Gaming Laboratories International approved as independent testing service provider for New Zealand online gaming market
Global testing group Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has been approved to “provide independent testing services in support of New Zealand’s newly regulated online casino gambling market.”
The approval comes as New Zealand moves forward with its license applications for online gaming this month.
In a release on Thursday, GLI APAC Managing Director Richard Howarth noted that “New Zealand represents an important development for regulated igaming in the APAC region, and we are delighted that GLI is approved to support this new market. As operators and suppliers prepare for licensing and market entry, our teams are ready to help them understand and efficiently navigate the technical requirements of the new regulatory framework.”
Howard was recently a celebrated panelist at the inaugural CiG iDEA Summit, speaking about market possibilities in the Philippines and also noting the upcoming expectations for New Zealand from the industry. He was also a key panelist at the IAG Academy Summit.
Earlier this year, GLI was the first independent gaming testing laboratory accredited by the Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR, adding to an extensive roster of experience throughout newly regulated and developing igaming jurisdictions.
The group already serves over 710 regulated gaming jurisdictions worldwide and has a strong presence throughout APAC, with laboratories in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, plus operations throughout Asia-Pacific.
In its Thursday release, GLI noted that its “approval enables operators and suppliers preparing to enter the New Zealand market to access GLI’s extensive igaming testing and compliance expertise as they work to meet the technical and regulatory requirements of the new framework.”
A total of 15 brands are up for grabs in an auction process for New Zealand’s new igaming licenses, with winners expected to be announced by December.
Dig Deeper
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The Backstory
New Zealand builds the plumbing for a controlled launch
New Zealand’s decision to approve Gaming Laboratories International as an independent testing service is a technical step, but it sits at the center of the country’s broader shift from offshore exposure to a controlled online casino market. The government is preparing to issue 15 online casino licenses, with winners expected by December, and the testing regime will determine whether applicants can prove their games, platforms and vendors meet the new framework before going live.
The move follows the Department of Internal Affairs’ release of a draft testing and monitoring framework ahead of the license auction. That document named GLI Australia, Quality Assurance Laboratories and BMM Australia as approved independent test labs, setting out how applicants must document game fairness, random number generator integrity, platform security and technology supply chains before securing a license. The framework requires a Game and RNG Register for all intended games, including live dealer content, and demands disclosure of critical technology providers and data center or cloud-hosting locations.
That architecture shows New Zealand is not treating licensing as a simple commercial auction. The process is designed to bind operators to technical accountability from the outset, requiring evidence that games and systems have been independently tested before a license is issued. For GLI, approval gives it a formal role in one of Asia-Pacific’s most closely watched new regulated markets.
Licensing pressure moves from bidding to compliance
The auction for the 15 licenses has drawn industry attention because it limits market access from the beginning. Scarcity raises the commercial value of each license, but the compliance requirements mean bidders must demonstrate readiness beyond balance-sheet strength. New Zealand’s draft rules say operators must provide an updated Game and RNG Register at license commencement, along with confirmation from a chief executive or chief compliance officer that all relevant technology complies with the regulatory framework.
That includes third-party technology, infrastructure, operating systems, databases and gaming software. The requirements also call for vulnerability scans, penetration testing, ongoing system monitoring and return-to-player monitoring. New games or RNGs must be externally tested, while existing products must be retested when changes could affect fairness. Minor changes may be handled internally only where operators have mature controls over source-code security, version control, access rights, segregation of duties and release management.
The testing and monitoring draft released before the auction also leaves room for prior certifications from mature markets, including the United Kingdom and Ontario, to support New Zealand applications where they provide sufficient assurance. Even so, operators will need independent game testing and platform certification within six months of license approval and at least annually after that. That recurring obligation is important: It makes testing a continuing condition of participation rather than a prelaunch formality.
GLI’s APAC footprint has been expanding before New Zealand
GLI’s approval in New Zealand follows a wider expansion across Asia-Pacific, where regulators are tightening oversight of digital betting and casino products. Earlier this year, the company became the first independent gaming testing laboratory accredited by the Philippine gaming regulator PAGCOR, a milestone that positioned it inside another fast-developing regulated igaming market.
In the Philippines, GLI was authorized to test and certify igaming platforms under PAGCOR’s new framework. The approval covered suppliers seeking to operate in the market and referenced the company’s GLI-19 standard for interactive gaming systems. PAGCOR said at the time that regulated markets support safer gaming, responsible gambling compliance and tax collection, while requiring B2B suppliers to meet rigorous standards. GLI said it would work with PAGCOR to support those policy objectives.
The PAGCOR accreditation that made GLI the first approved igaming testing company in the Philippines gave the lab both commercial validation and regulatory proximity in a market that has been expanding its online oversight. That experience matters for New Zealand because newly regulated markets often lean heavily on technical specialists to translate policy goals into enforceable standards. Testing labs can influence the practical tempo of market opening by certifying games, reviewing systems and helping operators interpret technical rules.
GLI’s regional presence also gives it logistical advantages. The company already operates laboratories in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, with broader Asia-Pacific operations. For New Zealand license hopefuls, access to a recognized lab with regional capacity may reduce execution risk as the licensing timetable tightens.
Private equity backing raises growth expectations
GLI enters New Zealand’s launch phase with new ownership support. CVC Strategic Opportunities, part of CVC Capital Partners, recently completed its acquisition of a controlling stake in the company. The companies described the deal as a strategic partnership intended to support GLI’s growth and long-term development, while GLI said its leadership and operating approach would remain unchanged.
The completion of CVC’s investment in GLI came after antitrust filings in Austria and Malta disclosed plans for CVC to acquire more than 50% of GLI and take sole control of its entities. GLI Chief Executive James Maida has said the transaction would provide financial security and expansion opportunities without changing day-to-day leadership. CVC described GLI as a critical part of the global regulated gaming ecosystem, with long-term growth potential.
That capital backing is relevant as regulated igaming markets become more complex. Testing labs are being asked to review not only game math and RNG integrity, but also cybersecurity, data hosting, live dealer systems, sportsbook risk tools and fraud controls. GLI serves more than 710 regulated gaming jurisdictions globally, and its ability to scale staff, tools and advisory services will be tested as jurisdictions such as New Zealand, the Philippines and Brazil impose detailed technical standards.
GLI has also been active beyond casino testing. In Brazil, sportsbook technology provider Data.bet secured GLI certification for compliance with local betting standards, helping operators using its platform avoid separate technical testing during licensing. The Data.bet certification for Brazil’s regulated betting market illustrates how GLI’s approvals can function as commercial accelerators for suppliers entering newly formalized jurisdictions.
Fraud risks sharpen the case for tighter testing
New Zealand’s framework is emerging as fraud risks across Asia-Pacific become more sophisticated. A recent Sumsub report found suspicious igaming transaction volumes in the region fell 45% from the first quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2026, a decline attributed partly to stricter regulation in the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. But APAC still remained above the global average, and the nature of fraud has shifted toward more complex identity attacks.
The report said selfie fraud and deepfakes account for about 66.15% of fraud in APAC, with most attempts occurring after initial onboarding. That trend undercuts the idea that operators can rely only on front-end know-your-customer checks. Sumsub urged operators to adopt continuous monitoring and combine IP, device, email, phone and fraud network signals into a unified risk score.
The decline in APAC suspicious transaction volumes alongside rising AI-enabled fraud helps explain why New Zealand’s rules emphasize ongoing testing, platform monitoring, penetration testing and documentation. For regulators, technical certification is not only about fairness of games. It is also a safeguard against weak infrastructure, opaque suppliers and cyber vulnerabilities that can expose players and undermine confidence in a new market.
What is at stake for operators and regulators
New Zealand’s online casino opening will be watched as a test of whether a small but affluent market can combine limited licensing with strong technical supervision. For operators, the prize is entry into a regulated jurisdiction with clear rules and finite competition. For suppliers, approval by recognized test labs can determine whether their games and platforms are viable for licensees facing tight launch deadlines.
For regulators, the stakes are broader. A smooth launch would support the argument that online casino activity can be brought inside a domestic framework with better consumer protections, tax visibility and enforcement tools. A weak launch, by contrast, could leave room for offshore operators, compliance failures or reputational damage early in the regime.
GLI’s approval therefore is more than another credential for a global testing company. It is part of the infrastructure New Zealand needs before licenses become operational. The coming months will show whether bidders can satisfy the technical bar as quickly as they can compete for market access.
