ONLINE POKER TO GET THE eCOGRA SEAL OF APPROVAL
Player protection for top poker sites
On the back of a boom in online poker top quality poker rooms and
networks will now be able to demonstrate their adherence to best
practices by undergoing a rigorous independent assessment designed to
give more protection to the player and improved efficiencies to
operators.
eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is
introducing a set of generally accepted practices for online poker
rooms on the same basis that have been successfully implemented at 44
top Internet casinos over the past two years, developing practical
inspection and monitoring regimes through independent and outsourced
professional services in the process.
`The online poker sector is growing at an unprecedented rate, and
there is a clear need for sensible and properly implemented regulation
that will improve poker room performance and service to the playing
community,` says eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge. `Improved service means
more customer satisfaction and better business.
`This is the first self-regulation of online poker, and we have
been active for the past year in consulting with a wide range of
experts to frame a range of Generally Accepted Practices (eGAP) that
are relevant and effective. These embrace operational imperatives like
fast and efficient payouts, player dispute procedures, fair gaming
tenets, efficiency in customer support and relationships, marketing and
operator probity.
`The next step will be for software providers and operators
prepared to commit to the Poker eGAP to submit to eCOGRA`s compliance
inspections that are independently carried out by an audit panel
including globally respected firms. If they are successful in passing
this, the eCOGRA Seal will be awarded but ongoing monitoring and
reviews will be regular occurrences.
`We expect that, as is the case with casinos, players will
recognise the benefits of playing at regulated poker rooms where they
have independent dispute facilities in the unlikely event of any
difficulties`
Already various prominent poker software companies and operational
poker rooms have expressed a strong interest to submit their systems
and procedures for assessment.
eCOGRA is a non-profit, non-partisan body with a full time staff in
London, England. Founded by major online software and casino operator
groups in early 2002, the organisation spent considerable time
researching the concept of player protection with experts throughout
the world before constructing a working set of requirements essential
to fair and efficient gambling operations, together with an independent
inspection and monitoring system for enforcement. The first online
casinos were accredited early in 2004, and since then a steady stream
of online casinos has committed to the eCOGRA ideals and achieved Seal
status.
The eGAP requirements, inspection and monitoring and the award of
Seals are the responsibility of independent directors on the eCOGRA
Board, all of whom are well known and highly respected gambling
industry personalities.
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