eCOGRA BRIEFS LICENCING JURISDICTIONS
Support for `harmonised` regulations
Senior executives from eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and
Assurance (eCOGRA) and eCOGRA`s audit panel met with twenty
representatives from government online gambling jurisdictions in London
last week to explore common regulatory ground.
eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge and audit panel representative Jacques
Louw briefed officials from the International Association of Gaming
Regulators on the underlying principles of applying eCOGRA’s Generally
Accepted Practices (eGAP) during online gaming software supplier and
operator reviews, and the outsourced software verification methodology
used by the audit panel.
Among those present were representatives from the Isle of Man,
Alderney, The United Kingdom and Kahnawake. The meeting was chaired by
John Godfrey, chairman of the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.
Beveridge acknowledged how important it was that serious regulators
get together to pave the way for meaningful and consistent regulation
of the online gaming industry in order to bring about a safe and
reputable environment.
He told the audience that eCOGRA`s chief objectives were the
protection of online gamblers and a safer and more credible industry,
and stressed that his organisation was not in competition with
government licensing bodies, but complimented their efforts in striving
for fair gaming, responsible behaviour and player protection. There
were now 44 casinos displaying the eCOGRA Seal, with more currently
undergoing acceptance inspections, he revealed.
`Our presence here is not to solicit business or argue
methodologies, but simply to share with you the knowledge that has been
accumulated by eCOGRA stakeholders,` he said. `Our audit panel
represents 6 years experience in the industry, and our membership
includes the two largest software providers, some of the most
successful operators and independent directors with impressive
executive track records in the wider gambling industry.`
eCOGRA hopes to continue to liaise with the IAGR, Beveridge
concluded, `Two of our independent directors, Frank Catania and Bill
Galston are former chairmen of this body and our goals are in general
very similar. We support both the need for regulation in an unregulated
industry to safeguard the players, and the desirability of practical
regulations with a common purpose`
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