Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has secured accreditation from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as the first independent testing laboratory authorised to certify iGaming systems in the country. The approval formalises GLI’s role in validating online gaming platforms under PAGCOR’s regulatory framework.
According to the company’s official announcement, the accreditation enables GLI to provide independent testing, inspection, and certification services for iGaming operators and suppliers operating within the Philippine market.
Accreditation Defines Technical Compliance Role Within PAGCOR Framework
The approval establishes GLI as a recognised technical authority within PAGCOR’s compliance structure, responsible for ensuring that gaming systems meet regulatory and operational standards.
- GLI is authorised to test and certify iGaming platforms for compliance with PAGCOR requirements.
- The accreditation applies to system integrity, functionality, and regulatory alignment.
- Testing processes are based on GLI’s established global standards, including GLI-19.
- Certification supports both operators and suppliers seeking approval within the jurisdiction.
- The role positions GLI as a key intermediary between regulators and technology providers.
In its press release, GLI confirmed that the accreditation allows it to “test and certify iGaming systems” in line with PAGCOR’s regulatory expectations, reinforcing the importance of independent validation within the approval process.
The company also emphasised its global experience, noting that it has tested and certified gaming systems across more than 700 jurisdictions, providing technical assurance for regulators and operators worldwide.
Technical Certification Becomes Embedded in Regulatory Approval Process
The accreditation highlights the increasing role of independent laboratories in regulatory frameworks, particularly in jurisdictions expanding their digital gaming oversight.
Under PAGCOR’s structure, testing and certification are not limited to product approval but extend to ongoing compliance verification, ensuring that platforms operate within defined technical parameters.
GLI’s approval formalises this process, introducing a structured pathway for operators and suppliers to demonstrate compliance before entering or expanding within the market. This development also reflects PAGCOR’s broader regulatory positioning, where technical validation is integrated into licensing and operational requirements rather than treated as a secondary function.
Regulatory Context Reflects Broader Compliance Tightening in Philippines
The accreditation comes amid a wider regulatory shift in the Philippines, where authorities are strengthening oversight across both licensed and unlicensed segments of the market.
Recent developments, such as the Philippines’ crackdown on illegal gambling and cybercrime networks, indicate a parallel focus on enforcement, targeting unauthorised operations while reinforcing compliance standards for licensed entities.
At the same time, legislative initiatives such as the Philippines’ proposed AML and cybercrime reforms targeting online gaming point to increased scrutiny of financial flows and system integrity within the sector.
Within this context, the role of independent testing laboratories becomes more central, supporting regulators in verifying that platforms meet both technical and compliance requirements.
Certification Role Strengthens Interface Between Regulators and Operators
GLI’s accreditation positions it within a critical interface between regulatory oversight and industry implementation. For operators and suppliers, certification from an accredited laboratory serves as a prerequisite for regulatory approval, ensuring that systems meet required standards before deployment. For PAGCOR, the use of independent testing bodies enhances regulatory capacity, allowing technical verification to be conducted by specialised entities while maintaining oversight authority. The development reinforces a broader industry direction: compliance is increasingly dependent on structured, third-party validation, with testing laboratories playing a formalised role in regulatory ecosystems rather than acting solely as external consultants.
As additional laboratories seek accreditation, the framework is expected to expand, but GLI’s designation as the first approved provider establishes an early benchmark for technical compliance within the Philippine iGaming market.