Test Houses
Understandably, most players are wary when they first try online gambling that the games are not honest and rigged. However, this is simply not the case and it is also a top reason why it is so important to play at a licensed and regulated online casino in the UK. When you play with a legit operator, the games are independently tested for their fairness and integrity, so you can play safely in the knowledge that you are not being scammed.
Find out more below about the different testing houses, what they do and the role of the UK Gambling Commission in approving them.
What Do Testing Agencies Do?
Testing agencies are independent companies that analyse games to ensure they are fair and not rigged. They will check the game’s random number generator by spinning the game thousands of times to check its statistical probability. This gives players the reassurance they are looking for when gambling on slots, casino and live casino games. Any game that is not approved by testing agencies cannot be offered to players at a UK licensed and regulated online casino until it has been updated to a standard accepted by the testing agencies.
The UK Gambling Commission’s Role in Approving Testing Agencies
The UK Gambling Commission is the main authority in the UK for the gambling industry and they approve which testing houses can operate in this country. This is a strict process and the UKGC will ensure that all procedures carried out by the testing agency are fair and maintain the gaming industry’s integrity.
The UKGC has an extensive list of testing houses that they have approved and you will be able to stop their logos on many online casinos operating in the UK. This also lets players know that the games at the casino they are planning on playing at are 100% fair and honest. Before you make a deposit at any online casino, it is important to look for the badges that show the casino is licensed and regularly audited by a testing house. If there is no badge on display, head over to the UKGC website where you can check to see if the casino is certified. If it is not, do not sign up or deposit any cash there, instead, look for another great online casino to play at where you know your sensitive information is secure.
UKGC Approved Testing Houses
There are many UK Gambling Commission approved testing houses, although some are more commonly found than others. Here are the testing houses that are legally allowed to operate in the UK.
eCOGRA
eCOGRA is one of the most well-respected testing houses in the gambling industry and is known around the world for its professionalism. This is the e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance authority and it was first launched back in 2003, in the UK. With almost two decades of experience in the gambling world, they work with over 80 of the biggest operators and software developers in the industry to provide the certification that gives players peace of mind to play there.
iTech Labs
Another reputable testing house that has been operating for over 10 years is iTech Labs. This company was first launched in Australia but work predominantly in Europe providing testing services for gambling regulators, developers and operators.
GLI
GLI stands for Gaming Laboratories International and this company works with nearly 500 clients to provide developers, operators and gambling regulators with testing services. They have over 25 years of experience in this industry and work with some of the most skilled people to determine the integrity of games. As one of the most recognisable names in the industry, you can trust that any GLI tested casino is safe to play at.
BMM TestLabs
BMM TestLabs South Africa and BMM TestLabs Spain are both able to function and operate in the UK. They have nearly 40 years of experience in the gaming industry and are one of the most experienced gaming testing laboratories in the world. This company works in 13 countries to offer their services from 14 offices. They offer services in testing, sports betting, quality assurance, lotteries and more.
Gaming Associates Europe
Gaming Associates Europe is an internationally recognised accredited testing facility that ensures gaming sites are operating fairly and securely. They work in over 20 countries around the world and have a 99.9% client satisfaction rate.
QALab Pty Ltd
QALab Pty Ltd is an Australian based, internationally recognised testing house offering a wide range of services including testing for both the land-based and online gaming industry. QALab stands for Quality Assurance Laboratories and they work to the industry standard by providing consistently reliable testing.
Quinel Ltd
Quinel Testing Lab started working in the gaming industry nearly a decade ago and currently works in the UK, Italy, Malta and Argentina. This company has worldwide recognition and uses a rigorous quality system to test reports and certificates. They will test entire gaming platforms, the games themselves including video slots, casino games, table games, poker, lotteries and more. Quinel also test random number generators, security requirements, live dealer studios and sportsbook.
SIQ
SIQ stands for the Slovenian Institute of Quality and Metrology and they provide testing and certification products for the gaming industry. This organisation was founded over 50 years ago and provides quality assurance for a wide range of industries. They provide certification of gaming devices, testing of games, inspection of games, safety testing, randomness analysis, statistical analysis and more.
Trisigma B.V
Trisigma is one of the newer testing houses on the market and offers compliance and test services to the gaming industry. Founded in 2010, it has internationally recognised facilities for the testing of online and land-based gaming systems.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of testing houses that are approved for use in the UK, and so there are no excuses for any online casino not to use them. When you choose a licensed and regulated casino that is properly audited for its fairness and integrity, you can enjoy playing with complete peace of mind that the games are not rigged. Head on over to our recommended online casino pages to find out more about the very best UK licensed online casinos available for you to sign up and get started playing at today.