The gambling standards authority eCOGRA announced last week that it will now extend its services to monitor online bingo, sports betting and live gambling.  This means it will now monitor most online gambling firms to see if they qualify for its Safe and Fair Certification seal.

The extension of the gambling authority’s services means it covers all the major types of online gambling, as it already covers online casinos and poker together with mobile gambling.

The authority employs staff to investigate and visit gambling operators to evaluate whether they are using best practices in their operations and if they are then they are given the accredited Safe and Fair Certification seal.  The inspectors look at all areas of the operators’ business including financial, customer relations, responsible gambling and the gambling software used by the firm.  Gambling software providers have also been investigated and approved by eCOGRA  

In a press release, Andrew Beveridge, the CEO of eCOGRA commented on the extension of the body’s services by saying, “We have new introduced our new eGAP Minimum Requirements covering all operational aspects for online bingo and sports betting operations.

“This enables operators in these sectors to come forward to assessment and testing with a view to achieve 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 sports betting and bingo operations under review.

“The extension of our inspection, advisory and monitoring services means eCOGRA now covers all the main products currently being offered by online gambling operators.  We compliment 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.”
The eCOGRA organisation is recognised by many international online gambling regulators and by the European Gaming and Betting Association.  The authority also works closely with UK gambling charity GamCare to promote responsible gambling.  

Online gambling firms who get the eCOGRA Safe and Fair Certification seal aren’t then left to their own devices as eCOGRA continues to monitor these firms with inspections and annual reviews to ensure standards are maintained.  

Andrew Beveridge also said, “Over the past six 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.”
 
 

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