eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is a London-based internationally approved testing agency and player protection and standards organisation. The company was established in 2003 in the United Kingdom and introduced the first formal self-regulation program to the online gambling industry in 2003. eCOGRA is also a leading independent and internationally approved testing agency, specializing in the certification of online gaming software and systems. One of the criteria used to determine trustworthy, reliable and safe online casinos is the approval of the organization.
Contents
The organisation has been awarded the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO approval ISO/IEC17025:2005 : General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories for the United Kingdom and Denmark.
Regulated Markets
Since the widespread regulation of online gambling in various jurisdictions, the company's focus has moved from pure self-regulation enabling player protection to the provision of regulatory compliance services in regulated markets. It is approved as a testing agency and designated certification entity in various online gambling jurisdictions including Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark, Isle of Man, Alderney, Kahnawake and Gibraltar.
The organisation has 60 clients as per January 2016 including 888, Unibet, Betclic Everest, bwin.party, bet365, Microgaming, Boss Media, 32Red, Betway, Casino Rewards Group, BonnierGaming, Net Entertainment and Ålands Penningautomatförening (PAF).
eGAP (eCOGRA Generally Accepted Practices)
The eGAP regime has particular emphasis on fair and responsible gambling, and these eGAP requirements are enforced through onsite reviews and continuous monitoring.
eCOGRA’s Safe and Fair Seal is awarded to online gaming operators that comply with eCOGRA’s Generally Accepted Practice (eGAP) Requirements covering player protection, fair gaming and responsible operator behaviour. Applicants are assessed annually through onsite compliance reviews by eCOGRA compliance specialists.
The eCOGRA Certified Software Seal is awarded to software suppliers which are able to demonstrate compliance with the applicable eGAP Requirements. Software developers or platform providers are assessed annually against software supplier requirements which pay particular focus on the internal controls governing the development processes and controls as well as the IT internal control and security environment.
The company subsequently introduced the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal due to demand from affiliate programs, and is awarded to those affiliate programs that have achieved compliance with the eGAP Requirements applicable to affiliate programs.
eCOGRA developed the EGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association) Standards and associated Investigative Compliance Program and has been contracted by the EGBA for conducting compliance reviews of its Members against the EGBA’s Standards and CEN CWA 16259:2011.
The company’s compliance activities are focused on the following policy objectives:
- The protection of vulnerable customers
- The prevention of underage gambling
- Combating fraudulent and criminal behaviour
- Protection of customer privacy and safeguarding of information
- Prompt and accurate customer payments
- Fair gaming (e.g. RNG and game evaluations)
- Responsible marketing
- Commitment to customer satisfaction and support
- Secure, safe and reliable operating environment