Statement From eCOGRA Regarding Jackpot Factory

[Simmo!]

STATEMENT ON THE JACKPOT FACTORY INCIDENT FROM ECOGRA

Over the past several days eCOGRA’s independent directors and I have been involved in seeking to have an unacceptable search engine optimisation marketing campaign involving the Jackpot Factory group withdrawn.

The campaign, which disseminated offensive and even false information to vulnerable audiences is in the opinion of the eCOGRA Compliance Committee unethical in both content and intent.

The first priority of eCOGRA was to ensure that this material was pulled down as soon as possible. To that end eCOGRA complied with its corporate procedures by first verifying the allegations and then insisting that the Jackpot Factory group management take immediate action to obliterate all traces of this material.

Despite eCOGRA strongly emphasising to the Jackpot Factory Group that the removal of the offending material was of the highest urgency, it took longer for the Jackpot Factory Group to remove the material than anticipated due to complications arising from the unorthodox manner of its original construction and technical implementation. We are informed that those responsible for conducting this campaign have been appropriately dealt with by the Jackpot Factory group.

The eCOGRA Compliance Committee has been assured by Jackpot Factory staff that the offending material has been removed . If any future traces surface going forward, eCOGRA has insisted on an assurance that Jackpot Factory will immediately remove these, too.

eCOGRA’s next requirements will involve its independent inspection regime, which will study how this offensive material managed to pass through the vetting and administration systems within Jackpot Factory. The objective of this will be to ensure there can be no reoccurrence.

eCOGRA’s independent directors who form its Compliance Committee have nevertheless decided to suspend the Play It Safe seal from All Slots casino and those other casinos within Jackpot Factory which had links to the offensive material pending the outcome of eCOGRA’s investigation.

The Board emphasises that it strongly condemns the nature and targeting of the Jackpot Factory SEO campaign which is contrary to eCOGRA’s eGAP and codes of best conduct.

eCOGRA would particularly like to thank those involved members of the player and affiliate communities who took the time and trouble to keep me appraised of developments as this incident unfolded. It is encouraging to see this level of interest in eCOGRA and faith in its procedures, and the assistance provided in assessing the extent and nature of the wrongdoing here was invaluable.

I would welcome any further information which identifies the existence of similar content.

Signed:
Andrew Beveridge
CEO, eCOGRA

[HCM]

eCOGRA’s independent directors who form its Compliance Committee have nevertheless decided to suspend the Play It Safe seal from All Slots casino and those other casinos within Jackpot Factory which had links to the offensive material pending the outcome of eCOGRA’s investigation.

well considering the content found on the firstwebcasino I should imagine that that will have to go as well. Do you know if Ecogra are aware of this Simmo?

http://www.firstwebcasino.com/financ...sino-games.php

[Simmo!]

...pending the outcome of eCOGRA’s investigation

...is a key line. This isn't a conclusion, merely an interim action taken by eCOGRA. I am sure they will continue to monitor these threads and take on board any further comments.

[jetset]

Good point that is important to note.

I have in any case forwarded HCM's find to Andrew because it is important that everyone works together to get this rubbish off the Internet.

Note the last sentence of eCOGRA's statement.

[mucullus]

This isn't a conclusion, merely an interim action taken by eCOGRA.

I think from a player perspective it is rather irrelevant whether these articles could be published due to lack of quality control or with full knowledge of management. The eCOGRA seal is deemed to be a player seal and not an instrument to clear an operator's conscience.

[Chatmaster]

Thanks Simmo! for the post.

Something I would like to note.

Besides eCOGRA coming to light with the exact response we all expected. eCOGRA has to take the stance of demanding action from the casino, without taking the drastic action everyone (including myself) is expecting them to take. By ensuring that they remove problematic stuff and freeing the web from this crap, eCOGRA accomplished more than they would have by pulling their eCOGRA seal.

I can't however say the same for the way they handled the 888 issue, and that in itself makes me concerned that they are not willing to act and might not be impartial when it comes to independant directors.

[vtlady]

Well, isn't it nice that eCogra finally took the time to get back to us. When all is said and done the Jackpot Factory will get no more then a slap on the wrist for their actions. eCogra should also be monitoring their approved casinos for responsible gaming practices. Which I know they could care less about. eCogra was only set up to help a certain casinos get more of the gaming action and more of our money. What good does do to have a seal of appoval when guidelines and accepted practices are not followed. Microgamming and the licensed casinos have nothing but a racket going here. What a scam they have going its totally unethical.

[Pinababy69]

Well, I'm glad to see that eCOGRA did indeed take some preliminary action, and I am heartened to see them state that it is an ongoing investigation. I took a quick look at all of the JF sites this morning, and I didn't see the eCOGRA logo on any of them, not just All Slots.

I would still like to see the issue of a sizable donation addressed, but I would assume that any action in that regard would come at a later date.

[spearmaster]

slap on the wrist for their actions

Somehow, I highly doubt it will end up this way. At least, I hope not.

[Cynthia777]

Once all is said and done (I am glad to see eCOGRA has taken some attention/action to this matter), I cannot help but say that I personally would still be extremely reluctant (to say the least) to play at any of the Jackpot Factory casinos. IMO, whether it be few or many in an organization/affiliate group are involved in any type of marketing/advertising campaign, the content should have passed through different levels within the organization for review before even being released. Advertising and its content can sometimes make or break a company/organization, and this has definitely left a bitter taste for many I am sure, and one cannot help but wonder what other venues a group involved in such an incident can be capable of. Again, this is personal opinion, and in all hopes proper action will be taken (more than a slap on the wrist after this whole twisted, sideshow marketing campaign), and perhaps in time Jackpot Factory could develop a decent reputation...who knows. The donations that Pinababy mentioned would be a good start...