Casino Mathematics Research Funding

The Canterbury Mathematical Association supports research that applies probability, statistics and mathematical modelling to casino games and digital gaming systems. Funding can be used for structured data collection, simulation work, analysis of slot performance, crash-game datasets and the development of mathematical game models.

We are interested in projects that can be measured and reproduced. A strong proposal should define the game or mechanic being studied, the number of rounds or simulations required, the indicators that will be calculated and the method used to evaluate the result. Typical metrics include actual RTP, win rate, hit frequency, variance, volatility, multiplier distribution and expected value.

Research Areas

Slot RTP research: comparing advertised RTP with empirical results collected from large spin samples.
Win-rate studies: measuring how frequently winning rounds, bonus rounds and larger payouts occur.
Volatility modelling: studying the size and distribution of returns across different slot mechanics.
Aviator and crash-game analysis: examining multiplier ranges, streaks and long-run frequency.
Game development: building payout tables, reward curves, volatility targets and mathematical prototypes.
Simulation systems: testing thousands or millions of rounds before drawing conclusions from a model.
Dataset development: collecting, cleaning and structuring game histories for repeated statistical analysis.
Probability education: explaining randomness, variance, expected value and house edge through practical game examples.

What Funding Can Cover

Research need	Purpose	Expected result
Data collection	Build a sufficiently large round history	Clean dataset for RTP and probability analysis
Statistical analysis	Calculate RTP, win rate, variance and distribution	Measured performance profile
Simulation	Test a model over a much larger sample	Reliable long-run comparison
Game prototype	Develop and test new casino mechanics	Playable or simulated mathematical model
Reporting	Document methodology and findings	Research summary that can be reviewed and repeated

How Projects Are Evaluated

The research question must be specific enough to measure.
The proposed sample size must be appropriate for the type of game being studied.
The project should describe which values will be recorded before analysis begins.
The mathematical or statistical method must be clear and reproducible.
Short lucky or unlucky sequences should not be presented as proof of a pattern.
Conclusions must be based on the collected data and not on assumptions alone.
Where possible, the result should be tested again on a fresh dataset or simulation.

Application Requirements

Applications should include the research objective, game type, expected sample size, planned calculations, required resources and a clear explanation of the final output. This may be an RTP report, statistical dataset, simulation model, game prototype, mathematical comparison or documented research result.

Please read the Application Guidelines PDF and complete the Application Form Document.

A signed copy of the application form must be received before the proposal can be reviewed.

Funding application
CMA
PO Box 37777
CHRISTCHURCH 7777

2026 Research Priorities

During 2026, priority is given to projects that improve the quality of casino game data and make mathematical conclusions easier to verify. We are particularly interested in larger slot samples, reproducible crash-game studies, actual RTP comparisons, volatility models and mathematical prototypes for new digital casino mechanics.

Funding is intended to support research and development rather than claims of guaranteed winnings. Casino outcomes can remain random or pseudo-random, and a mathematical model must be evaluated by how well it describes data rather than by a short sequence of wins.