ECOGRA, iTech Labs and GLI - independent review organizations

Why the industry needs independent laboratories

Online casinos and content providers are required to prove the integrity of games and the maturity of processes. Regulators and payment partners trust independent audits: laboratories test RNG, RTP/mathematics, integration, logging, information security and compliance processes. For studios, this is a ticket to Tier-1 aggregators, for operators - a license condition, for players - confidence that the outcomes are random and the payments are correct.

Who's Who: Brief Profiles

eCOGRA

Focus: RNG/games tests, platform and process audits, "Safe and Fair" certification, RTP monitoring.

Strengths: deep post-monitoring procedures (ex-post RTP checks, player complaints), emphasis on operational processes (Responsible Gaming, support, dispute resolution).

Frequent artifacts: RNG/game certificates, compliance reports, printing eCOGRA Safe and Fair on operators' websites.

iTech Labs

Focus: RNG statistical tests (NIST/Dieharder/Crush, etc.), RTP/volatility simulations, range mapping correctness.

Strengths: high speed and transparency of math audit for slots, board games and "instant" mechanics; clear certificates for specific builds.

Frequent artifacts: individual certificates for games/platforms, target and actual tables.

GLI (Gaming Laboratories International)

Focus: Widest reach: From iGaming and betting to lotto/terrestrial EGMs, live studios and jackpot systems

Strengths: global network, rich "regulatory library" (GLI standards, for example, GLI-19/GLI-33/GLI-11), experience in implementing centralized monitoring and requirements of different jurisdictions.

Frequent artifacts: reports of compliance with GLI standards, RNG/games/systems certificates, integration certification.

What exactly is checked (common core of methods)

1. RNG: test-batteries for randomness/independence, testing of sitting, period, resistance to restarts, lack of correlations.

2. RTP and mathematics: Monte Carlo simulations of millions/billions of rounds, verification with the declared model (RTP, variance, hit-rate, frequency of bonuses/jackpots).

3. Range mapping: how a uniform sequence of RNGs is projected onto drum/deck/wheel outcomes - no offset.

4. Integrations and logs: correctness of billing events, unchangeable logs of rounds/bets/payments, restoration of sessions.

5. Versioning and integrity: assembly hashes/signatures, reproducible builds, banning "hot" math edits.

6. Operator processes: RG tools (limits/timeouts/self-exclusion), AML/KYC/KYT, support, advertising T&C, segregation of funds.

7. Information base (high-level): access/MFA, key/side storage, encryption, incident response plan (IR).

What certification looks like: step by step

1. Brief and scope: list of games/modules, target markets and standards (for example, GLI-19 or requirements of a specific regulator).

2. Transfer of artifacts: RNG code/library, description of the algorithm and seed management, game mathematics, builds + hashes, logs, integration schemes.

3. RNG and Math Simulation Stattests: Threshold Report, Bias/Rounding Errors.

4. Integration tests and traces: checking tickets/rounds, returns, rollbacks, off-by-one/rollovers.

5. Signature capture - Associate a certificate with specific hashes and configurations.

6. Report and "remediation": MAJOR/MINOR/OBS list of comments, corrections, confirmation.

7. Issuance of certificate/attestation and, if necessary, post-monitoring (especially with eCOGRA).

How laboratory approaches differ (practically)

Coverage: GLI - the widest possible (online, offline, lotto, sweepstakes, central systems). iTech - "sharp" focus on RNG/math/games. eCOGRA is a deep operating layer plus mathematics.

Artifacts: iTech often issues per-game certificates with clearly linked hashes; GLI - comprehensive reports on standards; eCOGRA - in addition to certificates, gives a "Safe and Fair" sign and policies for the showcase.

Post-control: eCOGRA is stronger in ex-post RTP audit and complaint procedure; GLI - in "sovereign" centralized monitoring; iTech - in regular check of build updates.

What the studio/operator gets at the exit

RNG/games/platform certificate (with number, date, list of builds/versions and hashes).

Laboratory report (may be confidential) with methods, parameters and comments.

The right to use the "nameplate" (lab logo) - usually with the conditions: it is impossible to mislead, a link to the validated page is required.

Recertification requirements (when to update: math/engine/SDK/crypto libraries/platforms change).

As a player (and B2B partner), verify authenticity

1. Clicking on the "nameplate" should lead to the public page of the laboratory indicating the brand/game/version.

2. The certificate has the same name, version number, date and (for advanced checks) build hash.

3. RTP on the showcase does not contradict the certified range.

4. The operator has visible RG tools and understandable bonus T & Cs - an indirect sign of real compliance.

Typical inconsistencies and how to avoid them

Bias to range mapping: implement "unbiased mapping" and reject superfluous values.

Clock + PID sides: switching to cryptographic sides, entropy mixing, KDF stretching.

Rounding "quiet": explicit types of numbers, unit tests of boundaries, fix accuracy.

Hot math edits: hard change-management, assembly signatures, release gates "no exceptions."

No post-monitoring RTP: implement dashboards and alerts, weekly reconciliations with theory.

Bonus T & Cs with a "gray zone": rewrite the conditions, add a vager calculator to the UI.

Check sheets

For studio/platform before submission to laboratory

RNG documentation (algorithm, seed, period, state protection).
Game model (RTP/volatility/drop tables) + simulations.
Range mapping and rounding rules - described and covered by tests.
Build pipeline: SDK/compiler versions, artifact hashes, reproducible builds.
Round and billing logs (samples), rollback and recovery procedures.
RG/AML/KYT policies, showcase requirements (RTP, bonuses).
Recertification plan and freeze-period before audit.

For operator (B2C)

Mandatory content certification and recertification triggers are enshrined in contracts.
Publish RTP/bands where allowed; store references to certificates.
Alerts are set up for RTP/bonus frequency anomalies; store immutable logs.
Promotional and bonus T & Cs are transparent; affiliates - under control.
There is an IR/BCP plan, incident log and regular pentests.

FAQ

Do we need all three at once: eCOGRA, iTech and GLI?

No, it isn't. Usually one laboratory recognized by a specific jurisdiction/partner is enough. The choice depends on geography, timing and budget.

Is the certificate valid everywhere?

Not always. Some regulators require local standards/report formats. Clarify market requirements.

How many times to certify the game?

Whenever the math, RNG core, platform/SDK, or significant dependencies change, recertification is needed.

If eCOGRA/GLI/iTech "approved" RNG, can RTP not be monitored?

No, it isn't. Post-monitoring is an obligatory part of mature practice: field statistics and alerts cover the risks of regressions and integration errors.

eCOGRA, iTech Labs and GLI are the three confidence whales in iGaming. They place accents differently, but have one goal: provable honesty, stability and compliance with the rules. Choose a laboratory for your markets and deadlines, build a discipline of versions and monitoring - and the "nameplate" on the site will become not just a decoration, but a competitive advantage, understandable to players, regulators and payment partners.