If you’re familiar with online casino gambling, it’s likely you’ve come across the eCGORA seal of approval. But what is it that this company actually does to keep casinos safe and fair? This guide explains the organisation and its auditing process so you can gamble online with peace of mind.
eCOGRA – Fairness Auditing Organisation
About eCOGRA
Established in 2003, the eCommerce Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) organisation is a widely respected testing agency for online gambling products. Based in London, the company was originally launched as a self-regulatory body before wider government regulation requirements were introduced. Its procedures have now been adopted by international iGaming authorities as a standard for fairness testing and player protection.
A fundamental element of eCOGRA’s standards is outlined in its Generally Accepted Practice Requirements. The company has maintained independence and neutrality over the course of its history, which has been a cornerstone of its longevity. Many of the sites covered in our best online casino reviews have received the eCOGRA tick of approval.
What Does eCOGRA Do?
ECOGRA offers a range of services to online gambling sites to ensure that their software and games meet the strict requirements of international regulators. These include fairness and security testing on games and platforms, ISO Certification, dispute resolution, and product certification. This information is then passed on to gaming authorities.
Game Testing
All regulators will have strict laws surrounding how games can be offered and marketed to players. For this reason, online casinos and software providers must be vigilant in providing accurate information. Over the course of its history, eCOGRA has tested the functionality, security, and performance of thousands of titles and approved them for the market.
When testing the online slots, table games, and live dealer software, eCOGRA checks that the random number generator (RNG) systems are functional. They can then assign accurate return-to-player rates (RTPs) for the games to advertise to players. If there are unfair patterns recognised, developers can be notified to make improvements.
ISO Certification
ECOGRA is the first testing laboratory for online gambling that has been awarded ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 accreditation. This is an internationally-recognised standard that addresses information security. With this accreditation, eCOGRA can test the platforms and games of clients and certify that their operations are secure.
There are plenty of benefits to this certification for online gambling sites. Namely, this proves to players and regulators that the sites are secure and closely monitored for potential breaches. In many jurisdictions, operators can avoid further security audits during the licensing process if they have already been ISO/IEC 27001 certified.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Sometimes, players may file a dispute claim against an operator if they believe that they have been treated unfairly by an online gambling site or its products. In jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, operators must appoint an impartial alternative dispute resolution body to mediate these disputes.
ECOGRA is approved by the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority to act as an alternative dispute resolution body. Due to its independent nature and extensive knowledge and data on games and gambling systems, the agency is trusted by players, operators and regulators to provide fair mediation to all involved.
What is the eCOGRA Testing Process?
If a gambling site signs up for eCOGRA approval, it must commit to regular assessments and audits of its games and platform for fairness and security. The company continues to monitor the operations of licensed sites and make recommendations to ensure that it maintains player safety standards and meets regulatory demands.
For example, online casinos must provide detailed terms and conditions to their customers that outline their responsibilities to their users. These must be easy to find and include comprehensive details regarding their practises. ECOGRA will check that these terms meet regulatory demands and make recommendations if they are not sufficient.
Their security checks will ensure that high-powered technology is utilized to encrypt users’ personal information and that financial data is secure against hackers. It will also ensure that internal governance processes are followed to avoid corruption and negligence by employees and business stakeholders, as well as ensure transparency in finances and accounting.
Every month, games will undergo RNG and RTP testing to ensure that games have not been manipulated to unfairly payout winnings to customers. They will do this by checking that the paid winnings for games are comparable to the theoretical numbers. Any concerning irregularities will be reported to regulators.
Furthermore, eCOGRA will ensure that sites are following strict responsible gambling laws and are compliant with European and international standards. If the online casino has excelled at all of the audits, it will receive a”Safe & Fair” seal to display on its homepage. Research indicates that players actively search out these seals when choosing an online casino.
Generally Accepted Practice Requirements Certificates
Since its launch, eCOGRA has maintained Generally Accepted Practice (eGAP) Requirements that have widely been adopted by international regulators as the standard for player fairness and safety. These constantly evolved with the market and technological advancements and must be followed to earn an eCOGRA certification.
There are three types of certifications offered by the site. The first, available for online casinos, is the aforementioned “Safe and Fair Seal”. To maintain this, sites can choose to be reviewed monthly or annually. Other checked procedures include the prevention of fraud and underage gambling, fast payments, and quality customer support.
Software developers can earn a Certified Software Seal with annual reviews of their fairness and security, and online affiliates can earn an Affiliate Trust Seal if they meet requirements such as responsible marketing guidelines. All on-site reviews are conducted by compliance experts with varying specializations.
Jurisdictions
The eCOGRA seal of approval and the company’s operations are recognized by gambling authorities around the world. They include agencies in the United Kingdom, USA, Canada, the Nordics, Asia and South America among many others. This is evidence of the company’s highly respected operations.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve reached the end of this guide, we hope that you’re convinced that eCOGRA is truly one of the best testing agencies in the world and considers your safety to be a top priority. If you find any Kiwi online casinos that have the eCOGRA seal of approval, you can be certain that your gameplay will be fair, safe and secure.
