Testing Labs in the Online Gaming Industry: What They Do and The Key Certification Agencies
When choosing an online casino, it's essential to choose a safe, fair, and trustworthy platform. This is where casino testing labs come in!
These independent organisations rigorously test and certify online casino games to ensure they meet strict fairness, security, and reliability standards.
Based on our experience, knowing a casino's games are tested by reputable authorities gives you confidence in the integrity and quality of your gaming experience.
On this page, we’ll explain the importance of testing authorities and some of the key things they do. We’ve also put together an overview of the main testing authorities in the online casino industry. So you know which testing labs to look for when you’re next playing online.
Let's start with why they're important.
The Importance of Testing Authorities
Casino testing authorities play an important role in the online gambling industry. They ensure games are fair (not rigged!) and that your personal information is secure.
Their role involves conducting examinations of online casinos' software and operational practices. They also test individual casino games, like real money online pokies from some big name software developers like NetEnt and Evolution Gaming.
Certifications from these authorities show players a casino operates fairly. And that they meet industry standards.
We recommend looking out for testing authority logos when you’re playing at online casinos. Playing certified games at certified casinos guarantees the outcomes of your bets are genuinely random and not manipulated.
What Testing Organisations Do
Testing organisations offer a wide range of services for both software developers and online casino sites.
Let’s explore some of the most common services available that are designed to help keep players safe.
- Information security: Many testing organisations perform security reviews for online gambling sites to ensure that their security requirements meet compliance standards for the jurisdiction in which they operate.
- Test game functionality: Some testing organisations look at online casino games' performance, compatibility, integration and security. This helps them determine whether the game works as described to players.
- Vulnerability assessment: Organisations carry out penetration and vulnerability testing services that can be customised to the unique risks of individual casino sites.
- Return to player: Organisations analyse the final result of game data from individual casino game logs. This lets them identify potential patterns that might indicate unfairness in a game, affecting the return to player payouts.
- Live dealer studios: As well as online pokies, some testing authorities offer specialised services for live dealer games. To ensure fairness for players. This includes reviewing security, equipment, game outcomes, etc.
- Random number generators (RNGs): RNGs ensure that a game’s outcome is both fair and random. They work by generating a sequence of numbers that can’t be reasonably predicted to help ensure game fairness. Testing authorities rigorously test RNGs to ensure they're random and reliable. This involves extensive mathematical and statistical analysis. Certified RNGs guarantee players have a fair chance of winning.
Several independent agencies specialize in testing, inspecting, and certifying online gambling software and systems globally. Some of them are more well-known than others. These organizations play a crucial role in maintaining high standards of player protection and responsible conduct within the industry.
Here's an overview of some of the leading agencies that provide these essential services:
eCOGRA
eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (better known as eCOGRA), is an independent, UK-based agency. It specialises in testing, inspecting, and certifying online gambling software and systems globally.
The organisation ensures that online gambling operators adhere to high standards of fair gaming, player protection, and responsible conduct.
eCOGRA also provides Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to resolve disputes between players and operators. Having a third party oversee this helps to promote trust and transparency in the online gambling industry.
iTech Labs
iTech Labs is another well-known testing and certification agency in the online gambling industry. It provides comprehensive testing services and certification for online gaming systems, including casino games, betting platforms and lotteries.
They offer rigorous testing of RNGs and also provide assessments of software security and the overall reliability of platforms. Their rigorous testing helps to ensure the reliability and integrity of online gambling platforms.
ITech Labs' certifications are widely recognised and respected. They’re a go-to authority for many online casinos seeking to validate their games and systems.
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) is another reputable testing agency. It provides extensive testing, certification, and auditing services to ensure the fairness of online casino games.
They have 27 offices worldwide, so they’re well set up to handle a variety of compliance and regulatory requirements.
BMM Testlabs
BMM Testlabs is a leading global testing laboratory. It has been in operation since 1981 and provides various services, including product testing, regulatory consultancy, and field services.
They’re well-known for their rigorous testing procedures and compliance solutions. And aim to ensure online casino games are fair and reliable for players.
Gaming Associates
Gaming Associates is an internationally recognised testing and auditing firm that provides a range of services for online casinos and sports betting sites.
They conduct thorough evaluations to ensure games and systems operate fairly and securely. This includes random number generator (RNG) testing, game fairness, and security assessments for various online casino sites and game developers.
Quinel
Quinel is another key player in the testing and certification of online gambling platforms.
They offer a wide range of services, including compliance testing and certification for various regulated jurisdictions.
Quinel is known for its rigorous testing standards and thorough evaluation processes, which help maintain high levels of fairness and security in the online gaming industry.
Trisigma
Trisigma provides extensive testing, compliance, and approval services for the gaming industry.
They focus on ensuring that gaming products meet various regulatory standards and that operators and products provide fair gaming experiences to all players.
Trisigma's testing services include RNG evaluations, game fairness assessments, and security testing.
Conclusion
When playing on Australian online casinos, always ensure that the games have certifications from these trusted testing authorities. These logos are a testament to a casino's commitment to providing a fair and secure gaming environment, ensuring that your personal information is protected and that game outcomes are genuinely random and not manipulated.
By choosing certified games and casinos, you can enjoy your online gambling experience with peace of mind, knowing that you are playing in a safe environment with no rigged games!
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Sarah is our Editor-in-Chief. She brings a decade of experience and is passionate about all things iGaming, keeping readers up to date with the latest news, trends and innovation in the industry.
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