PR: SAFER ONLINE POKER PLAY FROM LATEST ECOGRA CERTIFICATIONS

[Casinomeister]

SAFER ONLINE POKER PLAY FROM LATEST ECOGRA CERTIFICATIONS

New online poker room standards now in force across a range of top tier sites

NEW YORK, April 4, 2006: Poker players across the world will now find the familiar eCOGRA "Play It Safe" seal on 7 more quality Internet poker sites belonging to some of the most successful and reliable online gaming groups in the business.

Bringing to 76 the number of online casinos and poker rooms committed to the international standards of eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), the new seal-holders have successfully passed stiff probity, game fairness and operational efficiency tests and will undergo continuous monitoring. As a result, players can be assured that some of their favorite online poker sites meet the highest standards on the Internet today.

eCOGRA's independent directors awarded the 'Play It Safe' seal this week to the following poker rooms from the Ongame and Prima Poker networks:

Europoker.com (Ongame network) www.europoker.com http://www.europoker.com

Trident Poker (Prima Poker network) www.tridentpoker.com http://www.tridentpoker.com

3 Piggs Poker (Prima Poker network) www.3piggspoker.co.sz http://www.3piggspoker.co.sz

Gaming Club Poker (Prima Poker network) www.gamingclubpoker.com http://www.gamingclubpoker.com


River Belle Poker (Prima Poker network) www.riverbellepoker.com http://www.riverbellepoker.com

7 Sultans Poker (Prima Poker network) www.7sultanspoker.com http://www.7sultanspoker.com

Royal Vegas Poker (Prima Poker network) www.royalvegaspoker.com http://www.royalvegaspoker.com


eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge says that each operation underwent extensive independent testing and inspection by professional teams from an international business services and auditing group: "This is to ensure compliance with the standards and requirements of eCOGRA concerning operational efficiency, fair and responsible gaming and player protection," he said.


Beveridge revealed that further top tier sites are currently under consideration, and that the eCOGRA initiative to present the online gambling community with a wide range of safe, honest and efficient online casino and poker room venues is now well established and handling a substantial share of the available online gaming business in a global sense.


In terms of its specifically constructed poker standards, eCOGRA requires that poker seal holders are financially stable and have adequate reserves. The probity of poker room management is scrutinised, together with player protection measures, payout times and financial facilities, games fairness, responsive Support and general operational efficiency.


Policies have to be in place for communicating with clients and dealing with any player complaints, together with satisfactory technical capabilities and anti money-laundering systems.


"We expect to make further announcements in the near future as our "100 'Play It Safe' Seals by 2006" campaign unfolds," he said. "Interest in the eCOGRA standards is growing from players, casinos, leading poker rooms and software providers alike, and membership continues to be open to any software provider that is prepared to commit to our goals and principles."


About eCOGRA
eCOGRA, the independent standards authority for the online gaming industry, is committed
to protecting online casino and poker players around the world. The non-profit organization addresses the most important issues to players: fast payouts, fair gaming, responsive and efficient service and responsible operator conduct.


eCOGRA provides an international framework of best operational and player practice requirements enforced through inspections, reviews, and continuous monitoring by independent global audit companies. To date, 76 sites comply with these requirements and have been awarded the coveted “Play It Safe” Seal that identifies to players the safest online gaming sites on the Web. For more information on how eCOGRA is constantly improving standards in online gaming for players everywhere, go to www.ecogra.org

http://www.ecogra.org


For all media queries or to arrange a briefing, please contact:
Stuart Hehir
Chameleon PR
stuart@chameleonpr.com <mailto:stuart@chameleonpr.com>


Susan Lindner
Lotus Public Relations
susan.lindner@lotus-pr.com <mailto:susan.lindner@lotus-pr.com>