Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first laboratory accredited in Maranhão, Brazil. This accomplishment marks GLI's third testing accreditation in the country, solidifying its position as the only laboratory authorised in all three Brazilian jurisdictions with accredited testing facilities.
The accreditation in Maranhão enables GLI to perform testing and certification services for the gambling and lottery industry, specifically for entities working with lottery and fixed-odds betting operators in the state. This development is particularly valuable for the Maranhão State Lottery (Lotema) and the broader gaming sector in Brazil.
Cassiano Pereira Junior, president of Maranhão Parcerias (Mapa), underscored the importance of this partnership, stating:
"Every day, we strive to make Lotema even better, providing greater security for its users. The partnership with GLI is a concrete step toward achieving this goal. Its certification laboratories play a crucial role in the gaming and lottery industry, ensuring the conformity, security, and integrity of the products and systems used by Lotema."
Karen Sierra-Hughes, Vice President for Latin America, the Caribbean, and Spain at GLI, expressed gratitude for the accreditation and highlighted its significance:
"We are grateful to the Lottery of the State of Maranhão for granting GLI this laboratory accreditation, making us the first to be authorised in Maranhão. It is extremely gratifying to see Lotema empowering itself by embracing the technical compliance process. This trust provides transparency, integrity, and accountability to all industry stakeholders through the certification process."
GLI's presence in Brazil spans nearly two decades, during which it has actively participated in public hearings in the Senate, Chamber of Deputies, and state governments. This enduring commitment has contributed to the development of regulations and the growth of the gaming industry in the country.
The accreditation in Maranhão is expected to positively impact Brazil's gaming industry in several key ways:
Enhanced Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
Improved Quality Assurance: Ensures that gambling technologies in Maranhão adhere to international standards, fostering quality and reliability.
Regulatory Alignment: Facilitates compliance with local regulations, ensuring operators deploy legally compliant systems.
Industry Growth and Innovation
Market Access: Simplifies entry for gambling technology providers into Maranhão, encouraging innovation and competition.
Technological Advancement: Promotes development of advanced and secure gambling systems by raising testing standards.
Security and Integrity
Risk Management: Covers crucial aspects such as system security, integrity, and risk mitigation.
Fraud Prevention: Strengthens gambling technologies with robust fraud detection and prevention mechanisms.
Operational Efficiency
Streamlined Certification: Provides a unified pathway for certification, as GLI is now accredited in all three jurisdictions.
Standardisation: Promotes harmonised technological requirements across Brazilian states, simplifying compliance for providers.
This milestone marks a critical step in the evolution of Brazil's gaming industry, emphasising the importance of technological compliance, innovation, and security. As the industry continues to expand, GLI's leadership in certification and accreditation will play a vital role in fostering a regulated, secure, and thriving gambling ecosystem.