18 October 2026
Regulators worldwide are increasing scrutiny on the technology powering online slots, pressing operators to adopt formal testing and auditing for randomness and payouts. Recent developments in New Zealand, Italy, Finland and Brazil signal a global push for more rigorous technical compliance in online gaming.
In New Zealand, the Department of Internal Affairs released a discussion draft that would require casino games and random number generators to be tested by approved independent labs. The draft also requires operators to monitor each game’s performance against theoretical payout rates on an ongoing basis. The proposal affects all operators seeking a license to serve the regulated New Zealand market.
Italy’s gaming regulator Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM) recently held an open hearing on updates to technical standards and live game hosting. The draft would strengthen verification procedures for ensuring games compliance with return-to-player rates. It also seeks to clarify certification procedures and documentation required for live dealer game approval. The move comes amid increasing ADM oversight of live casino platforms in Italy.
Finland is drafting a new gambling regime that would impose minimum payout rates and stake limits on online slots. The new regulations represent significant centralized control over the technical parameters of Finland's national online gaming roll-out. The proposed Finnish rules signal a complex compliance landscape for slots operators hoping to enter the new market.
Latin American giant Brazil moved into regulated online gaming with the passage of Law No. 14.790. Brazil’s gambling regulator SPA has established a comprehensive technical and operational protocol for all online games. Licensed games must offer a return-to-player rate of at least 85% over the stated playing cycle, and all games must be certified for compliance. The SPA appointed a group of gambling testing labs, including GLI, eCOGRA, and BMM Testlabs, as authorized certification labs. As the Brazilian online gambling market grows, operators wanting to offer slots face an environment of heightened tech standards and verified payout rates.
With more markets like New Zealand, Italy and Finland joining Brazil in setting robust regulations for online slots, iGaming operators face intensifying compliance requirements to gain national licenses. The trend may put operators that refuse to comply with licensed market demands at a competitive disadvantage, while spelling more scrutiny for those operating in unregulated or crypto-facing niches.