One of the most common mysteries surrounding gambling or betting is that slot game developers don’t look at RNG virtual games as much as they see slots as an advantage. That’s even though they both obviously use a random generator in generating combinations.

Virtual sports usually use Random Number Generator (RNG) to generate results, while slot machines use it to produce a pattern. Using RNG in virtual games makes the results more random and unpredictable.

But why do game developers shrug off RNG virtual sports? Let’s get to know the reason why.

Virtual Games and Slot Machines

First, let’s know how each of them specifically works, and let’s identify their differences.

Virtual sports rose to fame as it combines sports betting, esports, and slot machines. You can think of it as if you’re watching a demo of a video game. Then the operator of the virtual sports sets a line for the matchup where players then place their bets on the possible results of the game.

Contrary to esports where players face and fight one another live, the algorithm dictates the virtual sports results, making it unpredictable. That’s the role that RNG plays in finding the winner for virtual games.

It’s also worth noting that virtual sports games have more in common with their real-life counterparts than typical slot machines.

Meanwhile, slot machines work by hitting the spin on the slot. Slot reels will then rest in a certain pattern after spinning, and that will decide whether or not you hit the slot’s jackpot. The pattern will also be generated by the RNG, which is its key function.

Compared to the old mechanical slots where the possibilities are limited and thereby making the jackpots smaller, the rise of electrical slot gaming became a game-changer in the world of gambling.

With the first slot games made of mechanical gears, you’ll need to turn the reels once the lever is pushed. They have to be rotated orderly, from left to right until it’s back to their first position, at which point the reels cease successively in the same order wherever they begin to rotate.

This process of generating random symbols was generally the fairest during that time.

However, while this process has long served its purpose for slot machines, it doesn’t work for all online games. That’s why digital RNG was designed which changed the gears using microchips that allow generating random numbers, letters, and symbols.

Electrical slot gaming, as well as the development of the microchip, had paved the way for higher numbers of possible combinations and outcomes. With that, an increase in the value of prizes is expected with electrical slot gaming.

Differences Between Slots & Virtual Sports

At first, you may see no difference between virtual sports and slot machines. Their functions are simple, one is a computerized sporting event (i.e., RNG virtual sports) that offers a wide range of bets at different odds, while the other makes use of reels and symbols to generate a wide range of possible combinations and outcomes (slot machines). But the most obvious similarity between the two is their usage of RNG in generating results.

Although both may share more similarities than differences, we can’t deny the fact that the differences are strong enough to make some people choose one over the other. Both industries are thriving, with premium virtual sports deals being signed worldwide, and new slot gameplays appearing every year!

Jackpots are very common in slots. Much rarer in other RNG virtual games, including virtual sports. “Slots offer incredible headline prizes and payouts with jackpots which create a massive draw from hardcore and new casino goers! Virtual sports are not yet offering anything close to that that would offer a similar pull.”, said Stuart Smith from betandbeat.

For instance, many people may prefer slot machines over virtual sports as slots are just simpler and easier to play. Slots have much fewer cognitive prerequisites! People enjoy the convenience of just clicking the spin button and make no other decisions aside from that. Some may also choose slot games as it has a faster pace compared to virtual sports that usually lasts for about three to five minutes.

Regarding the return to player (RTP) rate, virtual sports gamblers may expect about 80%-90% on average while some slot machines may offer about 95%-99%. RTP is the projected percentage of wagers that a game may give back to the player later on.

When it comes to the odds of winning, players of live slot machines are said to have higher chances of winning than in online casinos. No online jackpots had come close to reaching the progressive jackpots on any Las Vegas Strip. For instance, the world record for the Megabucks slot is $39.7 million payouts. It was the biggest slot win ever.

Though your chances of winning a headline prize from progressive jackpots may depend on where you live as some local casinos may not have progressive jackpots that could beat the five-figure progressive jackpots from online casinos.

Given the differences between the two, it’s clear why game developers favor slots over RNG virtual sports. However, this is slowly changing as iGaming operators try to integrate more and more virtual sports in their inventory!

Since many gamblers opt for slot machines more than virtual games, casinos will obviously prefer to cater to the category that’s appealing to many people. The more people play a certain game, the more casinos profit from it. The more they invest in it, and here goes the virtuous cycle. And so far, virtual game developers have not yet cracked the code.