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| Approved 22 May 2009 |
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The underlying philosophy of eCOGRA is based on the achievement of the objectives of player protection, fair gaming and responsible conduct by operators. In doing so, it is important that the requirements within this document do not unnecessarily place constraints on the seal holder's operations.
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Ultimately, this document aims to set out the most appropriate requirements to ensure that players are playing games that are fair and honest. eCOGRA’s standards also make provisions relating to the safety of players’ deposits and payouts which may be affected to the players’ detriment by the laws of the jurisdictions in which the player resides.
This document is intended primarily, as a guideline, to define and communicate the requirements to which potential eCOGRA seal holders must comply. In addition, this document will be used as a guideline by the eCOGRA Compliance and Advisory Services department, to establish the testing requirements that will be applicable to a software provider, the operator or a service provider within the industry.
The eCOGRA requirements are documented as Generally Accepted Practices (eGAP) and the following has been indicated for each of the eGAP areas:
1. The objectives outline the expected results of having adequately implemented the underlying requirements and practice guidelines.
2. Methodology describes the approach, timing and techniques adopted by the eCOGRA Compliance and Advisory Services department, to obtain sufficient assurance that the seal holder adheres to the requirements and practice guidelines.
3. Minimum requirements (R) dictate the mandatory policies and procedures, which must be adhered to for the achievement of the eCOGRA seal.
4. Suggested practices (P) define the practices that will contribute to a controlled environment but which are not necessarily required for the achievement of the eCOGRA seal.
The requirements that may be applicable to software providers and operators have been indicated, within each eGAP area, as follows:
1. For software providers with a  the SP column
2. For operators with a in the O column.
It is important to note that although the products and services provided by software providers have similarities, a clear distinction can be made between software providers through the service agreements they have with operators. For example, the editing of Internet gaming software's source code may be allowed by one service provider, while not by another. Therefore, service providers and operators should only use this document as a guideline to identify implementation areas for which they are responsible. In addition, audit panel members can use this document for identifying requirement areas to be tested.
Recent changes to the eGAP requirements may not yet be operative on all sites as software providers and operators are provided with a period in which to implement updates which are reviewed at their next assessment date.
eCOGRA GENERALLY ACCEPTED PRACTICES
The Generally Accepted Practices of eCOGRA are documented below. It is important to note that it will be the responsibility of the audit panel members of eCOGRA to ensure that the members and seal holders are adhering to these practices, where applicable. The term practice is used in the widest sense - incorporating not just the computer systems, but also all the processes around it.
PLAYER PROTECTION
100 Payment to and Receipts from Players
101 Minimum Information Requirements
102 Minimum Security Requirements
103 Responsible Gaming
104 Player and Game Funds
105 Player Information
FAIR GAMING
106 Software Development and Maintenance
107 Total Gaming Transaction Review
108 Server Connectivity Requirements
109 General Game Characteristics
110 Disaster Recovery
111 System Malfunctions
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT
112 Anti-Money Laundering
113 Responsible Advertising and Promotions
114 Probity Checks
The following addendums have been incorporated to serve as a guideline for approved operators and software providers on the testing requirements applicable to foreign language and foreign currency sites, new and transferred casinos. In terms of eGAP, "New Casinos" refers to those casinos which have never been previously operated. "Transferred Casinos" refers to those casinos which have previously been subjected to the testing of the eGAP requirements, prior to being transferred to the new operating environment.
ADDENDUMS
Addendum A – Foreign Language and Foreign Currency Casinos
Addendum B – New Casinos
Addendum C – Transferred Casinos
Addendum D – Mobile Casinos
Addendum E – Multiplayer Casinos
Click here to view a Glossary of Terms
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