The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is to launch a consultation over proposed changes to its testing strategy in regards to compliance with remote gambling and software technical standards.
The national regulatory body is seeking the opinions of licensed operators, test houses and those with an interest in the testing of remote gambling products, with the closing date for response set for February 11.
The consultation will propose a more simplified approach to defining major and minor updates to games and software so operators, test houses and consumers understand which products require external testing prior to release.
The UKGC also proposes greater scope for minor updates, which do not affect game fairness, to be tested in-house, as well as a more streamlined approach to the testing of multiple updates.
Other changes include additional guidance in relation to the roll-out of existing games onto new channels, an effective return to player (RTP) monitoring to ensure variations in payments to consumers can be identified and resolved, as well as an independent annual audit requirement to provide assurance that operators are correctly identifying and managing game updates.
The move comes after the UKGC last week also launched a consultation into gaming machines in the UK market.
“The complexity of the online gambling market and growth in our regulatory sphere have reinforced the need to ensure that the standards set out in the Testing Strategy remain clear, transparent and promote an efficient and effective approach to regulation,” the UKGC said in a statement.
“It is important that operators have in place sufficient controls to protect consumers from faulty games and where possible offer clear and detailed explanations of game performance.”
source : www.igamingbusiness.com
