Platform
Certification
Definition
The lab and regulator approval process required for games, RNGs, and platform components to be made available in a jurisdiction.
Key takeaways
- Certification is the lab and regulator approval games, RNGs and platform components need to go live in a jurisdiction.
- Accredited labs such as GLI, BMM, iTech Labs and eCOGRA test submissions against each market's technical standards.
- Per-market cost and lead times shape studio roadmaps and explain why content reaches smaller markets later.
Why it matters
Every game, RNG, and platform component must be certified against each jurisdiction's technical standards before it can go live. The certification process involves submitting code, math models, and operational documentation to accredited labs (GLI, BMM, iTech Labs, eCOGRA are the main ones), undergoing testing against the regulator's specifications, and obtaining a certificate that the operator and supplier can present to the regulator. Some jurisdictions also require regulator-level review on top of lab certification.
Certification cost and timeline shape supplier and operator roadmaps. A new slot title might need 5 to 15 separate certifications to reach a Tier 1 market footprint, each costing thousands of dollars and weeks of testing time. Studios prioritise certification queue by market revenue potential, which is why content lags between major and minor markets. Platform certifications are even more involved, often taking months and requiring full source-code audit. Migration from one regulated jurisdiction to another at supplier or operator level frequently bottlenecks on certification capacity at the labs.
Frequently asked questions
What's the role of certification labs?
Independent third-party labs test against regulator-published technical standards and issue certificates. The lab doesn't grant the licence itself; the regulator does, but lab certification is typically a prerequisite. Multiple labs are usually accredited per jurisdiction.
Can a single certification cover multiple markets?
Sometimes. Some standards are recognised across jurisdictions (e.g. GLI-11 covers many North American markets). But most major markets have specific local addendums or requirements that need separate certification work even when the core standard is shared.