Let’s face it, cryptocurrencies are rapidly becoming the future of online gaming. For too long have governments and regulatory authorities restricted many aspects of online gaming and because of this, providers are now offering punters to bet with a sense of freedom, thanks to cryptocurrencies and the blockchain.
This newfound freedom goes hand in hand with many questions however and this is understandable. But, when questions are asked, solutions are created. Most players that enter the mystical world of crypto gambling often ask the same question: ‘How do I know that the outcome of the games is fair?’
And this is where a clever algorithm called provably fair comes to play. Never heard of it? Then it might be wise to read on.
What is provably fair?
When you throw your money at an online casino you obviously want to know for sure that the outcome of every result is totally random. For years we relied on a random number generator but thanks to the rise of cryptocurrencies, it is understandable that players question the randomization of crypto casinos.
The thing is, crypto opens so many doors and gives us so much freedom but there is no license for this and no regulatory authority that monitors these important factors. Yes, that is the whole idea of decentralization but it is only fair to want to know that games are random and that payouts are fair.
Provably fair is an algorithm that ensures randomization in games such as flipping a coin or shuffling a deck. It is actually very impressive because it uses every inch of the benefits of the blockchain to ensure a new level of fairness.
What makes it so much cooler than a random number generator? It is verifiable by all players of a specific game and allows players from all corners of the earth to manually validate the outcome of the game.
So, if you are playing a provably fair game, you will receive an encrypted key with the end result of the game plus another key that will give you the opportunity to verify the fairness and correctness of the game at the end of the session.
Provably Fair vs Regular Casino
Regular Online Casinos:
- Relies on a random number generator to ensure that the outcome of each hand is random
- These random number generators are reviewed by third parties to ensure the legitimacy of the game. If you don’t know for sure that the third party is trustworthy, you can’t really know for sure that the game is fair.
- Players are not able to personally verify the fairness and correctness of the hands they are played.
Provably Fair Casinos:
- Provably fair casinos use an algorithm to generate hands. This is stored in a hash that can later be personally verified by any player.
- It is built on the blockchain, which is a public ledger, so there is no need for third parties to verify the fairness.
- Because of the blockchain and the algorithm, there is no need for these casinos to be acknowledged by any regulatory authority.
How exactly does it work?
It is always best to keep things simple so although there are many ways to implement the provably fair method, I will discuss the most basic one. Each time a hand is played, the algorithm calculates a roll result by using three variables:
- Server seed – provided by the online casino
- Client seed – this is provided by the browser you are playing on and adjusted by you.
- Nonce – This increases by one with each new hand which makes it possible for you to keep track of which hand is which at the end of the game.
How to verify the results
Before the start of the game, you will be sent a hash of the server seed. The entire game is encrypted in the hash which means that there is no way that the casino can change the outcome of the game. You are also not able to calculate your hands to your advantage because the code is encrypted.
If the server seed was unhashed before the start of the game you would have been able to see all the hands that you are about to be dealt, giving you the opportunity to play all hands as a winner.
After the session, you will receive an unhashed server seed that you will be able to use to reveal the information of the hashed server seed. Think of it as a key that unlocks all the results that you can then study and compare to see if you were cheated or not. The verification process consists of 2 easy steps:
- First of all, you should verify that the casino sent you the correct hashed server seed. The easiest way to verify a seed is to use an online tool and if they correlate, you are on the right path to start comparing.
- If you do it manually, you will need to go through every roll result and compare it to your rolls on the casino site you played at. Although there is nothing wrong with going this route, it will take a long time.
Provably Fair Verifiers
- Crypto-Games.net verifier
- Primedice verifier
- BitDice.me verifier
- SafeDice verifier
- BetterBets verifier
- Nitrogen Dice verifier
- Bitsler verifier
- Just-Dice.com verifier
The most popular provably fair casino sites offer a provably fair verifier as well so there are really many options and tools at your disposal. It is however great to know that you can do it manually which leaves no room for unfair game results as a result of interference.
The Provably Fair Process
For people like me and you (if you are not a programmer) algorithms and coding are difficult to understand. It is hard to make sense of the many technical terms so it is best to explain how it works in context.
By now we understand that the server seed is supplied by the casino and that it is variable (ever-changing). The client seed is provided by the player through the player’s browser and a nonce is a number that increases by 1 every time you place a bet, just so that you can keep tabs.
And we also know that all players receive a hashed server seed before they start playing that is not yet unlocked but let’s explain it in practice:
If you play poker for example you will have a flop, turn, and river. Although you have received the hashed server seed before the game, you will not be able to know the results before the river has been dealt with. The results of the game might be out there and pre-decided but it is locked and untouchable until the end of the session.
After the game has ended you will receive the client-server seed that is totally random. It is generated through your browser and is 100% customizable. You can change the client seed by adding values or you have the choice of leaving it as it is.
The final variable, the nonce, increases by 1 every time you place a new bet. It usually starts at 1 and advances to 2 when you place your first bet and so on. The algorithm then uses the seeds plus the nonce to randomly select the flip of a coin, roll of a die, or any possible action of the game to ensure that it is 100% randomizable.
Provably Fair Casinos
One of the biggest perks of crypto casinos is that there are no restrictions. If you combine this valuable asset with secure payment methods, fast or instant withdrawals, and a provably fair algorithm, you are almost guaranteed to have a winning combination.
The good news is that there are several cryptos and provably fair casinos that we can highly recommend.
Not only does Bitcasino.io offer provably fair games, but they also accept both FIAT and cryptocurrency and a wide variety of payment methods. They have a stellar reputation and offer 3200+ casino games (not all provably fair) from 33 game providers.
Bitcasino.io
If you are looking for an exciting and innovative casino that accepts crypto, look no further. Stake has 12 exciting in-house-made games and has a rock-solid reputation. All games are provably fair and they offer incredible bonuses.
Stake.com Casino
Fortune Jack Casino is always highly recommended. Not only by us but by thousands of online review sites. They welcome players from all continents and accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Dash, Monero, and Zcash. They have 1500+ games of which the following games are provably fair: Thirteen, Coin, Stairs, Diamonds, Wheel, HiLo, Plinko, and Mines (SteadyGames). They also have pretty nifty bonuses as well as an interesting cashback program.
Fortune Jack Casino
Another casino that has many provably fair games and accepts crypto, as well as FIAT payments, is BetChain Casino. They have been around since 2013 and have an enormous game selection, 210 jackpot games, great no-deposit bonuses, and free spins.
BetChain Casino
Bitstarz is undoubtedly one of the most respected online casinos in the world and not only do they accept cryptocurrencies, they also accept a wide range of FIAT. Unfortunately, you aren’t able to search the provably fair games from the lobby but they do offer 3000+ games and have been awarded Best Casino 2017 by AskGamblers. They always run decent promotions and also cater to high rollers.
BitStarz Casino
Another casino that we highly recommend is mBit Casino. They have also been around for some time (since 2014) and offer over 1100 games. The site is fast and effective and they offer free spins and huge deposit bonuses available in all 6 cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and Tether (USDT) plus a really good VIP program.
mBit Casino
7Bit Casino is well known for its great bonuses and free spins and although their generosity might be the biggest drawing point, they have much more to offer. They accept crypto, offer provably fair games, and have a seamless interface after a total revamp back in 2019.
7Bit Casino
Bitcoin Penguin delivers a fast and modern lobby and a decent game selection that includes provably fair games. They refer to themselves as a long-lasting, solid Bitcoin casino and pride themselves on their security and the protection of all players’ personal data.
BitcoinPenguin Casino
Conclusion
Knowledge is key, especially in this fast-growing industry. Crypto and blockchains have opened a whole new world for gamers and although there are many unanswered questions that are still looming, there are also many solutions that have been put in place to ensure the fairness of games.
For some of us it is daunting to think that we are spending our money at unlicensed institutions but with new technological advances such as the provable fair algorithm it is clear that providers are focusing on these issues and creating solutions.
The provably fair algorithm eliminates the slightest chance of unfairness by providing all players with the outcome of the game before the game starts.
It actually gives you full power to see whether you were cheated or not. I really like transparency and it doesn’t get any better than this.
It is great to know that you can literally manually check the fairness of the game but it gives me even more joy to know that there are many online tools that can be utilized to assist you with this. It is undeniable that the future of online gaming is naturally steered toward crypto and blockchains and I find this insanely exciting.
You need to remember that there was a time when there was no such thing as online gambling or even random number generators. The industry started to boom back in the late 1990s which led to massive technological advances.
Crypto and blockchains are the next phases of these advances and with the technology that is currently available, the future of the industry is undoubtedly going to be one hell of a joy ride.
FAQ
What is the provably fair concept?The provably fair concept is a system used in online gambling that allows players to verify the fairness of the games they play. It involves using cryptographic algorithms to generate random seeds that are used to determine the outcomes of games.
How do gambling seeds work?Gambling seeds are random values generated by a cryptographic algorithm and used to determine the outcomes of online casino games. These seeds are combined with player input to produce a unique hash that is used to verify the fairness of the game.
How do you use provably fair?To use provably fair in online gambling, you typically need to click on a "Provably Fair" button or link on the game interface. This will allow you to view the seed values and verify the fairness of the game.
What is fairness in probability?Fairness in probability refers to the idea that each possible outcome of a random event has an equal chance of occurring. In online gambling, fairness in probability is ensured by using cryptographic algorithms and random seeds to generate outcomes that cannot be predicted or manipulated.
What are the benefits of provably fair games?Provably fair games offer several benefits to players, including increased transparency and trust in the fairness of the games they play. They also allow players to verify the outcomes of their games and ensure that they are not being cheated by the casino.
If you have any comments or questions, please write your thoughts below.
Rate from 1 to 5 stars.
Rating results:
Further reading:
- New Bitcoin Casinos
- Bitcoin Bonus (Guide to Bitcoin casino bonuses, no deposit bonuses and free spins)
- Bitcoin Slot Guide
Leave a Reply