If slot machines are random numbers, how can they be programmed to win a certain number of times? How can something be both random and programmed?

Question

If slot machines are random numbers, how can they be programmed to win a certain number of times? How can something be both random and programmed?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

You change the probabilities of certain outcomes.

Say we come up with a game where you roll a die and you win on a 1.

If we use a standard six sided die you win 1/6 times. Change to an eight sided die and your odds are only 1/8. But if I use custom dice with eight sides and two of them are 1s, your odds are now 1/4.