Online Casino Game Certification 2026: RNG, Math, RTP & Testing Requirements

What Is Online Casino Game Certification?

Online casino game certification is a technical testing process used to assess whether a game operates according to its documented rules, mathematical model and applicable regulatory or laboratory requirements.

An independent testing laboratory can examine both the underlying game logic and the behaviour visible to the player.

Depending on the product, the assessment can include:

• game rules and functionality;
• game mathematics;
• theoretical RTP;
• paytables and winning combinations;
• Random Number Generator behaviour where applicable;
• symbol or outcome selection;
• bonus rounds and special features;
• free spins;
• jackpots where applicable;
• wager and payout calculations;
• error and interruption handling;
• game version and build integrity;
• player-facing information and game rules.

The objective is not simply to confirm that the game launches. Testing should establish that the certified game behaves consistently with the submitted rules, mathematics and applicable technical requirements.

Game Certification vs Platform Certification

Casino game certification and iGaming platform certification are separate technical workstreams.

A game laboratory assessment focuses on the individual gaming product, while platform certification focuses on the wider system used to manage players, balances, transactions and regulatory controls.

A regulated casino can therefore operate on a tested platform while offering separately certified games from multiple studios.

For the system side of certification, see our iGaming Platform Certification 2026: Technical Requirements & Testing Checklist .

Who Needs Casino Game Certification?

Game certification is particularly relevant where a business develops, owns or distributes its own casino content.

Casino Game Studios

A studio developing slots, table games or other casino products may need independent testing before those games can be supplied into particular regulated markets.

The studio should be able to provide the laboratory with the technical documentation, mathematical information, software build and other materials required for the agreed assessment.

B2B Game Suppliers

A B2B supplier distributing proprietary casino content may need certification evidence for individual games or product families, depending on the intended jurisdictions and regulatory structure.

Existing laboratory reports can also become commercially important when operators, aggregators or regulators request evidence that the content has already been independently tested.

Operators With Proprietary Games

An online casino using games from established third-party studios may receive existing certification documentation from those suppliers. However, an operator developing proprietary games should determine whether those products require separate laboratory testing.

Game Aggregators

Aggregators typically distribute content from multiple game providers. The individual games can have their own testing and certification evidence, while the aggregation and wallet integration is a separate technical workstream.

For more information about provider and operator integrations, see our Game Aggregation page.

What Types of Casino Games May Require Certification?

The exact certification requirement depends on the jurisdiction and product. Different game types can also require different mathematical and functional testing approaches.

Live dealer products can involve a different combination of technical, operational and studio controls and should be assessed against the requirements applicable to the specific product and jurisdiction.

What Is Tested During Casino Game Certification?

A certification project normally combines mathematical review with functional testing of the submitted game.

The final testing scope should be agreed against the actual game and target regulatory environment rather than assuming that every product requires an identical certification package.

RNG Certification and Random Outcome Testing

Random Number Generator testing is one of the most important technical areas for games whose outcomes depend on random selection.

The RNG can be used directly by an individual game or supplied through a shared gaming system used by multiple products. The certification scope should therefore identify where the random values are generated and how those values are transformed into game outcomes.

RNG Testing Can Consider

• the RNG implementation used by the product;
• generation of random values;
• statistical characteristics of the output;
• mapping of random values to game outcomes;
• seeding or initialisation where relevant;
• independence of relevant outcomes;
• the relationship between the RNG and game mathematics;
• the version of the RNG or game build submitted for testing.

RNG Certification Is Not the Same as Full Game Certification

An RNG assessment can provide evidence about the random number generation component, but an individual casino game can still require mathematical and functional testing.

For example, a valid random value must still be mapped correctly to the game's reels, cards, symbols or other possible outcomes. The game must then apply the correct rules and payout calculations.

This distinction is important when one certified RNG is used across several different games.

Game Mathematics Testing

Game mathematics is one of the core elements of casino game certification. The mathematical model defines how possible outcomes are generated, how often they can occur and how much the game awards when a winning outcome is produced.

The laboratory can review the submitted mathematical model and compare it with the behaviour implemented in the game software.

Depending on the product, the mathematical review can include:

• possible game outcomes;
• probability of individual outcomes;
• symbol or card distributions;
• reel strips or weighted outcome tables;
• winning combinations;
• paytable values;
• bonus and feature probabilities;
• free-spin mathematics;
• multiplier logic;
• jackpot contribution and award logic;
• theoretical Return to Player;
• other mathematical parameters relevant to the game.

Mathematical Model vs Game Implementation

A mathematically correct design is not sufficient if the software implements that design incorrectly.

Certification should therefore establish a clear relationship between the mathematical documentation and the actual game build submitted for testing.

For example, if the mathematical model specifies particular symbol weights, paytable values or feature probabilities, the implemented game should use the corresponding values.

RTP Calculation and Verification

Return to Player (RTP) represents the theoretical proportion of wagered value that a game is designed to return to players over its mathematical model.

RTP is a theoretical long-term characteristic of the game. It does not mean that an individual player or individual gaming session will receive that percentage of wagers back.

How RTP Is Determined

At a simplified level, theoretical RTP is derived from the probability and value of the possible game outcomes.

The precise calculation depends on the game design. A slot with base-game wins, free spins, multipliers and jackpots can require each relevant component to be included in the complete mathematical model.

RTP Verification During Certification

The laboratory can review whether the declared theoretical RTP corresponds to the submitted mathematics and whether the game implements the relevant model correctly.

This can involve reviewing mathematical documentation, configuration values and game logic rather than relying only on observed results from a limited number of game rounds.

Multiple RTP Configurations

Some games support more than one mathematical configuration or RTP setting. Where multiple versions are available, each configuration should be clearly identifiable and supported by the appropriate mathematical information.

The supplier should also maintain control over which approved configuration is deployed in a particular market or operator environment.

Probability and Outcome Distribution

Every game with random or probabilistic outcomes has an underlying distribution that determines how frequently different results can occur.

The mathematical documentation should allow the testing laboratory to understand how those probabilities are derived and how they relate to the game implementation.

Probability Review Can Include

• probability of individual winning outcomes;
• probability of non-winning outcomes;
• probability of bonus triggers;
• probability of free-spin features;
• probability of multiplier events;
• probability of jackpot events where applicable;
• distribution of symbols, cards or other game elements;
• mapping between RNG values and game outcomes.

The method used to produce these probabilities depends on the game. Different products may use reel strips, weighted tables, card combinations or other mathematical structures.

Rare Outcomes Still Matter

Very low-probability outcomes can have a significant effect on game mathematics, particularly where they produce large awards.

These outcomes should therefore remain part of the mathematical review even when they are unlikely to appear frequently during ordinary functional testing.

Game Volatility and Hit Frequency

RTP alone does not fully describe how a casino game behaves. Two games can have similar theoretical RTP values while distributing wins very differently.

Game mathematics can therefore include additional characteristics such as hit frequency and volatility.

These characteristics should be derived consistently from the game's actual mathematical model and configuration.

Where player-facing information describes characteristics such as RTP or maximum win, that information should correspond to the relevant approved game version.

Paytable and Winning Combination Testing

The paytable defines how the game rewards winning outcomes. Certification testing should establish that the implemented awards correspond to the documented rules and mathematical model.

Paytable Testing Can Include

• standard winning combinations;
• symbol values;
• wild substitutions;
• scatter awards;
• line wins;
• ways-to-win calculations;
• cluster or other alternative win mechanics;
• multipliers;
• bonus-related awards;
• maximum payout conditions.

Bet Size and Payout Calculation

The game should calculate awards correctly across the permitted wager configurations.

Where the payout scales with bet size, coin value, number of active lines or another configurable parameter, testing should confirm that the calculation remains consistent with the documented paytable.

Player-Facing Paytable

The information presented to the player should accurately describe the relevant winning combinations, features and awards.

A discrepancy between the implemented mathematics and the displayed paytable can create both technical and player-information issues.

Reel Strips, Symbol Weights and Outcome Mapping

Slot games can use physical-style reel strips, virtual reels, weighted symbol tables or other mechanisms to map random values to visible game outcomes.

The laboratory should be able to understand how the implemented mechanism produces the probabilities described by the mathematical model.

Reel and Weighting Documentation

Depending on the design, relevant information can include:

• number of reels;
• symbols available on each reel;
• reel-strip composition;
• virtual reel structure;
• symbol weights;
• mapping tables;
• special symbol behaviour;
• wild and scatter functionality;
• different reel sets used by bonus features;
• configuration-specific mathematical data.

The submitted mathematical documentation should correspond to the implementation used by the certified game build.

Bonus Features and Free Spins Mathematics

Modern casino games often include features that contribute a material part of the total theoretical return.

Bonus rounds and free spins should therefore be included in the mathematical review rather than treated only as visual or functional features.

Bonus Mathematics Can Include

The expected contribution of the bonus feature should be included in the complete mathematical model where it contributes to the game's declared theoretical return.

Bonus Functionality Must Match the Mathematics

Functional testing should confirm that the game actually awards, progresses and completes the feature according to the submitted rules and mathematical configuration.

Jackpot Mathematics and Testing

Jackpot games can require additional mathematical and functional review because the jackpot may operate alongside the normal base-game mathematics.

The exact assessment depends on whether the jackpot is fixed, progressive, local, networked or implemented through another structure.

Jackpot Areas to Document

• jackpot type;
• initial or reset value;
• contribution mechanism where applicable;
• trigger conditions;
• probability of the jackpot event;
• award calculation;
• reset behaviour;
• interaction with the base game;
• effect on theoretical RTP where applicable;
• player-facing jackpot information.

Progressive Jackpots

A progressive jackpot can change value as qualifying wagers contribute to the prize pool. The technical and mathematical documentation should explain how contributions are calculated, how the current value is maintained and how the jackpot behaves after an award.

Where several games or operators participate in the same jackpot environment, additional system-level testing can also be relevant depending on the architecture and regulatory requirements.

Functional Testing of Online Casino Games

Mathematical certification establishes how a game is designed to behave, while functional testing examines whether the submitted software actually behaves according to that design.

The laboratory can test the game through normal play, feature activation, different wager configurations and exceptional scenarios to confirm that the implemented functionality corresponds to the submitted rules and technical documentation.

Core Functional Testing Areas

Functional testing should use the same game version and mathematical configuration that form the basis of the certification assessment.

Game Rules and Rule Verification

The game rules describe how the product works from the player's perspective. Certification testing should establish that the implemented game follows those documented rules.

Rules should be sufficiently clear to explain the principal mechanics of the game and the conditions under which wagers and awards are determined.

Game Rules Can Cover

• how a game round is initiated;
• available wager options;
• winning combinations or outcomes;
• paytable values;
• wild, scatter or special symbols;
• bonus trigger conditions;
• free-spin rules;
• multipliers;
• jackpot conditions where applicable;
• maximum win or payout rules where relevant;
• special game features;
• conditions affecting interrupted or incomplete games.

Rules Must Match the Certified Mathematics

Player-facing rules should not describe a feature differently from the mathematical model or software implementation.

For example, if a bonus requires three specific symbols to trigger, the documented rules, mathematical model and implemented game should all reflect the same condition.

Configuration-Specific Rules

Where a game supports different mathematical configurations, bet options or feature settings, the applicable player-facing information should correspond to the configuration actually deployed.

Wager and Payout Controls

Game certification should verify that wagers are accepted and awards are calculated according to the permitted game configuration.

Wager Testing

Depending on the product, testing can include:

• minimum permitted wager;
• maximum permitted wager;
• available intermediate wager values;
• coin or denomination settings;
• number of active paylines where configurable;
• feature-specific wagers where applicable;
• validation of invalid or unsupported wager values.

Payout Testing

Awards should be calculated from the relevant wager and winning outcome according to the certified paytable and game rules.

Testing across different wager levels is particularly important where awards scale with the selected stake.

Bonus Round and Feature Testing

Bonus features often contain additional game logic beyond the standard base-game round. Each material feature should therefore be tested against its documented behaviour and mathematical model.

Feature Testing Can Include

Feature Transitions

Testing should also consider transitions between the base game and bonus functionality.

The game should enter the correct feature state, preserve the relevant wager and game information, complete the feature and return to the appropriate state afterwards.

Feature Retriggers

Where a bonus can retrigger or extend itself, the implementation should follow the documented conditions and correctly account for any additional spins, rounds or awards.

Error Handling and Invalid Game States

Certification testing should not focus only on successful game rounds. Relevant error conditions should also be considered to determine whether the game responds predictably and preserves the integrity of the player's wager and result.

Examples of Error Scenarios

• game launch failure;
• invalid wager request;
• insufficient player balance;
• invalid or expired game session;
• communication failure with the gaming platform;
• interruption while a game round is in progress;
• unexpected or invalid external response;
• failure during a bonus feature;
• attempt to repeat an already completed transaction.

Error Messages

Player-facing error messages should not create misleading information about the state of a wager or game result.

Where an error affects a financial transaction, the final state of the game round should remain capable of being determined and reconciled with the gaming platform.

Interrupted Games and Recovery Testing

Online games operate across networks and connected systems, which means a game session can be interrupted after a wager has been accepted but before the player sees the final result.

The game and supporting platform should have defined behaviour for these situations.

Examples of Game Interruptions

Game Result Should Not Depend on Reconnection

Once a valid wager has been accepted and the relevant game outcome has been determined, a player disconnecting or reconnecting should not create an unintended second result or duplicate financial event.

The game, RGS and operator platform should maintain consistent references that allow the transaction and result to be traced.

Player-Facing Game Information

Certification can include review of information presented to players so that the visible game description corresponds to the implemented product.

Player Information Can Include

• game rules;
• available wagers;
• paytable information;
• winning combinations;
• wild and scatter behaviour;
• bonus feature rules;
• free-spin conditions;
• jackpot information where applicable;
• relevant RTP information where required;
• maximum win or payout information where applicable;
• other material information required for the specific game or market.

Information Must Match the Game Version

Where the same game exists in several mathematical configurations, player-facing information should correspond to the configuration actually deployed.

For example, an RTP value associated with one mathematical configuration should not be displayed for a different version of the game.

Autoplay, Turbo and Other Player Controls

Some casino games include optional controls that change how the player interacts with the game without changing the underlying mathematical model.

Examples can include autoplay, turbo modes, quick-spin functionality or similar interface features.

Where these functions are included and permitted in the intended market, testing can consider whether they operate according to the documented rules and applicable requirements.

Testing Can Consider

• activation and deactivation of the feature;
• available player settings;
• interaction with wager controls;
• stopping conditions;
• interaction with bonus rounds;
• interaction with player-protection controls;
• consistency of the underlying game result and payout calculation.

Availability of these features can vary between regulated markets. Developers should therefore consider jurisdiction-specific configuration rather than assuming that every interface feature can be enabled everywhere.

Game History and Result Records

Players and operators may need access to information about completed game rounds. Game history also supports investigation of complaints, transaction discrepancies and technical issues.

The precise record structure depends on the game and platform architecture, but relevant information can include:

• game identifier;
• game round or transaction identifier;
• date and time;
• wager amount;
• game outcome;
• award or payout;
• bonus or feature information where relevant;
• final round status.

Game Records and Platform Records

Where the game operates through an RGS, aggregator or operator platform, relevant identifiers should allow the game record to be associated with the corresponding platform transaction.

This is particularly useful when investigating refunds, rollbacks, interrupted games or disputes about a particular game round.

For the platform-side transaction and reconciliation requirements, see our iGaming Platform Certification 2026 guide.

Source Code Review for Casino Game Certification

Depending on the testing scope, the laboratory may need access to source code or other technical material that allows the implementation of the game to be compared with its documented mathematics and functionality.

Source code review can be particularly relevant where the laboratory needs to understand how random values are processed, how game outcomes are selected, how awards are calculated or how specific game features operate.

Areas That May Be Reviewed

The precise review method depends on the game architecture and laboratory requirements. Developers should confirm the required submission format with the selected testing laboratory before preparing the technical package.

Game Build, Version and Release Identification

The game version assessed by the testing laboratory should be clearly identifiable. This allows the developer, operator and regulator to distinguish the tested build from later or earlier versions of the same product.

Without controlled versioning, it becomes difficult to determine whether the game deployed in production corresponds to the game that was independently assessed.

Useful Version Information

• game name;
• unique game identifier;
• software version;
• build or release identifier;
• release date;
• mathematical configuration;
• RTP configuration where applicable;
• RNG version or reference where relevant;
• change log;
• relevant source-code or build reference.

Multiple RTP Versions

Where the same game supports several approved mathematical configurations, the supplier should be able to identify which configuration corresponds to each tested or deployed version.

Version control becomes particularly important where the visual game is substantially identical but the underlying mathematics or RTP differs between configurations.

Production Build vs Tested Build

Development should be controlled while certification is in progress. Material changes to the game after submission can affect completed tests and may require additional laboratory assessment.

Technical Documentation for Game Certification

Clear documentation helps the testing laboratory understand how the game is designed, which components are included in the assessment and how the software relates to the submitted mathematical model.

The exact document package depends on the game type, laboratory, jurisdiction and certification scope.

Game Documentation Checklist

Documentation should correspond to the actual game submitted for testing. Outdated mathematics, paytables or game rules can create unnecessary clarification and additional testing work.

Mathematical Submission Package

The mathematical package provides the testing laboratory with the information required to understand and independently assess the game's theoretical behaviour.

The precise format varies according to the game and laboratory, but the package should clearly describe the mathematical model used by the submitted game build.

Mathematical Information Can Include

• theoretical RTP;
• probability calculations;
• paytable values;
• reel strips where applicable;
• virtual reel or symbol weighting information;
• winning combination calculations;
• bonus trigger probabilities;
• free-spin mathematics;
• multiplier distributions;
• feature retrigger probabilities;
• jackpot mathematics where applicable;
• maximum win calculations where relevant;
• other game-specific mathematical information.

Calculations Should Be Reproducible

The laboratory should be able to understand how the declared theoretical values were derived.

Providing only a final RTP percentage without the supporting mathematical model can make independent verification more difficult.

Separate Mathematical Configurations

Where the game has several RTP or mathematical configurations, the submission should clearly identify the differences between those versions and provide the relevant calculations for each configuration included in the certification scope.

RNG Documentation for Game Certification

Where the game relies on a Random Number Generator, the laboratory should understand which RNG is used and how random values reach the game logic.

The documentation requirement depends on whether the RNG is embedded within the game, shared across several products or provided through an external gaming system.

RNG Information Can Include

Existing RNG Certification May Reduce Duplicate Work

Where an RNG has already been independently assessed, the existing technical evidence may be relevant to the new game certification project.

However, the laboratory can still need to assess how the certified RNG is integrated into the game and how its output is mapped to game outcomes.

Preparing the Game Test Environment

The laboratory needs a suitable environment in which the submitted game and relevant functionality can be exercised.

The test environment should correspond sufficiently to the game version and configuration included in the certification scope.

Test Environment Preparation Can Include

• access to the submitted game build;
• test player accounts where required;
• appropriate test balances;
• access to relevant wager configurations;
• ability to trigger or test bonus features where required;
• access to game history or relevant transaction records;
• appropriate RGS or platform connectivity;
• relevant administrative or diagnostic access where agreed;
• identification of the exact game and mathematical version.

Testing Tools and Feature Access

Some game outcomes or bonus features can be extremely rare during normal play. The laboratory may therefore require an appropriate method of exercising specific game states or reviewing the underlying logic.

Any testing tools or special configurations should be clearly identified and should not create ambiguity about the production behaviour of the certified game.

What to Submit to the Testing Laboratory

A complete submission helps the laboratory define the scope and begin the assessment without unnecessary delays.

The exact requirements should always be confirmed with the selected laboratory, but a typical game-certification package can include several categories of material.

The submission package should be agreed with the testing laboratory before detailed testing begins because requirements can differ according to the game type, jurisdiction and intended certification output.

For support with laboratory scope and certification coordination, see our iGaming Certification and Testing page.

Game Updates, Change Management and Re-Certification

A certified game can continue to evolve after its initial release. Developers may fix defects, update graphics, change integrations, add features or modify mathematical configurations.

Changes should be controlled so that the developer can determine whether an update affects the scope of existing certification.

Examples of Game Changes

Not Every Update Requires Full Re-Certification

The appropriate testing response depends on the nature of the change, existing certification scope and applicable regulatory requirements.

A limited change may require documentation or targeted regression testing, while a material mathematical or functional change can require broader laboratory assessment.

Developers should therefore maintain version records and a clear change log so that differences from the previously certified game can be identified efficiently.

Online Casino Game Certification Process Step by Step

A game certification project is easier to manage when the target market, game version, mathematical configuration and laboratory scope are defined before detailed testing begins.

The exact process varies according to the testing laboratory, game type and jurisdiction, but a typical certification project can be divided into the following stages.

Define the Certification Scope First

A studio should avoid requesting a generic "game certificate" without first identifying the intended market and the exact game configuration being submitted.

The scope should identify the game version, RTP configuration, RNG, features and any existing technical evidence that may be relevant to the assessment.

Pre-Certification Review

Reviewing the game before formal laboratory submission can identify obvious discrepancies between the software, mathematics, rules and supporting documentation.

Correcting these issues before formal testing can reduce repeated laboratory findings and unnecessary remediation cycles.

How Long Does Online Casino Game Certification Take?

There is no universal certification timeline for every casino game. The duration depends on the game type, mathematical complexity, RNG scope, documentation quality, laboratory capacity and findings identified during testing.

Factors That Affect the Timeline

Developers should therefore avoid using a laboratory estimate as a guaranteed commercial launch date.

Regulatory approval, integration with operators or aggregators and other launch workstreams can also affect the overall timeline.

How Much Does Online Casino Game Certification Cost?

There is no single fixed certification price that applies to every casino game. Testing laboratories generally determine the commercial scope according to the product, technical requirements and amount of assessment work involved.

What Affects the Cost?

Game-by-Game vs Portfolio Testing

A studio planning to certify several games should discuss the complete portfolio with the testing laboratory rather than assuming that every title must be treated as an entirely unrelated project.

Games can share technical components, RNG infrastructure or development frameworks, but the extent to which testing work can be reused depends on the products and laboratory scope.

Request an Itemised Scope

Before approving a testing quotation, the studio should understand which game versions, RTP configurations, RNG work and certification outputs are included.

For assistance with defining the testing scope and coordinating an independent laboratory, see our iGaming Certification and Testing page.

Can Existing Game or RNG Certification Be Reused?

Existing certification can reduce duplicated testing, but a previous laboratory report should be reviewed against the new game, current software version and target jurisdiction before it is relied upon.

Existing RNG Certification

If several games use the same previously tested RNG, the existing RNG evidence may remain relevant.

However, the laboratory may still need to assess how the game uses the RNG output and maps random values to the game's actual outcomes.

Existing Game Certification

A previously certified game entering another market may already have useful mathematical and functional testing evidence.

Whether that evidence can be reused depends on:

• the game version originally tested;
• the mathematical and RTP configuration;
• the original testing scope;
• changes made since certification;
• the new jurisdiction's requirements;
• whether the regulator or laboratory accepts the existing evidence.

Gap Testing

Where existing certification remains relevant, additional work may focus on the differences between the previous assessment and the requirements of the new market or game version.

This can reduce unnecessary duplicate testing while still addressing the technical requirements applicable to the new deployment.

Game Certification Across Different Gaming Jurisdictions

A laboratory certificate should not automatically be treated as universal approval for every regulated gaming market.

Regulators can have different technical requirements, accepted testing approaches and approval processes. The certification strategy should therefore begin with the jurisdictions in which the game is intended to be supplied.

Before Entering a New Jurisdiction, Confirm:

• which technical standards apply;
• whether independent game testing is required;
• which laboratory evidence is accepted;
• whether RNG certification is required separately;
• whether existing game reports can be reused;
• whether jurisdiction-specific testing is required;
• which RTP configurations are permitted or relevant;
• whether specific game features require additional review;
• how game updates and material changes are handled.

Isle of Man

Operators and suppliers working with an Isle of Man regulated gaming operation should consider game testing alongside the wider technical, platform and licensing requirements.

See our Isle of Man Gaming License guide and Isle of Man Gaming License Requirements 2026 .

Malta

Games intended for Malta-regulated operations should be assessed against the technical and regulatory requirements applicable to the relevant product and licensed environment.

See our Malta Gaming Authority Licence guide for the wider licensing framework.

Curaçao

Game suppliers and operators working with Curaçao licensed businesses should consider the technical evidence required for the relevant product together with the wider licensing and compliance structure.

See our Curaçao Gaming License guide.

Plan Certification Around the Target Markets

A studio intending to distribute the same portfolio across several regulated markets should map the requirements before commissioning repeated testing.

This makes it easier to identify which core laboratory work can support several markets and where additional jurisdiction-specific assessment may be required.

Game Studio Pre-Certification Checklist

Before submitting a casino game for formal laboratory testing, the studio should confirm that the product, mathematics, technical documentation and certification scope are sufficiently stable.

Completing this review before submission can help identify discrepancies between the game, mathematics and documentation before they become formal laboratory findings.

Common Problems During Casino Game Certification

Many game certification delays are caused by inconsistencies between the submitted software, mathematics, rules and technical documentation rather than by the laboratory testing process itself.

Identifying these issues before formal submission can reduce unnecessary findings and repeated testing cycles.

The Game Is Still Changing

Material development during certification can make it difficult to identify which version is actually being assessed.

Changes to mathematics, RTP, paytables, features, RNG integration or transaction behaviour can also affect testing that has already been completed.

The Mathematics Does Not Match the Game

The submitted mathematical model should correspond to the implementation used by the tested game build.

Differences in reel strips, symbol weights, paytable values, bonus probabilities or other mathematical parameters can create certification findings.

The Declared RTP Is Incorrect

The declared theoretical RTP should correspond to the complete mathematical model for the relevant configuration.

Bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers, jackpots or other features that contribute to the expected return should be handled consistently in the calculation.

Multiple RTP Versions Are Poorly Controlled

Where several mathematical configurations exist, the studio should be able to identify which version was submitted, certified and ultimately deployed.

Using the wrong mathematical file or player-facing RTP information for a particular build can create unnecessary certification and operational problems.

RNG Documentation Is Incomplete

The laboratory should be able to understand which RNG is used, whether existing certification is available and how random values are transformed into actual game outcomes.

Game Rules and Paytable Do Not Match the Implementation

Player-facing rules, paytables and feature descriptions should correspond to the actual certified game configuration.

A discrepancy can exist even where the underlying game mathematics is otherwise correct.

Rare Bonus Features Are Difficult to Test

Some features or outcomes may occur extremely infrequently during normal gameplay. The certification project should provide an appropriate method for the laboratory to assess those states without creating ambiguity about the behaviour of the production game.

Interrupted Games Are Not Handled Properly

A network failure or client interruption should not create an indeterminate wager, duplicate game result or inconsistent transaction state.

Game, RGS and platform behaviour should remain sufficiently traceable for the relevant round to be resolved and reconciled.

Existing Certification Is Assumed to Cover a New Version

A previous game or RNG certificate may remain useful, but material changes should be reviewed before the existing technical evidence is relied upon for a new version or jurisdiction.

Certification Is Started Too Late

Waiting until immediately before commercial launch to begin certification can create pressure on development, laboratory testing, aggregator onboarding and regulatory timelines.

Studios planning regulated distribution should consider certification requirements while the game and release schedule are still being prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Casino Game Certification

What is online casino game certification?

Online casino game certification is an independent technical assessment of a game against applicable mathematical, functional and regulatory requirements.

Depending on the product, testing can include game mathematics, RTP, RNG, paytables, winning combinations, bonus features, functional behaviour, error handling and software-version identification.

Do online casino games need certification?

Certification requirements depend on the jurisdiction, game type, regulatory structure and intended use of the product.

A developer or supplier should identify the intended regulated markets before determining the exact laboratory testing required.

What is RNG certification?

RNG certification is the technical assessment of the Random Number Generator used to produce random values for gaming outcomes.

The scope can include the RNG implementation, statistical behaviour and other technical characteristics relevant to the applicable testing requirements.

Is RNG certification the same as game certification?

No. An RNG assessment focuses on random number generation, while complete game certification can also include mathematics, RTP, outcome mapping, paytables, bonus features, functional behaviour and player-facing rules.

A game using an already tested RNG can therefore still require separate game-level assessment.

Can one certified RNG be used for multiple casino games?

A shared RNG can support multiple games, and existing RNG certification may provide relevant technical evidence.

The individual games can still require assessment of how RNG values are mapped to outcomes and whether each game's mathematics and functionality operate correctly.

What is RTP in an online casino game?

Return to Player is the theoretical proportion of wagered value that the game's mathematical model is designed to return through winning outcomes over the long term.

RTP is a theoretical characteristic of the game and does not represent a guaranteed return for an individual player or gaming session.

How is casino game RTP tested?

The laboratory can review the game's mathematical model, including outcome probabilities, paytables, bonus features and other components contributing to the theoretical return.

Testing can also establish whether the submitted software implements the relevant mathematical configuration correctly.

Can one casino game have several RTP versions?

Some games support multiple mathematical configurations. Where this is the case, each configuration included in the certification scope should be clearly identified and supported by the appropriate mathematical information.

The supplier should also maintain control over which approved version is deployed for a particular operator or market.

What is tested in a slot game?

Slot testing can include RNG behaviour, reel strips or symbol weights, winning combinations, paytables, RTP, wild and scatter behaviour, bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers, jackpots, wagers, payouts and relevant error conditions.

Does the testing laboratory review game mathematics?

Mathematical review is a central part of certification for games whose outcomes and payouts are determined by a mathematical model.

The laboratory can assess probabilities, theoretical RTP, paytables, feature mathematics and other relevant parameters against the submitted game configuration.

Does the testing laboratory need source code?

Source-code or implementation review can form part of the certification scope depending on the laboratory, game architecture and applicable requirements.

The exact technical submission should be confirmed with the selected laboratory before testing begins.

What documents are required for casino game certification?

The submission can include the game build, game rules, mathematical model, RTP calculations, paytables, RNG information, technical documentation, version information, existing laboratory reports and access to an appropriate test environment.

How long does casino game certification take?

The timeline depends on game complexity, mathematical documentation, RNG scope, number of configurations, laboratory capacity and any findings identified during testing.

A stable game with complete documentation is generally easier to assess than a product undergoing significant development during certification.

How much does casino game certification cost?

There is no universal fixed price for every game. Cost depends on the product type, mathematical complexity, RNG scope, number of RTP configurations, features, target jurisdiction and amount of remediation or regression testing required.

Developers should obtain an itemised testing scope before formal laboratory work begins.

Can an existing game certificate be used in another jurisdiction?

Existing certification can provide useful technical evidence, but it should be reviewed against the requirements of the new jurisdiction, current game version and mathematical configuration.

Additional gap or jurisdiction-specific testing may be required.

Do game updates require re-certification?

Not every update necessarily requires complete re-certification. The impact depends on what changed and on the applicable regulatory and laboratory requirements.

Changes to mathematics, RTP, RNG, paytables or material game functionality are more likely to require additional assessment than a change that does not affect the certified behaviour.

Do bonus features need testing?

Bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers and other material features can form part of both mathematical and functional testing.

The assessment can cover trigger conditions, feature behaviour, probabilities, awards, retriggers and contribution to theoretical RTP.

Do jackpot games require additional testing?

Jackpot functionality can introduce additional mathematical and technical requirements, including contribution, trigger, award and reset logic.

The precise scope depends on whether the jackpot is fixed, progressive, local, networked or implemented through another structure.

Is game certification different from iGaming platform certification?

Yes. Game certification focuses on the individual casino product, including mathematics, RNG, RTP, paytables and game functionality.

Platform certification focuses on systems such as PAM, wallet, transaction processing, responsible gambling controls, reporting, back-office functions and APIs.

See our iGaming Platform Certification 2026 guide for the platform testing process.

Can certified games be distributed through a game aggregator?

Game aggregation is a common distribution model. Individual games can have their own certification evidence while the aggregator and operator-side integration are treated as separate technical workstreams.

See our Game Aggregation page for more information.

Can GamingLicensing coordinate casino game certification?

GamingLicensing can assist with defining the certification scope, reviewing available game and RNG documentation, identifying the relevant testing workstreams and coordinating the project with independent testing laboratories.

Laboratory testing outcomes and regulatory acceptance remain decisions of the relevant testing body and regulator.

How GamingLicensing Supports Casino Game Certification

Casino game certification involves several connected workstreams: mathematical preparation, RNG documentation, functional testing, technical documentation, laboratory coordination and alignment with the requirements of the intended gaming jurisdiction.

GamingLicensing can help game studios, B2B suppliers and operators structure the certification project before formal laboratory testing begins.

Independent testing laboratories determine their own technical findings, reports and certification decisions. Regulators separately determine whether the submitted technical evidence is acceptable for the relevant market or licensing process.

Online Casino Game Certification Resources

The following resources cover the principal certification, platform, technical and regulatory topics connected with online casino game testing.

Get an Online Casino Game Certification Assessment

If you are preparing an online casino game, slot or other RNG-based product for certification, GamingLicensing can review the project before formal laboratory testing begins.

The initial assessment can cover:

• the game type and intended regulated markets;
• the proposed certification scope;
• game version and release structure;
• mathematical and RTP configurations;
• paytables and winning combinations;
• reel strips, symbol weights or other outcome structures;
• RNG implementation and existing RNG certification;
• mapping of random values to game outcomes;
• bonus rounds and free-spin mathematics;
• multipliers and other special features;
• jackpot mathematics where applicable;
• game rules and player-facing information;
• functional and error-handling requirements;
• game history and transaction references;
• existing game or component certification;
• technical documentation available for laboratory submission;
• potential gap or additional testing requirements.

For studios with several games, the review can also consider the wider certification strategy across the portfolio, including shared RNG infrastructure, common technical components and target jurisdictions.

Where existing laboratory reports are already available, they can be reviewed against the current game version and intended market to determine whether the evidence may remain relevant or whether additional assessment is required.

Contact GamingLicensing for an online casino game certification assessment or visit our iGaming Certification and Testing page for the complete certification overview.