If you have been around the iGaming scene long enough, you’ve likely heard about ISO and GLI accreditations. But what are they, and what do they actually mean for your business? Surprisingly, many professionals don’t fully grasp the impact such accreditations and certifications can have on their operations. Simply put, they are the gold standard of trust and security, ensuring that your platform meets the highest regulatory and operational benchmarks in the industry.
This article breaks down, in simple terms, what ISO and GLI certifications are, why they matter, and the benefits they bring when you align with fully-certified software providers. Think of them as the foundation that supports your growth into new markets, builds player trust, and sets your business apart in a competitive industry. Stick around to discover how these certifications could be the competitive advantage you need in 2025.
What Is ISO Accreditation?
ISO, or the International Organization for Standardization, is a global entity that develops and publishes standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across various industries. These standards provide a framework that organisations can follow to guarantee consistency in their operations. Adhering to ISO standards means operators are following globally-accepted best practices. Think of it like a rulebook that keeps everyone on the same page, much like how all players in a poker game need to follow the same rules to maintain fairness and trust.
Just as ISO sets the global standards, it also defines the way organisations prove they meet those standards. However, it’s important to distinguish between ISO accreditation and ISO certification. Certification means that a company complies with a specific set of ISO standards, demonstrating they follow best practices in a particular area. On the other hand, accreditation goes a step further. It's the formal recognition that an organisation is competent to carry out certain tasks, such as testing or inspections. Think of certification as following the rules, while accreditation confirms you’re qualified to enforce them.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed multiple standards, each designed to ensure specific aspects of an organisation’s operations meet global best practices. While many industries benefit from these, certain standards are particularly relevant for iGaming businesses due to the greater significance of data security, quality control, and service continuity.
Here’s a breakdown of the key standards for iGaming:
ISO 27001 – Information Security Management
This standard is essential as informational security management outlines how to manage and secure sensitive data, like player details and financial transactions, to safeguard data protection and compliance with regulatory requirements.
ISO 9001 – Quality Management
ISO 9001 ensures that an organisation maintains a consistent level of service quality. For iGaming operators, this translates into reliability and customer satisfaction by maintaining operational efficiency and high service standards.
ISO 17025 – Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ISO 17025 is vital for testing labs that ensure iGaming software and hardware comply with regulatory requirements. In practice, it guarantees that the testing procedures are accurate and reliable, offering trust relating to game fairness and security.
ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management
This standard focuses on ensuring that iGaming businesses can continue operating in the event of disruptions. It helps operators maintain service continuity, a critical aspect in 24/7 for online gaming environments.
ISO 20000 – IT Service Management
Relevant to iGaming platforms, this standard safeguards the delivery of effective IT services. It helps operators manage their IT infrastructure efficiently, resulting in fewer service outages and improved user experiences.
When trust is non-negotiable, ISO standards prove your business delivers secure, compliant, and transparent services - building confidence that lasts.
Ian Macintyre, Altenar
Adhering to ISO standards offers significant value for iGaming businesses. First, it builds trust with regulators and players, showing that the business is committed to high-quality operations and data security. It also drives efficiency by streamlining processes and performance improvements. In addition, adhering to ISO standards provides iGaming operators with a competitive edge. In turn, this helps them to stand out in a crowded market by demonstrating a commitment to internationally recognised best practices.
GLI: A Leader in ISO-Accredited Testing for iGaming
ISO and GLI share a common goal. They both aim to set extremely high standards for quality, compliance, and security in various industries, including iGaming. Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) is a globally recognised leader in compliance testing for both online and land-based gaming systems. With multiple ISO accreditations, such as ISO 17025 for testing laboratories and ISO 17065 for product certification, GLI’s services are trusted worldwide.
These ISO certifications ensure that GLI operates with the utmost integrity, providing accurate and reliable testing across jurisdictions. One of its flagship certifications, GLI-33, specifically targets event-wagering systems like sportsbooks. This certification is hugely significant for clients like Altenar, as it demonstrates that their software complies with rigorous standards. For Altenar’s customers, GLI-33 certification means confidence in the platform’s fairness, security and performance, enabling the company to operate seamlessly across multiple markets.
What Must a Company Do to Obtain Top-Level Certification Approvals?
To obtain top-level certifications like GLI-33 and ISO 27001, a company must undergo a thorough and structured process. For GLI-33, the focus is on verifying the compliance, fairness, and functionality of gaming systems. Companies must submit their software for testing against GLI’s stringent requirements, ensuring security, operational integrity, and reliability across jurisdictions. This involves passing rigorous technical evaluations and audits by GLI experts.
For ISO 27001, the emphasis is on establishing a robust Information Security Management System (ISMS). Companies need to assess risks, implement security controls, and create policies to protect data. A third-party auditor evaluates whether the company’s practices meet the ISO standard, looking at areas like data security, business continuity, and risk management. Once a certification is awarded, ongoing audits ensure continuous compliance and improvements.
Altenar: An ISO 27001 & GLI-33 Credited iGaming Provider
Altenar is an ISO 27001 and GLI-33 certified iGaming provider, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and operational integrity. Known for its focus on compliance and quality, these industry endorsements guarantee that our sportsbook software and solutions meet stringent regulatory requirements. Serving clients in over 50 countries, including Europe, Latin America, and North America, Altenar’s global presence is strengthened by these top-level global standards, allowing the company’s operator partners to confidently enter complex regulatory environments with ease while offering secure, safe, and reliable services to their players worldwide.
ISO Certification is more than an endorsement. It’s a badge of trust that affirms commitment to excellence.
Ian Macintyre, Altenar
A key component of ISO 27001 certification is the guarantee that both operator and player data are protected by the highest security protocols. This accreditation reassures stakeholders that Altenar’s information security management systems are reliable and fully compliant with international standards. Moreover, the company’s GLI-33 certification complements this by ensuring that its sportsbook software meets the strict industry requirements for fairness, reliability, and operational integrity across multiple jurisdictions, providing operators with confidence in its platform’s performance.
How Do ISO and GLI-Certified Software Providers Benefit iGaming Operators in 2025?
Aligning with a software provider that holds GLI-33 certification offers a strategic advantage for iGaming operators. Since the certification is non-jurisdictional, it applies across multiple regions, reducing the need for much of the market-specific compliance testing operators need to perform to meet licensing and regulatory obligations. This not only facilitates quicker market entry but also reassures both regulators and players that the platform adheres to the highest standards of fairness and reliability. Furthermore, by partnering with a certified platform, operators can more easily secure partnerships with third-party providers, knowing their system has passed rigorous, industry-leading testing protocols.
Similarly, securing a partnership with a provider that holds ISO 27001 certification offers essential benefits in terms of data security and regulatory compliance. This certification guarantees that the provider’s information security management is comprehensive and detailed, ensuring that sensitive player and financial data is handled according to global best practices. For operators, this reduces many of the complexities of adhering to strict data protection laws in regulated markets, offering confidence to stakeholders. In turn, operators gain a competitive edge, as the certification serves as a seal of trust, reassuring players and regulators that the platform is both secure and compliant.
Specific Benefits For Altenar’s Sportsbook Clients:
Aligning with fully-certified software providers offers numerous benefits to iGaming operators. Here are the main ones:
Faster market entry
GLI-33 allows operators to enter multiple markets, reducing the need for region-specific testing.
Regulatory compliance
Certified platforms secure adherence to strict regulatory standards worldwide.
Player confidence
Certifications signal fairness and security, building player trust and confidence.
Data security assurance
ISO 27001 guarantees a high level of protection for sensitive data.
Easier licensing
Certification simplifies obtaining licences in regulated markets.
Operational reliability
Certified systems are rigorously tested for stability and performance.
Third-party partnerships
Certifications make it easier to partner with top-tier service providers.
Risk reduction
Certified platforms help reduce legal and financial risks for iGaming operators.
Improved reputation
Certifications enhance an operator’s standing with authorities, regulators and players alike.
Cross-border flexibility
Non-jurisdictional certifications like GLI-33 enable international operations.
Streamlined audits
Certified providers help operators pass regulatory audits more smoothly.
Long-term sustainability
Certifications reflect ongoing commitment to compliance and industry best practices.
In summary, these benefits collectively enhance an operator’s ability to grow, expand into new markets, and maintain trust with all key stakeholders.
Let our comprehensive sportsbook power your ambitions. Contact Altenar today and learn how our certified platform builds trust, inspires confidence and drives growth.
