Game integrity in iGaming: why fake content is a growing risk for operators

There's a problem impacting the iGaming industry that you may not be aware of, and that is eroding trust and credibility. It's pirated, fake games content. The problem is bigger than you may think, and we all have a part to play in eliminating it.

In this episode of Connected with Pragmatic Solutions, our CEO Ashley Lang speaks with James Elliott, Founder of Gamecheck, about a challenge affecting iGaming operators worldwide: the rise of pirated and manipulated games content. Drawing on his background in IP protection and senior roles within both suppliers and operators, James explains how fake games undermine fairness, player trust and the reputation of the regulated industry.

The conversation explores the scale of game piracy, how it works, who is affected and why the issue is more prevalent than many operators realise. James outlines how Gamecheck provides independent auditing and a consumer-facing seal that confirms whether an operator’s catalogue matches the certified versions supplied by the original game provider. The discussion also covers the operational model, market adoption and how affiliates, suppliers, operators and players all stand to benefit.

Understanding the rise of pirated games

Game piracy has expanded beyond the industry’s margins. Fake versions of well-known titles are copied, modified and deployed on sites across markets including Asia and LatAm. These copies often mimic the visual design of the original games, making them difficult to detect at a glance. However, the underlying math, RTP and payout behaviour are frequently altered, leading to unfair outcomes for players and reputational damage for legitimate operators and suppliers.

Why game integrity matters for operators

Even operators confident in their supply chain are affected by the broader decline in trust created by pirated content. As James notes, trust is fundamental both for player confidence and for customer acquisition; the presence of manipulated games anywhere in the market fuels suspicion everywhere. Industry-wide participation in integrity standards is therefore essential to distinguish compliant operators from rogue actors who profit from fake or modified games.

How Gamecheck works

Gamecheck operates an independent system of continuous monitoring, currently overseeing more than 26,000 URLs per month. Its team investigates sites, identifies fake or altered game files and maintains a public directory where players can verify whether a website has been audited. Operators that pass the checks receive a unique QR-based seal that players can scan or verify via the Gamecheck app or website. This confirms both the legitimacy of the seal and whether any fake games have been detected on the domain.

Benefits for players, affiliates and suppliers

Players gain a simple tool to verify game legitimacy before depositing. Affiliates receive an additional assessment criterion to include in operator reviews, supporting responsible redirection of traffic. Game providers benefit from shared intelligence on pirated copies and coordinated enforcement, helping protect their brands and intellectual property. For operators, participation demonstrates commitment to fairness, strengthens brand credibility and supports industry-wide trust.

Implementation for operators

Enrolling is straightforward. Operators sign up on Gamecheck.com, accept the terms, and receive a unique seal for their domain. Gamecheck continues to monitor the site on an ongoing basis to ensure the seal remains valid. From a customer-experience perspective, verification can be completed either through the app’s camera-based QR scan or via a simple URL lookup on the Gamecheck website.

5 key takeaways

• Pirated games are more widespread than most operators realise and directly impact player trust.

• Fake games often look identical to originals, but RTP and payout logic are manipulated.

• Gamecheck independently audits operator sites and provides a QR-based seal confirming game authenticity.

• Continuous monitoring is essential, as some rogue operators switch between genuine and fake content.

• Industry-wide participation helps distinguish legitimate operators, supports affiliates and protects supplier IP.

Watch the full conversation with James Elliott here.