The independent gambling test company Gaming Laboratories International has published what it claims is the world's first global interactive gaming standard. The standard, dubbed "GLI-19," establishes the industry's first global e-gaming regulatory guidelines, the company says in a statement this week.
"This is an important day in the gaming industry. With GLI-19, GLI and TST can now assist new and emerging markets in developing the proper technical controls and regulations to facilitate the markets," said GLI president and CEO James Maida. "Regulators who are contemplating iGaming regulation will be better able to institute these technical regulations in their new markets, as they are already accepted by the industry."
GLI-19 is a technical standard developed after an extensive review of several key interactive gaming jurisdictions, which the statement does not identify. It is the culmination of more than a year's worth of in-depth consultation with iGaming regulators, software developers and operators from around the world, the company says.
"GLI and TST have spent a significant amount of time working closely with regulators in existing jurisdictions to understand the unique aspects of iGaming technical regulation. It is only through these special relationships that we were able to determine best practices and provide a common standard for new jurisdictions," said GLI Europe/TST managing director Phillip Barow.
Barow said that GLI-19 is the first set of common standards for technical regulation of iGaming markets. It encompasses the best practices in regulated jurisdictions from Europe and Canada, where the majority of iGaming regulation is currently occurring.
GLI-19 is available for free download on GLI's website.
The guide is separated into two distinct areas: supplier requirements and operator requirements.
"This separation was suggested by the expert team of regulators, suppliers and operators we consulted with on this project, and will help to streamline the industry," Maida said.
Maida added, "With GLI-19, we are sending a clear signal that we continue to support regulated iGaming markets growth by providing an industry-approved standard based on the best input from industry participants and regulators. This standard will give regulators contemplating iGaming regulation the confidence that guidance on regulation, player protection and industry best practices is available in an off-the-shelf solution that is to the benefit of all industry participants."
The statement notes that the work will be constantly updated.
With the European Commission's Green Paper on regulatory harmonisation in the EU currently in its consultative phase, the independent guide developed by GLI is likely to receive wide attention. However, there are other industry best practice standards and regulatory guidelines already in the European marketplace from organisations like the UK Gambling Commission and eCOGRA, which has close links with the European Gaming and Betting Association.
Source: InfoPowa News