What Are Provably Fair Games? A Look at Provably Fair Technology at Crypto Casinos

When discussing crypto casinos, the spotlight often falls on faster transactions and bigger bonuses. Many people tend to overlook one very important aspect: provably fair casino games.

This technology is a game-changer, offering what gamblers have always sought – a foolproof way to ensure the fairness of each game. Provably fair systems allow players to verify the legitimacy of their gameplay without a doubt, shifting the focus from traditional benefits to trust and transparency.

In today’s article, we’ll explore everything about provably fair games and their benefits for players.

Brief History of Provably Fair Gambling

Provably fair gambling originated in the early 2010s, matching the integration of cryptographic algorithms into online casinos.

Various casino sites adopted the technology early on and they used the system for provably fair dice games.

As blockchain technology developed, so did provably fair games. This enabled more robust and decentralized gambling platforms, covering more games than just dice.

By the mid-2010s, provably fair systems had become the standard in the crypto casino industry. Platforms such as BitStarz, for example, have now widely embraced them.

How Do Provably Fair Games Work?

Provably fair games use cryptographic technology to secure fairness and transparency. By design, provably fair systems allow all players to independently verify that outcomes have not been manipulated by operators.

The provably fair algorithm is not limited to a specific casino game type, meaning you can play provably fair poker but also slots, specialty games, and provably fair blackjack.

Cryptographic Algorithms and Seed Generation

At the core of provably fair gaming are the cryptographic algorithms that create and validate random data. Every game result is determined by a combination of random values called “seeds.”

There are usually two key seeds involved in any provably fair game:

1. Server Seed: This seed is generated by the casino’s server and determines the base randomness for the game. The server seed is cryptographically hashed before the game begins and made available to the player. Hashing the seed ensures that it cannot be tampered with after the result.
2. Client Seed: As the name indicates, this one is generated by the player or their device. Players can often set their own custom seed before playing or just allow the casino site to provide a random one.

By combining the server and client seeds, the system generates a unique random output for each game session.

Hash Functions and Why They Matter

A hash function converts the server seed into a string of characters (a.k.a. the hash) before the game begins.

There are two vital functions of hashing:

• Hashing ensures that the operator cannot change the seed after the game session because the hash is public and is committed to a specific seed.
• It allows players to validate the game result later by comparing the actual server seed, which is revealed after the game, against its original hash.

For example, let’s see how a dice-rolling game works:

The server generates a seed that looks something like “123456abcdef,” then hashes it to produce a string like “9a5c3b2f…,” and shares the hash with the player.

After the roll, the server will reveal the original seed. Players can hash this themselves using online tools like a provably fair calculator or in-game features to check that it matches the pre-game hash and verify the casino’s fairness.

Combining Seeds to Determine Game Outcomes

When you start playing a provably fair game, your client seed is combined with the server seed in a process that is called randomization. The result here determines the game’s outcome.

For example, if you’re playing provably fair roulette, the combined seeds might be input into an algorithm that outputs a number determining where the ball lands.

The point of this mixing is that neither party – meaning neither you nor the online casino – can have control over the game’s result. The game outcome is both random and verifiable by design.

Verification Process for Players

Verification is made to be easy when it comes to provably fair Bitcoin gambling – not to mention it’s essential for transparency.

As noted, once the game ends, the platform will reveal the server seed. Players here are encouraged to:

1. Take the server seed and hash it using a trusted hashing function (e.g., SHA-256).
2. Compare the newly hashed value to the one provided before the game. If they match, the server seed was not altered.
3. Run the combined server and client seed through the algorithm used for outcomes, ensuring they replicate the result.

So, let’s say that in a card game like provably fair poker if the shuffled deck is generated through combined seeds, the player can input these seeds into the same shuffling algorithm to confirm the order of the cards.

How Players Can Verify Games Are Fair

The two most important things about provably fair gaming in our book are 1 – knowing what provably fair gaming is, and 2 – knowing how to verify the fairness yourself.

We covered the first point in the previous section, so let’s talk about verification, one step at a time.

Step 1: Checking the Server Seed Hash

Before the game begins, the casino will give you a hashed version of the server seed. The hash is generated using a secure hashing algorithm, like SHA-256.

So, let’s say the server seed is “abc123.” Well, its hash will look something like “6ca11fb2…” so a long string of seemingly random characters. The casino will share this hash with you before the game starts, so remember it.

After the game ends, the server seed is revealed. You can verify its integrity by hashing the revealed seed yourself and comparing it to the initially provided hash. If the results match, the seed was not tampered with.

Step 2: Verifying Random Outputs Through Seed Combination

During gameplay, the randomness of outcomes like dice rolls, card distributions, or slot results is determined by combining the server seed with the client seed.

For example:

• A player’s client seed is “xyz789,” and the server seed (which is revealed after the game) is “abc123.”
• The two seeds are combined using an algorithm to generate an output, such as a pseudo-random number.
• If the output was a dice roll of “4,” the player can re-run the calculation with the provided seeds to verify that the same random number is produced.
• This process is transparent because the player’s client seed makes sure they influence the randomness, while the server seed is verifiable for tampering.

Step 3: Combining Seeds and Hash Functions

Now, to verify a result, players need to use the server seed and client seed using the same algorithm used by the platform. This information is usually available on the operator’s site.

For example, in a simple provably fair roulette game:

• The combined seeds (let’s say, “abc123” + “xyz789”) and algorithm might output “17,” representing the slot where the ball lands.
• Players can input these seeds into the same algorithm using online tools or features within the game to confirm that the number was generated as the casino claimed.

Step 4: Using Online Tools

To simplify the process, a lot of casinos offer tools for verifying that the games are provably fair, meaning a simple input screen that does the heavy lifting for you. It usually works something like this:

1. You enter the revealed server seed into the designated field
2. You then enter the client seed or confirm it’s unchanged if the seed was randomly provided earlier
3. If needed, provide other game variables like the bet amount or game round
4. Match the calculated outcome with the actual game result

Again, independent third-party tools can also perform these checks manually, so for maximum transparency, players can use both the built-in features and third-party tools like hash calculators for seed hash verification and randomization simulators for dice and card shuffles.

Example of Transparent Verification

Let’s take a common example of verifying a dice roll at provably fair casinos.

1. The server seed is hashed and provided before the roll
2. After the roll, the platform reveals the server seed, e.g., “server_seed123”
3. The combined client seed, e.g., “client_seed567,” and server seed are run through a randomization formula: hash(server_seed + client_seed) % 6 + 1 = Dice result
4. This produces a result between 1 and 6 – the player can independently replicate this formula to confirm the roll was not rigged.=

Now, for a card game like provably fair blackjack, the process will look something like this.

1. The online casino generates a server seed, hashes it, and shares the hash with players
2. The deck is randomized based on the combined client and server seeds using a predefined shuffling algorithm
3. After the game, the casino site reveals the server seed. You can input both seeds into the same algorithm to recreate the shuffled deck
4. If the resulting deck matches the cards dealt in the game, fairness is verified

Pros & Cons of Provably Fair Casino Games

We talked a lot about how provably fair gaming works, so let’s sum up the benefits and drawbacks of this approach. In our book, it mostly comes down to benefits, although the limited number of these games is definitely a downside.

Pros

• Transparency in game outcomes
• Increased player trust
• Better security using cryptographic algorithms
• Fair gaming, independent of third-party oversight
• Greater control for players over result validation

Cons

• These games are only available in limited numbers at online casinos

Best Casino Games Using Provably Fair System

Provably fair games have become a staple in the arsenal of cryptocurrency casinos, celebrated for their transparent gaming styles.

Here’s a closer look at some of the most popular types of provably fair games:

Dice: This classic casino game is a favorite in the crypto gambling scene. Players can check the fairness of each roll by verifying the hashed server and client seeds provided before and after the game.

Crash: Known for its fast pace, Crash involves a multiplier that increases from 1x upwards until it “crashes.” Players must decide when to cash out, and the provably fair system ensures that the crash point is calculated using a cryptographic algorithm that can be independently verified, ensuring no predetermined results.

Plinko: Inspired by the popular game show, Plinko involves dropping a ball down a pegged board where it randomly bounces to a slot denoting a multiplier. The provably fair system in Plinko ensures that the path of the ball is determined by secure randomization techniques, making every drop uniquely verifiable.

Roulette: Provably fair Roulette allows players to verify the randomness of the number where the ball lands. Using cryptographic algorithms, each spin of the wheel and its outcome can be independently checked by players, providing a clear, tamper-proof result.

The Future of Provably Fair Casinos & Games

As we’re a decade into the provably fair gaming tech, we can say the future holds exciting possibilities.

We believe it’s safe to expect to see AI and machine learning refining proving algorithms by boosting fairness and making gaming experiences more tailored.

Mainstream adoption seems inevitable, but we’ll see how things move as the industry progresses. Another interesting prospect is the use of advanced blockchain systems for complex games like multiplayer poker or virtual reality gambling.

Regulatory shifts could standardize provably fair systems, but that’s a topic our website could cover further.