Re: Entropy Compensation for Random Pads

[Horace Heffner]

Here's a thought about use of pseudo-random number generators in  
gambling machines.  The sequence of random numbers is predetermined  
once a seed is chosen.  It is thus possible to select a seed in  
advance which guarantees no payoffs until a certain point. In other  
words, it can be possible to rig the payoffs so there is no risk at  
all to the machine owner provided he resets his seed value  
periodically.  For this reason, all gambling machines should be  
driven by true random number generators, not pseudo-random number  
generators.  This protects the machine owners as well.  If an   
observer knows the machine programming, he can compute the current  
seed value given enough observations of current games, and then  
predict future games with certainty, and chose to play only when a  
win is expected.

Horace Heffner