FAIR GAMING ADVOCATE APPOINTED BY eCOGRA

[Casinomeister]

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release 5 April 2004

FAIR GAMING ADVOCATE APPOINTED BY eCOGRA

Experienced executive to handle player disputes


The board of directors of player protection body e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) has appointed Tex Rees as Fair Gaming Advocate operating from the London office of the organisation.

She will be responsible for the fast and fair investigation of all player disputes involving seal-holding eCOGRA casinos, and has already successfully resolved a number of issues.

Ms. Rees (33) is an eCOGRA executive with wide management and customer relations experience in both land-based and online gambling businesses, including UK-based sports betting groups. She has studied business economics and industrial psychology and is well versed in relevant computer packages, including the development of online gambling software.


"I’m very conscious of the importance of my role in representing genuine player concerns and seeking efficient and fair resolution of disputes,” Ms. Rees said on her appointment. "We have made an on-site complaint facility available at www.ecogra.org/disputes and our only stipulation is that the complainant must have made an honest attempt to resolve the issue with casino management before coming to us.

"Our seal casino managers are very aware of the need for player-sensitive conduct, and have the authority to better settle issues that might be the result of Support personnel misunderstandings. If a resolution at that level is not possible and the player remains unhappy, we will investigate. Of course, there is no charge of any sort for a player to use this service”.

eCOGRA is an independently governed non-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom that has laid down clear and demanding requirements for affiliated casinos regarding player protection, fair gaming, the efficient and honest conduct of business and financial stability. Candidate casinos are subject to tough inspections by international audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, and ongoing monitoring to ensure that compliance is consistent. There are currently 23 quality, seal-holding casinos with more under examination. The list of seal-holders can be accessed at www.ecogra.org/casinos.