iGaming Test Houses

Have you ever pondered whether that slot game or last round of blackjack was rigged? If you only play at regulated and legal casino sites – you can count on integrity and legitimacy. 

This is because approved third-party Test House’s are tasked with analysing each and every game title for randomness and fairness.

In this guide, we talk about what Test Houses do and what their part in the online gambling industry is. We also discuss some of the main approved facilities keeping the casino space clean from shady operators today.

 

What do Test Houses do?

As we touched on, independent Test Houses are committed to testing games for casino fairness. 

So how does this work? Well, when software developers create a new online casino game, it must first be sent to an approved Test House. Comparable to a laboratory, in-depth analysis will take place that entails rigorously testing every element of the game.

This includes testing the RNG (Random Number Generator) on games such as blackjack, live dealer games and slots – often replaying thousands of times. 

As such, this results in a clear evaluation, one that surpasses statistical probability. Testing is all carried out whilst following a strict set of criteria that all casino games must adhere to.

If the Test House in question is unhappy with the results, there is no room for leeway. The game will not be able to go live to the public until changes have been made and the game is deemed acceptable for a real-money casino.

Importantly, all Test Houses must first be approved by the Gambling Commission as a reliable and trustworthy lab. Each Test House will publish the results of its analysis in reports which can be found on the respective website.

 

What are the Main Test Houses?

Now that you know what Test Houses do and how important they are to the integrity of the casino industry – you will be looking for the stamp of approval. Each lab must be officially approved by the Gambling Commission.

Below we discuss the main Test Houses currently tasked with keeping casino software games safe. 

eCogra

eCogra (E-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is a name you will see often when playing at online casinos – not least because they are approved on a global scale. 

Focussing on processes, systems, and online gambling software, the team here consists of tech experts, legal pros, business folk and finance specialists.

This Test House has been providing a service for almost 20 years and is well respected and trusted by the industry. As such, we at casino-bonus.me.uk are confident that if you see the eCOGRA ‘Safe and Fair Seal’ – you can trust the game and it’s provider completely.

TST

TST (Testing Systems Testing) has been on the scene since 1993, before the creation of online casinos. This naturally makes the Test House somewhat of a veteran in the space. With four offices in various jurisdictions, it’s evident that this lab is accomplished in the industry.

The organisation uses various customized and approved testing methods to ensure each and every single-player and multiplayer game that passes the lab is fair and entirely random.

This Test House was bought out by GLI in 2010 – which we talk about next. However, the two still operate independently.

GLI

GLI (Gaming Labs International) was established way back in 1989. This Test House boasts offices located on 6 different continents and is extremely well thought of in the online casino industry.

This Test House offers a range of services and tools for operators, suppliers and regulators. Furthermore, GLI holds US and international certification for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and so on.

iTech Labs

iTech Labs is another big player in terms of casino game testing. Based in Australia, this Test House has a long-established reputation for validating electronic components in gambling.

The iTech Labs team includes professional staff, across several disciplines. Moreover, senior management boasts hundreds of hours of experience in certifying and testing online gambling tech and equipment. 

As such, you won’t be surprised to hear this Test House serves some of the biggest names in the online casino space – mainly covering Australia, Europe, and Asia.

 

Our Commitment to Fair Gaming

Here at casino-bonus.me.uk, we are devoted to a fair and transparent gaming experience for everyone. As such, we will only ever advocate online casino sites that have the seal of approval from the Gambling Commission.

 

FAQs

How will I know that an online casino has been approved by a Test House?
The best way to check whether or not an online casino (and therefore its games) has been approved is by looking for the seal/stamp of approval. This will tend to be clearly displayed for players. You can also locate the Gambling Commission logo on the platform to ensure the site is legitimate. 

Can a Test House manipulate the results?
Test Houses are compelled to be financially independent, meaning an attempted backhander wouldn’t wash. Furthermore, it’s worth remembering that many of the most recognisable Test Houses have been around for years and are widely respected for a reason
What is the best Test House for Online Casino Games?
Whilst all of the Test Houses we have listed are reputable and firm favourites in the industry, it’s hard to deny that eCOGRA is up there with the best. The lab has won multiple awards over the years for quality testing. Notably, GLI is also a good shout. This Test House veteran has a fantastic reputation and an extensive track record when it comes to iGaming testing.