UK Test Agencies – Technical Standards and Compliance Testing

By now you have already mastered the skill of telling a regulated online casino from an unregulated one, which, let me remind you, starts with spotting the seal of the UK Gambling Commission on their site. However, that’s not all you could do to ensure that your time spent gaming is as safe and, thus, as profitable as possible. What we’re referring to is, of course, the topic of accredited test houses. If those don’t ring a bell or if you aren’t sure what we’re talking about, make sure you keep on reading for this essential information might safe your life. Well, not to be too dramatic, but it could really make or break your player account.

About Test Houses

As we all know, the UKGC is the supreme regulating body in gaming in Britain. However, they do not work alone. There are certain testing houses that help the Commission make sure that the operators comply to a strict set of rules not only when applying for a licence but all through the active licence period. Since the Gambling Commission holds transparency dear, you can easily find out who those houses are by looking at the list of approved agencies on their website. Those select few have gone through thorough testing themselves. We’ll tell you all about the accreditation process and who those agencies are but first let’s look into what their job is exactly.

What Do They Do?

So, what do these agencies do? Well, their job is simple, yet very important – they are entrusted with the monitoring and regular testing of any operator in possession of an active UKGC licence. All those licensees are obliged to undergo frequent tests and submit the respective reports to the Commission. Part of the job is to make sure that the RNG of a casino is fair and random and that live dealer games are legitimate as well. In a way, the testing agencies have a two-phase responsibility to educate and inform their customer operators and to test and make sure they comply with the UKGC rules and regulations. Naturally, not everyone can do that. The gaming test labs that can do that have been carefully selected and put to the test. Let’s see how that goes.

Getting Approved

In order to become a UKGC-approved test house, one must first have paragon values and integrity. Then, they are supposed to be fully aware and competent about the Commission’s regulations. Also, they must be financially independent and thus nip any possibility of getting influenced by big-money companies in the bud. If all those requirements are fulfilled, a prospective lab needs to acquire a licence from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). At this point, a licence from an equivalent international body that testifies their technical competence would also do. Only then are they ready to submit their application to the UKGC for consideration. However, applying does not necessarily mean they would be approved.

Gaming Test Labs – Who Are They?

Now that we’ve looked at what test houses do, how they get their accreditation, and what their role in gaming is, you’re probably wondering who those mystery agencies are. Well, we’re not going to keep you waiting and we’ll hereby present the ones that are relevant to the UK iGaming market. If you’ve paid attention to our reviews on responsible gaming, safety, and the Gambling Commission, you’ve already come across some of the names.

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