What is iTech Labs?

A common question asked by most Canadian players when they play games like slots or blackjack is, “Is this thing rigged?” This is a completely natural question. The truth is that trust is important, especially in this case, where the players can’t physically see the gameplay. 

DealGamble recognizes this and understands it perfectly. For over eight years, our team has spent quality time manually researching legitimate online casinos in Canada. The process involves playing at different casinos for real money and reviewing them to distinguish legitimate ones from fake ones. Here’s a thorough breakdown of the best ways to verify if a Canadian game provider is fair and legitimate.

iTech Labs is an internationally accredited independent third-party testing and certification facility established in 2004. It ensures that the betting systems, casino platforms, and other stakeholders in the online gaming industry operate fairly. The company ensures that slot games and lotteries work as advertised. 

iTech Labs serves as an intermediary between game providers and players before games enter the market. The company conducts audits for online gaming systems that want to legally offer games in Canada under the authorization of iGaming Ontario (iGO), the regulatory body for Canadian gambling sites, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, which scrutinizes offshore operators. 

It serves as the testing lab for these prominent and widely recognised regulatory bodies in the Canadian gambling industry. At the end of the audit, if successful, iTech Labs provides the operator with proof in the form of certificates confirming the operator’s approval.

RNG Testing: The “Brain” of the Game

Every online game relies on a Random Number Generator (RNG) in its gaming system. The RNG is the core of the system that determines whether the next card you select will be an Ace or a 2, or if the reels on a slot machine will stop on a jackpot or on a blank. If the RNG has been flawed or tampered with, the game stops being a game of luck or chance.

Over eight years of DealGamble’s casino research, the team has identified a clear pattern. Online gaming sites with an active, verified RNG certificate from iTech Labs and other inspection bodies rarely receive player complaints. When player feedback was tracked across sites in Canada, most complaints about rigged gameplay were directed at uncertified sites. 

iTech ensures fairness by thoroughly testing the RNG systems of gaming sites. These tests analyze millions of game results to ensure that they are unpredictable, uniformly distributed, and non-repeatable. When iTech certifies a gaming site’s RNG, they ensure the code has a unique fingerprint. This is to ensure that the certification becomes invalid anytime the site tries to change or remove the code.

RTP Verification: The “Financial Value” Formula

In contrast to RNG, which ensures that game outcomes on gambling sites are random, Return to Player (RTP) determines the game’s value. If a game has a 96% RTP, it means that for every $100 staked, $96 is returned to players over time. 

iTech lab conducts a financial value audit, carefully inspecting the game operator’s actual server logs. Below is a breakdown of how they carry out their verification process:

• Data Extraction. iTech selects the actual data on all wagers from the casino’s backend server over a specific period of time (usually several months).
• Calculation. They calculate the total payouts and the total bets placed by players.
• Comparison. They compare the actual data from the calculation with the theoretical data submitted by the game operator.

A game that advertised a 97% RTP but paid only 92% would be flagged immediately by iTech Labs. For Canadian players, this is a safe way to protect themselves against uncertified and scam gaming sites. DealGamble prioritizes platforms that have iTech Lab reports and certificates, as this demonstrates transparency and trustworthiness.

Software and Security Audits

A casino could offer fair, unmanipulated games and a wide range of payment methods. Yet, it could still be a risky site for players if it is vulnerable to interception by an unauthorized third party. As a result, iTech Labs conducts detailed Software and Security audits to ensure the gaming site is protected from hacks and breaches. They also examine the platform’s infrastructure to ensure the following security measures are in place.

• Data Encryption. Your Canadian ID and banking details must be protected by high-level SSL/TLS encryption.
• Player Account Integrity. They ensure that player account balances cannot be manipulated internally by the operator, such as a honeypot. They also see to it that external factors don’t have access to players’ funds.
• Vulnerability Testing. They run a test-hack on the casino to check for any loopholes in the system.

How to Spot A Fake iTech Labs Seal

The rapid growth of the Canadian market has led to a surge in grey operators using fake certificates to bypass inspections and regulations. As a result, players need to recognize these sites to reduce the risk of fraud. Below is how you can verify an iTech Labs seal on a platform:

• A real iTech Labs logo should be clickable and contain a link. If it’s just an image, then it’s a red flag, and you should be careful of the site.
• Clicking the logo should direct you to the official iTech Labs website (itechlabs.com). If the link takes you to a different site, close the window and leave the site.
• The certificate page of the site must clearly list the Operator Name, the casino’s URL, the date of certification, and the standards it was tested against (e.g., AGCO/iGO standards).
• Make sure the casino’s name matches the one on their site.

If anything feels off or suspicious, do not sign up or deposit. A fake seal means the business is likely a scam.

Conclusion: Play With Confidence

The goal of any online gaming site should be entertainment and a good player experience. Researching iTech Labs-certified sites will help you choose platforms that are registered and approved. You can also visit dealgamble.com to explore fully verified casino listings for players in Canada. Apart from the reviews we provide, you can also read our guides and game strategies to help you maximize your profit.

James Carter,

CCO

10 years of experience in the online gaming industry ensures that all content is both informative and engaging, with a commitment to helping players make informed decisions when it comes to safe gaming practices and reliable casino options.