eCOGRA FINE-TUNES ONLINE AFFILIATE PROGRAM CODE
London,
02 June 2009 - The independent directors of player protection and
standards authority eCOGRA have approved an updated version of the
requirements for an Affiliate Trust Seal, incorporating suggestions
made during consultations with affiliate program managers.
The requirements now include a review of the security architecture
of affiliate programs applying for the Affiliate Trust Seal, and proof
that applicant programs can fully recover from unforeseen system
disasters that could impair a program`s level of service to its
affiliate clients.
Following extensive international research last year, eCOGRA
developed a set of best practice standards for affiliate programs which
has to date been successfully implemented in three major affiliate
programs, with others currently undergoing the inspection and
compliance phase by eCOGRA`s professional audit teams.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA, says that there is strong demand
from the affiliate community for independent on-site audits conducted
by qualified Chartered Accountants and IT specialists with appropriate
industry knowledge in order to improve business efficiencies to
international standards, and give affiliates the assurance that the
tracking and revenue calculations of accredited affiliate program
softwares are fair and accurate.
`The directors have decided to make available a more focused
certification process which will fine-tune our certification,` said
Beveridge. `This will mean that the eCOGRA compliance system will
concentrate on the following key areas of affiliate program activity:
Affiliate revenue is calculated accurately and deductions are correctly allocated
Payments are completely and accurately processed
Preventative and detective controls are in place to ensure accurate and correct linking of players to affiliates
Program software applications are developed, implemented,
maintained and secured in a manner representative of best practice
international standards
Affiliate programs shall be able to demonstrate that they can recover from a system disaster`.
Beveridge commented that this more focused approach will enable
eCOGRA to reduce review fees to GBP 5 000 per annum, excluding
expenses.
`Where possible, testing will be conducted remotely, however it
will also be necessary to conduct certain elements of our reviews at
the operator`s premises,` Beveridge explained, adding that his
organisation would also provide a thoroughly experienced dispute
mediation channel for complaints falling within the scope of eCOGRA`s
Affiliate Trust Seal mandate.
`I would like to make it clear that our involvement will henceforth
be limited to the standards covered in the audit. We will therefore not
be drawn into areas beyond our mandate from affiliate programs which we
have not inspected and audited - and therefore cannot properly
investigate - in disputes that may involve adequacy of funds, timing of
payments to affiliates, and advertising practices,` Beveridge said.
The revised Affiliate Trust Seal requirements are available in detail at http://www.ecogra.org/affiliates
About the Affiliate Trust Seal program:
`Any affiliate program can apply for the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust
Seal, provided management is prepared to commit to the requirements and
comply with the regular reviews and audits by eCOGRA compliance teams.
The requirements have been developed through expert international
consultation and with input from leading affiliates and program
managers, and are designed to make practical improvements to business
efficiencies and ensure that affiliate marketers are treated in a
professional and fair manner in their dealings with accredited
programs.
About eCOGRA:
eCOGRA is a non-profit London-based organisation that sets online
gambling standards across all platforms and provides an international
framework for best operational and player protection practice
requirements, with particular emphasis on fair and responsible
gambling.
These standards are enforced through inspections and reviews, and
continuous monitoring. Accreditation is open to all software companies
and their operators. Accredited companies are entitled to bear the
“Safe and Fair” seal, indicating to players everywhere that all
operational systems and games are fair and continuously monitored to
consistently high standards.« Back