Orion
When you play a slot or an online table game, you want one simple thing: a fair chance. You want to know the game is not “fixed” and that the rules do not change in secret. That is what people mean by fair play.
In this guide, I will explain (in plain English) how casino games are tested before they go live. I will also show you what you can check yourself in a few minutes, even if you are not a tech person.
Fair play is not a promise that you will win. Casinos still have an edge. Fair play means these things:
Most online slots and many “virtual” table games use a Random Number Generator (RNG). An RNG is a piece of software that creates random numbers. Those numbers decide what happens in the game. If the RNG is good and protected, the game outcomes can be fair.
Another common term is RTP (Return To Player). RTP is a long-term average, not a short-term promise. A game can have 96% RTP and still have many losing sessions in a row. That is normal. Testing is about making sure the long-term math is honest, not about making everyone win.
Game testing is not just one quick check. It is a chain of checks. Different people do different parts, and many markets require an independent test lab.
Before a game is released, testers look at the game’s design:
This step helps catch “rule problems” early. For example: a feature that pays the wrong amount, or a rule text that does not match the real game behavior.
If a game uses an RNG, labs test if the RNG output looks random. That means the numbers should not form easy patterns. The goal is to reduce the risk of predictable results.
Independent labs offer dedicated RNG testing services. For example, eCOGRA describes RNG testing and certification as a way to confirm fair play and compliance in online games. You can read their overview here: eCOGRA RNG testing and certification.
Another example is iTech Labs, which lists RNG testing as a compliance service here: iTech Labs RNG testing.
Important detail: RNG testing is not the same as “the whole game is fair.” RNG testing checks the random number module. Game rules and payouts may need separate checks too (many certificates say this clearly).
To test RTP, labs and developers run huge numbers of simulated rounds (think: millions of spins). They compare:
This helps confirm the game is not paying more or less than it should over the long run. It also helps catch “edge bugs,” like a bonus feature that triggers too often or not often enough.
Even a fair RNG is useless if someone can hack it. That is why game testing also includes security work, such as:
Regulators often link security to recognized standards. For example, the UK Gambling Commission’s Remote gambling and software technical standards (RTS) includes security requirements and points to ISO/IEC 27001 as a base for information security management. You can see the RTS overview here: UKGC RTS (Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards).
And for the ISO standard itself, the official ISO page explains what ISO/IEC 27001 is and what it covers: ISO/IEC 27001 (Information security management).
Many regions require games to follow specific technical rules. These rules often cover:
The UK Gambling Commission also explains how testing is done in practice and how licensees work with approved test houses. Their “Procedure for testing” page is here: UKGC procedure for testing.
In a simple way, there are three big groups:
Independent labs are companies that test games, platforms, and systems. Their job is to be a neutral checker.
For example:
You do not need to “pick a favorite lab.” The key is: the lab should be real, recognized, and its certificate should be verifiable.
Regulators do not usually test every game by themselves. Instead, they define rules and require third-party testing. Then they check that operators and suppliers follow the rules.
Some regulators publish documents that show what they expect in a system. For example, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has a system documentation checklist that includes items about RNG documentation. (This is not “marketing”; it is a technical checklist file from the MGA site): MGA system documentation checklist (includes RNG documentation items).
If you only remember one part of this article, remember this: real proof is clickable and checkable.
On a good casino site, you can often find proof in these places:
If you want a quick way to learn what to look for (and what the terms mean), you can use trusted educational pages and then double-check the casino’s own proof. For example, we keep simple gambling guides that explain these checks in plain language, so you know what to search for before you deposit.
Live casino is different from slots. A human dealer is involved, and the game uses real equipment (cards, wheels, shufflers).
Testing and controls for live casino often focus on:
The idea is still the same: clear rules, reliable tracking, and no easy way to change outcomes after the fact.
Some crypto casinos use “provably fair” methods. The short version: the game shares a cryptographic “commitment” before a round, and you can verify after the round that the casino did not change the outcome.
This can be a useful extra layer. But it does not replace everything else. A provably fair tool can prove one part of fairness, while licensing, audits, and security controls cover other parts.
No. RTP is a long-term average. It does not tell you what happens today. It also does not mean you will “get your money back.” It only describes what the game is designed to pay back over a very large number of rounds.
A serious licensed operator should not be able to change core game behavior without controls. That is why certification scope, version control, and compliance testing matter. Still, you should prefer casinos that show clear, verifiable proof and use well-known suppliers.
It is a strong sign, but it is not the whole story. RNG testing focuses on randomness. A game can have a good RNG and still have wrong rules or wrong payout settings if other checks are missing.
Many regulators require third-party testing. For example, the UK Gambling Commission describes its approach and notes that it publishes a list of approved test houses, and that testing scope must be sufficient to assess compliance: UKGC procedure for testing.
It depends on the market and on what changes. Big updates, new features, or new jurisdiction requirements can trigger new testing. Also, security audits and compliance reviews can be ongoing requirements in some places.
Casino game testing is real work, not just a logo in a footer. A fair game needs honest math, a solid RNG (when used), strong security, and rules that match the real behavior. The best sign is proof you can click and verify.
If you use the checklist above, you can avoid many risky sites in a few minutes. And if a casino hides the details, that is also an answer.