New monitoring and testing services available to all operators

London, 14 January 2009 – eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) has extended its independent testing, standards and monitoring services to cover Internet bingo, sportsbetting and live gambling operations, positioning its influential Safe and Fair certification seal within reach of most online gambling operators.

The player protection and standards organisation now covers all major sectors in the online gambling industry, from online casinos and poker sites, through affiliate activities to mobile gambling, sportsbooks, live gambling studios and the burgeoning bingo business.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Beveridge said this week: “We have now introduced our new eGAP Minimum Requirements covering all operational aspects for online bingo and sportsbetting operations.

“This enables operators in these sectors to come forward for assessment and testing with a view to achieving the Safe and Fair eCOGRA seal, already held by some 126 tier one online casinos and poker rooms.”

“The response to the challenge to meet industry best practice standards and improve operational capability has already been remarkable, and we currently have a significant number of sportsbetting and bingo operations under review.”

“This extension of our inspection, advisory and monitoring services means eCOGRA now covers all the main products currently being offered by online gambling operators. We complement this work through oversight of areas such as live gambling studios and mobile platforms, and by providing monthly payout percentage and randomness reports based on the live gambling data from every transaction”.

eCOGRA has a growing dedicated staff which travels to inspect, review and counsel operators on best practice requirements leading to the award of the Safe and Fair seal.

The compliance inspections are detailed and comprehensive, examining all operational, financial, responsible gambling and customer relations systems in conjunction with reports on the gambling software in use.

Many of the top software providers in the industry have already been assessed by the organisation, which is recognised by several international online gambling regulators and by bodies such as the European Gaming and Betting Association, which counts most of Europe’s major online operators among its members.

Once a company has been accredited it is subject to continuous monitoring and annual reviews, and must comply with eCOGRA requirements regarding the quick and efficient handling of player complaints through the organisation’s Fair Gaming Advocate.

“Over the past six years we have built up a wealth of expertise and information as a result of our involvement in well over a hundred extensive accreditation audits on many of the most successful and well run gambling groups on the Internet,” said Beveridge. “This has expanded the practical industry knowledge of our dedicated staff which includes Chartered Accountants and IT specialists recruited from some of the top audit and technology companies in the world, and the accreditation process makes this valuable professional and business guidance available to all online gambling companies and software providers.”