GLI, iTech Labs and eCOGRA Game Certification Facts

Certification is proof that the game and its infrastructure meet technical standards of honesty and safety. There are three leaders in the global market: GLI (Gaming Laboratories International), iTech Labs and eCOGRA. Their tasks are close, but the accents, set of services and the regional "map" are different.

1) What exactly is checked by any recognized laboratories

1. RNG/DRBG: algorithm, siding, reseed, thread independence, statistical batteries (NIST/Dieharder/TestU01), no correlations.

2. Game math: compliance with announced RTP/volatility, event frequencies, rare outcomes (jackpots/multipliers), correct RNG→sobytiye mapping.

3. Executable assemblies: version control, hash sums, signatures; fixing the "golden" build for release.

4. Integration: protocols to the operator/aggregator, round logging, reproducibility of outcomes by logs.

5. Processes: change management, incident-response, segregation of duties, basic cyber controls.

6. Live games: dealer procedures, equipment (wheels/shufflers), video audit, storage of decks/shifts.

2) GLI, iTech Labs, eCOGRA - what is the difference short

GLI is the largest laboratory and standards network. Publishes its own specifications (GLI-11, GLI-12, GLI-19, etc.) for slot platforms, casino management systems, lotto, sports book, live content. Often a "reference" reference for regulators. Strong in terrestrial and online B2B, verifies entire platforms.

iTech Labs - focus on online games/platforms, flexible and fast certification cycle, deep RNG/RTP audits of titles and integrations. Often choose studios and aggregators for speed and transparent reports on specific products.

eCOGRA - originally about "fair play supervision" online; in addition to game tests, it performs compliance audits of operators (regulatory requirements, Responsible Gaming procedures, player complaints), issues compliance marks (for example, Safe & Fair) and conducts ADR disputes.

💡 Bottom line: GLI is a "big umbrella" of standards and global projects; iTech Labs - "point and fast" certification flow of games and platforms; eCOGRA - a combination of technical audit and supervision of operator practices.

3) What the step-by-step certification process looks like

1. Scope: the provider/operator agrees on the list of games/modules/jurisdictions and applicable standards (for example, GLI-11 + local requirements of the regulator).

2. Supply of artifacts: source/object codes or binaries, mathematics (RTP, distributions), RNG descriptions, log diagrams, API protocols.

3. RNG tests: laboratory runs of large samples, p-values reports, verification of sources of entropy and passage.

4. Simulation of mathematics: millions/billions of virtual rounds, quantiles of winnings, frequencies of rare events, descent to the declared RTP.

5. Assembly inspection: fixing hashes/signatures, assembling "golden build," checking updatability without changing mathematics.

6. Integration tests: correct logging, fault tolerance, playback of a specific round ID.

7. Report and certificate: listing of versions, jurisdictions, acceptable parameters (for example, RTP option 96. 00%), hash sums.

8. Post-launch monitoring (at the request of regulators/labs): periodic samples of logs, reconciliation of RTP/frequencies on the prod, confirmation of the integrity of builds.

4) Results format and "what gets" supplier

Certificate (for the game/platform/module) with a unique number and date.

Report with methodology, scope of tests, versions and hashes, target RTP, tolerances, comments.

Jurisdiction-specific compliance letters.

Scope letter on integration/updates.

For eCOGRA - also compliance conclusions on responsible gaming, payments, complaints.

5) Where these certificates are valid

Many regulators directly refer to GLI standards; some jurisdictions accept any report from a recognized independent laboratory; some require a local audit (or "bridge certificates" for the GLI/iTech/eCOGRA base report).

The same slot can be released in several RTP versions; each version is separately certified and indicated in the report.

6) What certification does NOT do

Does not guarantee a "plus" product for the player: RTP/edge is a business parameter of the game, not a "twist."

Does not exclude infrastructure failures at the operator (payments, withdrawal delays, support).

Does not replace post-release monitoring: RTP drift or integration problems should be caught by metrics in the product.

7) Typical causes of "conditionally passed" or "failure"

Insufficient RNG/seed/reseed documentation.

Inconsistency of empirical RTP/rare event frequencies with the model.

Mismatch of binaries with sent hashes (drift).

Incorrect logs (irreproducible rounds, lack of ID/nonce).

For live games: uncertified decks/equipment, gaps in dealer/video procedures.

8) Updates and "lifecycle" after certification

Any change in math/mapping → new version and recertification.

UI/localization edits without affecting mechanics are acceptable, but must be documented and sometimes retested.

Regulators often require annual or periodic confirmation of compliance and snapshots of logs.

9) How to operator and player check honesty "on the showcase"

Look for the game info screen: version, RTP, provider.

On the operator's website there is a section "Certificates/Policies" or a footer with GLI/iTech/eCOGRA logos and links to verification.

Verify that the RTP variant in the client matches the one mentioned in the report (many titles have 92/94/96%).

In a dispute, ask for a round ID and an extract - the outcome should be reproduced by logs.

10) Myths and reality

Myth: "Laboratories only check RNG, and RTP - marketing."

Reality: RTP/volatility is a key part of the audit; simulations and distributions are mandatory.

Myth: "After the certificate, the game can be changed as you like."

Reality: Math/mapping change = new version and new audit; otherwise - violation of the license.

Myth: "Certificate = guarantor of large payments."

Reality: The certificate proves the fair realization of probabilities, not the "generosity" of the game.

11) Mini checklist for studios/providers before submission

Documented RNG, siding, reseeding, thread independence.
Scale simulations: RTP/quantiles/rare events converge to the model.
Artifact versioning and signing; "golden build" assembled and hashed.
Round logs reproducible: ID, timestamps, nonce/seed refs, result.
Incident plans and post-launch RTP/frequency monitoring.

12) Mini checklist for operators

Checked certificates and their relevance; versions/hashes match sales.
The RTP version displayed to the player is the same as in the report.
Configured alerts for RTP drift/distribution anomalies; title stop process.
Responsible Gaming Certification and Policy Public Page.

GLI, iTech Labs and eCOGRA solve a common problem - to confirm that randomness is honest, mathematics is correct, and assembly is unchanged. Scales, additional services and historical strengths differ, but for studios and operators there is only one principle: transparent mathematics, version discipline, log reproducibility and regular monitoring after release. For the player, the main signal of trust is certified games, visible rules (RTP/max-win/procedures) and the operator's willingness to document the outcomes.