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Provably Fair Games

Provably Fair gaming allows players to independently verify the fairness of the games they play, meaning you no longer have to rely on the casino’s word alone.

Giuseppe Ricceri

Last Updated on

Provably Fair Gaming and RNGs

Random Number Generators (RNGs) are the traditional way of generating randomness in casino games. Complex algorithms are used to produce unpredictable, thus random, results. However, there is no access to the inner workings of these RNGs, so players have to take it on trust that they are truly random (note that licensed casinos are independently audited and this is the sort of thing that is assessed).

Provably Fair gaming is different as it adds an extra layer of verifiability through which the player can prove a result was truly random. This is because every game outcome is accompanied by a receipt which shows how the result was generated. This means players can check the result of a game themselves to verify it was fair.

How Provably Fair Gaming Works

Cryptography and complex mathematics sit behind Provably Fair gaming. Random numbers are generated by both the casino and the player along with a unique identifier. These can then be compared to verify randomness. These are called variables and there are usually three of them:

This is the unique number created by the casino game.

This is the player’s code, which the player has full control over. It can be generated by the platform or the player can choose.

This number changes with each bet, which ensures each unique round of the game can be identified.

The casino generates a unique server seed then hashes it using an SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 2-bit) function. This is a cryptographic function that is essential to blockchain technology. Any inputted data is converted into a fixed-length 256-bit (64-character hexadecimal) string. As this decentralized ledger is open, it cannot be tampered with, nor can it be deleted. This guarantees that once a game is played, its outcome is fixed and irreversible.

The player receives this hashed seed before placing a bet. The original server seed is kept secret for now. When you place your bet, the game combines this hashed seed with your player seed and the nonce to determine the result. Once this has been finalized, the casino reveals the original server seed. This can then be compared against the hashed seed. If they match, the game was conducted fairly.

Advantages of Provably Fair Gaming

There are a few major advantages to Provably Fair gaming, including:

Increased Trust

As the player can independently verify the fairness of a game, this boosts the trust between customer and casino. This, in turn, reduces the number of disputes as the result is easily verifiable.

Competitive Advantage

Many people treat casinos with suspicion, so having games that the customer can prove are fair is a huge advantage. Greater transparency leads to a better reputation and this can boost customer numbers.

Player Control

As the player can provide the client seed, they feel in greater control of the process.

The Drawbacks of Provably Fair Gaming

It is important that seed generation is completely random and stored securely as any weakness could invalidate the whole process. However, it is worth noting that due to advanced cryptography, it is highly unlikely for the system to be hacked.

Implementing provably fair systems into games can be complicated, particularly with slots which have so many different variables. Consequently, you often see Provably Fair gaming in simpler games such as table games and dice games. Blackjack, poker, roulette, and crash games are particularly well-suited to Provably Fair outcomes.

Despite these challenges, Provably Fair games are popular with casinos that are looking to instil trust and boost their reputation in a crowded online marketplace. The increase in Provably Fair games is only going to grow as blockchain technology becomes more widespread and the advantages from a customer perspective are more clearly seen.

The Best Casinos With Provably Fair Games

As has already been mentioned, crypto casinos tend to favour Provably Fair games as the technology on which it’s based is similar. When assessing the best casinos for Provably Fair games, we look at the range of titles on offer, as well as the reputation of the studios. We also check whether the latest games are showcased.

As with all of our casino reviews, we also look at more traditional criteria including deposit and withdrawal methods, fees, and restrictions. We also check licensing, bonus offers, and a casino’s VIP scheme.

Assessing all of these variables, these are some of our favourite online casinos offering Provably Fair games: