eCOGRA CEO CALLS FOR SOFTWARE PROVIDERS TO JOIN IN GIVING GREATER PLAYER ASSURANCE
Senior
eCOGRA personalities met with software providers yesterday in an open
session in Toronto, Canada designed to explain the regulatory
requirements of the player protection body.
Most online gambling executives are currently in the city attending
the Global Interactive Gaming Summit and Expo which ends Wednesday.
The chairman of eCOGRA, Michael Hirst OBE, independent director and
respected online gambling consultant Frank Catania, CEO Andrew
Beveridge and Fair Gaming Advocate Tex Rees met delegates and gave a
presentation covering the progress made by eCOGRA, highlighting the
announcement that day that major casino operator Casino On Net had been
awarded the Seal.
C.O.N. CEO John Anderson was in the audience.
In a plea to more online gaming system software suppliers to join,
Beveridge said that the unwillingness of certain providers to submit
their organizations for rigorous assessement was impeding the
industry’s fight for recognition in offering reputable and accountable
operating standards.
He emphasized that “eCOGRA is open to all software suppliers and
their operators that that share the vision of self-regulation enforced
by independent inspection and monitoring. It is an industry initiative
which needs to be supported, if the industry is to reach the universal
credibility it so rightly seeks”.
He revealed that although eCOGRA did not at present have any plans
for the sportsbook sector, it was actively working on appropriate
regulations for the booming poker sector. Covering the structure of the
organisation, Beveridge emphasised the independent nature of the Seal
award process and the benefits it made possible for players and casinos
alike.
Beveridge said that the services of eCOGRA`s Fair Gaming Advocate
had been successfully called upon by a number of players who had voiced
their satisfaction with the fast and efficient resolutions that had
been achieved.
The advantages of undergoing a detailed inspection by highly
experienced professionals was stressed, together with future plans by
eCOGRA to launch substantial awareness and advertising initiatives on
the benefits of regulated gambling, and participation in other projects
that take advantage of bringing together significant and reputable
companies were outlined by Beveridge.
eCOGRA is confident that external organisations such as regulators
and financial institutions will increasingly recognise Seal holders for
their responsible efforts and compliance with international quality
requirements. The continuing education of this aspect remains a
priority.
Later in the week eCOGRA will be taking part in open discussion panels at GIGSE.
Issued by: Andrew Beveridge, CEO
Date: 18 May 2004
Website: www.ecogra.org
Telephone: +44 20 7887 1480
Email: pr@ecogra.org
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