What Is GLI Certification? Gaming Labs International Standards Explained

Gaming Labs International (GLI) is the world’s dominant independent testing laboratory for gaming products and systems. Founded on 23 June 1989 by James Maida and Paul Magno in Toms River, New Jersey, GLI has since certified millions of land-based, online, and lottery device and system items, and consulted on or tested equipment for more than 710 jurisdictions worldwide. For any supplier, operator, or platform developer seeking market access in a regulated jurisdiction, a GLI certification report is typically the first technical gate they must pass.

Understanding what GLI certification actually involves, how the standards library is structured, and what the “Gaming Labs Certified®” mark commits the holder to is essential groundwork before entering any regulated market.

What Is an Independent Testing Laboratory and Why Does It Matter?

An independent testing laboratory (ITL) sits between the product developer and the regulator. Its function is to evaluate whether a gaming device, platform, or system conforms to a defined technical standard, and to issue a certification report that the regulator can rely on without conducting its own full technical review. Regulators mandate the use of ITLs because they lack the engineering resources to test every product independently, and because a neutral third-party assessment provides credible assurance that the product behaves as represented.

GLI holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for testing and ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation for inspection across its global laboratory network. ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard that governs the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. These accreditations are not self-declared, they are conferred and periodically reviewed by national accreditation bodies such as the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) in the United States and equivalent bodies in other regions. The Dutch Accreditation Council, for example, accredited GLI Europe’s labs under ISO 17025:2017, a version update that the European labs achieved before any other gaming test lab in the region.

GLI was the first gaming test laboratory licensed by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, following an extensive background investigation of the company, its financial records, and its employees. That precedent established the governance model that most subsequent regulators have followed: approve the laboratory itself before accepting its certification reports. GLI Europe BV received full approval from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission to test all categories of equipment after completing a full assessment and accreditation against ISO 17025. The pattern repeats across dozens of jurisdictions.

What Does a GLI Certificate Actually Certify?

A GLI certification report confirms that specific submission materials, tested using methods developed by GLI, conform to the standard or requirements identified in the report. The GLI Terms and Conditions are explicit on the scope: “The certification established by this Report applies exclusively to tests conducted using current and retrospective methods developed by Gaming Laboratories International, LLC (GLI) on the specific items submitted by the Manufacturer.” The certificate does not extend to related items, subsequent software versions, or configurations not tested in the engagement.

“The Submission Materials shall not be considered as having passed or conformed to any testing standard, regulation, or requirement except as expressly set forth in the Report.”

This specificity has direct operational consequences. A platform certification under GLI-19 does not automatically cover the games sitting on top of that platform. A game certification does not transfer to a new jurisdiction unless the jurisdictional addendum has been addressed. Each jurisdictional submission is discrete. Suppliers scaling across multiple markets must budget for incremental certification costs at each step, even when the underlying product has not changed.

GLI certification is also not a substitute for gaming licensure. GLI’s terms place that responsibility entirely on the client: “It is the responsibility of the manufacturer and/or developer of the items submitted to apply for, obtain and maintain all necessary gaming licensure in each jurisdiction in which they do business, including state and tribal jurisdictions, where applicable.” The certificate satisfies the technical compliance gate, the licensing process is a parallel and separate obligation.

The GLI Standards Library: What Is Covered

GLI publishes its technical standards publicly and free of charge at gaminglabs.com. The library spans the full range of gaming product categories. The primary standards relevant to iGaming and land-based casino operators are as follows.

GLI-11: Gaming Devices v3.0 covers land-based electronic gaming machines (EGMs), addressing game integrity, random number generation, accounting meters, and communication protocols. It is the foundational standard for slot machine certification across North American and many international jurisdictions.

GLI-12: Progressive Jackpots v3.0 addresses the technical and accounting requirements for progressive jackpot systems linked to gaming devices.

GLI-16: Cashless Systems and Technologies v3.0 governs ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) systems and emerging cashless wagering technologies, including voucher validation and funds transfer mechanisms.

GLI-19: Interactive Gaming Systems v3.0 (revision date July 17, 2020) is GLI’s primary standard for online and interactive gaming platforms. Its scope covers server-side game logic, RNG certification, game client presentation, account management, transaction processing, and responsible gambling controls at the system level. GLI-19 became the world’s first global interactive gaming standard and remains the baseline that most regulated online markets reference, directly or by adoption, including markets in North America, Europe, Latin America, and offshore jurisdictions. The standard was immediately adopted by the Delaware State Lottery when version 2.0 was released.

GLI-21: Client-Server Systems v2.2 addresses Class II and Class III gaming systems where the game outcome is determined centrally rather than at the device, a structure common in lottery-style and tribal gaming environments.

GLI-33: Standards for Event Wagering Systems v1.1 (revision date May 14, 2019) covers sports betting and event wagering platforms. On its release, the Choctaw Gaming Commission of Choctaw Mississippi, the West Virginia Lottery, and the Cherokee Tribal Gaming Commission of North Carolina were among the first regulatory bodies to adopt it.

The Gaming Security Framework (GLI-GSF) is a suite of five audit standards covering information security across different operator and supplier contexts: GLI-GSF-1 (Gaming Information Security Controls Audit v1.1), GLI-GSF-2 (Gaming Technical Security Assessment v1.0), GLI-GSF-3 (GIS Vendors Audit v1.0), GLI-GSF-4 (GIS Landbased Audit v1.0), and GLI-GSF-5 (GIS Online Audit v1.0). These sit alongside ISO/IEC 27001 and address gaming-specific security controls that general information security standards do not cover.

The Composite Submission Requirements: What Suppliers Must Prepare

The GLI Composite Submission Requirements v2.0 is the master procedural document governing how a client packages and submits materials for testing. Rather than applying only to a single product category, it consolidates the documentation, software, hardware, and administrative requirements that must accompany any submission across GLI’s testing services. A Spanish-language version is also published.

For new software submissions, the requirements include two sets of software encompassing all video, sound, printer, touchscreen, and bill validator components, copies of all percentage calculations, reel strip listings, and paytables, complete source code with link map and binary image files, complete emulation instructions including non-volatile memory locations, and a random number generator test program or proof of a previously approved RNG. Operational manuals and a letter specifying the target jurisdictions are required before any testing can begin.

For new machine submissions, the physical device must be accompanied by all technical documents, manuals, and schematics for associated equipment. A copy of the manufacturer’s licence or tribal sponsorship letter from the requested jurisdiction must be on file at GLI before testing commences where the jurisdiction requires it. GLI must also receive advance notice of machine shipment at least 24 hours before arrival, with serial number, expected shipping date, and carrier identified.

Post-certification, any modification to tested submission materials triggers the Change Management Program. GLI publishes a separate Change Management Program Guide alongside the Composite Submission Requirements. Not every change requires a full re-certification, GLI’s change management process evaluates whether the modification affects certified functionality and assigns an appropriate re-test scope. Suppliers who skip this step and deploy modified software without clearance risk invalidating their existing certificates and losing approval status in affected jurisdictions.

How Regulators Use GLI Standards as a Baseline

GLI’s standards page states the model plainly: “Each jurisdiction has the authority to set their own standards, however, many use our standards as a starting point in developing their regulations. In other words, GLI has established the base standards for gaming devices and systems around the world.” This is a technically accurate description of how the majority of regulated markets operate in practice.

Some jurisdictions adopt GLI standards by direct reference. The Danish Gambling Authority, the Spanish Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ), the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Malta’s Lottery and Gaming Authority, the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, and British Columbia’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch are among the regulators cited in GLI-19 v3.0’s acknowledgment section as having contributed documents reviewed during the standard’s development. That acknowledgment reflects a longstanding regulatory alignment: these bodies shaped parts of GLI-19, and GLI-19 in turn shaped their own technical requirements.

Other jurisdictions mandate GLI certification directly. In Spain, both B2B iGaming platform suppliers and B2C online gaming operators must obtain GLI Europe’s accredited certification before providing services, with GLI also serving as an independent auditor for Information Systems Security. In Michigan, GLI was authorised by the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) as a designated test laboratory for the state. GLI has been approved by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission as an accredited online gaming testing facility, and by Portugal’s SRIJ for online gaming compliance testing. In Colombia, GLI became the first test lab accredited by Coljuegos.

GLI is accredited in all regulated iGaming markets, continuously seeking new accreditations as emerging markets develop, a reach the company identifies as the basis for its claim to market leadership among independent testing laboratories.

For operators entering the Ontario market under the AGCO’s iGaming Ontario framework, or those targeting markets governed by regulators such as the MGA or the UKGC, the relevant technical requirements will typically map onto GLI standards even when the jurisdiction’s own technical specifications are the formal authority. Compliance teams should verify accreditation status in each target jurisdiction, as GLI’s approval profile varies by lab and by product category.

The Gaming Labs Certified® Mark

The “Gaming Labs Certified®” mark is a registered trademark that suppliers and operators may use to indicate that their product has been certified through GLI’s process. Its use is not unconditional. By accepting the mark, the holder agrees to permit GLI representatives to perform surveillance audits of how the mark is being used. Additionally, an authorised representative of A2LA may conduct its own surveillance audit at its discretion to confirm that use of the mark does not imply A2LA endorsement of the holder’s services or processes.

The mark’s scope is narrow and product-specific. A product that is “Gaming Labs Certified” is certified for the specific submission materials tested, in the specific jurisdictions named in the report, under the specific standard identified. Deploying the mark beyond that scope, or applying it to configurations that have not been certified, is a contractual breach. GLI’s terms also confirm that certification validity can be monitored through GLIAccess, the company’s client portal, and through the Evaluation and Certification Guide published on gaminglabs.com.

Rules for use of the mark are published in a dedicated policy document: “Rules for Use of Certification Mark and Logo Notification Approval (WI-PS-010),” available on the GLI standards page.

GLI’s Global Laboratory Network

GLI’s testing and certification services are delivered through a worldwide network of laboratories and offices. The world headquarters remains in Lakewood, New Jersey (600 Airport Road), the successor location to the original Toms River founding address. The Las Vegas Service Center (7160 Amigo Street, Las Vegas, Nevada) operates as an 18,000 square-foot protocol and systems testing facility housing systems and games from virtually every major manufacturer.

In Canada, GLI operates two key offices: a British Columbia office in Burnaby (6400 Roberts Street, Suite 160) and a New Brunswick office in Moncton (Suite 200, Ocean Limited Way). The Moncton facility is specifically equipped as an Instant Ticket Testing Lab and was established through an agreement with Opportunities New Brunswick. Given New Brunswick’s geography and the strength of Atlantic Canadian gaming regulation, Moncton serves clients seeking provincial and federal lottery certifications in Canada.

In the Asia-Pacific region, GLI Australia maintains laboratories in Sydney (Auburn, NSW), Adelaide (St. Mary’s, South Australia), and Melbourne (South Melbourne, VIC). The Melbourne presence was significantly expanded when GLI acquired iTech Global Pty Ltd (iTech Labs) in 2023, adding one of the sector’s most established independent testing labs to the GLI network. iTech Labs continues to operate from its Melbourne address at Suite 1.05, Level 1, 11 Queens Rd. GLI Asia holds offices in Tokyo and Macao SAR, positioning the network for both Japanese market development and Macau’s established casino sector.

In Europe, GLI operates through GLI Europe BV in the Netherlands (the original European hub, accredited under EN 45004, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025), GLI UK in Bangor, Wales, and offices in Austria, Serbia, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Slovenia. The Slovenian presence operates as SIQ Gaming Laboratories in Ljubljana. The combined GLI and NMi operation, following the 2015 NMi Gaming acquisition, provides eight offices and over 320 employees across the EMEA region.

GLI Link, GLI’s patented interoperability testing technology, extends the effective reach of each laboratory. Rather than shipping physical devices between jurisdictions for interoperability testing, GLI Link connects a device located in one office to a system in another through proprietary technology. This reduces time-to-market costs and eliminates the logistical friction of cross-border equipment shipments.

Pre-Certification Services and Time-to-Market Tools

GLI offers pre-certification and quality assurance testing as a distinct service tier, separate from the formal certification submission. Pre-certification testing allows suppliers to identify non-conformances before the official submission, reducing the risk of findings that would otherwise delay the formal certification report and market entry. For suppliers developing products for multiple markets simultaneously, pre-certification testing against a target standard provides an internal quality gate before the official engagement commences.

The Point.Click.Submit.® platform enables clients to manage submissions electronically, while Point.Click.Transfer.® supports the transfer of existing approvals to new jurisdictions where the regulatory framework permits approval transfers rather than full re-certification. These tools address one of the most significant friction points for suppliers scaling across markets: the administrative overhead of managing parallel submission queues across dozens of jurisdictions, each with its own documentation requirements and timelines.

GLI also offers transfers of approval for existing iGaming certifications, allowing clients with an active certification in one jurisdiction to leverage that work when seeking approval elsewhere. The availability and scope of approval transfers depends on the regulatory policies of the receiving jurisdiction, not all regulators accept transferred approvals, and some require additional jurisdictional testing even where the base certification is accepted.

GLI University and Regulatory Training

Beyond testing and certification, GLI operates GLI University, a training and education programme directed primarily at regulators. The Comisión de Juegos del Gobierno de Puerto Rico, for example, has publicly credited GLI University training on iGaming technical standards, including GLI-19, and internal controls. The National Lotteries and Gaming Regulatory Board has also engaged GLI University for regulatory capacity building. This regulator-facing training function is operationally significant: it means GLI not only writes and tests against the standards, but also trains the regulatory staff who will apply those standards in practice.

For compliance teams, understanding that many regulators have been trained directly by GLI provides useful context. The framing of technical requirements, the terminology used in regulatory guidance documents, and the weighting given to particular control areas often reflect GLI’s own standards architecture. Suppliers and operators who are fluent in GLI standards terminology are therefore better positioned in regulatory engagements across the jurisdictions where GLI has a training relationship.

What GLI Certification Is Not

Three misconceptions about GLI certification surface frequently in compliance engagements and are worth addressing directly.

A GLI certification report is not a regulatory approval. Regulators accept or reject certification reports in light of their own requirements. A report issued for one jurisdiction cannot be relied upon by a regulator in another jurisdiction unless that second regulator explicitly accepts it. GLI’s terms state clearly that a report “may not be relied upon for any reason by any person or entity including, but not necessarily limited to, the manufacturer or developer of any Submission Materials, a non-GLI laboratory, or any regulatory authority not named as a Recipient.”

A GLI certification is not perpetual. Certified items remain certified “until such time notification is sent indicating that an item is no longer permitted to be used within the jurisdiction specified.” Software changes, hardware changes, and regulatory amendments can all trigger re-certification obligations under the Change Management Programme. Suppliers who treat initial certification as a one-time event, rather than as the start of an ongoing compliance maintenance cycle, will encounter enforcement consequences when changes are deployed without clearance.

A GLI certification is not the same across all product layers. A platform certification does not certify the games running on it, a game certification does not certify the platform. Operators who aggregate third-party game content onto a certified platform must confirm that each content layer carries its own applicable certifications for the target jurisdiction. Mapping the certification scope across the full product stack is an essential step before any market go-live.

Compliance teams handling multi-jurisdictional submissions should consult qualified legal counsel to confirm the regulatory status of GLI certifications in each target market, as jurisdictional policies on accreditation, approval transfer, and change management vary materially. For a detailed comparison of GLI-19 and GLI-33 and how to select the right standard for a specific product, see our article on GLI-19 vs GLI-33: Choosing the Right Certification Path. Operators navigating the Ontario market, where AGCO technical requirements align closely with GLI-19, will find additional context in our Ontario iGaming compliance guide.

Key Resources

GLI Standards Library (gaminglabs.com/gli-standards) is the full catalogue of GLI technical standards, including Composite Submission Requirements v2.0, the Change Management Program Guide, GLI-11 through GLI-33, and the GLI-GSF suite. All standards are publicly available without charge.

GLI iGaming Testing and Certification Services (gaminglabs.com) provides an overview of GLI’s digital and iGaming compliance service portfolio, including RNG testing, RTP testing, platform testing, live dealer certification, and responsible gambling system assessments.

GLI Evaluation and Certification Guide is available via the GLI standards page and details the full procedure for testing and certifying gaming devices and the process for issuing test reports. Jurisdiction-specific versions are published for markets such as Slovenia where local regulation prescribes the format.

Rules for Use of Certification Mark and Logo (WI-PS-010) is the governing document for use of the Gaming Labs Certified® mark, including surveillance audit obligations under A2LA.

GLI-19: Standards for Interactive Gaming Systems v3.0 (revision date July 17, 2020) and GLI-33: Standards for Event Wagering Systems v1.1 (revision date May 14, 2019) are the primary technical standards for online gaming platforms and sports betting systems respectively, both available via the GLI standards page.