Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 18:58:27 -0800 To: cypherpunks@toad.com From: "Erik E. Fair" (Time Keeper) <fair@clock.org> Subject: another thought about random numbers

While musing over a roulette table, and noticing the preponderence of electronic games in the various Casinos in Stateline, NV, a thought occurred: does anyone know what sorts of random number generators those electronic games use, and how (if at all) they are measured and regulated by the Nevada Gaming Commission? They might have something to teach us.

Erik Fair

I cannot speak for what algorithms are used in the devices, but someone made a low-tech analysis and hack for these machines a while back. He noticed that a certain brand of keno machine reseeded its random number generated with a constant each time power to the machine was lost. Unfortunately he hit the same casino three times (the stainless steel rat says always be prepared to walk away no matter how much is at stake to steal again another day) and he was forced to divulge his method. The machine were consequently fixed. I doubt those machines use crypto strength RNGs because who is going to spend the time, energy and money to hack a .25c slot machine? The payout is too small. For an excellent real-world example of this try 'The Eudaemonicus Pie.' Briefly, its a book about people who successfully hacked roulette machines but at a net loss because of all the time and energy spent developing their technique.