Gaming Standards Association Collaborating With Online Gambling Companies

By Brian Cullingworth, Last updated Apr 21, 2017

Significant support from online gaming companies for new Third Party Interface (TPI) standard

The Gaming Standards Association and GSA Europe have gained significant support from online gaming companies for its work on a new standard, the Third Party Interface (TPI), raising the possibility that the Online Gaming Committee (OGC) will enjoy wider membership participation to accelerate completion of the standard.

This new standard, specifically for the online gaming industry, will simplify system integration between content providers and platform providers, a GSA statement Monday claims, reducing support costs by providing a single API, supported by GSA, and avoiding multiple proprietary interfaces.

The Third Party Interface is the latest sign that GSA Europe and its members are achieving a mission to create practical solutions that address real issues facing suppliers, operators, and regulators in jurisdictions across Europe.

GSA anticipates that TPI will be released before the end of 2017, after the completion of alpha testing.

Chris Hobbs, Director of Corporate Affairs, Microgaming, a GSA Platinum Member Company said:

“We have evaluated the Third Party Interface standard and believe it has the potential to be a valuable tool for Microgaming. In particular use of the Third Party Interface should bring about a number of benefits, and we are looking forward to working within GSA’s Technical Committee to help drive additional functionality in support of our business objectives.”

Francesco Rodano, Chief Policy Officer, Playtech added, “As a Platinum Member of GSA, Playtech has taken a leadership role in development of the Third Party Interface. This interface will simplify and expedite integration efforts with content providers as well as potentially reduce ongoing maintenance and support. We have been alpha testing this solution with very positive results and look forward to working within GSA’s Technical Committee to continue driving additional functionality in support of our business objectives.”

GSA’s Third Party Interface standard is based on JSON and WebSocket technology and describes standardised interfaces between iGaming Platforms and Remote Game Servers, as well as Remote Game Servers and Progressive Jackpot Controllers.

Additionally, the specification indicates how the URLs used to launch games on Remote Game Servers should be formatted. The specification fully supports online gaming operations that service multiple jurisdictions, allowing the activity associated with each jurisdiction to be easily isolated and reported separately.

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