Biggest online gambling players study kicks off this week

The CEO at player protection and standards body eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) is clearly determined to spread the eCOGRA survey response net as widely as possible. This week Andrew Beveridge appealed to portal owners to help assemble the survey's target of at least 20 000 respondents by spreading the word.

Commencing 5th September the survey - a joint venture between eCOGRA, the University of Nevada and Nottingham Trent University, aims to capture the responses of 20 000 players from around the world. In addition, the findings will be supplemented with qualitative focus groups, due to be held within six of the industry's major markets.

Designed to capture information about the behaviour and attitudes of online gamblers, the survey results are expected to provide us and you, with an invaluable understanding and insight into their needs and concerns; information which is vital if we are to continue to offer them a rewarding and safe online gambling experience.

In a letter to portal masters, Beveridge says: "But if this survey is to be a success, we will need your help. In your capacity as one of eCOGRA's 'Reputable Portals', I'd be very grateful if you would be able to assist us with this.

"We hope that you will encourage your visitors, via a message on your websites, emails or other communication, to participate in this survey. In return, eCOGRA portals that participate will be listed within the media materials and provided directly with a media-facing summary of the report in January 2007."

The survey can be found at www.ecogra.org/playersurvey, and all players who want to make their views known are welcome to participate.