Have you ever wondered how online casino games in Canada work or how you can guarantee they aren’t rigged? This is indeed an interesting subject and it involves things like Random Number Generators and Return To Player percentages.
If you want to pull back the curtain and learn more about this subject, we have created a comprehensive guide below. If you read on, we will explain how casino games at Canadian online casinos are audited and tested, and we also briefly explore the testing organizations like eCOGRA and iTech Labs that provide these facilities.
How Canadian Online Casino Games Are Tested for Fairness
Casino games are complex software with many different facets, including the graphical elements, game mechanics, and underlying system that determine the outcomes of things like slot spins or card deals. When it comes to the testing and auditing of games in
Canadian online casinos, there are typically three main things that labs like eCOGRA and iTech Labs will look for
Testing Process
Description
Random Number Generators
Testing if the game systems truly generate random results
Game Engines
Look for stability, security, and reliability of the game software
Return To Player Percentage
Testing to make sure the stated RTP percentage is accurate
Testing and Validation of Random Number Generators
The various outcomes in casino games such as slot spins, card deals, wheel spins, and plinko ball drops are all determined by Random Number Generators. These are incredibly complex algorithms that can spit out random numbers that then relate to a specific casino function and this is the primary means of casino games having a random element and being fair.
Testing labs will run countless tests on the RNG systems and algorithms to make sure that the outcomes are truly random, and that there is no bias in the results or the potential for tampering. Billions of simulated spins on a slot game might be run for example to test the RNG systems that determine which symbols will appear on each reel after each spin. The test labs will then analyze the results with the help of AI and powerful computer processing to determine if true randomness was achieved.
The main test labs like eCOGRA and iTech Labs will actually provide RNG certification that games developers can attain to prove their RNG systems are random.
Game Engine Testing
The underlying game engines that run the different Canadian online casino games will also be tested. While a core element of this is to test for fairness, oftentimes other features like security, stability, and accuracy will also be tested. This makes sure that the game functions as it is advertised, and that Canadian customers can enjoy a safe gaming experience when playing with real money.
Of course, the game engine will also be tested for fairness to make sure that it cannot be tampered with or that it is not rigged in any way to give an unfair advantage to the online casino that uses it. Oftentimes, iGaming developers will have each of these three main features tested and gain certification for them all.
Return To Player (RTP) Percentage Testing
The Return To Player percentage is a specified figure that all online casino games have. This is a theoretical percentage that players can expect to get back when playing a game over a prolonged period. For example, the popular
online slots
Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead have an RTP of 96.21%, which means that if you spent $100 CAD playing it, you should theoretically get back at least $96.21 CAD.
Third-party testing labs will run simulations and do extensive testing to make sure that the RTP percentages games are advertised with are true. This will take an immense amount of simulations, but it can be done quickly due to the powerful systems and computers the labs have. Like RNG certification, some testing labs will provide RTP certification so that game developers can officially display the RTP percentage in their game rules/advertising.
Notable Canadian Casino Game Testing Organizations
Let’s now go over the two main third-party testing organizations that work with software developers and online casinos in Canada. There are others, but eCOGRA and iTech Labs are two of the best-known and the ones that are used by the most Canadian online casinos that we recommend. Below, we give you a little detail about each organization and what they do.
🧪 eCOGRA
eCOGRA is not just an iGaming testing lab – they also deal with other aspects of digital testing such as cyber security, regulatory compliance, ISO standards, and dispute resolutions. Specifically for Canadian online casinos, they can provide game engine certification, RNG testing, RTP testing, production certification, website testing, and integration. This testing laboratory was founded in 2003 in the UK and it remains a prominent testing and standards organization.
🔬 iTech Labs
iTech Labs is one of the other main accredited testing laboratories in the online gaming sphere and it provides services for a range of Canadian online casinos. This lab perhaps offers a slightly wider selection of services including RNG testing, RTP/RNG audits, annual and security audits, games testing, integration testing, platform testing, and sports betting testing. Founded in 2004, iTech Labs was originally its own company, but in 2023 it was acquired by Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).
Pros and Cons of Canadian Casino Game Testing
We think it is fantastic that Canadian online casinos work with eCOGRA and iTech Labs and there aren’t really any downsides to the process. Having things like RNGs and RTP percentage tested means you are getting a fair gaming experience. The only real downside is with the games themselves – ultimately the RTP is never 100%! Since most
casino payment methods
have different minimum deposits and withdrawals, it’s important to plan your budget with this in mind.
Pros and Cons
Thorough testing processes
You are guaranteed fairness and random results
RTP percentages should be accurate
Game engines cannot falsify results or manipulate things
Game RTPs are always below 100%
Only Ever Play Games That Are from Reputable, Tested Developers
We hope you have found this article on Canadian casino game testing and auditing useful and now understand how the process works and the main organizations responsible for ensuring game fairness. The main takeaways for you are that you should only use Canadian online casinos that use games from reputable software developers who have their titles tested for fairness by third-party testing labs like eCOGRA and iTech Labs.
Some examples of trusted software developers include Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Relax Gaming, and Booming Games, but you can also simply use the links and banners on this page and site to visit our recommended trusted online casinos. You can also check out the other casino guides we have to arm yourself with knowledge and keep your playing sessions safe.
Canadian Online Casino Game Testing FAQs
Random Number Generators are complex algorithms that are used to generate the random results of different casino game mechanics like spins in slot games and draws in card games.
Not if you play the games at the Canadian online casinos we recommend. We only review and test reputable online casinos that have their games provided by reputable developers like Pragmatic Play and Relax Gaming who have their RNG systems tested for fairness.
Return To Player percentage is a theoretical amount you can expect to get back when playing a Canadian online casino game over a prolonged period. For example, if you used $100 CAD playing a game with a 96.00% RTP, you’d expect to get back $96 CAD.
Volatility relates to the distribution of winnings for casino games in volume and value. The volatility scale goes from low to very high and affects how often you win, and the amounts that you can win.
