LONDON – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Management delegates from online casino
operations around the world converged on Cape Town, South Africa last week
for a unique educational seminar on problem gambling.
Organised by independent self-regulator eCommerce and Online Gaming
Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), the course was held to coincide with new
responsible gaming requirements recently approved by its Board.
The programme, believed to be an industry first for a collective group of
online casinos, was designed to brief eCOGRA seal casino managers on the new
regulations and provides them with sufficient information to set up policies
and training programs in preparation for the introduction of the new safety
precautions contained within the eGAP requirements.
40 delegates, representing general management, support, audit and
marketing disciplines for 55 seal-bearing casinos, attended the event. The
programme included expert tuition on the prevention of underage gambling, the
psychology of problem gamblers, how to identify compulsive players and the
best way to handle cases of this nature.
The custom built course was conducted by specialised Swedish psychologist
and researcher Thomas Nilsson together with senior G4 executive Pieter
Remmers and senior trainer Rob d'Hondt.
eCOGRA's regulations have been framed in consultation with the G4 (Global
Gambling Guidance Group) organisation which recently introduced responsible
gaming policies and operating parameters at eCOGRA approved PokerRoom.com.
The regulations provide minimum standards and requirements in respect of
warnings and options regarding problem gambling, self exclusion and control
mechanisms for gamblers, and promotional and advertising best practices in
this area.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA told delegates that responsible gaming
was a critically important element in online gaming operations from both a
moral and practical industry viewpoint and eCOGRA was yet again leading the
way in setting gold standards player protection practices for the industry to
follow.
He said, "Apart from a firm moral obligation to prevent underage or
addictive gambling, we must remember that the industry's detractors are
increasingly focused on the dangers of underage or addictive gambling, and
this is a potential Achilles Heel for the industry."
He added, "Your commitment in joining eCOGRA has its roots in a real
desire to be professional, responsible and above-average in your operational
practice. The responsible gaming aspect has now been made an integral part of
the eCOGRA standards required to achieve this level of business conduct."