In your quest to find the best online gambling website, it is most likely you have heard about eCOGRA and why it is important that any casino you want to join is certified by this body. New punters might not be aware of the importance of the eCOGRA seal, but regular punters are most likely aware that it is what separates the legit gambling websites from the hundreds of scams swarming the internet. While it may seem almost impossible to regulate the online gambling industry like its land-based counterparts, regulatory authorities make it hard for unauthorised gambling platforms to thrive in the industry. The very first brand certified by eCOGRA is Vera&John.
Founded in 2003, eCOGRA is an independent regulatory body based in the United Kingdom. This international authority’s acronym stands for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. eCOGRA is mainly responsible for ensuring fair gaming, responsible and transparent conducts on gambling websites and player protection.
eCOGRA has two divisions, which is ATA (Approved Testing Agency) and SRS (Self-Regulation Services). The Approved Testing Agency is in charge of evaluating and issuing accreditations to gambling websites and online gaming software. This ATA reviews gambling websites and gaming software by performing a compliance review. Other forms of testing done by this division include testing the RNG (random number generator) used by online casinos to make sure it is fair enough before it goes into use.
The Self-Regulation Services is the arm that prevents unauthorised activities such as underage gambling, breach of player’s private information, and ensures prompt and due payments of all winnings amongst other things. Both the ATA and SRS work hand-in-hand to make sure online gambling is as safe as possible for all punters.
Generally Accepted Practices
For an online gambling website or software provider to meet the eCOGRA standard, there is a strict code of conduct list also known as the eGAP system which they must strictly abide by. The eGAP system is a list of requirements which highlights all that is expected for a gambling website or software provider to become certified. Once all the requirements are met, the casino or software provider can then proudly display the eCOGRA seal on its website.
Overall, eCOGRA plays a vital role in the online gambling industry. The auditing services offered by the authority prevent millions of users from falling preys to scam websites in the industry. One can boldly say the regulatory body makes the online gambling industry a safer place for punters.