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Here are some questions and answers straight from the mouth of the gambling commission, hope you find it interesting
Where online / virtual slot games offer the player a gamble feature (the chance for a player to increase an awarded win at the risk of losing part or all of it), is that gamble required to be random? Is it possible for the outcome of a gamble feature to have been determined at the point of the initiating win?
The gamble is not required to be random, however the customer must have the information to make an informed decision about their chances, as described in the Remote gambling software and technical standards (RTS) 3C and 3D:
For each virtual event, game (including bingo), or lottery, information that may reasonably be expected to enable the customer to make an informed decision about his or her chances of winning must be easily available before the customer commits to gamble. Information must include:
i. A description of the way the game works and the way in which winners are determined and prizes allocated
ii. House edge (or margin)
iii. The return to player (RTP) percentage or
iv. The probability (likelihood) of winning events occurring.
For each virtual event, game (including bingo), or lottery, content describing the potential prizes and payouts or the means by which these are calculated or determined must be easily available before the customer commits to gamble.
The outcome of the gamble feature may be pre-determined, however as per RTS 7C and 7D the bonus rounds must be properly described to the customer and the result can’t be altered during play (unless provided for in the rules of the game).
Game designs or features that may reasonably be expected to mislead the customer about the likelihood of particular results occurring are not permitted, including substituting losing events with near-miss losing events and simulations of real devices that do not simulate the real possibilities of the device.
Games may not falsely display near-miss results, that is, the event may not substitute one losing outcome with a different losing outcome.
Where the event requires a pre-determined layout (for example, hidden prizes on a map), the locations of the winning spots should not change during play, except as provided for in the rules of the game.
Where games involve an element of skill, every outcome described in the virtual event rules or artwork should be possible, that is, the customer should have some chance of achieving an advertised outcome regardless of skill.
What rules are imposed regarding the random number generators used by slots, for example is an entirely software based CSPRNG permitted?
The Gambling Commission does not have conditions surrounding the design of random number generators. As per RTS 7A, random number generation and game results must be ‘acceptably random’. Acceptably random here means that it is possible to demonstrate to a high degree of confidence that the output of the RNG, game, lottery and virtual event outcomes are random through, for example, statistical analysis using generally accepted tests and methods of analysis. Adaptive behaviour (ie a compensated game) is not permitted.
Prior to release, all games are required to be tested by an approved external test house.
Are online / virtual slots permitted to generate the entire result of a spin, including all displayed reel positions, features, prizes and gamble results from a single random number?
The design of games and generation of results is not prescribed by the Gambling Commission. They must be compliant with RTS 7.
In online / virtual slots, what information in respect of a complete spin result as shown to the player is allowed in the software to be determined, programmed or non-random?
There is not a specified amount within the software which can be determined, programmed or non-random. As per RTS 3C and 3D:
For each virtual event, game (including bingo), or lottery, information that may reasonably be expected to enable the customer to make an informed decision about his or her chances of winning must be easily available before the customer commits to gamble. Information must include:
v. A description of the way the game works and the way in which winners are determined and prizes allocated
vi. House edge (or margin)
vii. The return to player (RTP) percentage or
viii. The probability (likelihood) of winning events occurring.
For each virtual event, game (including bingo), or lottery, content describing the potential prizes and payouts or the means by which these are calculated or determined must be easily available before the customer commits to gamble.
Following on from this RTS 7B describes further:
As far as is reasonably possible, games and events must be implemented fairly and in accordance with the rules and prevailing payouts, where applicable, as they are described to the customer.
The mapping of the random inputs to game outcomes should be in accordance with prevailing probabilities, pay tables, etc.
When random numbers, scaled or otherwise, are received, eg following a game requesting a sequence of random numbers, they are to be used in the order in which they are received. For example, they may not be discarded to due to adaptive behaviour.
Numbers or sequences of numbers are not to be discarded, unless they fall outside the expected range of numbers required by the virtual event – such an occurrence should result in an error being logged and investigated.
Slots and gambles – the rules
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