How GLI Built a Global Testing Network Behind Gambling Expansion
James Maida and Paul Magno founded Gaming Laboratories International (GLI) in 1989 in Lakewood, New Jersey; the company has since grown into a global testing, certification and regulatory-services provider supporting gaming, wagering and lottery markets.
GLI says it serves regulators, operators and suppliers in more than 710 jurisdictions worldwide, operates laboratory and office locations across six continents and supports more than 2,000 clients globally. GLI and industry profiles also indicate the company employs approximately 1,800 professionals worldwide. These are company-reported and industry-referenced figures.
As gambling expanded across land-based casinos, online gaming and sports betting, technical testing and certification providers became increasingly integrated into regulated market launches and approval processes.
The Founders Who Recognized a Different Opportunity
When Maida and Magno launched GLI in 1989, online gambling had not yet emerged as a commercial market and widespread sports betting legalization in the United States remained years away.
Initially focused on gaming-device and slot-machine testing, the company later expanded into sportsbook certification, iGaming testing, lottery systems, cybersecurity audits and compliance services as gambling technology evolved.
According to GLI’s leadership structure, James Maida currently serves as President & CEO while Paul Magno serves as Executive Vice President.
Industry observers say businesses focused on technical verification benefited as licensed gambling markets expanded and compliance requirements became more complex.
The Business Model Hidden Inside Gambling Expansion
Each newly regulated gambling market typically creates additional requirements around certification, compliance approvals and technical oversight.
Sportsbook launches, online casino deployments and lottery rollouts often require testing around RNG systems, platform integrity, cybersecurity protections and responsible gaming controls.
Industry observers say that dynamic positioned technical service providers such as GLI to expand alongside gambling legalization rather than rely directly on consumer acquisition.
That trend accelerated following the repeal of PASPA in 2018, which triggered broader sports betting expansion across the United States and increased demand for third-party testing and certification providers.
As regulatory frameworks became more complex, technical service providers became increasingly integrated into launch and approval processes across multiple jurisdictions. That trend was also visible in the Philippines, where GLI became the first independent testing laboratory accredited by PAGCOR for iGaming systems, as reported in GLI Becomes First PAGCOR-Accredited iGaming Lab.
Private Equity Interest Expands Across Gaming Infrastructure
In July 2025, CVC Capital Partners, through Avalon Buyer Limited, filed paperwork related to a proposed acquisition of GLI according to industry reporting and company statements.
GLI has not officially confirmed James Maida’s role following completion of the proposed transaction, although industry reporting and company commentary have suggested leadership continuity expectations.
The proposed deal reflected wider consolidation trends across testing and compliance businesses linked to gambling infrastructure.
Rival BMM Testlabs was also acquired in 2025 by Visualize Group, highlighting growing private-equity interest in regulatory and technical-services businesses connected to gaming markets.
Growth Through Expansion and Acquisitions
GLI’s growth strategy extended beyond organic expansion.
GLI announced the acquisition of iTech Labs in 2023 and Trisigma in 2024 as part of efforts to expand its international testing and certification capabilities. The company also expanded its presence in Argentina, where it became the first accredited laboratory approved by Lotería de Santa Fe, as reported in GLI First Accredited Lab by Lotería de Santa Fe.
According to GLI reporting, operational changes and integration activity also took place across selected international locations including Spain, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and India as part of broader restructuring and efficiency efforts.
GLI does not publicly disclose audited financial results, limiting independent visibility into the company’s financial scale and performance.
The company also received Services Provider of the Year recognition at the Global Gaming Awards EMEA during ICE Barcelona in January 2025.
Independence, Oversight and Trust
While GLI functions as an independent testing and certification organisation, it works closely with operators, suppliers and regulators across the gambling industry. Independent testing laboratories are also playing a growing role in gaming oversight, as highlighted in Inside iGaming’s Audit Labs: Who Actually Validates Fair Play?
Industry commentators say transparency around accreditation, technical oversight and operational independence remains important as testing providers become more deeply embedded inside regulatory ecosystems.
GLI reports accreditations consistent with ISO/IEC standards used by testing, inspection and certification bodies. The company cites examples including ISO/IEC 17025, 17020 and 17065 across specific laboratory and certification activities.
Industry observers and GLI executives say the company has become increasingly integrated into regulatory approval processes supporting gaming systems and licensed market operations.
Looking Beyond Traditional Testing
As gambling technology evolves, oversight requirements are becoming more complex.
Mobile betting, AI-powered gaming systems, blockchain products and digital gaming infrastructure are introducing additional cybersecurity and compliance challenges across regulated markets.
Analysts say these trends could increase long-term demand for testing, certification and oversight providers as governments strengthen requirements around platform security, responsible gaming systems and technical integrity.
More than 35 years after its founding, GLI remains positioned to benefit from continued regulated market expansion and increasing technical oversight requirements.
Source : Gaming Laboratories International
