Certified Fair Gambling (CFG) Changing Owners

Eliot Jacobson

Dormant account
Joined
May 9, 2006
Location
Santa Barbara
In the summer of 2006, I purchased the online casino auditing company “
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” (CFG) from Michael Shackleford, who started the service back in 2003. Since I have owned CFG, the online casino industry has gone through several huge shake-ups, including the UIGEA of 2006 and “Black Friday.” The fact remains that there are still plenty of shady individuals and companies in the world of online gambling. The industry needs independent oversight by a company with no direct ties to any online casinos or casino products. I believe that CFG has provided exactly this service.

My focus in the casino industry has shifted considerably since I took over CFG back in 2006. At present, I am mostly involved with game protection for land-based casinos and writing for my blog,
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! I believe that CFG has retained its respected position while in my care, but it also has a lot of unrealized growth potential. It is time to pass CFG on to someone with the skills, raw intelligence and drive to take CFG to the next level. I conducted a long search for a suitable replacement to lead CFG. I am fortunate to have found an individual who exceeds every hope I had for a successor.

Effective January 1, 2014, CFG is now owned and operated by Charles Mousseau. I have known Charles since we met as blackjack card counters in Las Vegas in June of 2002. In 2008, Charles gave up a successful career in Computer Science to become an independent consultant specializing in casino game mathematics. At present, Charles is the owner/operator of the consulting business Total Gaming Science. Charles has hands-on experience with the mathematical foundations of just about every casino game. He has exceptionally strong knowledge of statistical auditing. His broad background in computer programming, advantage play and gaming mathematics allow Charles to look at the nuts and bolts of the software that online casinos use. In short, I doubt there is a person better qualified than Charles Mousseau to take over CFG.

I am very proud to pass on Certified Fair Gambling to Charles Mousseau. It is hard for me to let go, but I am also excited to see what Charles has in store for CFG. Good skill, Charles!

Charles Mousseau can be reached through his website,
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.
 
Sorry to hear that you are moving on, Elliot - CFC provided a necessary service well, and you enjoy the trust of many players.

Good luck in your new ventures.
 
Hello all, Charles Mousseau here. As you might expect, I'm still getting my feet wet reviewing client files and historical data, along with other changes to my daily work routine. I want the transition to be as smooth as possible, and I'm looking forward to Eliot's guidance in these early stages to ensure that everything goes well.

I would like to touch on a couple of key phrases in Jetset's reply: "providing a necessary service well", and "enjoying the trust of many players"

I can assure you all that maintaining this trust is the single most important goal to me going forward with the company. My eyes are fully open to the pedigree of this company, and what its seal means both to our clients, and to the players who gamble on websites bearing that seal. Unfortunately, my eyes are ALSO fully open to the lowly shenanigans of shady operators; the cheats and rogues who aren't happy with making money by operating games with theoretically-honest mathematical edges and properly-bankrolled coffers.

Which is why I can promise one thing that will NOT change from the transition: Unless the math and the science say "these games are theoretically fair", the CFG seal will NOT be licensed for use by that casino. It will continue to represent exactly what it has come to represent: a fair gambling experience, certified by rigorous testing, and will only be licensed for use on casinos whose games continually meet the standards that the seal represents.

I am looking forward to serving the online gambling community in general, and in getting to know the Casinomeister members.
 
Hi Charles,

Welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:

I'm sure Eliot has briefed you on how tumultuous this industry (still) is, but how satisfying it can be on making it a better place. It can be frustrating at times, as you'll find out - but there are many really good people involved. Cheers and good luck with your new endeavors.


And to you too, Eliot! I hope you'll continue to participate in the forum - your insights are truly appreciated and revered.
 
Hello all, Charles Mousseau here. As you might expect, I'm still getting my feet wet reviewing client files and historical data, along with other changes to my daily work routine. I want the transition to be as smooth as possible, and I'm looking forward to Eliot's guidance in these early stages to ensure that everything goes well.

I would like to touch on a couple of key phrases in Jetset's reply: "providing a necessary service well", and "enjoying the trust of many players"

I can assure you all that maintaining this trust is the single most important goal to me going forward with the company. My eyes are fully open to the pedigree of this company, and what its seal means both to our clients, and to the players who gamble on websites bearing that seal. Unfortunately, my eyes are ALSO fully open to the lowly shenanigans of shady operators; the cheats and rogues who aren't happy with making money by operating games with theoretically-honest mathematical edges and properly-bankrolled coffers.

Which is why I can promise one thing that will NOT change from the transition: Unless the math and the science say "these games are theoretically fair", the CFG seal will NOT be licensed for use by that casino. It will continue to represent exactly what it has come to represent: a fair gambling experience, certified by rigorous testing, and will only be licensed for use on casinos whose games continually meet the standards that the seal represents.

I am looking forward to serving the online gambling community in general, and in getting to know the Casinomeister members.

Hello Charles and welcome. Definitely no foil hats coming your way.
One question concerning the shady operators you mention - IF an operator uses your seal illegitimately, and is operating from a server or location based outside the jurisdiction of countries with a developed legal system, what actions can be taken to force removal of said seal, and if this is not possible how would the general playing customers be made aware the seal was bogus?

Thanks.
 
Hello Charles and welcome. Definitely no foil hats coming your way.
One question concerning the shady operators you mention - IF an operator uses your seal illegitimately, and is operating from a server or location based outside the jurisdiction of countries with a developed legal system, what actions can be taken to force removal of said seal, and if this is not possible how would the general playing customers be made aware the seal was bogus?

Thanks.

Hello Dunover,

it's very timely you mention that, as that was one of the ideas that Eliot planted in my head for growing the credibility of the website and the seal in 2014.

I am currently contacting the existing clients of Certified Fair Gambling, both to introduce myself and to ask for permission to list their casinos in an "our clients" section on the Certified Fair Gambling website. The obvious followup step would be to scour the internet for websites who are not my clients and notify them that they are using the seal inappropriately. What legal ammunition I could bring to the fight is in question (Cease and Desist letters both to them and to any i-gaming commission that represents them seem an obvious first step) but I would certainly add their information to a "rogues" section of the website.

In that way, any customer with questions about the Certified Fair Gambling seal can always look and see if the casino is listed in the "rogues" section. They may choose not to be listed in "our clients" (for reasons I cannot imagine at this time, but I'm taking nothing for granted as of yet) but at least the players can know if a casino is poaching the Certified Fair Gambling seal.

Furthermore, I would have to check with the Casinomeister, but I suspect arrangements could be made where I could also post on this website if I discover a casino is illegitimately poaching the seal?
 
...Furthermore, I would have to check with the Casinomeister, but I suspect arrangements could be made where I could also post on this website if I discover a casino is illegitimately poaching the seal?
Post it in the forum under Casino Complaints (non bonus issues), PM me to let me know, and they'll get a fast-track ticket to the rogue pit. No worries on that.

That's a serious offense that underscores a casino management's business ethics.
 
Post it in the forum under Casino Complaints (non bonus issues), PM me to let me know, and they'll get a fast-track ticket to the rogue pit. No worries on that.

That's a serious offense that underscores a casino management's business ethics.

Another bookmarked notched, another entry in my daily operations list. Thanks for the heads up.

And of course, you are correct -- if they're going to lie about this most fundamental idea, what else will they lie about? What else worse could be lied about, really?
 
Hello Dunover,

it's very timely you mention that, as that was one of the ideas that Eliot planted in my head for growing the credibility of the website and the seal in 2014.

I am currently contacting the existing clients of Certified Fair Gambling, both to introduce myself and to ask for permission to list their casinos in an "our clients" section on the Certified Fair Gambling website. The obvious followup step would be to scour the internet for websites who are not my clients and notify them that they are using the seal inappropriately. What legal ammunition I could bring to the fight is in question (Cease and Desist letters both to them and to any i-gaming commission that represents them seem an obvious first step) but I would certainly add their information to a "rogues" section of the website.

In that way, any customer with questions about the Certified Fair Gambling seal can always look and see if the casino is listed in the "rogues" section. They may choose not to be listed in "our clients" (for reasons I cannot imagine at this time, but I'm taking nothing for granted as of yet) but at least the players can know if a casino is poaching the Certified Fair Gambling seal.

Furthermore, I would have to check with the Casinomeister, but I suspect arrangements could be made where I could also post on this website if I discover a casino is illegitimately poaching the seal?


Yes, that was the scenario I was hoping for, a 'one-stop shop' to establish which sites are genuine. I cannot foresee any reason why a legitimate user of the seal would not want to be listed, any more than a casino accredited with CM would opt not to be listed here.
Bryan/Max post the latest Warnings! in blue type at the top left of the forum page (Latest Forum News) when he becomes aware of any fraudulent or potentially concerning matters at a particular brand, so I would safely assume that if you became aware of a stolen seal he would pass that on to us in the same manner.
 
That they have fair games? That there is no Santa? :p

Please don't even try that one with me! I damn well know there's a Santa because there's a un-photoshopped picture of him in all your posts. And while we're at it, WHERE is my PS4 I asked for???
 
Hello Dunover,

it's very timely you mention that, as that was one of the ideas that Eliot planted in my head for growing the credibility of the website and the seal in 2014.

I am currently contacting the existing clients of Certified Fair Gambling, both to introduce myself and to ask for permission to list their casinos in an "our clients" section on the Certified Fair Gambling website. The obvious followup step would be to scour the internet for websites who are not my clients and notify them that they are using the seal inappropriately. What legal ammunition I could bring to the fight is in question (Cease and Desist letters both to them and to any i-gaming commission that represents them seem an obvious first step) but I would certainly add their information to a "rogues" section of the website.

In that way, any customer with questions about the Certified Fair Gambling seal can always look and see if the casino is listed in the "rogues" section. They may choose not to be listed in "our clients" (for reasons I cannot imagine at this time, but I'm taking nothing for granted as of yet) but at least the players can know if a casino is poaching the Certified Fair Gambling seal.

Furthermore, I would have to check with the Casinomeister, but I suspect arrangements could be made where I could also post on this website if I discover a casino is illegitimately poaching the seal?

Sounds like a good plan, should help credibility and let CS shine, well done.
 
How about a Seal Validator?

Similar to curacao "licensing" where if you click on the seal it takes you to your website, where the current status of the seal and the associated URLs are displayed?
 
How about a Seal Validator?

Similar to curacao "licensing" where if you click on the seal it takes you to your website, where the current status of the seal and the associated URLs are displayed?

That is another excellent idea. Currently, the casino websites I've seen hosting my seal provide a link on the seal to the latest copy of their RTP certification report from Certified Fair Gambling, which makes perfect sense from their point of view, as a protected PDF document from CFG also does wonders in showing the legitimacy of the seal.

I think that once I have the section up, I will invite every one of my clients to provide a link on their website if they so desire, but ultimately leave it up to them. I suspect a lot will choose both.
 
This is what I mean by new energy behind CFG. These are things I could/should have done years ago.

Charles, just wait until a fairness issue comes up and you jump in. That is "Baptism by Fire," auditor style. I screwed a couple of those up early on, mostly because I took the side of the person who shouted the loudest (at 3AM). The best advice I have when considering a claim is to take it slowly. You will have some jumping on you to reach a conclusion, claiming your failure to state an opinion is a sign of weakness or bias. You may have people saying that because casinos pay you, you are a shill for the industry. And every other permutation you can imagine.

Bryan is a master at not jumping to conclusions -- learn from him. Drink with him too, if you get a chance.
 

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