More emphasis on real regulation boosts European interest in eCOGRA

The growing necessity for online gambling operators to commit to serious licensing jurisdictions with real regulatory requirements was again evident in several key presentations at the European iGaming Congress and Expo held recently in Barcelona.

With competition soaring in the European arena following the move away from the legality-ridden and confusing problems of operating in the United States, the need for acceptable standards and licensing has never been stronger, says Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA).

Adding momentum to the trend, the United Kingdom's recently published advertising "white list" has spurred numerous companies to gravitate toward effective and acceptable licensing jurisdictions like Gibraltar, Malta, Alderney and of course Britain itself.

The swing has also generated substantially more interest in private non-profit standards and player protection bodies like eCOGRA which numbers some 120 tier one online gambling venues on its accredited list.

Formed four years ago with respected international and independent directors at the helm, and backed by three of the largest online gaming software and gambling operations in the industry, the London-based organisation has consulted internationally to develop advanced best practice standards for operational conduct...and the technology to inspect and continually monitor accredited companies to ensure compliance.

Beveridge and a growing London-based professional team have engaged regularly with several licensing jurisdictions on the acceptability of its standards, laying the groundwork for compliance with most jurisdictional requirements in terms of game fairness, customer service, responsible gambling, management integrity, operational efficiency and accounting best practice.

"We're aware that there are inter-nation and perhaps political difficulties in reaching a harmonised form of detailed international standards and regulations among national licensing jurisdictions," said Beveridge at the Barcelona conference.

"But the main prize is surely a safe and fair online gambling environment for the players? That is our goal in promoting practical standards on which we can all agree and the inspection and monitoring necessary to ensure compliance.

"We are confident that eCOGRA makes it possible for accredited operations to meet or exceed the principal demands of the top licensing jurisdictions, and that has generated substantial interest in our activities by operators who look for professional guidance in reaching the right levels of acceptability."

Over 120 online casino and poker sites now display the eCOGRA "Safe and Fair" seal, guiding players to sites where a safe and entertaining online gambling experience can be found.

Over the last 4 years eCOGRA has invested over $3 million to lay the groundwork and create an effective standards and player protection organisation.