November 2009 eCOGRA NEWS
eCOGRA News Articles Table of Content for November 2009
- ECOGRA COMPLETES FIFTH YEAR OF RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING TRAINING: Courses held in several countries
- DIGITOTE ACHIEVES eCOGRA ACCREDITATION: Sportsbetting software provider passes extensive tests to eCOGRA and EGBA standards
ECOGRA COMPLETES FIFTH YEAR OF RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING TRAINING
Courses held in several countries
Press Release
London, 17 November 2009 - 70 key online gambling personnel working at eCOGRA-accredited operations in four countries received responsible gambling training from the standards and player protection body this year, the fifth in which courses have been offered.
The non-profit organisation's Responsible Gambling manager, Tex Rees conducted the courses in-house at online casino, poker and sportsbook operations.
The course included tuition on:
- Identifying and dealing with problem gamblers and understanding how a compulsion can develop, concluding with role-playing exercises and in-depth discussion sessions.
- Awareness of what issues a problem gambler faces.
- Perceived numbers as opposed to actual prevalence study percentages.
- The implementation of eCOGRA best practice standards and requirements, including practical sessions on gambling websites where the dedicated responsible gambling facilities were analysed critically, and the reasons for inclusion in eCOGRA standards discussed.
- Advertising standards, with examples of gambling ads recently criticised by the UK Advertising Standards Authority.
"Responsible gambling ranks very high in eCOGRA priorities for both social responsibility and business reasons," said Rees. "This year is the fifth in which eCOGRA has provided this professional service to Fair and Safe seal-bearing online gambling venues across the online casino, poker room, mobile, bingo, live dealer and sports betting platforms of the 145 international, tier one gambling sites that are accredited.
"It is heartening to note that this vitally important service is in constant demand, illustrating a real commitment to responsible gambling by eCOGRA operators that goes beyond merely meeting the standard accreditation requirements in this regard."
In the real world, problem gamblers constitute a miniscule percentage of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of punters who go online for usually disciplined and enjoyable betting entertainment on a regular basis. For example, in its 2007 UK gambling prevalence study, an independent survey for the Gambling Commission found that 0.6 percent of adults were possibly at risk as ‘pathological’ gamblers.
That small percentage attracts a disproportionately large amount of political, social and above all media attention, and this often overshadows the good community work carried out by many operators, said eCOGRA chief executive Andrew Beveridge.
"Nevertheless, problem gambling is frequently seized on by industry detractors, and for this as well as moral and business reasons it is essential that operators ensure that staff is trained and facilities are available to the players," he added.
Stopping problem gamblers at website level is just one aspect of a responsible gambling program, which should also embrace marketing and advertising, providing self-diagnostic aids and advice on counselling, and training staff in the right way to handle self-exclusion requests and indeed problem gamblers per se.
The objective of the eCOGRA courses is not only to address problem and underage gambling timeously, but to continually underline for operators the critical moral and commercial imperatives of continued vigilance and the diligent application of genuine responsible gambling programs, using rapidly evolving exclusionary technologies and training content.
DIGITOTE ACHIEVES eCOGRA ACCREDITATION
Sportsbetting software provider passes extensive tests to eCOGRA and EGBA standards
Press Release
London, 12 November 2009 - Digitote - a provider of advanced sportsbetting software and ancillary web development and back office applications, has successfully achieved the Certified Software accreditation seal from independent player protection and standards organisation eCOGRA.
Currently eCOGRA are working on an ongoing basis with over 25 leading software providers and 25 top casino and poker room operators. 13 Software providers have achieved accreditation for their software in the form of the eCOGRA Certified Software seal. 145 online gaming sites are accredited with the eCOGRA Safe and Fair seal.
Digitote, which has offices in Germany and the Isle of Man, hosted a full eCOGRA audit and inspection team at its premises earlier this year, during which every aspect of its software development activities was assessed as meeting the standards of both the European Gaming and Betting Association and the eCOGRA eGAP requirements.
"Conformance with the EGBA Standards and eGAP requirements has been assessed through the review of controls and substantive testing under the latest EGBA Standards, approved in October 2008, as well as the latest eGAP requirements, approved on 28 January 2009," the team leader noted.
Following the team's exhaustive report, eCOGRA's Independent Directors on its Seal Compliance Committee approved the award of the seal this week, empowering Digitote to display the seal as a mark of its efficiency and commitment to fair and safe online sportsbetting.
Andrew Beveridge, Chief Executive Officer of eCOGRA, said that Digitote's success in meeting the required standards would make it possible for companies using its Xturf software to apply for operator inspection and certification with eCOGRA in the future.
"The EGBA standards are particularly high and a good fit with our own eGap requirements, and by achieving these levels Digitote sends a strong and positive signal regarding its capabilities and professional commitment," said Beveridge.
"Our audit confirms that the development, implementation, maintenance and security of Digitote’s product and back-office systems are representative of industry best practice and technology standards applicable to software suppliers."
Digitote director Günter Boyks said he was pleased with the successful outcome of what had proved to be a very thorough inspection of his company's facilities and systems.
"Apart from its value as a measure of Digitote's professional efficiency and commitment to fairness and quality, the achievement of this eCOGRA accreditation provides a practical assurance to both ourselves and our clients that as a business we meet the most demanding industry standards," he said.
"eCOGRA has provided BrightShare with a valuable level of confidence that our program can and does meet the highest industry standards," he said. "The ongoing review and inspection service helps us to maintain those standards for the benefit of our primary customers - the affiliate marketer and the operator."
About Digitote
The Digitote Group is a consortium of independent IT companies focused on tailor-made software solutions and product innovations.
As a recognised specialist, the company has been developing software and specialised hardware for bookmakers and racecourses for the past 20 years, with long-term and close co-operation with customers that has enabled it to adapt result-oriented proven methods and innovative technologies continuously and creatively to the specific needs of clients.
Digitote has offices in Witten and Berlin, Germany and in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
The company has a large client list, including major companies like Betbull Bwin Espana, Digibet, Topsportwetten, Primebet and Albers Wettbörse.
Accepts all Players except US Players
This web site is intended for entertainment purposes only. No guarantee is made that the information presented is accurate or up to date. Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a Casino or placing a wager. There are hundreds of jurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet. YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to play any particular games or place any particular wager.