LONDON, Sept. 29 -- 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 like PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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.
For full details please visit http://www.ecogra.org.
