What Are Provably Fair Games?

Online casinos have undoubtedly revolutionized the gambling industry. These platforms quickly gathered a large following, and people were spending a fortune on their favorite games. However, questions were being raised about the RNG systems responsible for the games’ fairness. 

The arrival of provably fair games offered a solution to this problem and permanently shaped the future of gambling. This new technology, backed by crypto, enabled players to enjoy a safe gaming experience with enhanced privacy and, most importantly, verify the authenticity of every wager they place. 

Continue reading this article to learn what a provably fair system is, how it works, and the main advantages of playing such games. 

What Is Provably Fair Gaming and How Does It Work?

The provably fair concept emerged with the rise of online cryptocurrency gambling. It refers to the SHA-256 encryption algorithm used to prove the fairness of the games. In traditional gaming, which uses random number generators to determine the games’ outcomes, the entire process occurs behind the scenes and could potentially be manipulated by the platform owners.

Conversely, a provably fair system relies on a blockchain where all transactions are recorded on a public ledger, making transactions trustworthy without a centralized authority.

Games can be provably fair even if not built on a blockchain. For this to work, platform owners must provide verification tools because not everyone is a programming expert. This way, they give the player proof that the game works as advertised and cheating is impossible. 

Once you start playing a provably fair game, your device’s browser generates a client seed, which is displayed as a hash, meaning it is encrypted. Each player receives the hash before the game starts, so the casino cannot change it later. And because it is encrypted, you are also unable to see the data and know the game’s outcome in advance. 

Meanwhile, the casino uses a random number generator to create a server seed coming from the game’s server. The seed is unique and tamper-proof, thanks to blockchain technology. The operator then uses the client and server seed to produce a random number determining the game’s result. When your game session is over, you can see your client seed, copy-paste it into a provably fair validator, and if you get a hash that matches the server seed, you can rest assured the game wasn’t manipulated.  

However, industry experts debate that these are not the only aspects that can be used to prove the credibility of the games. They believe there is still a way for online casino game hosts to cheat players even with provably systems in place. Even though such games are more transparent than others, ultimately, it is your decision whether to entrust a particular game with your money. 

What Are the Advantages of Provably Fair Games?

Having the edge over traditional online casino games, the popularity of provably fair games continues to grow.

The reason is that they offer more benefits and here are the main ones:

• 100% transparency — Thanks to blockchain technology, you can check the fairness of the game and the outcome of your bet at any time. Being able to verify the results increases customer satisfaction and helps operators maintain transparency and credibility.
• Game quality and features — Provably fair games now come with improved graphics, high-quality interfaces, and various themes. Regarding features, these games offer the same options as traditional gambling sites. This includes different bonuses, loyalty programs, instant cashouts, and more. 
• Higher RTP — Return to player refers to the average amount of money a game pays back in the long term. The higher the RTP, the higher your chances of winning, and provably fair games boast stellar payout percentages, typically ranging from 97% to 99%.
• Increased privacy — These games allow you to deposit in any cryptocurrency you like, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc. You can seamlessly deposit any amount to your player account without revealing your personal information or credit/debit card details. 
• No third party auditing — This innovation completely eliminated the need for independent auditing testing labs because each game is certified by blockchain technology.

Most Popular Provably Games Among Players

The provably fair standard has been incorporated into many real-money games, including slots, blackjack, Hi Lo, Plinko, Crash, Aviator, and others. 

• Slots — Provably fair video slots prioritize simplicity and practicality. These are typically five-reel machines with three paylines. Still, their provably fair nature makes them an obvious choice among many players.
• Hi Lo — This is an easy card game where you have to guess whether the face-down card will be higher, lower, or equal in value to the face-up card. Once the session is over, you can go to Settings and check the client seed and the server seed to ensure the results are fair. 
• Crash — Casino players love this game for its simple gameplay and fast-paced nature. Crash games typically involve a multiplier that increases as the game progresses. Your task is to cash out before the multiplier crashes. 
• Aviator — This is the most famous example of a crash game. It features a rising multiplier, and the players must cash out before the aviator flies away. 
• Plinko — Backed by probably fair software, Plinko is a fast and fun gambling game where patrons are asked to drop a ball/chip from the top of the frame. The win multiplier depends on where the ball landed. 
• Blackjack — You can’t find the provably fair version of this casino classic at every online gaming site, but some do offer it. It’s worth noting that you can also find a provably fair version of mini blackjack in some operators’ game collections. 

Conclusion — Should I Play Provably Fair Games? 

Provably fair games tend to be less visually appealing than RNG titles; however, they do offer plenty of reasons to play. You can enjoy the best payout percentages in online gambling, act as your own testing lab through blockchain technology, and enjoy privacy when depositing and withdrawing your winnings. 

The bottom line is that you should definitely give provably fair games a go. But, before you apply all the principles we discussed before to determine the fairness of the results, make sure you are familiar with crypto banking. Additionally, note that cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and their prices fluctuate daily, so they may not be a good choice if you prefer a more stable bankroll.