Provably Fair vs. RNG Certification
Online casinos have been seeking ways to establish trust with players since their inception. This is best achieved by demonstrating to players that their games are fair. Rigged games were a big problem for players in the past, but with the emergence of random number generators, they’re in the past.
Certified RNGs ensure that all games at a casino site operate fairly. They’re a pillar of transparency and are verified by third-party companies. However, there’s always a bit of room for doubt when a lab gives a casino a fairness certificate. The industry has been looking for new ways to ensure transparency and game fairness, leading to the invention of the Provably Fair algorithm.
What is Provably Fair?
Provably Fair is an algorithm and technology that aims to instil trust between player and operator. It relies on mechanisms that eliminate any concerns about rigged games. Compared to a traditional RNG, players can use the PF algorithm to verify the fairness of any casino game. It’s what makes a good online casino even better, especially when a player has concerns over the fairness of its games.
Up until now, players could only take the operator’s word that its games are fair. But the truth is that RNG certificates could always be fabricated or paid for. Casinos can slap RNG-certified badges all they want, but confirming their authenticity is something entirely else.
Provably Fair runs on cryptographic algorithms. It gives players concrete evidence of fairness and that the game is not manipulated in any way. If you want to ensure yourself in it, you can test it yourself.
Transparency is one of the key factors when choosing an online casino. That’s why casinos are willing to do whatever it takes in order to build trust with players.
How Does Provably Fair Differ from RNGs?
RNGs stand for random number generators. This technology has so far been used to verify game fairness at online casinos. It has been used for over a decade with solid results. However, there have been rumours of rigged RNGs in the past, putting their integrity at stake.
Random number generators’ goal is to provide a random outcome of each spin and round. In order to verify their authenticity, casino sites hire independent testing labs that certify their RNGs. They usually slap an RNG-certified badge on the bottom of the website, so players can know that the games are fair.
Compared to poker venues where games can be rigged and you can only take the casino’s word for it, RNGs look a lot safer. But there’s still no way to know if the certificate has been paid for or even if the testing authority is reputable. This is where PF comes in.
With the Provably Fair algorithm, players can test the game fairness themselves. Casino sites that opt for PF technology don’t need to complete audits and don’t need third-party authentication or verification. Players can’t interfere in the system, providing a much higher degree of trust between operator and player.
The Main Principles of Provably Fair
There are three key variables the PF algorithm is built upon. These variables include generating a player seed and server seed, both of which are generated on the player’s side to test how the algorithm works. Here’s how the process goes:
- Player seed: players can generate a unique number or the player seed. Players are allowed to choose a number on their own or have the game generate it for them.
- Server seed: on the algorithm side, the server will create a seed on its own. This number is hidden from the player to prevent any cheating.
- Nonce: a 0 or a 1, which is increased with every bet you place. The nonce ensures that each game round is unique.
When a player uses a PF tool to determine the randomness of a game, the server first puts out a server seed. This is done through a process called hashing. The hashed seed is shared with the player before they generate the player seed. The player seed is combined with the hashed seed and nonce in a complex operation that determines the outcome. Since it’s encrypted by impenetrable technologies, none of the data can be tampered with.
The Future of Provably Fair
The PF algorithm is more and more popular among casinos and players. Its use is on the rise, and as we look into the future, casinos will likely switch to it from RNG certification as they look to build trust with new players.
Moreover, the Provably Fair algorithm is closely linked to the blockchain. This symbiotic connection will push even higher adoption of PF algorithms at online casinos, as more and more operators are thinking of using the blockchain as a base for their operations.