FAQ's
How do slots work? For information around how slots work, visit our 'How Slots Work' page here.
How do you ensure your games are fair? Each of our slot and instant games are run via a Random Number Generator. View the video at the top of this article for more information.
How do I know the RNG is a fair outcome? Our random number generator is operated by an independent company, ensuring each transaction is unique.
How do Sky Betting & Gaming make sure the games are fair? We take a look at the overall transactions and compare these to each games Return to Player percentage.
What is Return to player (RTP)? Return to player is the percentage paid out over the long term play, this is the total wins vs total stakes, as per the game info.
How is RTP calculated? RTP is calculated by total stakes against total returns on a specific game.
For Example: a game has an RTP of 96%. 100 players are playing and each stake £1.00. That means the total pot is £100. If the RTP is 96%, the game must pay out £96.00 from that round/spin. How this is done is entirely random, 96 players may win £1.00 each or one lucky player could win the whole £96.00. The prize could be spread in any other combination you can think of. A common myth that customers hold is that if you were to spend £100, you would personally be guaranteed £96.00 back but it doesn't work like this as that would mean you would be guaranteed to lose 4% on every spin which wouldn't be fair at all! Furthermore, just like rolling a dice, your chances of winning do not increase with each round/spin you make because each spin is independent from the last.
What is RTP?
There is a long-term expected payback rate for each game, known as return to player (RTP) which is based upon how many stakes are made on a game against how many wins the game pays out. RTP is behind every game at Sky Vegas and this is stated on every game in the information section. (see image below). However, it is important to note that RTP is calculated over a long period of time across millions of spins and thousands of players. Over a shorter spell of playing, you may be 'up' or 'down' vs the amount you've staked, in comparison to the RTP amount.
Why we use RTP?
While our games are always random, we think the RTP tells you a little more about the nature of our slots, so you can make informed choices about whether games are for you.
It is checked independently and we check it constantly so we know all games are running correctly, consistently and fairly for everyone.
For more information around how this is calculated, check out the FAQs section at the top and the question 'How is RTP calculated?'
How do we make the games fair?
All outcomes on Sky Vegas are determined by a random number generator (RNG) over which we have no control and this means that all results are completely independent of each other. The RNG doesn't know your last spin or the outcome of the next. No matter if you won, broke even or lost the result will not affect your next spin. The best way to think of this is like rolling a dice, you can want a 6 and roll this dice numerous times but you are not guaranteed to get the 6 you were after. The games are a bit like this, however they have a lot more 'sides' than a dice.
All of our games are thoroughly tested and certified before launch by an independent Test House. Without these tests we would not be able to operate in the UK. In addition, we are regulated by the Gambling Commission. Their details can be found at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk. We are also regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission and their details can be found at www.gamblingcontrol.org.
What is RNG?
RNG stands for Random Number Generator. The RNG produces a random number on request and each of these is linked to a result, these results are what you see on each spin on our slot games. The random number is based on trillions of possible outcomes. You can never predict what a slot game will do next and neither can we. That is why we use an RNG, ensuring that the games act randomly and fairly.
A single RNG can cater for multiple players and multiple games at any one time. It doesn't know who you are, what you have been betting on, or if you won recently. It never bases its next result on what has just happened. It simply gives you a random result every time.
How do progressive jackpots work?
Ever wondered what the running total is on some of our slot games? Have you noticed how it rises and falls over time?
This is a progressive jackpot. If you play any of the games in the progressive jackpot suite on site a small portion of your stake will go towards various pots. Every time you spin, you will contribute to these pots. This is the same for all customers.
There are two types of Progressive Jackpot systems - Player Funded and Operator Funded. With player funded progressive jackpots, a percentage of all player stakes contribute to and grow the progressive jackpot until it is won. Similarly, with Operator Funded progressive jackpots, the operator will make a contribution to the jackpot which is relative to every player stake.
Every jackpot is different though, with different contribution rates and reseed values, so please take time to review the game information page for each game. This can be found under each game.
If more customers are playing the game at the same time, the progressive jackpot will increase more rapidly. These jackpots can be won on any day at any time with any stake. If you are spinning on a progressive jackpot game, you are in with the chance of winning it. These progressive jackpots go through rigorous testing just like all our other slot games to ensure they are functioning correctly and fairly. They are checked and independently approved by the gambling commission. Their details can be found at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
Progressive jackpots consists of a 'start-up seed'. The 'seed' is simply the 'total pot' and the 'start up seed' is a set amount that gets added to the pot at the start of each jackpot. The 'start up seed' is always added by the house, not by player contributions. As players start to contribute, the seed gradually increases until somebody hits the jackpot. With a progressive jackpot, there is always a point at which it must be won. For example, this point could be set at £100,000 with the 'start up seed' being £10,000. Players can win the jackpot at any point before the seed reaches £100,000 but if they don't it is guaranteed to pay out when it hits the £100,000 mark. As soon as the jackpot is won, the seed will reset back to £10,000 and will rise again with contributions by customers and the operator, until it is won again or hits the 'must-win' amount.