Online casino regulator forms alliance with Global Gambling

10/02/2005 by Leigh Phillips Print | Email Colleague | Add Comment | Comments (0) Online casino regulator Ecogra has teamed with the Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4) to provide more cohesive formal precautions against underage and problem gambling. "The top online casinos regulated by Ecogra have all made in-house responsible gambling provision as part of their operational structures, and we will beef up this vital function through a partnership with the respected and professional G4 organisation," said Andrew Beveridge, CEO of Ecogra. The regulator will work with G4 to create a set of policies and procedures that will set the global benchmark for responsible gaming. Ecogra Seal casino and poker operators will be required to implement these detailed policies as part of the generally accepted practices (eGAP), and compliance will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by independent auditors. G4 management have extensive experience with responsible gaming programmes in both the terrestrial and online environments, and provide a worldwide accreditation programme. The G4 e-Gaming Code of Practice has already been implemented at major online site PokerRoom.com. Top G4 executive, Pieter Remmers said: "These 51 first rate Seal casinos represent a very significant share of the online casino gambling sector, and the real enforcement that is part of the Ecogra system makes for effective application." "Although we have other partnerships in process, this is the big one for us, because Ecogra will offer brand recognition and allow us to contribute to their sites. It is the first step in getting their members to come aboard. We have also held discussions with other groups, like the Interactive Gaming Council and certain large online poker networks, and those will continue to be our focus in the short term." Ecogra is a non-profit, non-partisan based in London, England. Founded by major online software and casino operator groups in 2002, the organisation spent some time researching the concept of regulation with experts throughout the world before formulating a set of requirements, together with an independent inspection and monitoring system for enforcement. Approved casinos are identified by a Seal, and commit to a set of professional operational practices which are independently enforced through inspection and monitoring by major international business groups. The infrastructure includes a Fair Gaming Advocate for any player disputes that cannot be resolved at casino level.