Crypto Casino
Torrent Gear
How certification companies like iTech Labs work
Certification companies (iTech Labs, eCOGRA, QUINEL, GA, etc.) are independent test houses that confirm that a slot or game system meets the requirements of honesty, safety and rules of specific jurisdictions. Their task is to check the randomness, mathematics and correctness of the game, as well as to make sure that the final build and configuration in production coincide with the fact that the tests have passed.
What exactly they certify
RNG (random number generator): unpredictability, lack of correlations, correct sitting.
Game mathematics: compliance with the declared RTP, volatility profile, frequencies of hits/bonuses, pay tables.
Functionality and UX requirements: correctness of rules, payouts, behavior in edge scenarios (disconnection, repeated request, autospins).
Integrity and security: digital signatures, artifact hash control, access differentiation, change-management procedures.
Jurisdictional rules: RTP format and visibility, localized rules, reporting to the regulator, RG requirements.
What a typical certification process looks like
1) Initiation and scoping
Studio/provider sends a request: a list of games, target markets, RTP options, platforms (web/mobile/live), the RGS architecture used. The laboratory forms scope: scope of work, test scenarios, artifacts.
2) Preparation of artifacts
Supplied by:- build (s) of games and dependent modules;
- Math dockpack (description of mechanics, probability of events, declared RTP, volatility profiles)
- hash file list;
- access to test RGS/environment, logs and round replay;
- security policies and change-management.
3) RNG Audit
The mathematical basis and implementation are checked: sources of entropy, sitting, rotation, resistance to prediction. Batteries of statistical tests (NIST, Diehard/Dieharder, TestU01, etc.) are run on large samples. The criterion is p-values within acceptable limits, the absence of repeating patterns.
4) Math Verification: RTP/Volatility
The laboratory runs mass simulations (millions/billions of spins) for each configuration:- comparison of actual return with declared RTP and calculation of confidence intervals;
- check of hit frequency, bonus frequency, distribution of winnings;
- tests for the correctness of caps, multipliers, rounding and rates.
5) Functional and edge tests
Confirmed: payment rules, bonus behavior, correct handling of disconnection, re-request, rollbacks; stability of autospins and turbo modes; correctness of UI elements (help, paytable, RTP display).
6) Integrity and environment checks
Hashes/signatures of builds, access rights, admin activity logs, deploy processes are checked. It is confirmed that the operator does not have access to the RNG core/mathematics (the game is executed on the provider's RGS).
7) Jurisdictional reviews
They look to see if the game complies with local rules: warning format, RTP visibility, help out, bet limits, reporting formats, compatibility with regulatory gateways.
8) Reports and certificate
Based on the results, the laboratory prepares:- RNG report (procedure, volumes, p-values, conclusions);
- Report on the model (simulations, intervals, frequencies, distributions);
- Functional report (scenarios, results, edge cases);
- A certificate of conformity indicating the version of the game, allowed RTP options and a list of jurisdictions;
- hash list of certified artifacts.
What happens after release
Post-market monitoring: analysis of aggregated metrics of rates/payments for anomalies, selective inspections of builds.
Incident management: in case of complaints/failures, the laboratory can request logs/round replay, initiate a temporary shutdown of the game until clarified.
Changes and perestest: any editing of mathematics, RTP, significant functionality or UI requirements of the jurisdiction → a new version and repeated checks; minor edits (locale, graphics without influence on mechanics) - as agreed.
How iTech Labs and similar labs work with RTP variants
There may be multiple certified RTPs for a single game (e.g. 96%, 94%, 92%).
Each option is tied to jurisdictions/operators and recorded in the certificate and report.
The operator can choose from the allowed options during integration, but not change RTP on the fly without a new registration/notification of the regulator (if at all allowed).
Interaction with operators and providers
Content provider (studio/RGS) - the main contact of the laboratory: provides code/artifacts, environment and logs.
Operator (casino) - responsible for correct integration, display of rules/RTP, reporting and compliance with RG requirements; participates in incident investigations upon request.
For mass releases, a reg package is used: one mathematics - several jurisdictions with additional UI/reporting checks.
Why it is impossible without hash lists and signatures
Hash control ensures that the assembly that passed the tests is running on the food. Any substitution will be revealed by comparing hashes and digital signatures, as well as in the change-management logs. This protects both the player and the operator from claims.
Typical misconceptions
"The laboratory gives a guarantee of winning" - no. The certificate confirms randomness and compliance with the rules, not the outcomes of a particular short session.
"RTP can be tweaked with an admin panel" - in licensed environments, RTP is fixed by configuration and certificate; change = new version/re-listing.
"After updating client animation, full certification is needed" - depends on the impact on mechanics/rules; minor graphic edits agree separately.
Studio checklist before sending to certification
Mechanics, RTP variants, event probabilities, and volatility profiles are described.
Replay logs and access to the RGS test environment have been prepared.
A full hash list and a list of changes have been formed.
Tested help games, RTP display, correct bets/lines/denominations.
Change-management and admin access logging processes are configured.
Operator checklist for certified game integration
Versions and hashes are checked against the certificate.
The rules and RTP are displayed, the locales correspond to the market.
Rate limits/responsible instruments (limits, timeouts, self-exclusion) are set up.
Download of reports for the regulator is enabled; tested flow incidents.
Published ADR/complaint channels and support contact.
FAQ
How long does the certification take?
Depends on the volume and number of jurisdictions. For one slot without complex mechanics, we are usually talking about weeks; platform/jackpots - longer.
Do I need to certify the demo separately?
If the demo uses the same engine and pay tables, as a rule, separate certification is not required; but UI/alerts for the demo are checked.
What to do with a mass update of the SDK/engine?
Prepare a package: a list of affected games, impact on mechanics, new hashes, regression reports; the laboratory will determine the volume of peretest.
Certification companies like iTech Labs are the "gateway" between developer, operator and regulator. They confirm randomness (RNG), mathematics correctness (RTP/volatility), integrity of builds and compliance with jurisdictions. Thanks to hash control, reports and change procedures, the player gets fair play, the operator gets transparent integration, and the studio gets predictable access to regulated markets.