Provably fair isn’t a typo for ‘probably’. If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s a relatively new algorithm that determines what you know about the game’s outcome. It’s completely different from the normal way of still not really knowing what outcome you’ll get.
If the concept is completely new to you, read on to learn about provably fair algorithms and how they’re so different from a standard algorithm, which is a random number generator (RNG).
Blockchain-Based Provably Fair Algorithms
Provably fair games are massive in the crypto casino world because you check the outcome yourself, which standard online casinos couldn’t dream of doing.
The basic process sounds more complicated than it actually is.
A provably fair game typically uses the following:
- A server seed generated by the casino
- A client seed generated or selected by you
- A nonce (a number that usually increases with every bet or game round)
- Cryptographic hashing
The casino gives you a hashed version of its server seed before you play. Your client seed and other information are then combined with it to calculate the game outcome. Then, you can reveal the original server seed and check that it matches the hash you received before playing. For instance, the crypto gambling site BC.Game has generated a verifiable generation chain of 10 million hashes.
Basically, the casino can’t wait to see whether you’ve won and then secretly change the original seed without the hash matching.
And, yes, provably fair gaming is heavily associated with blockchain casinos; it doesn’t technically need a blockchain to work. The cryptographic side of it and the verification process are what make the outcome independently verifiable.
Traditional RNG Certification at Online Casinos
Traditional RNG certification is completely different. With RNG, an independent testing company checks whether the RNG and game software work as intended, so you can’t test the result.
The current approved list of companies that verify RNG includes companies such as Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), eCOGRA, and BMM Testlabs.
Testing is actually a really in-depth process that can include the following:
- Reviewing the RNG implementation
- Testing huge samples of outcomes
- Looking for statistical bias
- Checking independence between results
- Reviewing source code
- Testing scaling and mapping
- Looking for known weaknesses in the RNG algorithm
So, with traditional certification, you’re basically trusting the independent laboratory to do their job as well as the regulator’s and developer’s.
Does One Make a Better Slot Game?
Not necessarily. It’s more that the provably fair technology definitely gives you more transparency. If you’re playing something like a crypto crash, dice, or mines game, being able to check the exact seeds behind your results is pretty cool.
Traditional RNG certification is a different type of reassurance. Independent laboratories can inspect the actual RNG implementation, source code, and massive volumes of game data rather than simply letting you verify one outcome.
Neither system automatically gives you the following:
- Higher RTP
- Better odds
- More frequent wins
- Lower volatility
- Bigger bonuses
- Better gameplay
Provably fair technology is also common with relatively straightforward crypto casino games like Dice, Mines, Crash, and Limbo. Traditional RNG certification is still the standard approach for massive libraries of conventional online slots.
For individual result transparency, we’d probably say provably fair is better. For independently testing the complete mathematics and software of a complicated slot game, traditional certification has obvious benefits.
If you go to play in a crypto casino now, you can look for games using the provably fair algorithm. You’re not necessarily more likely to win if you play a game using the algorithm, but it’s interesting to see how they work differently.
