eCOGRA – eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance

12/05/2012 by admin in eCOGRA, Organizações No Comments

INTRODUCTION

The underlying philosophy of eCOGRA is based on the achievement of the objectives of player protection, fair gaming and responsible conduct by operators, software providers and relevant service providers. Accredited organisations are entitled to bear the eCOGRA seal, indicating to players and other stakeholders that operational systems and games are fair and continuously monitored to consistently high standards.

eCOGRA’s Generally Accepted Practice (‘eGAP’) requirements are enforced through reviews and continuous monitoring conducted by a team of highly specialised staff members. The majority of eCOGRA staff members have an auditing background at Big 4 auditing firms and are qualified Chartered Accountants and/or Certified Information Systems Auditors.

BACKGROUND

eCOGRA was established in 2003 in order to introduce self-regulation to the online gaming industry, and thereby assist in ensuring players are properly protected, games are fair, and operators behave responsibly.

The company’s self-regulation activities generally focus on the following policy objectives:

The protection of vulnerable customers
The prevention of underage gaming
Combating fraudulent and criminal behaviour
Protection of customer privacy and safeguarding of information
Prompt and accurate customer payments
Fair gaming (e.g. RNG and RTP game evaluations)
Responsible marketing
Commitment to customer satisfaction and support
Secure, safe and reliable operating environment

eCOGRA is management controlled, and the majority of our staff members have had considerable legal, financial, business administration and IT auditing experience at one of the Big 4 audit firms, and have qualified as Chartered Accountants. As professional auditors, these individuals are required to utilise International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (‘IAASB’) Auditing Standards. Many of our staff are also Certified Information System Auditors and governed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (‘ISACA’).

Our test engineers are highly trained and specialised in the field of online gaming and other leading-edge systems and technologies, and are able to perform system evaluations both onsite and offsite.

The company has been awarded the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO approval ISO/IEC 17025:2005 : General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, and is an accredited testing agency with several online gaming jurisdictions.

eCOGRA currently provides compliance services to almost 80 of the industry’s leading operators and software suppliers, including Unibet, Betclic Everest, bwin.party, bet365, Microgaming, Boss Media, 32Red, 888, Betway, Casino Rewards Group, Bonnier Gaming, Ladbrokes, Net Entertainment, Ålands Penningautomatförening (Paf) etc.

To date the company has performed in excess of 500 worldwide compliance reviews.

INDEPENDENCE

eCOGRA prides itself on its independence and integrity. It has a responsibility and is committed to ensuring that the work conducted by its employees demonstrates the highest possible standards of professionalism.

Company policies and procedures are designed to:

ensure management and employees are free from any undue internal and external commercial, financial and other pressures and influences that may adversely affect the quality of their work; and
avoid involvement in any activities that would diminish confidence in eCOGRA’s competence, impartiality, judgement or operational integrity.

eCOGRA is regularly required to demonstrate its complete ownership and operational independence from an operators and software suppliers to regulators in online gaming jurisdictions where it is an accredited testing agency, and as part of its annual ISO/IEC 17025:2005 audit by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Fonte: eCOGRA