GLI Certification for Online Casinos
GLI certification is one of the most common forms of independent testing used in the gaming industry.
Online casino operators, platform providers, game studios and sportsbook suppliers may need independent technical testing before their products can be approved in a regulated market.
Gaming Laboratories International, usually known as GLI, tests gaming products against technical standards and jurisdiction-specific requirements.
GLI does not issue a gambling licence to an operator. A gaming licence is issued by a regulator. GLI's role is different: it tests and certifies gaming products and systems.
This guide explains what GLI certification is, what GLI-19 covers, how RNG and platform testing works, what normally needs to be submitted and what operators should expect before starting the process.
For a broader overview of testing services, see our iGaming Certification guide.
What Is GLI Certification?
GLI certification is an independent assessment of a gaming product or system against defined technical requirements.
Depending on the project, GLI can evaluate:
- online casino games;
- random number generators;
- gaming platforms;
- remote gaming servers;
- sports betting systems;
- live dealer systems;
- game mathematics and RTP;
- security controls;
- geolocation systems;
- change-management procedures.
The exact scope depends on the product and the requirements of the jurisdiction where the product will be used.
Is a GLI Certificate the Same as a Gaming Licence?
No.
This is an important distinction because people sometimes search for terms such as “GLI licence” or “GLI gaming licence”.
GLI is not a gambling regulator. It does not give an operator permission to accept players or wagers.
| Gaming Licence | GLI Certification |
|---|---|
| Issued by a gambling regulator | Issued after independent product testing |
| Authorises regulated gambling activity | Shows that a product has been evaluated against defined standards or requirements |
| Applies to the operator or supplier | Usually applies to a product, system or specific software version |
| Includes regulatory and compliance obligations | Focuses primarily on technical conformity |
In practice, an operator may need both: a valid gaming licence and appropriately tested or certified gaming technology.
What Is GLI-19?
GLI-19 is the GLI standard for Interactive Gaming Systems.
The current published version is GLI-19 Version 3.0.
It provides a technical framework for interactive gaming systems and is used as a reference by regulators, operators, developers and testing laboratories.
GLI explains that its standards are not laws by themselves. Individual gaming jurisdictions set their own regulatory requirements, although many use GLI standards as a starting point when developing technical rules.
What Does GLI-19 Cover?
GLI-19 covers the technical operation of interactive gaming systems.
Depending on the system, the review can involve areas such as:
- player account functionality;
- game operation;
- financial transactions;
- random number generation;
- system security;
- logging and audit information;
- reporting;
- game fairness;
- communication between system components;
- technical controls used by an interactive gaming platform.
The exact certification scope should be agreed before testing begins.
Who May Need GLI Certification?
Certification requirements depend on the regulator and the type of product.
GLI testing is commonly relevant to:
| Business | Typical Testing Need |
|---|---|
| Online casino operator | Platform, RNG or game evidence depending on the regulator and setup |
| Game studio | Game mathematics, RNG, software and game behaviour |
| Casino platform provider | Platform or Remote Gaming Server testing |
| Sportsbook provider | Sports betting system testing against applicable requirements |
| RNG provider | Independent RNG analysis and certification |
| Live dealer supplier | Technical assessment depending on system and jurisdiction |
Operators using established third-party platforms and certified games may be able to rely on existing testing evidence in some jurisdictions.
A company developing its own platform, RNG or proprietary games usually has a larger testing scope.
GLI RNG Certification
The Random Number Generator is one of the most important technical components of many online casino games.
Its purpose is to generate unpredictable outcomes without inappropriate bias.
GLI states that its RNG evaluations can include:
- source code review;
- review of the RNG period;
- review of the RNG range;
- seeding and re-seeding analysis;
- background cycling and activity review;
- statistical randomness testing;
- outcome-distribution testing;
- software verification.
The exact tests depend on the RNG and the scope of the project.
What Is Required for RNG Testing?
GLI publishes technical submission requirements for RNG testing.
Typical submission materials can include:
- game parameters and rules;
- the application used to generate random data;
- information about differences between the test and production environment;
- RNG data collection tools;
- raw RNG output where required;
- key files and checksums;
- hardware specifications;
- source code documentation;
- testing expectations;
- details of intended report recipients.
GLI recommends that the RNG used for testing should be as close as possible to the final production implementation.
GLI Platform and Remote Gaming Server Testing
GLI also tests online gaming platforms and Remote Gaming Server systems.
Platform testing is broader than simply checking whether a website works. A regulated gaming system can include player accounts, wallets, games, transaction records, reporting, game servers and administrative controls.
The testing scope can depend on:
- the architecture of the platform;
- which functions are controlled by the operator;
- which functions come from third parties;
- the target jurisdiction;
- the games connected to the platform;
- whether the system includes sportsbook or other products;
- existing certifications that may already cover some components.
GLI Game Certification
Individual games can also require independent testing.
Testing can involve the software, mathematics, RNG implementation, paytables, rules and other elements of the game.
GLI's published software submission requirements can include:
- complete source code;
- percentage calculations;
- paytables;
- game documentation;
- RNG test software or evidence of a previously approved RNG;
- operating manuals;
- information about the jurisdictions for which approval is requested.
Not every project will require every item. The final list depends on the product and agreed scope.
How Does the GLI Certification Process Work?
The exact process varies by project, but it can generally be divided into several stages.
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Define scope | The product and applicable technical or jurisdictional requirements are identified. |
| 2. Submission | The supplier provides software, documentation, source code and other required materials. |
| 3. Initial review | GLI reviews whether enough information is available to carry out the work. |
| 4. Testing | The product is evaluated against the agreed technical requirements. |
| 5. Issues | If problems are identified, the developer may need to make corrections and submit an updated version. |
| 6. Final evaluation | The final product version is checked against the certification scope. |
| 7. Certification / report | Certification documentation can be issued where the product satisfies the applicable criteria. |
Documents and Materials You May Need
One of the easiest ways to delay a testing project is to send an incomplete submission.
Depending on the project, GLI may need:
- product description;
- source code;
- compiled software;
- system architecture;
- game rules;
- mathematical models;
- RTP calculations;
- RNG information;
- technical manuals;
- test accounts;
- hardware information where relevant;
- jurisdictional requirements;
- previous certifications where available.
The exact submission package should always be confirmed for the specific certification project.
How Much Does GLI Certification Cost?
There is no single public fixed price for every GLI certification project.
Cost depends on the scope of work.
| Factor | Why It Affects Cost |
|---|---|
| Product type | A single RNG test is different from a full gaming platform evaluation. |
| Number of games | More products normally require more testing work. |
| Target jurisdictions | Different regulators may apply different technical requirements. |
| Existing certificates | Previous valid testing may reduce duplicate work in some cases. |
| Software quality | Problems discovered during testing can lead to additional development and retesting. |
| Custom technology | Proprietary systems generally require more review than standard third-party products. |
The best way to obtain an accurate price is to define the product, jurisdiction and testing scope before requesting a quotation.
How Long Does GLI Certification Take?
There is no universal certification timeline.
The duration depends on the size and complexity of the submission, the quality of the documentation, the number of products and whether problems are found during testing.
A clean submission using established technology can move faster than a completely new platform with proprietary games and an uncertified RNG.
Retesting after software changes can also extend the project.
For that reason, a licensing or launch plan should not be built around an assumed fixed GLI timeline unless the testing laboratory has confirmed it for that specific scope.
Can an Operator Use Existing Game Certificates?
Sometimes.
Many online casinos use games and platforms developed by established suppliers that already have technical testing documentation.
Whether an existing certificate is acceptable depends on the regulator, the product version and the jurisdiction for which the original testing was performed.
An operator should therefore collect certificates from the platform and game suppliers early in the licensing process.
This can help identify which parts of the technical stack already have usable evidence and which parts need fresh testing.
What Happens If Certified Software Changes?
Certification is linked to the product and version that was evaluated.
A significant software change may require additional review or testing.
This is particularly relevant where changes affect:
- RNG logic;
- game mathematics;
- critical platform functions;
- financial processing;
- security controls;
- player-facing game behaviour.
Developers should maintain proper version control and change-management procedures so that certified and modified software can be clearly identified.
Is GLI Certification Accepted Everywhere?
No certificate should be treated as universal approval for every gambling jurisdiction.
GLI tests products against GLI standards and against requirements used by gaming jurisdictions around the world.
However, the regulator in each jurisdiction decides what technical evidence it accepts.
A certificate prepared for one market may not automatically satisfy another market.
Before starting testing, the operator or supplier should identify the jurisdictions where the product will actually be used.
When Should Certification Be Planned During Gaming Licensing?
Technical certification should be discussed early in the licence project.
Waiting until the regulator asks for a certificate can create unnecessary delays.
Before filing the application, it is useful to understand:
- which platform will be used;
- which games will be offered;
- whether the RNG is proprietary or supplied by a third party;
- which certificates already exist;
- which additional testing the target regulator requires.
This is particularly important for jurisdictions with more detailed technical requirements.
You can compare licensing options on our iGaming licence comparison page.
GLI Certification and Malta Gaming Licensing
Malta has a structured technical licensing process that includes technical documentation and independent system auditing.
Operators and suppliers should identify which testing reports and certificates are relevant to the system being submitted.
A GLI report can be part of the technical evidence where it matches the applicable regulatory requirements, but the MGA decides what evidence is acceptable for a Malta application.
See our Malta Gaming License guide.
GLI Certification and Curaçao
Curaçao's current licensing framework is considerably more structured than the historic sub-licensing model.
Technical systems, games and suppliers should be reviewed against the requirements applicable to the Curaçao Gaming Authority framework.
Operators should not assume that having a third-party certificate removes all technical obligations.
See our Curaçao Gaming License guide.
GLI Certification and the Isle of Man
Isle of Man operators can also need independent technical testing evidence for games and gaming systems.
Existing certificates can be useful, particularly when an operator uses established third-party products, but the final technical requirements are determined by the Gambling Supervision Commission.
See our Isle of Man Gaming License guide.
What Is the Gaming Labs Certified Mark?
GLI also operates the Gaming Labs Certified mark programme.
A product that has been submitted to GLI and determined to satisfy the applicable certification criteria may be eligible to apply to use the mark.
The mark is not automatically available simply because a company has worked with GLI.
GLI has separate rules for how the certification mark may be used, and approval is required.
Common GLI Certification Mistakes
1. Calling GLI certification a gaming licence
A product certificate and an operator licence are different things.
2. Starting testing before choosing the target jurisdiction
The required standards depend partly on where the product will be used.
3. Submitting incomplete technical documentation
Missing source code, mathematics or system documentation can slow the project down.
4. Ignoring existing supplier certificates
A platform or game supplier may already have useful testing evidence. Collect it before ordering duplicate work.
5. Changing certified software without checking the impact
Material software changes can affect the validity or scope of previous certification.
6. Assuming one certificate works in every country
The final decision always belongs to the relevant regulator.
GLI Certification Checklist
| Before Testing | Status |
|---|---|
| Define the target jurisdiction | Required |
| Identify the exact product version | Required |
| Collect existing certificates | Recommended |
| Prepare source code and documentation | Depends on scope |
| Prepare game mathematics and rules | For game testing |
| Prepare RNG materials | For RNG testing |
| Confirm certification scope | Required |
| Confirm expected regulator/report recipients | Recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does GLI stand for?
GLI stands for Gaming Laboratories International.
What is GLI certification?
GLI certification is independent testing and certification of gaming products against applicable technical standards or jurisdictional requirements.
Is GLI a gambling regulator?
No. GLI is an independent gaming testing and certification organisation, not a regulator that licenses gambling operators.
What is a GLI licence?
“GLI licence” is commonly used as a search term, but technically GLI does not issue an operator gambling licence. It tests and certifies gaming products and systems.
What is GLI-19?
GLI-19 is the GLI technical standard for Interactive Gaming Systems. The current published version is Version 3.0.
Does an online casino need GLI-19 certification?
It depends on the regulator, platform and technical setup. Some jurisdictions may require technical evidence based on GLI standards or other recognised testing requirements.
Does GLI test RNGs?
Yes. GLI performs independent RNG testing, including source-code review, statistical analysis and software verification.
Does GLI test online casino games?
Yes. GLI tests online gaming products including games, game mathematics, RNG implementations and other technical components.
Does GLI certify gaming platforms?
GLI provides testing services for gaming platforms and Remote Gaming Server systems.
How much does GLI certification cost?
There is no single fixed price for all projects. Cost depends on the product, number of games, testing scope, target jurisdiction and whether additional testing or retesting is required.
How long does GLI certification take?
There is no universal timeline. It depends on the complexity of the product, quality of the submission and whether technical issues are found during testing.
Can an existing GLI certificate be reused?
Sometimes. The regulator must accept the certificate, and the certified product and software version must match the product being used.
Is GLI certification valid worldwide?
No certification should be treated as automatic worldwide regulatory approval. Individual gambling regulators decide which technical evidence they accept.
Does software need to be retested after an update?
It can. Material changes to certified software may require additional evaluation, depending on what was changed and the applicable regulatory requirements.
Can GLI certification replace a gaming licence?
No. Technical certification does not give an operator legal authority to offer gambling services.
When should a gaming operator start the certification process?
Ideally, certification requirements should be reviewed during the licence preparation stage, before the final platform and launch schedule are fixed.
Where can I read more about iGaming certification?
See our complete iGaming Certification guide .
Conclusion
GLI certification is an important part of the technical side of regulated online gambling.
It can cover RNGs, casino games, platforms, Remote Gaming Servers, sportsbook systems and other gaming technology.
The key point is to define the target jurisdiction and the exact testing scope before starting.
An operator using established certified technology may need relatively limited additional work. A company developing its own games, RNG or platform should expect a more detailed certification project.
Certification should therefore be planned together with licensing, platform selection and market strategy rather than treated as a final technical task before launch.
Need Help With iGaming Certification?
We can help review your platform, games and existing certificates, identify the likely testing scope and coordinate certification requirements with your gaming licence project.