[Xanthro]

Software only calculates, that is correct, so what we see as a random number is a calculation. You can determine what the sequence of numbers will be if you know both the code and the seed. In fact, this is how Secure IDs work, both the client and the host use the same software with the same seed and will thus produce the same sequence of numbers.

No, predicting what numbers will be produced requires knowing the code and determing the seed. Sometimes you can reverse engineer the seed.

What happened with the slot machines, and it was actually Keno not just slots, was that the person in charge who wrote the security software decided to start stealing. He first rigged slot machines so that the seed was changed by a sequence of events and thus a person could put coins in and change the payout ratios. Then he reversed engineered the seed for Keno after getting hold of the code.

In cases like this, there are plenty of ways for him to steal, he was in charge of software security.

As to whether B&M is safer than online, I've seen people deal where each person is deliberatly given a set of cards in order, and this is after many shuffles, and even with the top card turned face up, you can't see how the dealer is dealing the second card.

As much cheating can take place at a table as can at your computer.