TABLE OF CONTENTS
This blog delves into the deepest corners of provably fair ensuring you get all the vital information from meaning, to how it works, future prospects and more.
So, let’s roll!
What is Provably Fair in iGaming?
Key Components of Provably Fair
Player/Client Seed
A randomly chosen value by the player that influences the game’s outcome. It adds transparency, allowing players to verify fairness in provably fair gaming systems.
Server Seed
A secret, randomly generated value by the server before gameplay starts. It ensures fairness and prevents manipulation, later revealed for verification.
Hash
A cryptographic representation of data that ensures security. It converts the server seed into an irreversible format, allowing players to verify fairness without knowing the seed beforehand.
Nonce
A unique number that increments with every bet or game round. It prevents duplication and ensures each outcome remains random and provably fair.
HMAC
A cryptographic function that combines a server seed and nonce to create a secure hash. It ensures outcome integrity by preventing tampering or prediction.
SHA-256
A secure hashing algorithm that converts input data into a fixed 256-bit string. It guarantees data integrity and is widely used in provably fair gaming.
How Provably Fair Works?
Pros & Cons of Provably Fair in iGaming
Pros
Transparency & Trust
Provably fair systems allow players to verify game outcomes, ensuring transparency and boosting trust.
No Third-Party Audits Needed
Unlike traditional gaming, these systems use cryptographic algorithms, removing the need for external audits.
Prevention of Manipulation
Since results are generated using blockchain and cryptographic hashing, neither the provably fair casino nor the player can alter them.
Fair Play Assurance
Players can check every game result, eliminating doubts about rigged outcomes.
Attracts Tech-Savvy Players
With the rise of blockchain gaming, more players seek verifiable fairness, making this system appealing.
Cons
Complex for Beginners
Understanding cryptographic proofs and verifying results can be challenging for casual players.
Limited Game Availability
Not all games support provably fair algorithms, restricting options for players.
Trust in Implementation
While the system itself is fair, poorly coded software or hidden flaws can still exist.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Some jurisdictions don’t recognize blockchain-based verification, creating compliance challenges.
No Protection Against Problem Gambling
While it ensures fairness, it doesn’t prevent addiction or irresponsible betting behavior.
Is Provably Fair Same as RNG?
While both Provably Fair and Random Number Generator (RNG) ensure fairness in iGaming, they operate differently. Below is a detailed comparison:
Parameters
Provably Fair
RNG
Technology Used
Uses cryptographic algorithms and blockchain verification
Uses mathematical algorithms to generate random outcomes
Verification
Players can check the fairness of results using cryptographic hashes
Players must trust third-party audits for fairness
Provably Fair Algorithms
The player receives a hashed copy of the outcome to ensure that it cannot be altered once placed. Once the game has finished, users are able to cross-reference the final outcome with the original hash to guarantee fairness.
This process eradicates suspicion about manipulation, making it the ideal method used in casinos that are based upon the blockchain. With a provably fair algorithm, the operator gains trust, and the player trusts an honest gaming process.
How to Calculate Provably Fair
Understanding the Three Key Components
Players need to understand the three major components of provably fair which are server seed (e.g a9f8b3c7d6e1g2h4i5j0k7l8m9n6o3p2), client seed (e.g a9f3b7c2d8e64f1a5b0d7e3c9f2a6b4d) and nonce (e.g 1025). The server seed is created by the provably fair casino and is a long chain of alpha-numeric combinations, usually hashed at the game's beginning. The client seed is chosen by the player for added randomness and contains a long chain of alpha-numeric combinations. A nonce increments with each bet or round.
Hashing the Server Seed
Before a game begins, the platform generates a random server seed and shares its hashed version with players. This prevents manipulation while keeping the original seed hidden.
Say, SHA-256 is used for hashing. Then the hashed version of the server seed (a9f8b3c7d6e1g2h4i5j0k7l8m9n6o3p2) will look something like -
8c4f1e57ecc0da559aa7a8
d9bd240e6154315
dd7d867250ecb3198bcc007db92
Player’s Input with the Client Seed
Players contribute randomness by providing a client seed for example “a9f3b7c2d8e64f1a5b0d7e3c9f2a6b4d”. Some platforms generate this automatically, while others let players customize it.
Generating the Outcome
The final game result is calculated using a formula ⸺
HMAC_SHA256(Server Seed + Client Seed + Nonce)
This cryptographic function ensures that neither the provably fair casino nor the player can alter the result after the game starts.
Verifying the Fairness
At the end of the game, the server reveals the server seed. The player then uses the server seed together with the
player's client seed and the nonce to test if the obtained result agrees with the provided one.
For example,
If you place a bet in a dice game, the system may generate a result between 0-100 using:
(HMAC_SHA256(Server Seed + Client Seed + Nonce) mod 100)
Real-World Applications of Provably Fair in iGaming
Here are some use cases of provably fair in iGaming industry:
Online Casino Games
Provably fair tech is used regularly in online casino games such as provably fair blackjack, provably fair roulette, and slots. As an example, in provably fair slots, the system will generate a hashed seed before the spin. Once the spin has taken place, the player can guarantee that the result was fair by verifying the hash against the outcome.
Crypto-Based Gambling Platforms
Most cryptocurrency casinos employ provably fair technology to appeal to fairness-seeking customers. The players are able to verify the fairness of every bet using the blockchain technology. The fact that players trust the system employed by the casino forms the basis of traditional casinos. The players are given control of the proof in the provably fair crypto casino.
Poker and Card Games
Provably fair poker games are used to ensure that the cards are shuffled randomly and the operator cannot control them. As an example, the shuffle in a provably fair poker game can be created using both the server's seed and the player's seed. The cards can be checked to be shuffled properly using cryptography once the game has concluded.
Lottery and Raffle Systems
Online lotteries and raffles implement provably fair mechanisms to guarantee random and unbiased draws. Traditional lotteries rely on third-party audits, but provably fair lotteries provide instant transparency. For example, a Bitcoin lottery platform might generate random numbers using blockchain hashes, allowing players to verify the draw's fairness in real time.
eSports and Sports Betting
Provably fair technology is used to ensure fair odds and bet results within sports betting and eSports. Some sportsbooks use blockchain to store outcomes and bets to protect them from interference and ensure appropriate payouts. This usage improves player trust within the fairness of the system.
Challenges Operators Face in Provably Fair
Complexity for Players
Not all users understand cryptographic hash functions or how to verify game results. Without proper education, players may not fully trust or utilize provably fair systems.
Limited Game Variety
Traditional casino games rely on complex mechanics, while provably fair systems mainly support simpler games like dice, poker, or crash games. Expanding this technology to high-end slots or live dealer games remains a challenge.
Blockchain Limitations
Since some provably fair casino games are built upon blockchain, gameplay efficiency and the expense are susceptible to challenges such as the speed of transactions, fee, and congestion. Ethereum games, for example, will be plagued by high fees during usage peaks.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Many jurisdictions lack clear regulations for provably fair gaming. Some regulators focus only on traditional Random Number Generator (RNG) certifications, making it harder for operators to gain licenses.
Trust vs. Adoption
While trust through transparency is one benefit, licensed casinos are more highly regarded by some traditional users through third-party audits than through self-verifications. Mainstream players are a constant source of concern to persuade them to move to provably fair gambling.
Future of Provably Fair
Experience Fair Gameplays with iGamingBook's Provably Fair Gaming Platforms
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is provably fair important in online casinos?
Provably fair fosters trust through the ability to check the outcomes of games. Third-party audits are used by traditional casinos, but provably fair tech provides the means to check the results in real-time. It dispels suspicion about rigged games, providing an open gaming process.
Which games use provably fair technology?
Provably fair technology works best in games where randomness is key and transparency is essential. It is mostly used in:
- Bitcoin and crypto casinos
- Slot games
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Dice games
How can players verify a provably fair game?
Players can do the following to verify a provably fair game -
- Copy the hashed game result before playing.
- Use a verification tool to input the seed values.
- Compare the final result with the original hash.
Which is the most profitable betting market?
The sportsbook is the most profitable betting market because it has the highest amount of profit margin, which means that it has the most money to pay out to its players.
Can anyone hack provably fair games?
No, provably fair gambling uses strong cryptographic hashes that are basically un-hackable. Because the outcome has already been decided and cannot be changed, neither the player nor the operator can manipulate the results. But the player should use only secure casinos to avoid having any kind of security problem.
Is provably fair better than traditional RNG-based gaming?
Yes, because provably fair games enable the player to verify the results themselves whereas RNG games require third-party auditing. This gives more trust and transparency especially to crypto casinos. But both models ensure fairness if employed by honest gaming websites.
