March 2009 eCOGRA NEWS
eCOGRA News Articles Table of Content for March 2009
- eCOGRA EXPANDS COMPLIANCE STAFF:3 new accounting professionals will extend player protection and standards body's services to more than 200 online gambling sites
- THIS AFFILIATE SEAL HAS REAL VALUE: eCOGRA's substantive approach to professional certification
- DISPUTES DECLINE AT ECOGRA CERTIFIED ONLINE CASINOS: Latest statistics from the Fair Gaming Advocate show that cash-ins are currently the main cause for disputes
- TOP ONLINE GAMBLING FIRMS AWARDED eCOGRA ACCREDITATION: PartyGaming and Net Entertainment are now eCOGRA certified
- ENSURING FAIRNESS IN ONLINE GAMING
- IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Perceptions count, but are not always well founded as a recent online poker study in the UK illustrated
- SPREADING THE WORD ON SELF REGULATION AND RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING: eCOGRA's Fair Gaming Advocate to address key responsible gambling conference
- MORE PROFESSIONALS JOIN ECOGRA COMPLIANCE TEAMS: 3 new accounting professionals will extend player protection and standards body's services to more than 200 online gambling sites.
- eCOGRA EXTENDS COVER TO BINGO, SPORTSBETTING AND LIVE GAMBLING: New best practice standards developed for wider online gambling platforms
- ECOGRA CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW SEALS: Sportsbetting and bingo eGAPs introduced with latest accreditations
- The complexities of European law
- A new event for Asia
eCOGRA EXPANDS COMPLIANCE STAFF
3 new accounting professionals will extend player protection
and standards body's services to more than 200 online gambling sites
London, 18 March 2009
Three additional fully qualified accounting professionals have been taken on by the standards and player protection body eCOGRA in a move to expand the business advisory and standards compliance services which the organisation offers to a growing number of software providers, operators and affiliate programs.
The new members of staff will join experienced teams travelling to eCOGRA accredited operations and new applicant companies to conduct acceptance and compliance reviews.
All three hold university business degrees and chartered accountancy qualifications and have previous experience in major international audit and professional business service companies.
Gareth Muirhead joins eCOGRA's Data Department. He is a Chartered Accountant with majors in Computer Science, Information Systems and Auditing. The Data Department is responsible for ensuring the fairness of the gambling software being offered by the operators of casino, poker, bingo and other games of chance, by performing comprehensive output-based tests on the randomness and payouts of the games. eCOGRA currently monitors and certifies the results of over 200 online gambling sites.
Bradley Khoury will work in the organisation's Compliance and Advisory Services Department, which is currently providing services to over 50 tier one Internet gambling companies, and provides eGAP inspections and reviews on certifications for software suppliers, operators, and affiliate programs. The CAS teams also advise operators and software suppliers on eCOGRA requirements and best business practice, based on extensive industry experience and knowledge, and an understanding of the unique and specific challenges facing online businesses. Financial, business process and technical skills are utilised to develop and tailor innovative solutions to assist eCOGRA accredited companies in a range of business and industry related challenges. Khoury is a Chartered Accountant and was a top performer in PricewaterhouseCoopers' Risk Advisory Services Division.
Sean Roberts also joins the CAS team. He is a Chartered Accountant and Audit Manager with international and commercial experience who has found enough time in a busy life to obtain a pilot's licence.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA says the three new arrivals were carefully selected for their specific skills and experience, and as top performers with their former international employers.
"eCOGRA has reached a stage now that we can offer these individuals a very exciting opportunity to advance themselves both professionally and personally," Beveridge said this week. "Their duties not only involve the interesting application of a wide range of diverse professional skills, but also require them to travel throughout the world, providing consulting and auditing services to over 50 of the top operations in the online gambling industry, many of them listed companies."
Beveridge said that an added advantage was working closely with eCOGRA's independent directors, who are respected senior executives with wide gaming industry experience.
For more information, go to http://www.ecogra.org/.
THIS AFFILIATE SEAL HAS REAL VALUE
eCOGRA's substantive approach to professional certification
Shocking revelations in the affiliate sector of the industry earlier this year had one positive result - it turned the spotlight on the question of genuine program certification and the real benefits that can flow from a professional and independent third party approach to this important business and marketing element.
Coincidentally, the renewed interest it generated among affiliate programs came at a propitious time for eCOGRA, which had already embarked on a meaningful affiliate certification initiative following a year of expert international consultation with both business and academia. That program has seen the establishment of best practice standards and the in-depth assessment and audit of four major affiliate programs prior to the award of the new Affiliate Trust Seal.
At the heart of certification lies the principle that any system set up to award certificates must have substance.
When large sums of money or advertising fees are handed over on a regular basis in return for an endorsement that is not achieved through professional inspection to defined standards, it is definitely not real certification and is of little practical value.
In eCOGRA's independent Affiliate Trust Seal service, the inspections and reviews are in-depth and carried out on-site by appropriately qualified business professionals armed with a set of requirements and standards that necessitate a full assessment of the program and its systems.
Several program operators have been complimentary regarding the improvements to business which can flow from the advice given by the compliance teams, who must submit a full report to eCOGRA's independent directors before they will approve the award of a certificate that has real value and credibility.
Like eCOGRA’s accreditation process for gambling site operators, the Affiliate Trust service introduces detailed best business practice standards for affiliate program companies, backed by a strict inspection and monitoring system and the display of the new eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal.
To display the new Seal, affiliate programs must demonstrate that their program establishes, enforces and monitors best practice standards. Specifically, they must show that they calculate affiliate revenue accurately and make payments promptly, and that they have controls in place to accurately link players to affiliates.
Although there are other entities claiming to monitor affiliate programs, eCOGRA provides the most public, structured and formal approach and ensures adherence to consistent standards through regular monitoring and full annual reviews carried out by highly qualified inspection and auditing compliance teams.
"The eCOGRA Affiliate Trust initiative is more about actually going and visiting the management and operations of affiliate programs, gaining direct access to check relevant player and affiliate data to ensure that affiliate members are being treated fairly," says eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge.
"Recent events in the affiliate sector have highlighted the need for genuine certification as the industry continues to mature and becomes ever more professional, and the growing number of affiliate programs interested in this business enhancement underlines its value."
DISPUTES DECLINE AT ECOGRA CERTIFIED ONLINE CASINOS
Latest statistics from the Fair Gaming Advocate show that cash-ins are currently the main cause for disputes
Tex Rees, the Fair Gaming Advocate at the independent player protection and standards body eCOGRA, has released the organisation's first quarter 2009 player disputes report. Rees also reported that total disputes handled in the full year 2008 period were down on the comparative 2007 number at 743 (2007: 783).
The main source of complaints at 73 or fifty percent of disputes involved cash-ins, well ahead of bonus issues which at 27 constituted only 19 percent of valid disputes. Locked account complaints in the quarter reached 30, or 27 percent, also exceeding bonus issues, and there were 15 complaints regarding miscellaneous issues.
Rees received a total of 197 complaints through eCOGRA's online channel in Q1 2009, rejecting 25 as involving non-eCOGRA accredited operations over which the protection body has no influence. Of the remaining 172, twenty seven complaints were generally abusive or non-specific in nature, rendering same incapable of enquiry.
Rees investigated and mediated the remaining 145 disputes, resolving 59 in favour of the player. An average of 15.1 complaints per week were dealt with within 72 hours by the Fair Gaming Advocate.
"It is interesting to note that the incidence of “locked account” complaints has increased by 4 percent and is greater than “bonus” queries for the first time," observed Rees. "The indications are that this is due to a growing number of cases where linked accounts were proved (a tactic used by players trying to abuse bonus promotions) and a greater number of fraudulent accounts were discovered."
The key performance statistic of average number of disputes per accredited operational site per month was again low at 0.36 - down on the average 0.39 recorded throughout 2008.
TOP ONLINE GAMBLING FIRMS AWARDED eCOGRA ACCREDITATION
PartyGaming and Net Entertainment are now eCOGRA certified
Two of the Internet's most successful and well established online gambling providers, Sweden's Net Entertainment and the Gibraltar-based PartyGaming, have been accredited by the player protection and standards body eCOGRA following a range of comprehensive software, probity and operating systems inspections by independent auditors.
eCOGRA independent directors on the Seals Compliance Committee found the Swedish and Gibraltarian companies to be compliant with eCOGRA’s best practice standards applicable to software and online gambling suppliers.
The audits confirmed that the development, implementation and maintenance of the individual Net Entertainment and PartyGaming softwares is representative of industry best practice standards, opening the way for the two companies and any licensees or subsidiaries to apply for the eCOGRA Safe and Fair online casino seal.
Since 2003, the seal has become synonymous with tier one levels of fair and responsible gaming, professional conduct and high operating standards when displayed on an online gambling website.
The first Net Entertainment licensees have already been successful in achieving individual Safe and Fair accreditations after undergoing extensive inspection and monitoring, and include the major European companies Unibet, Digibet and Casino Room. Other licensees are currently undergoing the accreditation process.
Congratulating both Net Entertainment and its licensees and PartyGaming, eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said that there was increasing demand from software developers for his organisation`s testing and monitoring services.
"With a further 20 leading suppliers now also approved or currently undergoing eGAP reviews, this shows eCOGRA has become accepted as the industry`s pre-eminent standards setting authority operating wholly independent of any particular supplier or operator but in the best interests of player assurance," he said.
Net Entertainment CEO Johan Ohman applauded his management team on achieving accreditation: "Meeting high standards in a tough inspection regime like this says much for the commitment and dedication of all involved, and is an important milestone in operational excellence and player protection for the company," he said.
Three of PartyGaming's major Internet gambling sites passed the stringent eCOGRA accreditation, testing and inspection regime for online casinos and poker rooms.
PartyCasino.com, PartyPoker.com and EmpirePoker.com all met the required standards for responsible gambling, player protection, management and fiscal integrity and operational best practice throughout the inspection process.
PartyGaming is a member of the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA), for whose best practice standards eCOGRA provides assessment services and shares common goals in securing the highest standards of operational and regulatory compliance.
Welcoming the announcement, PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan said: “PartyGaming is committed to responsible gaming and want all of our players to play on our online sites for the right reason - to have fun and play within their means. These new seals show our sites provide our players with a very high level of protection backed by our EGBA membership and eCOGRA accreditation.
"The eCOGRA standards are focused on providing player assurances in the areas of fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator behaviour and the EGBA standards take this level of commitment further and include standards which allow us, as a member, to demonstrate that we are on a par with, or exceed, the standards required by leading licensing jurisdictions and state monopolies around the globe."
ENSURING FAIRNESS IN ONLINE GAMING
by Andrew Beveridge, CEO eCOGRA
As the online gaming industry continues to mature and address the player’s need for fair gaming through independent testing and certification, the debate continues regarding source code and Total Gaming Transaction Review (TGTR) testing, an advanced form of output based testing.
We can all agree that testing and third party verification is a healthy debate for the industry to explore, and there are definitely strong advocates for each method.
Certainly, the primary objective for both testing methods is to ensure a fair gaming environment for online players. Beyond that, operators must verify that governments are receiving the right allocation of taxes, and the games are performing according to applicable rules.
This article will explore TGTR testing in the online gaming environment. First let’s take a look at the differences between the traditional, land-based gaming environment and online gaming.
Land-Based PlayIn the traditional land-based casino environment, a single game is typically installed and hard coded onto a fixed device. In this case, the random number generator (RNG) – the key to computer-based casino games, whether real-world slot machines or online slots and table games – and the machine form a single, integrated unit of hardware that is sealed from the outside world.
The RNG is a program within the host computer’s microprocessor that determines the randomness of a game whether it’s the spin of a slot machine or the cards dealt or drawn in a hand of video poker, among other games.
In order to assess the fairness of a game, regulators or the independent testing agencies that they hire, review the game’s source code to ensure it operates as specified. The source code is the arrangement of instructions written by computer programmers, which is converted from a human-readable form into some kind of computer-executable form, and ultimately results in the executable programs that make up the gaming software. Upon approval, the source code and console are locked and certification is awarded. Once the software is reviewed and burned into the EPROM chip of the gaming unit, it cannot be physically changed. EPROM is a special type of memory that retains its contents until exposed to ultraviolet light.
After the game is certified, land-based game developers and software providers do not have access to the code unless an adjustment is required. This could include installing new graphics, or making changes in rules.
Once the gaming machine is operational, changes to the games do not happen very often. In the event an adjustment is required, the source code testing process would be performed again.
To minimize the chance that an operator could switch one EPROM chip for another, regulators have access to on-site surveillance cameras and officials from the Gaming Board and the testing agency should be present any time the hardware is unsealed. In addition, regulators usually require casinos to keep detailed records for any time the gaming machines are opened.
By analyzing the source code of the game in the land-based environment, regulators or the testing companies that they hire, can be confident that the game performs as specified. Source code testing has worked well in traditional gaming.
Online Gaming EnvironmentOnline gaming is a much more complex and dynamic environment. In this industry, the player is the only one with control over the hardware on which the games are being played, typically the player’s personal computer.
The gaming server, the computer that runs the game, is the most critical component in online gaming.
In addition to housing the RNG, the gaming server links into a highly sophisticated transaction processor and controller that routes the millions of messages coming into the system each minute. The server provides each message with a response, creates a complete record of all messages (in and out), and generates summary information – all in real time.
As with companies such as Microsoft, Oracle and Sun, gaming software providers invest large sums to develop and refine their proprietary server products – their core competitive advantage in the online gaming industry. In fact, the gaming server is the culmination of the intellectual property that is their primary asset. It’s no secret that this information is closely guarded.
In the online gaming environment, software developers work constantly to improve the end user’s experience through speed and efficiencies, increase security and reduce maintenance costs by refining the servers.
Unlike a traditional gaming machine, a network system has many more points of ongoing failure, which require constant monitoring and adjustments through regular system maintenance. This could include making upgrades to the system or games, installing a new security patch from an operating system vendor such as Microsoft or Sun, fixing a bug or restoring a network fault.
In the online gaming environment, technicians require access to the gaming server at all times. Because of the frequency of changes to the software in a live operating environment, source code testing, which verifies the software’s performance only at a single point in time, is simply not suited to online gaming.
Total Gaming Transaction Review (TGTR)TGTR is an advanced form of output-based testing that has been developed by independent auditors and the industry’s leading software providers over the past eight years specifically for the online gaming industry, and to determine the randomness of the RNG and verify payout percentages (the percentage of winnings to wagered amounts).
Recognizing the need to shift from traditional gaming testing in the more complex online gaming environment, TGTR was developed as a controls-based approach that focuses on data input and data output. TGTR is a continuous review that incorporates testing of the entire system rather than just a segment of the source code.
The process starts with a thorough on-site inspection by independent auditors to ensure that software is being developed, implemented and maintained in a manner representative of best practice standards. The historical performance of the software will also be taken into account. The data analysis process does not begin until it is established by the auditors that the developer is consistently adhering to the appropriate standards.
TGTR utilizes the fact that each casino can produce a record of every transaction over a period of time. This information permits a thorough analysis of every historical transaction for every game by the independent auditors, resulting in publicly available monthly payout percentage reports and bi-annual RNG reports.
A continuous process, TGTR verification is based on actual transactions and actual game play irrespective of volumes, and can be applied during ongoing system changes and development.
To verify the integrity of raw data and ensure that it has not been manipulated or corrupted in any way, the TGTR percentage payout review process requires the following: recording of every single bet and payout transaction from each casino throughout the period of review directly onto dedicated servers (independent of the casino’s gaming servers); rigorous validation and balance checks of these transactions against the data on the casino’s live gaming servers; final reconciliation of bet values and payouts against actual total players’ account closing balances on the live gaming servers; and trend analysis regarding transaction volumes and player behavior to provide assurance that the information appears reasonable and consistent.
By continually checking both the input and output of the system, it is feasible to test that the system is meeting regulatory requirements while providing operators and software developers with complete operational flexibility. It is also possible to verify that all transactions have been accurately recorded by checking each transaction for its completeness, along with spot testing of transactions.
In addition, the auditors ensure that wagering activity, including wins, is distributed among an acceptable population of players.
Through further analysis of the summary data and subjecting the vast amounts of data to rigorous generally accepted statistical testing methods, one can further confirm the integrity of the RNG and of the system as a whole.
ConclusioneCOGRA views TGTR verification as a solution for the online gaming industry that goes far beyond trying to simply match the security of a real-world slot machine. We recognize that it’s the fairness of the final outcome that is most important to the players, and the regulators who protect them.
TGTR is enacted in the eCOGRA review and certification process once there is adequate assurance that full source code testing, implementation, version and change control are in place with the necessary security controls at the software provider, and all have been operating properly for a reasonable period of time.
There are those who may argue that TGTR will only highlight a problem in the software after it has already occurred in a live environment. For this reason, eCOGRA requires a thorough ongoing review of the operating environment at the software provider and operator levels, and the controls and entire processes around the implementation and testing of changes to the software. This review ensures that the possibility of anything occurring which will adversely affect the output of the system is within acceptable limits.
An additional advantage that TGTR holds over source code testing is the appropriate assurance of fairness in slots games. While source code testing is able to confirm that an RNG is performing correctly, it is not able to confirm what the payout percentage of a particular game should be. A slots game with a payout percentage of 50 percent that passes the RNG test will not be considered fair by the players.
Overall, TGTR is a solution that allows for rapid advances in technology, reduces development and regulatory costs, provides for easier dispute mediation and is easily implemented using existing methods from the broader commercial world.
Recognizing the benefits of TGTR, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Malta, Kahnawake and the Philippines have agreed that operators using software which is already subject to the eCOGRA’s generally accepted practices (eGAP), testing principles and methodologies, will not be required to submit to the review and monitoring processes that the regulators employ through additional third parties.
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
Perceptions count, but are not always well founded as a recent online poker study in the UK illustrated
By Andrew Beveridge, CEO, eCOGRA Limited
"Perception is reality" is a popular and well-worn cliché that has persuaded many people to abandon or suspend their critical faculties and to disconnect from issues. The result of such blind acceptance of a popular view, or one induced by an isolated personal experience, can often be a skewed and inaccurate perspective.
Such is the case, I believe, with a recent UK survey which found that a disturbingly large number of the 2 500 respondents did not trust online poker websites. This despite the fact that there are many long-established and very respectable enterprises of proven integrity involved in Internet poker operations, handling hundreds of thousands of transactions every day with less than single digit problem percentages.
Nevertheless, the online poker sector ignores these perceptions at its peril because leaving these negative views unaddressed can expand and perpetuate the false perspective, causing further damage to business, corporate and industry reputations.
And it has to be acknowledged that there are some - even if in the minority - in the industry who care little for best practice efficiency, player protection and fair play. It's always a good idea to distinguish one's reputable business from that sort of venue!
The lack of uniform standards and regulation applicable to an industry which, by virtue of the Internet, transcends international borders tends to exacerbate the situation.
One solution is independent and genuine certification and monitoring that has proved to be credible and can be trusted.
What the playing public needs is assurance. Assurance that the venue they are considering for a little online poker action is player sensitive, offers fair games, is well managed and efficient, fast-paying, takes measures against collusion and fraud and respects player privacy.
Many, if not all, operators would lay claim to such attributes but how can the player really be sure?
It was this question, and a desire to meet international best practice levels that persuaded several major and usually competing online gambling companies to come together 5 years ago and found eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance).
The key to the credibility of any standards and certification body is independence and impartiality, and for this reason eCOGRA was set up with a controlling board dominated by highly respected and experienced broader gambling industry executives unconnected with the founding companies.
The organisation was based separately in London with its own budgets and staff reporting to the controlling independent directors, and its mandate was to accept any applicant prepared to commit to its standards and central priority of player protection....and able to meet requirements enforced by professionally conducted inspections, reviews and continuous monitoring.
The demand for its services was immediate from companies wishing to work to accepted international standards as a means to improve business efficiency and as a powerful marketing statement of a commitment to integrity and efficiency.
The demand for a wider range of certifications soon followed, resulting in a series of major initiatives to collaborate with international experts in the development of appropriate sets of best practice standards that could be applied to online casino, poker room, live dealer, skill games, mobile, bingo, sports betting and even, more recently, affiliate marketing programs.
To handle the demands of these diverse applications, the staff at eCOGRA - which has to some extent become self-financing through professional services fees - was expanded and now includes fully qualified IT and accountancy professionals who travel internationally to carry out comprehensive compliancy audits on-site at applicant companies.
Certification programs without substance are generally worthless, and for this reason the eCOGRA system is both detailed and thorough.
It starts with an assessment of the software in use in cooperation with the applicant and the provider, moving on to an initial on-site visit by a multi-skilled eCOGRA compliance team armed with a detailed set of relevant operational requirements and standards. These embrace every aspect of operational activity including management probity, financial and accounting systems, support facilities, anti-fraud measures, dispute channels and responsible gaming systems.
Where an applicant falls short in any department, a detailed 'coaching' report is submitted to assist in addressing the shortcoming, after which the inspection is retaken. Many applicants have been pleased with improvements in efficiency brought about by the professional advice available from the inspectors, and through the subsequent regular reviews and monitoring required by eCOGRA to maintain accreditation.
To reinforce the concept of player protection, eCOGRA offers the player community another essential element for credibility - a completely impartial Fair Gaming Advocate service which provides free mediation services for any player unable to obtain satisfaction in any dispute at operational management level at venues bearing the eCOGRA Safe and Fair seal used to distinguish accredited and monitored sites. This has proved one of the most powerful trust indicators for players, because the results of its interventions, where these favour the player, speak volumes.
Today, eCOGRA actively reviews and monitors 126 sites involved in the online gambling industry, with many more in the inspection pipeline.
All are part of well established and highly successful tier one Internet companies committed to positioning themselves at the top of the industry by demonstrating a commitment to good business and player care.
There are few, if any, immediate silver bullet solutions to adverse perceptions such as appear to exist regarding online poker, but consistently impeccable and professional corporate conduct allied to credible certification and the maintenance of high operating standards is a practical and convincing alternative to more cosmetic and perhaps short term publicity campaigns.
Many large companies have come to this conclusion, a large number of major European betting groups associated with the European Gaming and Betting Association among them. EGBA and eCOGRA are partners in promoting professional standards and conduct, and all EGBA members apply these standards and best business practices.
There are significantly more good online poker operators than there are bad in the United Kingdom, and this is an opportune time to emphasise the difference by example and deed rather than mere words.
SPREADING THE WORD ON SELF REGULATION AND RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
eCOGRA's Fair Gaming Advocate to address key responsible gambling conference
eCOGRA's Tex Rees has been invited to deliver a paper at one of the key conferences on the international Responsible Gambling calendar, the Discovery 2009 event organised by the Responsible Gambling Council of Canada www.responsiblegambling.org
This year's event will be held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel and Conference Centre between April 19 to 22nd at Niagara Falls with an attendance and speaker list that reads like a who's who of responsible gambling, featuring highly qualified experts in the field from Canada, the USA, Australia, Sweden, Argentina and Britain.
One of the key papers at the conference, Rees's presentation is titled “Building a Regulated Environment for Online Gaming” and will look at jurisdictions and online gambling licensing, effective self-regulation as epitomised by eCOGRA, and Responsible Gaming best practice in the online gambling industry.
Other speakers will cover a wide range of topics, including problem gambling prevention, treatment, research, and policy analysis.
Dr. Norman Doidge, New York Times best selling author of The Brain That Changes Itself will address delegates on the fascinating field of neuroplasticity in another key presentation, and other experts will share the latest findings in player card technologies, get a glimpse of the online poker experience and learn about promising new prevention and treatment insights from around the world.
Recently Rees represented eCOGRA at two major Asian conferences, delivering a papers on responsible gambling and the eCOGRA approach to this critical operational element.
The event is sponsored financially by the Ontario Lottery and Gambling Corporation.
MORE PROFESSIONALS JOIN ECOGRA COMPLIANCE TEAMS
3 new accounting professionals will extend player protection and standards body's services to more than 200 online gambling sites
Three additional fully qualified accounting professionals have been taken on by eCOGRA in a move to expand the business advisory and standards compliance services which the organisation offers to a growing number of software providers, operators and affiliate programs.
The new members of staff will join experienced teams travelling to eCOGRA accredited operations and new applicant companies to conduct acceptance and compliance reviews.
All three hold university business degrees and chartered accountancy qualifications and have previous experience in major international audit and professional business service companies.
* Gareth Muirhead joins eCOGRA`s Data Department. He is a Chartered Accountant with majors in Computer Science, Information Systems and Auditing. The Data Department is responsible for ensuring the fairness of the gambling software being offered by the operators of casino, poker, bingo and other games of chance, by performing comprehensive output-based tests on the randomness and payouts of the games. eCOGRA currently monitors and certifies the results of over 200 online gambling sites.
* Bradley Khoury will work in the organisation`s Compliance and Advisory Services Department, which is currently providing services to over 50 tier one Internet gambling companies, and provides eGAP inspections and reviews on certifications for software suppliers, operators, and affiliate programs. The CAS teams also advise operators and software suppliers on eCOGRA requirements and best business practice, based on extensive industry experience and knowledge, and an understanding of the unique and specific challenges facing online businesses. Financial, business process and technical skills are utilised to develop and tailor innovative solutions to assist eCOGRA accredited companies in a range of business and industry related challenges. Khoury is a Chartered Accountant and was a top performer in PricewaterhouseCoopers` Risk Advisory Services Division.
* Sean Roberts also joins the CAS team. He is a Chartered Accountant and Audit Manager with international and commercial experience who has found enough time in a busy life to obtain a pilot`s licence.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA says the three new arrivals were carefully selected for their specific skills and experience, and as top performers with their former international employers.
"eCOGRA has reached a stage now that we can offer these individuals a very exciting opportunity to advance themselves both professionally and personally,` Beveridge said. "Their duties not only involve the interesting application of a wide range of diverse professional skills, but also require them to travel throughout the world, providing consulting and auditing services to over 50 of the top operations in the online gambling industry, many of them listed companies."
Beveridge said that an added advantage was working closely with eCOGRA`s independent directors, who are respected senior executives with wide gaming industry experience.
eCOGRA EXTENDS COVER TO BINGO, SPORTSBETTING AND LIVE GAMBLING
New best practice standards developed for wider online gambling platforms
eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) recently 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 five 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."
ECOGRA CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW SEALS
Sportsbetting and bingo eGAPs introduced with latest accreditations
eCOGRA recently marked five years of quality and safety oversight at its 126 accredited poker and casino websites by awarding the tough Safe and Fair gambling seal to three new partners.
Sportsbetting operations of the Vienna-based Internet gambling giant Interwetten.com and two bingo sites - the first sportsbook and bingo accreditations under the stringent eCOGRA testing and monitoring regime - received the right to bear the eCOGRA seal.
The bingo sites are All Bingo Club.com which is a member of the successful Jackpot Factory online gambling group, and Platinum Play Bingo.com which is a subsidiary of the long established Fortune Lounge group.
Interwetten is one of the best known of the top European sportsbetting, casino and poker Internet gambling sites and is a member of both the European Gaming and Betting Association and the European Sports Security Association.
Founded in 1990 as provider of sport betting via telephone, the company today has 110 employees and reached a betting turnover of EUR 320 million in 2008. The internationally active company currently has more than 900 000 registered customers in 200 countries. In 2008, bets were placed on more than 90 000 different sports events in more than 70 countries. Altogether, 11 million sports bets were placed in the previous year.
Accepting the eCOGRA seal, the CEO of Interwetten, Thomas Daubek said: "Interwetten`s management and staff has every reason to be proud of this achievement, which has involved a detailed and comprehensive examination of every aspect of our operational, software and responsible gambling systems by independent eCOGRA professional audit teams.
"The high level of player safety and service which has been recognised in the past will now be maintained under the continuous monitoring to which we have agreed as part of this important and hard won accreditation."
David Brickman, spokesman and vice president of Player Affairs at the Jackpot Factory group said his company was pleased to have achieved one of the first eCOGRA bingo accreditations for its All Bingo Club website.
"Our casino and poker operations have all qualified for the practical and valuable Safe and Fair seal accreditation over the years, and it’s good to know that our bingo operations also measure up to these high operational standards," he said.
A spokesman for the Fortune Lounge group commented that casino and poker room operations in the group were celebrating five years of Safe and Fair accreditation this week, and the addition of the Platinum Play Bingo seal to the Fortune Lounge list of achievements was added cause for pride.
"This is a tough test, but it brings with it real advantages in operational efficiencies and improved business," he said.
eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge congratulated the successful website owners on achieving accreditation, and urged Safe and Fair operators to maintain the highest standards, with player protection, business efficiency and responsible gambling always front-of-mind.
"eCOGRA can look back on the last five years with some satisfaction,” he said. “It has seen our standards, inspection and monitoring systems and professional staff expand to embrace all the main Internet gambling platforms, from mobile, live dealer and bingo through sports to casino and poker," he said.
"Along the way, our Fair Gaming Advocate has successfully mediated thousands of player issues, although these represent a miniscule percentage of the substantial volumes of business our accredited sites handle every day.
"There are now 126 accredited sites under the eCOGRA Safe and Fair umbrella, belonging to the most successful and well-established gambling companies on the Internet," he continued.
"Going forward we intend to remain at the leading edge of online gambling standards and player protection in a dynamic and challenging high tech industry, constantly ensuring that our standards and systems are current with technology and best business practice."
The complexities of European law
The European Gambling Briefing 2009 takes place in Budapest 22nd-23rd April 2009, attracting the industry’s gaming operators, lawyers, legal councils, governments and regulators keen to get to grips with the latest developments in European online gambling law.
This year's conference is the fifth of its kind and will consist of two days of world-class speakers, important updates, debate, and networking with all the key players.
2009 is shaping to be as gruelling and difficult as any before it both commercially and legally across Europe. With several key countries now testing the best models for more liberal gaming regimes, others delaying and fighting liberalisation and still others trying to lead the way with distinctive paths of their own it is essential that industry movers and shakers know where they stand.
These are just some of the reasons you have to be at EGB 2009:
* The most comprehensive round-up of essential legal and regulatory information available
* The programme for EGB is developed through a rigorous research process with leading gaming lawyers, key regulators and government officials and commercial gaming companies involved in legal action.
* In just 2 days delegates will get the most practical, up-to-date legal insights available.
* Exceptional breadth and depth of relevant speakers
Nowhere else can you get the level of access to the thinking of those making the laws and key decisions in Europe, with several key regulators and government officials speaking. And Europe’s best lawyers, fighting the most important cases, will of course be delivering their advice and predictions for 2009.
EGB will again be offering 2 hours of roundtable discussions, enabling delegates to interact with a respected legal mind in the jurisdiction of their choice and ask questions.
While it is EU case law that still holds much of the attention – and will receive deep coverage at EGB – wider developments in Eastern Europe, Turkey, South Africa and Asia are covered as well.
Full details here: http://www.europeangamblingbriefing.com/2009/
A new event for Asia
BetMarkets Asia 2009 is a new event from Clarion Gaming and Beacon Events which will be taking place in Macau 25-27 May, 2009. Bringing the highly respected BetMarkets conference to Asia for the first time, this event will give a thorough overview of sports betting and lotteries in the region.
This is a sister event to BetMarkets, Clarion’s respected sports betting conference and expo which takes place in Europe in March and welcomes over 200 professionals from the land-based and online betting communities.
Betting is hugely popular in Asia Pacific with Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia all being large betting markets and China also attracting huge interest. A number of South East Asian countries are making moves towards opening up their markets and with casinos opening up in Taiwan and Singapore, the indications are there that these countries may open up to betting operations and offer a fuller range of services.
BetMarkets Asia 2009 has been designed to give a thorough overview of sports betting and lotteries in the region. Find out which countries are softening their stance towards betting regulation and what you can and can’t do in marketing betting services. Get the low-down on fixed-odds, Asian handicaps, live betting and discover opportunities in multi-channel betting and betting & lottery technology
More information here: http://www.betmarketsasia.com/en/home.html
Poker sector
Online poker operators should diarise June 24-25 this year when the 2009 World Poker Congress will be held in the charming Portuguese city of Porto on the Douro River.
Accommodation will be available at the Sheraton Porto in the heart of the city and within walking distance of shopping, art museums and the vibrant Porto nightlife. The hotel shares equal parts unique spa and wellness centre with modern business hotel full of amenities and dining options - the ideal location for this important event with its educational as well as networking opportunities.
Read about it here: http://www.worldpokercongress.com/2009
Major change of venue for EiG
Clarion has responded positively to market opinion that Copenhagen is a good alternative to Barcelona for the 2009 European i-Gaming Conference and Expo, and this major event is again expected to attract large numbers of industry people.
EIG is Europe's foremost event for the i-gaming industry, reaching the web, mobile and TV providers of gambling and gaming services. The conference and exhibition provide a perfect forum at which to discuss and share ideas; showcase the very latest technology, do business and network with the industry's leading players.
Full details of the conference program are not yet to hand, but delegates can be confident that it will be well up to the remarkably high standards set by Clarion over the past few years that the event has been held in Spain.
One of Denmark's leading and most popular cities, Copenhagen offers a wealth a scenic beauty, a long and interesting history and hugely entertaining night life, bars and restaurants.
Dates to remember are September 15 -17 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The event website will be available soon with complete details.
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