—TechRound does not recommend or endorse any financial, investment, gambling, trading or other advice, practices, companies or operators. All articles are purely informational—
Fairness is the cornerstone of casino gaming. When you select an online baccarat game or bet on a slot machine, you trust that the game has not been rigged against you. But making sure of this can be a little tricky. Gamblers typically have to rely on the casino’s reputation or verifications from third parties like licensing authorities and game testing labs.
Provably fair is an emerging technology that is changing the idea of trust in the iGaming industry. Thanks to this new system, players can now verify the fairness of each game round on their own to ensure they’re not being cheated. Explore the importance of provably fair technology in modern casinos here.
What Is Provably Fair Technology and How Does It Work?
Provably fair is a technology that allows players to personally verify the outcome of every game round to ensure they’re not being cheated by the casino. This technology uses cryptography to generate game outcomes.
In casino games built on a provably fair algorithm, outcomes are generated by a combination of unique random numbers known as server seed (generated by the game operator), client seed (generated on the player’s browser), and a cryptographic nonce.
Before the start of each game, the player receives a hashed version of the server seed. They can then combine this with their input and compare the result to confirm that the game has not been manipulated by the operator. Most platforms have verification tools built directly into them. However, players can also use third-party hash calculators to do the verification on their own.
A provably fair casino game is significantly more transparent compared to a traditional casino game built on an RNG algorithm. Although RNG games promise randomness as well, the system is essentially a black box. In other words, players can’t really tell for sure if the casino’s proprietary software is genuinely random and operating fairly.
Why Provably Fair Technology Is Important
Provably fair technology has become quite important in online gambling because of the experience of players with deceitful platforms. Players who want assurance of a fair and transparent gambling experience often turn to blockchain-based platforms built on provably fair technology.
- Growing distrust of online casinos: Casino players have no control over the outcome of games. They just have to take the casino’s word for it. A lack of transparency breeds distrust
- Manipulation scandals: Most online gambling platforms are fair to players while gaming on their websites. Still, scams and manipulation scandals are part of the industry and also a common cause of concern among players
- Regulatory demands on transparency: Regulators always want online casinos to offer transparent gaming that safeguards the interests of players. Adopting provably fair algorithms allows operators to stay compliant with these regulatory requirements
How Provably Fair Solves the Trust Issue Without Third Parties
Provably fair technology solves the long-standing issue of trust in the gambling industry without the need for third-party auditors or licence providers. With this technology, users can verify the fairness of a casino game all on their own.
Verifying the fairness of provably fair games is particularly easier to implement if you’re a coding expert. Some novices and everyday gamblers might find it a bit harder to make sense of all the technical terms, but there are several online tools available for this verification.
Comparison With Traditional Fairness Verification Methods
A provably fair system is a significant shift in how casino players verify fairness. It transitions from a model based on blind trust or reliance on third parties to one built on verifiable proof. Here’s how this new technology compares to traditional fairness verification methods.
Traditional Verification Methods
For a long time, casino players have relied on third-party reviewers like Slotozilla’s Jordan Conroy, regulators like the MGA, and third-party testing organisations like eCOGRA and iTech Labs to verify crypto casino fairness. These labs conduct RNG verification to check algorithms that control a casino’s game to ensure fairness.
Third-party audits and licences are technically reliable, which is why players can safely trust licensed sites, such as Verde Casino for UK players. But customers have to put their trust in the reputation of the auditor or regulator.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Third-party regulators check other things like responsible gambling measures, player fund segregation, and security. | ➖ Audits are periodic. Some operators may not comply with regulatory requirements between audits. |
| ➕ Regulators have an established framework for testing. | ➖ No way to confirm an operator’s claim of their verification status. |
| ➕ Auditors and regulatory bodies have sufficient technology and technical capabilities to carry out effective tests. |
Why Players Prefer Self-Verification With Provably Fair Technology
While the traditional approach of trusting third-party regulators and auditors is still very much in use, many players now prefer the idea of self-verification with provably fair technology. The reason for this is simple. With provably fair self-verification, players are in complete control of the verification process.
They don’t have to blindly trust the casino’s promise of fairness or accept the verdict of a third-party regulator. This distinction gives them more confidence in game outcomes. A provably fair model also offers immediate, mathematical certainty. After each gaming session, players can confirm they have not been cheated by the casino. This immediate verification is more trustworthy compared to the periodic audits carried out by regulators.
Limitations of Provably Fair Technology
The provably fair algorithm is impressive. However, its real-world use is still largely limited due to various factors. Some of the limitations of this technology are listed below:
- It works primarily with cryptocurrency casinos for blockchain gambling
- It is complex for the average user to understand and use
- The technology cannot be applied to all game types (live casinos remain outside of its scope)
Provably fair technology is mutually beneficial to both casino operators and players. Being able to verify the fairness of games allows players to trust the casino and increases their willingness to play. This, in turn, benefits the casino as they get to retain more players and earn more revenue in the long run. Transparency also reduces the number of player complaints and refund requests, saving operators time and resources.
—TechRound does not recommend or endorse any financial, investment, gambling, trading or other advice, practices, companies or operators. All articles are purely informational—
