Introduction
Have you ever wondered if the games in your favourite online casino are truly fair or not? Can a casino rig its games to their advantage and fleece its customers? Well, while there are indeed a few and quite rare shady unlicensed casinos with unethical business practices, no legit casino can rig its games. This is because all licensed casinos are tested regularly by independent test houses and agencies to ensure fairness, quality, and integrity.
Test houses are an important part of the casino industry. You simply cannot rely on the casino’s word about the fairness, randomness, and safety of their games unless they have been tested by independent test houses. On this page, we look at the main test houses in the UK, what they do, how they are approved, and how they help to ensure that the gambling scene is safe and fair for all players in the UK.

What Do Test Houses Do?
Casino test houses basically analyse games offered by casinos to ensure that the games are truly random, fair, and safe for players. The test houses have the responsibility of informing and assuring the public that each game offered by a licensed and regulated casino is honest and actually not rigged in any way to favour the operator in any way. They ensure that the gambling scene is safe and fair to both the customer and the casino operator.
Test houses are made of teams of technical experts who analyse each game thoroughly to ensure that it is fair and unbiased. For example, in slots, they make sure that the random number generator functions properly to confirm that the slot is not biased to specific outcomes. The testing agencies will take time to spin the reels hundreds or even thousands of times to check for results that are beyond statistical probability. The same tests are applied to other types of games including live-dealer and RNG games.
There are specifically written guidelines that all approved casinos must abide with. Test houses enforce these guidelines and if they discover any suspicious game, they’ll make sure that the game is removed from a real-money online casino.
Testing Houses Must be Approved by the UKGC
The next question you are probably asking is how trustworthy and reliable are these independent testing agencies? Well, for a start, it’s just any test house that can approve a game as fair or unfair. Every testing agency must be approved by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) before it can certify any game in any online casino. The UKGC is the regulatory body with the power to select specific test houses to verify online casino games. It is a regulatory body that does extensive assessments on every test house’s independence, integrity, and suitability to do the job. You can visit the Gambling Commission’s website to see the full list of approved test houses and their selection criteria.
The Main Test Houses
There are several approved test houses but a few do indeed stand out for being the most reputable, trusted, and professional in their duties. Here are some of the renowned, trusted, and strict casino UKGC-approved test houses:
eCOGRA
eCOGRA is an acronym for e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. This is one of the major testing agencies not just in the UK but worldwide. eCOGRA was established in 2003 and has its headquarters in the UK. The regulatory body provides compliance and certification services to more than 80 operators in online casinos and software industries. Some of the leading casinos certified by eCOGRA include 888 Casino, Betway, Ladbrokes, 32Red, and the famous Bet365 betting site. eCOGRA has also approved big names in the casino software industry such as NetEnt and Microgaming. Their logo is a mark of safety, fairness, and integrity.
Technical Systems Testing (TST)
Founded way back in 1993, TST is considered by many people in the industry as the most experienced test houses in the world. Their testing labs are spread across the globe. They are known for providing accurate, professional, and timely testing services for both offline and online casinos. TST also provides casino operators with technical safety consultation services.
Gaming Laboratories International (GLI)
GLI is another famous casino test house with over 470 clients in the UK and beyond. It is also one of the oldest testing houses having been in the industry for more than 25 years. They provide testing and approval services to casino operators, game developers, and other gaming regulators.
iTech Labs_
iTech Labs was established more than 10 years ago. The company provides testing services for casino operators, game developers, and other regulators. They are based in Australia but their services are available and approved by necessary regulatory bodies in most parts of Europe. iTech Labs have an impressive list of clients which includes well-known names in the gaming industry such as NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and IGT just to mention a few.
Our Commitment to Fair Gaming
It is quite apparent that the online casino industry has everything in place including regulatory organs and testing services to ensure that you always have a safe, fair, and rewarding experience, whether you are playing slots or live dealer games. You only need to ensure that the casino you choose is licensed and properly regulated. Fortunately, you don’t have to waste a lot of your precious time when shopping for licensed casinos. At New Casino Sites, we have you covered. We are committed to fair gaming which is why we only recommend online casino sites that are regulated by the UKGC and approved by leading test houses. Our goal is to point you in the right direction where all games are fair and honest.
FAQ
Jennifer Wright is an online casino and slots writer since 2010. She has an eye for detail and take pride in her in-depth analysis of new casino sites that enter the UK market. A regular at iGaming conferences and events, she is also a keen follower of industry news. In her downtime, she is an avid gamer and regularly takes part in esports tournaments. Jennifer currently resides in the north of England.
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