Table of Contents
- What “Provably Fair” Actually Means
- How the Verification Works (Quick math, no PhD required)
- At-a-Glance Comparison: Notable Provably Fair Casinos
- Deep Dives: Strengths & Caveats
- Fees & Payouts: What to Expect
- Security & Licensing Notes
- How to Verify a Round Yourself (Checklist)
- Red Flags & Common Pitfalls
- FAQs
- Responsible Play
What “Provably Fair” Actually Means
Provably fair (PF) is a cryptographic approach that lets you independently verify that a game’s result wasn’t manipulated after you placed your bet. In practice, the casino commits to a server seed (hashed), you provide a client seed, and a nonce increments each round; the outcome can be recomputed later to confirm fairness.
Leading PF operators publish verification tools (often open-sourced or mirrored by third-party sites) so you can re-check results outside of the casino UI. For example, Stake documents and supports third-party verification of its “Originals.”
How the Verification Works (Quick math, no PhD required)
- Commitment: The house publishes a hash of the server seed (so it can’t change it later).
- Interaction: You set your client seed (or accept default).
- Outcome: On each nonce, the game derives a number using HMAC/SHA-512 (typical) or a VRF; that number maps to the roll, multiplier, etc.
- Reveal & Verify: When you rotate seeds or finish a session, the server reveals the unhashed seed; you (or a third-party tool) recompute past rounds to confirm a match.
Bonus: Some operators now use Verifiable Random Functions (VRFs) for added transparency in house games (e.g., Rollbit’s X-Crash/X-Roulette).
At-a-Glance Comparison: Notable Provably Fair Casinos
This table focuses on well-known PF brands with public verification docs or tools. Availability, licensing and fees vary by country—always check the footer and help center before you play.
| Casino (examples) | Provably Fair coverage | Third-party verification | Current license note | Sample PF “Originals” | Withdrawals snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stake | PF for “Stake Originals”; verification docs provided | Yes; Stake links community verifiers (e.g., provablyfair.me) | Stake.com operated by Medium Rare N.V., licensed by Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) OGL/2024/1451/0918 | Dice, Crash, Plinko & more | Per-asset mins + fees listed in help; network fee model |
| Primedice | PF dice (since 2013) | Public HMAC_SHA512 method; min & fee table | (Sister brand of Stake’s founders; see Primedice help for ops details) | Classic dice | Transparent coin-by-coin minimums & fees in help |
| Bustabit | PF crash (hash-chain model) | Method public; FAQ explains fairness & fixed house edge | Independent crash site | Crash | Standard crypto withdrawals (check cashier for mins/fees) |
| FortuneJack | Dedicated “Provably Fair” section & blog explainer | On-site verifier/guides | Now states Anjouan (Union of Comoros) license (moved from legacy Curaçao setups) | Dice, Plinko, Keno etc. | Min/limits shown in T&Cs/cashier; fees depend on coin/network |
| TrustDice | PF dice + others; EOS ties for some features | States PF verification; reviews note no extra withdrawal fees (network only) | Site claims Curaçao eGaming license | Dice, Crash, Sportsbook with crypto | Says zero withdrawal fees (network fees still apply) |
| Rollbit | PF for several house games (using VRF) | Public PF pages per game (X-Crash, Plinko, etc.) | (Check site footer by region) | X-Crash, X-Roulette, Plinko, Mines | Standard crypto withdrawals; see cashier/help per asset |
Deep Dives: Strengths & Caveats
Stake
- Why it stands out: Mature PF documentation and visible support for third-party verifiers, so you’re not limited to the in-house tool.
- Watch-outs: Fees and minimums vary by asset; confirm in the help center before depositing.
Primedice
- Why it stands out: Longest-running PF dice with a clear HMAC-SHA512 recipe, client/server seed + nonce model.
- Watch-outs: Exact min/fee settings are coin-specific—Primedice publishes a table.
Bustabit
- Why it stands out: Pioneer of the provably fair crash format; FAQ explains pre-commitment and fixed house edge.
- Watch-outs: As with all crash games, expect high variance—verify rounds if you’re testing strategies.
FortuneJack
- Why it stands out: Dedicated PF pages and explainer content for in-house games.
- Watch-outs: Licensing changed (now Anjouan per site docs). Always re-check the footer/T&Cs for your jurisdiction.
TrustDice
- Why it stands out: PF dice and crypto-first design; site claims CGA licensing and promotes no extra withdrawal fees (network fees apply). Independent reviewers echo the fee-free point.
- Watch-outs: As with any operator claim, confirm fees in the cashier per coin and network congestion.
Rollbit
- Why it stands out: VRF-based provable randomness on multiple house games; public PF pages per game.
- Watch-outs: Payout policies can change; verify per-asset rules in the help center before big deposits.
Fees & Payouts: What to Expect
- Per-asset network fees & minimums are the norm. Stake and Primedice document coin-specific minimums and fees (deducted from balance).
- Some brands claim zero withdrawal fees (beyond blockchain costs). TrustDice markets fee-free withdrawals; third-party reviews report the same, but always expect network fees.
- BC.GAME: Help docs indicate a 0.1% withdrawal fee for some flows; fee schedules can vary—check the live FAQ/cashier in your region.
Tip: If network fees spike (e.g., on ETH), consider withdrawing via cheaper networks or coins, then swapping in your wallet or at an exchange.
Security & Licensing Notes
- Curaçao CGA: Stake lists a current CGA license with a specific number on its legal pages. Curacao has been overhauling licensing toward the LOK framework in 2024–2025.
- BC.GAME: Reported withdrawing its Curaçao license in December 2024. Licensing for crypto casinos can shift—confirm at the time you play.
- FortuneJack: Now indicates Anjouan licensing in site FAQs/T&Cs.
- TrustDice: Site claims Curaçao eGaming authorization—check the footer/license link that applies to your locale.
Bottom line: A PF badge doesn’t replace regulation. Verify both: (1) you can independently check rounds, and (2) the site’s license/terms cover your country.
How to Verify a Round Yourself (Checklist)
- Open the bet details and note the client seed, server seed hash, and nonce. (Example flows are documented for Stake Originals.)
- Rotate seeds (if required) so the site reveals the unhashed server seed used for your past rounds.
- Recompute the result using the site’s formula or a third-party tool (e.g., community verifiers for Stake). The recomputed output should match your recorded outcome.
- Repeat for multiple rounds; if anything doesn’t match, contact support with screenshots and the seeds.
Red Flags & Common Pitfalls
- “PF” claims with no seeds or hash reveals. If you can’t get the unhashed server seed after rotation, you can’t really verify.
- Only in-house verification tools. Prefer casinos that allow verification off-site (community or third-party tools), not just their own widget. Stake explicitly supports this.
- Shifting licenses or unclear terms. Re-check the footer and T&Cs regularly; operator status can change (e.g., BC.GAME in 2024).
- Confusing “no fees” marketing. Even if the casino charges no platform fee, blockchain/network fees still apply. Confirm in the cashier/help per coin.
FAQs
Is “provably fair” better than a standard RNG audit?
It’s different: PF lets you verify each round, while traditional RNG relies on external lab audits. Many PF sites still use audited RNGs for non-PF titles; PF adds per-bet transparency.
Do all games on a PF casino use provable fairness?
Not always. Typically the house originals (dice, crash, plinko, mines) are provably fair. Slots from third-party studios may rely on studio RNG certifications instead. Check each game’s “fairness” tab.
What if I don’t want to set a client seed?
Most sites generate one for you, but you can (and should) set/rotate it for best practice; it ensures you contributed to the randomness used for your rounds.
Responsible Play
Crypto gambling is high-risk. Only play where it’s legal for you, set strict limits, and verify rounds before chasing patterns—PF proves fairness, not profit.
