eCOGRA Awards More Seals of Approval

LONDON –- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Ten more quality online casinos have passed probity, fairness and efficiency inspections and have been awarded the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) "Play It Safe" seal by the board of directors of the standards authority.

The casinos underwent extensive independent testing and inspection by professional teams from a top international business services and auditing group to ensure compliance with the standards and requirements of the organisation concerning operational efficiency, fair and responsible gaming and player protection.

Ismael Diagne, Business Strategy Manager for the Mini Vegas group that operates the casinos said that the inspections had been intensive and time consuming with on-site visits from the inspection teams, but worthwhile.

"There is significant value in the eCOGRA initiative in terms of increased business efficiency and as a highly professional vehicle to prove our commitment to superior service and fair gaming for the player," he said.

The new awards bring the number of seal casinos and poker rooms operating to eCOGRA standards to 66. eCOGRA's members currently account for 70 to 80 percent of the online casino industry action.

eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge says that other top quality operations are currently under consideration, and that the eCOGRA initiative to present the online gambling community with a wide range of safe, honest and efficient online casino and poker room venues continues to gather momentum.

"We expect to make further announcements early in 2006," he said. "Interest in the eCOGRA standards is growing from players, casinos, leading poker rooms and software providers alike, and membership continues to be open to any software provider that is prepared to commit to our goals and principles."

eCOGRA requires that member casinos are financially stable and have adequate reserves to cover wagers. The probity of casino management is scrutinised, together with player protection measures, payout times and financial facilities, games fairness, responsive support and general operational efficiency. Policies have to be in place for communicating with clients and dealing with any player complaints, together with satisfactory technical capabilities and anti money-laundering systems.

The standards and requirements, inspection and monitoring and the award of "Play It Safe" seals are the responsibility of independent directors on the eCOGRA Board, all of whom are well known and highly respected gambling industry personalities.