Latest news with #QA
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Playing By The Rules: Best Practices In QA For IGaming Regulations
Dzmitry Lubneuski is the CIO at a1qa, a leading pure-play software testing company. He's a tech expert with a solid 20-year background in QA iGaming has undergone a remarkable transformation, driven by technical progress and evolving user preferences. What began 30 years ago with simple online casino games has grown into sophisticated ecosystems with immersive experiences. Modern platforms for online poker, sports betting, lottery, bingo, fantasy sports offer VR environments, blockchain-driven wagering, AI-powered personalization, chat rooms and other value-adds for players. It's not surprising that this industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with revenues projected to reach $132.90 billion by 2029. However, this rapid surge goes hand in hand with the evolution of stringent compliance standards imposed by regulatory authorities to promote fairness and protect users. QA can play a pivotal role in this landscape, ensuring that platforms not only meet technical benchmarks but also adhere to legal and ethical obligations. In this article, I'll touch upon the regulatory aspect of iGaming and best practices for QA to help meet set demands. How Compliance Can Make Or Break Businesses iGaming is a highly regulated space, with legal requirements varying by jurisdiction. For example, platforms must handle user data securely, adhering to regulations such as GDPR in the EU or the U.K.'s Data Protection Act. Licensing is also critical, as operators without it are illegal. In Malta, this means meeting the standards set by the Malta Gaming Authority, while in Canada, oversight falls to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. Games of chance must use certified algorithms to guarantee fairness. And that's just the beginning. Navigating this maze of legal frameworks is of vital importance. By ignoring this aspect, organizations can face severe consequences, namely: Regulators have cracked down on iGaming firms, issuing penalties for failing to meet compliance. For instance, a bookmaker was fined £686,070 by the U.K. Gambling Commission for failing to engage with customers with risky betting behavior and recognize people vulnerable to gambling-related harm. Or another example. A penalty of $246,000 was imposed on a Swedish company for distributing software to operators without licensing. Disregard for set rules can lead to revocation of operating licenses, provoking loss of profit and end-user churn. One such story happened in 2023 when an online gambling operator had to put business on hold after a regulator flagged deficiencies in financial safeguards, fair play policies and event reporting. When compliance standards aren't met, the fallout can impact reputation. Loyalty of players, stakeholders and business partners may decline, resulting in long-lasting harm to brand credibility. Public exposure of fraud or regulatory violations can lower player engagement, hinder new user acquisition and make it harder to maintain a loyal customer base. Businesses with a history of non-compliance may be subject to increased scrutiny, including extra audits and closer oversight to ensure lessons are learned. This can cause delays in obtaining new licenses, increased pressure to bring in compliance experts and other operational setbacks. Regulatory-Savvy QA Approach For Navigating Legal Complexity To meet market-specific demands and launch compliant, user-friendly gambling products, organizations may prioritize the following tests: This is a core activity for any iGaming company looking to avoid legal issues. Depending on the country and regulations prevailing there, QA specialists analyze up-to-date requirements, create a detailed testing plan targeting essential compliance area and perform checks to ensure the software is legally compliant before launch, saving on potential re-certification costs. According to the latest report, in the past two years, the online gaming industry saw an average annual fraud surge of 64%, turning security testing into a must-have aspect. It helps detect vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious intruders, such as payment system fraud, bonus abuse, account theft and others. It also ensures meeting security regulations, GLI, ISO/IEC 27001, PCI DSS, NIST being among them. Did you know that in the U.K., slot games must not contain cartoon characters so as not to attract children? That in Germany, glamourization of gambling is off-limits? That in India, referencing luck in connection with spirituality is prohibited? Each locale has its linguistic or cultural regulations that, in case of violation, may cause problems. Localization testing helps ensure appropriate usage of region-specific currencies and symbols; attain correct display of textual content within buttons, menus or other UI elements; review adherence to local gambling regulations, such as betting limits, taxation, operational hours and more. The success of iGaming software also hinges on its ability to deliver smooth experiences to users globally. Lagging transactions, long loading times or frequent system crashes can result in player dissatisfaction, loss of market share and legal repercussions. That's where performance testing may come in handy. Conducted early in the development, it contributes to uncovering bottlenecks, fine-tuning resource management and ensuring the software is ready to handle a flood of users without going awry. Glitches like flawed payment systems or clunky user interactions can turn players off, shake their trust and leave developers scrambling to complete costly post-launch fixes. Functional testing is essential to ensuring that software meets high standards. By testing the entire flow—from transaction systems to user interactions—QA engineers verify that everything operates as expected, thus detecting functional issues before they impact users. Additionally, all these testing types can be automated to help businesses cope with strict deadlines without compromising software quality. An Ace Up The Sleeve As regulations tighten and user expectations rise, iGaming operators who consider QA can build solutions that players trust and regulators respect. When done correctly, this bridge between innovation and regulation helps mitigate risks and outmaneuver increasingly high market competition. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Qatar Tribune
17 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QA ties up with Panasonic Avionics to augment cabin experience on its flights
Tribune News Network DOHA Qatar Airways (QA), named World's Best Airline 2025 for a record ninth time by Skytrax, is continuing to set new standards in passenger experience with the launch of its next-generation in-flight entertainment system, powered by Panasonic Avionics' new Converix platform on its Boeing 777-9 fleet, during the 55th International Paris Air Show. The announcement marks an important step in advancing the airline's vision for a digitally-enabled, personalised and smart onboard journey. In-line with Qatar Airways' commitment to delivering an exceptional travel experience, the airline will implement a game-changing in-flight entertainment system to transform the onboard experience through intelligent personalisation and seamless system integration. Powered by cutting-edge AI technology, the new system will allow passengers to interact and control key parts of their onboard experience all through one smart connected platform. As part of its hyper-personalised experience, the system further offers passengers dynamic content tailored to their preferences, seat-level smart controls and a fully connected digital environment. Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Product Development, Xia Cai, said: 'As the newly crowned World's Best Business Class, we remain focused on continuously redefying the passenger experience. This platform not only reflects the progress we have made, but the future we are building. Our new platform is more than just a technological upgrade – it is a game changer that will completely redefine entertainment in the sky. With every new milestone, we continue to shape the future of travel and move forward at 35,000 feet and beyond.' This platform introduces a modular, digital-first approach to in-flight engagement. It enables standardised content management and AI capability across all aircraft types, setting the stage for future scalability and innovation across the fleet. This milestone reflects Qatar Airways' strategic commitment to digital transformation and continuous product evolution to connect with passengers in every aspect of their journey.
Qatar Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QA retains Skytrax ‘Airline of the Year ‘title for record ninth time
Qatar Airways (QA) has once again been named the World's Best Airline by the prestigious international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax, retaining the top position for a record-breaking ninth time. This achievement reaffirms the airline's steadfast commitment to delivering excellence across every touchpoint of the travel experience. In addition to securing the airline industry's highest accolade, Qatar Airways was also awarded the World's Best Business Class; Best Airline in the Middle East; Best Business Class Airline Lounge (Al Mourjan Lounge – The Garden at Hamad International Airport); and Skytrax Five-Star Airline recognition. (TNN) page 16
Qatar Tribune
11-06-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
QA to showcase latest technology and aircraftat 55th Paris Air Show
Tribune News Network DOHA Qatar Airways (QA) will pave the runway at The Paris Air Show – the largest aerospace gathering at the Parc des Expositions de Paris-Le Bourget from June 16 to 22, 2025. Returning to the biennial event with cutting-edge innovations, QA will share the global platform with 2,500 exhibitors from 48 countries, 3,000 attendees, and 150 aircraft on display. Leading its special line-up will be the UEFA Champions League livery Boeing 777, which was specially dedicated for the homecoming of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after being crowned champions of Europe. The Paris Air Show runway will also feature commercial aviation's first-ever operated Gulfstream G700 from the airline's private jet charter division – Qatar Executive. The state-of-the-art aircraft is designed for ultra-long-haul flights, boasting an extremely spacious cabin and fuel-efficient design. Qatar Airways will also showcase Qsuite Next Gen, the latest iteration of its award-winning patented Qsuite business class. Visitors are invited to step inside the reimagined Qsuite and explore its wide range of customisation options designed to deliver a personalised, premium travel experience. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: 'The Paris Air Show reflects the spirit of the aerospace community, and we at Qatar Airways look forward to once again connecting with passengers, exhibitors and the aviation world at large. Innovation and diversity remain at the heart of the Qatar Airways core values, which is why our line up at the Air Show's runway and L'Univers Qatar Airways Pavilion are set to feature aircraft and technology that replicate the industry-leading passenger experience we deliver on every Qatar Airways journey.' Visitors can deepen their experience through a specially curated pavillion titled L'Univers Qatar Airways, by scanning codes at key touchpoints throughout the space to track their journey and unlock exclusive gifts. The pavillion not only reflects the award-winning products, but showcases the latest Economy Class amenity kits, celebrates the legacy of the UEFA Champions League and displays iconic moments of PSG victories. With many latest offerings yet to be unveiled, visitors can also sample Diptyque Business Class amenity kits and view the bespoke serving ware utilised onboard the premium dining experience. Sama, the world's first AI powered cabin crew, returns with further enhancements including her launch on WhatsApp and her new ability to communicate in French. Sama will connect with millions of French speaking passengers assisting them with flight bookings, destination recommendations, and responding to questions about the Qatar Airways passenger experience through intuitive, real-time conversation. Now fluent in French, English and Arabic, Sama is getting ready to help assist customers in additional languages soon. Visitors are welcome to interact with her at L'Univers Qatar Airways Pavillion, as well as on WhatsApp. The latest integration with the communication platform allows her to offer real-time, on-the-go support, and booking assistance in English, with Arabic and French to follow shortly after. The introduction of French enhances Sama's appeal to key markets, while WhatsApp integration opens a vital communication and sales channel. Visitors to the Paris Air Show can find the Qatar Airways L'Univers Pavillion located Infront of Gate 0 (adjacent to Hall 5).
TechCrunch
01-06-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Video game union announces first contract with Microsoft
In Brief Unionized quality assurance testers at video game holding company ZeniMax announced Friday that they have reached a tentative contract agreement with Microsoft, which acquired ZeniMax in 2021. This represents Microsoft's first union contract in the United States. It's been a little over two years since approximately 300 QA testers announced that they were unionizing through the Communications Workers of America, and they said they've been negotiating with Microsoft ever since. Bloomberg reports that the contract terms include an across-the-board, 13.5% pay raise on July 1. The contract also incorporates an already-announced agreement around the use of AI. Union members are scheduled to vote on ratifying the contract on June 20. In a statement, QA tester and union bargaining committee member Page Branson called this 'a monumental victory for all current video game workers and for those that come after.' While ZeniMax's QA workers were the first to unionize at Microsoft, other teams have followed suit, and the CWA said it now counts more than 2,000 Microsoft video game workers as members.
