In recent decades the online gambling industry across the globe has experienced exponential growth. Here in Canada, lawmakers have taken a fairly restricted view to the industry, especially in comparison to leaders in other western countries.
This has resulted in restriction, with only a few state sponsored suppliers allowed to operate which has created a vacuum, one which was happily filled by overseas providers. Thus, Canadian gamblers have grown accustomed to searching out the reputable and trusted companies and steering clear of the unscrupulous ones.
As we move toward widespread legalisation in Canada though, we are likely to see a large reduction in trust variability between the good and the bad. The use of testing laboratories for example, will help to narrow the playing field and increase all of our odds of playing with reliable companies.
What exactly is a testing laboratory though? How do they operate and how do they make things better for players? Read on to find out the answers to all of those questions and more.
What is a testing laboratory?
Regulatory bodies make schedule and surprise visits to land-based casinos to test out their slot machines and table game equipment. This is done to ensure that providers are giving their customers the house edge and Return to Player percentages that they are advertising.
Inspectors will check for example, whether the 97% RTP slot in Casino de Montreal is really offering a 97% RTP. They will also check that the casino’s roulette tables are operating within the stated and agreed house edge range.
Online testing laboratories are simply the online equivalent of this.
Understanding Independent Testing Laboratories
Firstly, it’s important to note that these online testing laboratories are independent of gambling companies. Organisations like ECOGRA, ITECH Labs, GLI and TST offer independent certification of online casino games using industry recognised standards.
When a game is proposed by a supplier, it must be sent to one of these companies for evaluation. If the game is deemed to meet industry standards, then it will be granted certification and recommended for public consumption.
What Tests do Labs Run?
Typically, when they analyse a game, labs first check and examine the Random Number Generator (RNG) – the algorithmic heart of every online casino game – that determines the outcome for slots, card shuffling and every game element involving chance.
These RNG tests take the form of thousands of simulations that test out the whether the RNG systems are accurate as stated. Aside from statistics and probability, thousands upon thousands of simulations, including the use of AI, are run upon games to test their functionality. As it’s not just important that games pay out the right amount, but that they perform consistently for players as well.
Tests are also run on the financial aspect of online casino games, to see whether they are processing deposits and withdrawals efficiently.
Why Labs are Important
Personally, I only wager very small amounts of money with sports betting sites, but were I the typical online gambler, I would be wagering much larger amounts – the average online casino gambler wagers $4,611 a year.
It’s important then, that people who are spending this much a year are protected and that they are not being taken advantage of. Independent testing laboratories play a crucial role in ensuring that games return fair results and that payout percentages are accurate. By certifying only those platforms that meet these high standards, they help maintain integrity across the industry. This in turn gives players greater confidence when choosing where to play, especially with so many online options now offering above-average rates at the best paying casinos in Canada, as discussed at Casino.org.
The government may previously have been content for Canadian gamblers to run the gauntlet of unregulated overseas suppliers, but now that we are moving toward domestic legalisation, we need to know that companies are operating to a fair standard.
For the industry itself, this is also a good thing as it boosts public trust in online casino gambling, which can only be a good thing in terms of future profits. Long-term though, it would be encouraging to see the government set up an agreed regulatory framework that the entire industry could sign up to.
