PLAYER PROTECTION BODY SUSPENDS ACCREDITATION

22 February 2008

Six online gambling operations have "Safe and Fair" seal pulled


The non profit and player protection body eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance has taken the unusual step of suspending its accreditation for six online gambling venues in the Casino Action group of companies.

This is only the second time in the five years of eCOGRA's existence that this has been done. In the only precedent, the Jackpot Factory group were suspended following accusations of black hat SEO activities that led to a $25 000 fine before the group was reinstated.

A brief notification release from eCOGRA's London headquarters revealed that its Compliance and Advisory Services staff had recently completed an on-site review at the operations concerned as part of a normal seal renewal process.

The following operations were found to have failures in compliance with eCOGRA's eGAP or Generally Accepted Principles - the wide ranging requirements governing all aspects of an accredited company's operations:

Challenge (www.challengecasino.com)
Golden Reef (www.goldenreefcasino.com)
I Big Casino (www.ibigcasino.com)
Music Hall (www.musichallcasino.com)
Nostalgia (www.nostalgiacasino.com)
UK Casino Club (www.ukcasinoclub.com)

After studying the compliance team's report, the independent directors in control of the eCOGRA operational wing decided to suspend the "Safe and Fair" seals carried by these venues pending further investigation.

The eCOGRA release reveals that the management of these casinos has been advised of this action and requested to comment on the findings of the audit review. Further information will be provided once these investigations are concluded.

The statement concludes with the comment: "It should further be noted that the operations applicable to Arctic Poker (www.arcticpoker.com) did not form part of the eCOGRA review, and therefore the seal for this site has been revoked, as the time by which it should have been reviewed has expired."

eCOGRA sets online gambling standards and provides an international framework for best operational and player protection practice requirements. These are enforced through inspections and reviews, and continuous monitoring.

Companies that have achieved accreditation with eCOGRA are entitled to bear the organisation's "Safe and Fair" seal, indicating to players everywhere that all operational systems and games are continuously monitored to consistently high standards.

eCOGRA's independent directors determine which operators qualify for the seal. These directors are Bill Galston, OBE, retired Chief Inspector for the Gaming Board of Great Britain; Bill Henbrey, former head of gaming services at leading international accounting firm BDO; Frank Catania, former Assistant Attorney General and Director of New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Michael Hirst, OBE, a former board member of Ladbroke Group Plc, and formerly Chairman and CEO of Hilton International.

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