ECOGRA
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eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance) is the self-regulatory body of the online gaming world. A non-profit organization, eCOGRA was established to create standards for fair gaming, responsible operator conduct, and player protection throughout the $12 billion a year online gaming industry.
Due to the current lack of appropriate and properly enforced rules and regulations for online card rooms and casinos, eCOGRA was created to fill the void. eCOGRA’s independent directors determine which software providers can become members of the organization through thorough checks on the company’s management team, its software and history in the industry. Online casinos and poker rooms running approved software can then apply for the eCOGRA “Play It Safe” seal, and submit to in-depth analysis by the auditors PriceWaterhouseCoopers. These sites then have to allow the auditing firm to check for fairness, ethical behavior, responsible conduct, customer service and strict third-party software monitoring in order to be awarded the coveted seal.
Founded in 2003, and led by its CEO and Executive Director, Andrew Beveridge, eCOGRA also aims to provide a voice for the player. With the amount of online gamers on the rise – recorded in the tens of millions – an independent gaming self-regulatory body has never been more important. In the unlikely event that an online player encounters an issue with an eCOGRA certified card room or casino – such as bonus disputes, cash out issues, etc. – eCOGRA will mediate and work to resolve the dilemma, oftentimes in less that 48 hours.
Although no standard form of regulation has been accepted globally, eCOGRA is at the forefront of this movement and works with its certified poker rooms and casino sites to create a safe and fun online gaming experience. A complete list of eCOGRA’s certified “Play It Safe” sites can be found online at: http://www.ecogra.org/approved.aspx?OP=P
The online gaming industry is projected to grow to $24 billion by 2010. Currently, the majority of all money wagered at online casinos comes through those that bear the eCOGRA “Play It Safe” seal. Online gaming attracted 7.4 million Americans to the Internet in 2005. eCOGRA’s mission is to inform new and existing players around the world that there is an organization that seeks to give them a voice and the confidence to Play It Safe.
eCOGRA was named the 2005 “Watchdog of the Year” by the readers of Gambling Online Magazine.
To learn more about eCOGRA please visit: http://www.ecogra.org.
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