PR: ECOGRA LAUNCHES 100 SEALS CAMPAIGN

[Casinomeister]

ECOGRA LAUNCHES 100 SEALS CAMPAIGN

Target of 100 "Play It Safe" seals by end of 2006 can be achieved

NEW YORK, MAY 9, 2006 -Hard on the heels of its announcement of 7 new poker room certifications for the "Play It Safe" seal, eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) today unveiled a new campaign to increase the number of online casinos and poker rooms committed to player-safe gaming.

Dubbed the "100 Seals Campaign," the goal is to maintain high standards while boosting the number of certified top-tier venues entitled to display eCOGRA's "Play It Safe" seal from 76 to 100 by December 2006.

The campaign is expected to reach additional audiences at the eighth annual Global Interactive Gaming Summit & Expo (GIGSE) 2006 in Montreal, Canada. On May 17th at 2.30pm eCOGRA Chairman Michael Hirst will host a panel entitled, 'Self-Regulation: Best Practices to Play It Safe.' Panellists will include industry luminaries such as Roy Cooke, Card Player Magazine, well-known players' advocate Ted Loh, and Andrew Beveridge (CEO eCOGRA). All GIGSE attendees and media are welcome to participate.

"'Play It Safe' online casinos and poker rooms already handle a substantial percentage of the total global online gaming business,” said eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge. “We intend to extend the player protection that is built into our international standards by bringing more top-tier online gaming software providers and licensees on board before the year's end."

Right now, more than a dozen casino and poker sites are undergoing eCOGRA's third-party inspection and monitoring process. The “Play It Safe” seal helps to attract and retain players, and tells the world that these sites place players' needs-- trust, honesty and fair gaming, above all else.

Participants in the 100 Seal Campaign receive:

* Cutting edge, player-sensitive standards, together with independent inspection, monitoring, enforcement and infrastructure that is applicable worldwide.

* An independent, London-based “Fair Gaming Advocate” who helps resolve player disputes in just 48-72 hours on average.

* Professional training, services and marketing support to meet best international business practices and responsible gaming standards.

* Expertly designed measures and guidelines to curb underage and problem gambling, backed by personnel training courses.

* One-step-ahead standards to meet future challenges in poker and mobile gaming.

Beveridge extends an invitation to online gambling software providers and their licensees: "If you're ready to meet the 21st century challenges facing the industry, we'd like to invite you to join the 100 Seals Campaign and become one of the most respected 100 online gaming sites in the world."

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

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


Susan Linder
Lotus Public Relations
Susan.linder@lotus-pr.com

[Simmo!]

I wasn't aware you had to "launch" a seal. I just assumed you put it back in the water and it swam off to find it's mates. Well I never

[The Watchdog]

You should have a seal casinomeister...

Honestly, I will feel more safe by registering in a poker room or casino with your seal than anybody else´s

The info in your site shows more dedication and knowledge of honest and evil sites than anyother.

To be honest, some of the other watchdog sites I am familiar with look like online pharmacies to me.

I will vote yes.. for a meister´s seal. Plus, will be more than glad to help you out spread the word...

In fact, I believe ecogra should relay on you before endorsing a site.

[Casinomeister]

"launches 100 seals"

oh, the imagery

[Casinomeister]

You should have a seal casinomeister...

Honestly, I will feel more safe by registering in a poker room or casino with your seal than anybody else´s

The info in your site shows more dedication and knowledge of honest and evil sites than anyother.

To be honest, some of the other watchdog sites I am familiar with look like online pharmacies to me.

I will vote yes.. for a meister´s seal. Plus, will be more than glad to help you out spread the word...

In fact, I believe ecogra should relay on you before endorsing a site.

They say, never say never - but I don't plan on ever having a seal. I'd have to hire a lawyer full time to chase down the scumbags that would abuse it. I have a hell of a time chasing down content thieves as it is.

I have awards - that's good enough for me.

[tennis_balls]

but I don't plan on ever having a seal. I'd have to hire a lawyer full time to chase down the scumbags that would abuse it.

...not to mention the time and expense to feed all those baby seals until they're ready for launching........and oh the stench!

ar! ar! ar! ar!

[Casinomeister]

All joking aside, this is a good move for eCOGRA. I know about what these casinos go through when applying for admittance - and about what is expected of them once they are members.

I respect the eCOGRA seal, and I honestly believe that players are in a safe zone when dealing with eCOGRA casinos. I look forward to seeing more seals.

What I would like to see though...is Playtech being brought into this realm. I think this would eliminate many of the problems that some players are having at Playtech powered casinos. Even though Playtech is becoming a publicly traded company, that's just not good enough for me. They still don't have a full time dispute facility at their disposal (mind boggling considering the amount of cash that is floating around there). If Playtech submitted themselves to eCOGRA standards, this industry would really get a shot in the arm.

[AussieDave]

I know about what these casinos go through when applying for admittance - and about what is expected of them once they are members.

Speaking from a players perspective (as much I respect your integrity CM), it would be nice if you could elaborate (in plain English) what these casinos go through to gain the seal & protocols to protect players once they have it?

IMO perusing eCogra's site really doesn’t tell a player much, just a lot of glorified guff.

A little transparency, that's all.