  United States
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  February 25, 2016
  1,134 Posts
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  Mar 13, 2026, 3:53 pm

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  https://lotteryboost.com/the-science-of-random-number-generators-in-lotteries/

  "Most digital lottery systems utilize PRNGs. These are software algorithms that start with a “seed” number and apply a complex mathematical formula to produce a sequence of numbers that appear random [1]. While highly efficient, PRNGs are technically deterministic; if you knew the exact seed and the algorithm, you could theoretically predict the outcome.

  To prevent this, modern lotteries use high-entropy seeds—such as the exact millisecond of a system clock or thermal noise—to ensure the starting point is impossible to guess. As we explored in The Science of Randomness in Lottery and Gambling, the goal isn’t just to be random, but to be unpredictable to the human observer."

   

  Years ago, I was reading an article on how slot machines generate random numbers to determine the reel settings for the next spin. Rather than generate just one random number at a time, every time the player hits "spin" (making reverse engineering possible), what they do is have the machine generate random numbers constantly. Then, when the player hits spin, the machine takes the next random number generated (a thousandth of a second later) and uses that one.

  The above article describes essentially the same thing, that the RNG uses the current system time, down to the millisecond, as a seed value. This makes it impossible to predict what the RNG will generate for the next random number, because the formula (even if known) uses the exact time the button is pressed as its seed value. No one knows what the exact time the button will be pressed until it is pressed, and of course by then it's far too late to buy a ticket.

  For both slot machines and lotteries, there have to be safeguards around the RNG to prevent tampering (like with Eddie Tipton). Slot machines require two different keys to get to the CPU, the keys have to be checked out by a known employee, and tampering with the CPU will cause it to "brick" itself and stop working. A well-protected RNG lottery is set up in a similar fashion, with restricted access and self-bricking failsafe measures.
• Stat$talker

  

  700 light yrs West of Milky Way Galaxy's Center
  United States
  Member #200,634
  September 1, 2019
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  Mar 13, 2026, 3:59 pm

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  In response to Tucker Black

  Quote: Originally posted by Tucker Black on Mar 13, 2026

  https://lotteryboost.com/the-science-of-random-number-generators-in-lotteries/

  "Most digital lottery systems utilize PRNGs. These are software algorithms that start with a “seed” number and apply a complex mathematical formula to produce a sequence of numbers that appear random [1]. While highly efficient, PRNGs are technically deterministic; if you knew the exact seed and the algorithm, you could theoretically predict the outcome.

  To prevent this, modern lotteries use high-entropy seeds—such as the exact millisecond of a system clock or thermal noise—to ensure the starting point is impossible to guess. As we explored in The Science of Randomness in Lottery and Gambling, the goal isn’t just to be random, but to be unpredictable to the human observer."

   

  Years ago, I was reading an article on how slot machines generate random numbers to determine the reel settings for the next spin. Rather than generate just one random number at a time, every time the player hits "spin" (making reverse engineering possible), what they do is have the machine generate random numbers constantly. Then, when the player hits spin, the machine takes the next random number generated (a thousandth of a second later) and uses that one.

  The above article describes essentially the same thing, that the RNG uses the current system time, down to the millisecond, as a seed value. This makes it impossible to predict what the RNG will generate for the next random number, because the formula (even if known) uses the exact time the button is pressed as its seed value. No one knows what the exact time the button will be pressed until it is pressed, and of course by then it's far too late to buy a ticket.

  For both slot machines and lotteries, there have to be safeguards around the RNG to prevent tampering (like with Eddie Tipton). Slot machines require two different keys to get to the CPU, the keys have to be checked out by a known employee, and tampering with the CPU will cause it to "brick" itself and stop working. A well-protected RNG lottery is set up in a similar fashion, with restricted access and self-bricking failsafe measures.

  "but to be unpredictable to the human observer."

  Nothin can be hidden from Divine means of GOD.!
• jimjwright

  

  iOS Developer

  Crested Butte, CO
  United States
  Member #69,861
  January 18, 2009
  1,865 Posts
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  Mar 13, 2026, 8:18 pm

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  If you get bored some weekend give a search about Ron Harris, Larry Volk, American Coin Machine Co back in the early 90s.

  Ron Harris had the ultimate super power when he worked for Las Vegas Control Board by having access to the firmware source code used by all slot machines that operated in Nevada.  He got caught when he tried to tackle the keno rng in Atlantic City.  Most of these guys usually get caught due to a poor choice of an accomplice or the human element.
• Coin Toss

  

  Zeta Reticuli Star System
  United States
  Member #30,469
  January 17, 2006
  12,514 Posts
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  Mar 13, 2026, 9:59 pm

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  Before all the technology started slapping us silly with RNGs slot machined had gears with 7 or 9 teeth usually per window. Sop if you ere playing a slot with three windows the odds of hittoing a payoff were 7x7x7. 

  I was workiong in Vegas in the late 1970s and the casino put in a couple of old time nickel slot machines. Spome of he oldtimers workomg there went up tpo them and said , "Well hello old friend". One of the who ssw this said, "Why are you excitged asbout 5 cnet slot ma chines?" The ole timer said. "If you only knew, a lot of us in the business back then made down payments on put hpuses thanks tpo these guys."  Then he put a nickel oin the slot, said "Watch this" , and pulled the handle slowly. When the first two windows had symbole he "Times" the handle and pulled it the resty of the way. Voila, out came a lot of nickels. He explained that once you knew how to do it  it (took some prasctice at first)  tjhe key was don't get greedy , vary where you played, and save those nickels up! This was way back in the days when females usually played the slots whiule their husband were palying table games. 

  So truth be known what do you think is better?

  Now those gears are replaced by random number generaters.