Gaming Fairness – Casino Testing Houses

Updated: 31 Oct 2023

Evaluating Game Fairness – The Role of Casino Testing Houses

Choosing a fresh online casino from our listings is an excellent way to ensure fair gameplay while enjoying exciting slots. However, a string of losses at even the most reliable online casinos can make one question the fairness of the game’s mechanics. Rest assured, the role of testing houses in guaranteeing fair gaming at fully registered casinos should alleviate these concerns.

In this guide:

  • What Are Casino Testing Houses?
  • Recognized Test Houses
  • The Objectives Of Casino Test Houses
  • The Importance of Gaming Fairness In Gambling
  • FAQs

WHAT ARE CASINO TESTING HOUSES?

Reputable online casinos entrust testing houses, and independent auditing labs, to validate their platforms for fair gaming. These houses routinely scrutinize the precision of various games, equipment, and software used in land-based and online casinos. They verify the accuracy of systems like Random Number Generators (RNG) and Return To Player (RTP) percentages in slot games, as well as the compliance of these systems with regulations, including new guidelines on slot game spin speeds.

These labs employ skilled technicians proficient in using advanced technology to detect inconsistencies in any casino system. With the rapid growth of online gambling, the role of these testing houses has become paramount. They evaluate software and hardware to uphold fair gaming practices and even test equipment such as the roulette wheels used in live dealer games. Ultimately, testing houses issue certificates to validate the accuracy and integrity of registered online casinos. You can usually find their certification seal at the footer of a casino’s website.

RECOGNIZED TEST HOUSES

Gambling, by nature, often raises concerns over exploitation and dishonesty. Players may question the trustworthiness of the testing houses themselves. However, when playing at a reliable online casino on NewFreeSpinsNoDeposit, you can have confidence in all parties’ integrity in maintaining fair online gambling.

A complex approval system has evolved over the years, including stringent monitoring of the testing houses themselves. In Great Britain, the government-backed United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) sanctions each testing house used by its registered online casinos. But to gain UKGC approval, a testing house must first obtain a licence from the National Accreditation Body (NAB), previously known as the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This government-approved authority regularly checks the performance of testing houses to ensure trustworthiness and reliability.

If you encounter an unfamiliar auditor listed on an online casino’s website, you can verify its approval status using the search box on the NAB website. The UKGC also lists the approved testing houses for auditing licensed online casinos. These labs come from various countries, including South Africa, Slovenia, and Spain, and each one provides a professional service to ensure casinos comply with UKGC regulations. Some of the most well-known UKGC-approved testing houses include BMM Testlabs, iTech Labs, eCOGRA, and GLI.

THE OBJECTIVES OF CASINO TEST HOUSES

The primary goal of every testing house is to foster a safe playing environment in established and new online casinos. Each lab utilizes technical equipment and procedures to guarantee fair gaming. Rigorous tests ensure that casinos, developers, and gaming software perform accurately and honestly. A key aim is to reassure players that casino games can be trusted.

Millions of spins are analyzed to verify that RNG systems are genuinely random and that the correct RTP is being returned to players. A new online casino game cannot be launched until a testing house has thoroughly vetted it, ensuring any irregularities are corrected before its release. Testing houses also confirm that i-gaming regulations specific to a territory are being adhered to. Any online casino found violating the rules risks losing its licence.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF GAMING FAIRNESS IN GAMBLING

Luck and random chance are integral components of every online casino game. When gambling, you need assurance that these are the only factors affecting your win or loss. The critical work of testing houses provides this reassurance, signifying which casinos uphold good reputations regarding fair online gambling. Their certification seals indicate that a site operates fairly and follows all regulations. This implies that you can gamble confidently without worrying about potential cheating.

Licensed online casinos rely on their members’ trust to thrive. They consistently welcome the routine checks conducted by testing houses. The certification seal affirms the endorsement that new online casinos operate with honest reputations.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Are all casino games fair?

A. Games from licensed developers undergo regular fairness checks by authorized testing houses. Games from unknown developers that don’t display a testing house certificate may potentially be unfair.

Q. Are online casinos rigged?

A. Regrettably, some unlicensed online casinos could be rigged to swindle your money. Officially licensed casinos, however, are routinely audited by testing laboratories to maintain their licenses. These testing houses allow you to identify which new online casinos offer fair gaming.

Q. How often are casino games tested?

A. Casino games are tested before they are released to the public. They are also subject to continuous monitoring by testing houses to ensure ongoing fairness and compliance with regulations.

Q. Who regulates the testing houses?

A. Testing houses are often regulated by national and international bodies. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and National Accreditation Body (NAB) are responsible for regulating testing houses.

Q. How can I check if an online casino is certified for fair gaming?

A. You can usually find information about an online casino’s fairness certification at the footer of the website. Look for the certification seal from a well-known testing house. If you are unsure about the auditor, you can check its legitimacy by using the search box on the NAB website or a similar regulatory body in your country.

Q. What is the role of RNG and RTP in fair gaming?

A. Random Number Generators (RNGs) and Return To Player (RTP) percentages play crucial roles in ensuring fair gaming. RNGs ensure the game results are genuinely random, while the RTP is a theoretical statistic that indicates the percentage of all the wagered money a slot machine will pay back to players over time. Testing houses regularly check both to ensure accuracy.

Q. What happens if a casino is found to be unfair?

A. If a casino is found to be violating fair gaming rules, it risks losing its license and facing legal penalties. Most importantly, it risks losing the trust of its players, which can lead to a significant loss in business.