eCOGRA’s Games Handbook: Top 10 Jurisdictions and Essential Definitions on Online Casino Game Types

Published on: 2024-08-22

eCOGRA’s Games Handbook: Top 10 Jurisdictions and Essential Definitions on Online Casino Game Types

In the fast-paced world of online gambling, ensuring the fairness and integrity of casino game types is crucial for maintaining trust and player satisfaction. As online casinos expand globally, so does the complexity of regulatory standards for game certification.

Whether it’s the spinning reels of slots, the strategic play of poker, or the thrill of sports betting, each game type must meet stringent criteria to secure approval across various jurisdictions.

With the help of our legal team, this blog covers specific certification requirements for different online casino game types in leading gambling markets, from the UK and Ontario to Spain and Greece. We’ll explore the nuances of each jurisdiction’s standards, helping you navigate global regulations with insight.

Scroll through to find the markets you’re most interested in and explore the most popular game types we certify for each jurisdiction.

1. Great Britain

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

Slots: Casino games of a reel-based type (includes games that have non-traditional reels).

Peer–to–peer gambling: A type of gambling where customers gamble against each other rather than against the house. For example, equal chance gaming such as poker or peer-to-peer betting through betting exchanges.

Source Link: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/standards/remote-gambling-and-software-technical-standards

2. Ontario (Canada):

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

  • Slots: Casino games of a reel-based type (includes games that have non-traditional reels).
  • Peer–to–peer games: Peer-to-peer games are a type of lottery scheme where players gamble against each other rather than against the house.
  • Sports and event wagering products: Any bet on occurrences related to sports, competitions, matches, and other types of activities which meet the criteria articulated in Standard 4.34, and which excludes games or events where the outcome is determined or controlled by a random number generator, peer-to-peer play, or an operator.

Sport and event betting includes:

  • Bets on fantasy sports, esports, and novelty events, but does not include bets on virtual sports.
  • Sport and event bets include, but are not limited to, single-game bets, teaser bets, parlays, over-under, money line, pools, exchange betting, in-game betting, proposition bets, and straight bets.

Source Link: https://www.agco.ca/en/book/export/html/245361

3. Netherlands:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

  • Casino games: Includes games played against the licensee and mutually between players.
  • Sports event betting: Bets on events during a sporting event or on the outcome of a sporting event.

Source link: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0044773/2022-07-15#Hoofdstuk2

4. Denmark:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

  • Online casino: This category includes table games such as roulette, baccarat, punto banco, blackjack and poker, as well as online bingo and slot games in an online casino.

Source link: https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2020/1303

5. Sweden:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

  • Casino games: Games such as roulette, dice games, card games and similar games.
  • Online slot games: A machine that pays out a prize in the form of money and where the probability of winning depends on chance.

Source link: https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/spellag-20181138_sfs-2018-1138/

casino game types

6. Spain:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification and regulatory pre-approval are:

  • Online slot game: A game in which, in exchange for the price of the individual game, the user is given a period of use in which he can attempt to obtain a combination of symbols or graphic representations which in accordance with the particular rules of the game, will win a given prize. A game where the essential elements are those of other gaming which are already regulated will not be considered to be a slot machine game.
  • Roulette: The game of roulette is understood to be a game of chance in which the participants play against the organising establishment and in which the possibility of winning depends on the coincidence of the participant’s bet with the number, colour or location of the square in which the representation of a ball that is set in motion within the representation of a rotating horizontal disc supported by an axis and divided into numbered radial squares comes to rest.
  • Blackjack: The game of blackjack is a game of chance played with playing cards, in which the participants play against the organising establishment, the object of the game being to reach twenty-one points or get close to them without exceeding that limit

Source link: https://www.ordenacionjuego.es/en/juegos-regulados

7. Greece

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification are:

  • Casino: This term is already actively used in the field of gambling and includes the games found in real/land-based casinos. It includes poker and its variants (Texas hold ’em, Omaha, etc.), slots, roulette, blackjack, keno, bingo, etc. Games of this type can be conducted live and without random number generators (e.g. live poker) or to rely exclusively on random number generators (e.g. Keno).

Source link: https://www.gamingcommission.gov.gr/index.php/ta-paignia/tuxera-paignia-meso-diadiktyou-eidh

8. Switzerland:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification and regulatory qualification are:

  • Casino games: Popular sub-categories include table games (such as roulette, poker and blackjack) and automated gambling (such as slot games).

Source link: https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2018/797/fr#art_4

9. Italy:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification and regulatory pre-approval are:

  • Casino games: Games under this category include slot/reel games, roulette games, dice games, poker games etc.

Source link: https://www.adm.gov.it/portale/en/giochi

10. Romania:

The most popular casino game types in this jurisdiction that require pre-release certification and regulatory pre-approval are:

  • This category encompasses the standard casino games like roulette, blackjack and poker to name a few. This also include slot games.

Source link: https://onjn.gov.ro/legislatia-aferenta-domeniului-jocurilor-de-noroc-2/

Navigating the intricate web of online casino game regulations can be complex, but ensuring compliance is essential for both suppliers and players.

eCOGRA stands at the forefront of this challenge, offering expert services in testing and certification to meet the diverse requirements of jurisdictions worldwide. With a reputation for excellence and a commitment to integrity, eCOGRA provides comprehensive solutions that ensure your games meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and security.

Whether you’re launching a new slot game or offering innovative sports betting products, eCOGRA’s certification services help you achieve regulatory compliance and build trust with your audience.

The information is current as of the publication date and may change according to regulatory changes. This article is for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as consultative advice.

Your compliance journey starts here – connect with us today:

Join the companies benefiting from the expertise of our specialist team world-wide to receive the highest level of service in testing, inspection and certification.

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