eCOGRA CASINOS FIRST TO RECEIVE RESPONSIBLE GAMING EDUCATION
Casino managements shown how to deal with problem gambling issues
Management delegates from online casino operations around the world
converged on Cape Town, South Africa last week for a unique educational
seminar on problem gambling.
Organised by independent self-regulator eCommerce and Online Gaming
Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), the course was held to coincide with
new responsible gaming requirements recently approved by its Board.
The programme, believed to be an industry first for a collective
group of online casinos, was designed to brief eCOGRA seal casino
managers on the new regulations and provides them with sufficient
information to set up policies and training programs in preparation for
the introduction of the new safety precautions contained within the
eGAP requirements.
40 delegates, representing general management, support, audit and
marketing disciplines for 55 seal-bearing casinos, attended the event.
The programme included expert tuition on the prevention of underage
gambling, the psychology of problem gamblers, how to identify
compulsive players and the best way to handle cases of this nature.
The custom built course was conducted by specialised Swedish
psychologist and researcher Thomas Nilsson together with senior G4
executive Pieter Remmers and senior trainer Rob d`Hondt.
eCOGRA`s regulations have been framed in consultation with the G4
(Global Gambling Guidance Group) organisation which recently introduced
responsible gaming policies and operating parameters at eCOGRA approved
PokerRoom.com. The regulations provide minimum standards and
requirements in respect of warnings and options regarding problem
gambling, self exclusion and control mechanisms for gamblers, and
promotional and advertising best practices in this area.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA told delegates that responsible
gaming was a critically important element in online gaming operations
from both a moral and practical industry viewpoint and eCOGRA was yet
again leading the way in setting gold standards player protection
practices for the industry to follow.
He said, `Apart from a firm moral obligation to prevent underage or
addictive gambling, we must remember that the industry’s detractors are
increasingly focused on the dangers of underage or addictive gambling,
and this is a potential Achilles Heel for the industry.`
He added, `Your commitment in joining eCOGRA has its roots in a
real desire to be professional, responsible and above-average in your
operational practice. The responsible gaming aspect has now been made
an integral part of the eCOGRA standards required to achieve this level
of business conduct.`
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