LONDON, England – (PRESS RELEASE) -- The non-profit online gambling
standards and player protection body eCOGRA (eCommerce and Online Gambling
Regulation and Assurance) has reiterated the critical
importance of consistent and monitored standards for professional online
casino and poker room operations to ensure players receive a fair gaming
experience and good customer service all backed up by a strong dispute
mediation service.
Andrew Beveridge, the Chief executive of eCOGRA, said that recent
legislative developments had the potential to create a situation where
players could be vulnerable to under-funded, unregulated and unprincipled
gambling sites filling the space left by companies that had felt the need
to exclude gamblers from certain territories.
"Professional and integrity-driven conduct to best practice standards
by properly monitored online gambling establishments is critical to the
future success of the industry," Beveridge said, urging software providers
and operators alike to consider joining standards and player assurance
programs such as eCOGRA, where 112 online gaming sites have already
committed themselves to responsible codes of conduct.
"We have always expected our seal holders to act responsibly and urge
them to continue do so in the current circumstances. The need for safe,
fair online gambling venues working to consistent and practical operational
standards capable of crossing international borders cannot be
overstressed," Beveridge said. "Our Members and sealholders will continue
to offer efficient and respectful service to all players permitted by the
laws where they reside to gamble online."
"eCOGRA believes that the regulation of online gambling operators is
far more effective and safer for the players than attempts to prohibit a
form of Internet entertainment that is popular with literally tens of
millions of responsible gamblers around the globe. Our concern is that
prohibition rarely works and could allow unregulated operators to take
advantage of decent people who have no recourse to a controlling
authority," he said.