The e-Commerce Online Gaming Regulation & Assurance – normally abbreviated to eCOGRA – is the accreditation agency and watchdog that supervises the United Kingdom’s online casino sector. They help ensure that both the service providers themselves and the developers of casino software adhere to strict rules and guidelines with regard to the services they provide.
eCOGRA is the primary body involved in keeping the industry free from dishonest and fraudulent gambling service providers, in order to ensure that gamblers are adequately protected.
Learn about the organisation that maintains standards in the online gambling industry.
eCOGRA History
The history of eCOGRA dates back to 2003 when it was founded by online gaming giant Microgaming. The organisation was founded and remains based in the United Kingdom today, serving as a completely impartial and independent testing agency and providing officially ecognized certification for online gaming systems and software.
In short, the primary purpose of eCOGRA is to carry out intensive casino software audits, while at the same time fully evaluating the service providers offering the software to ensure maximum safety and transparency. The eCOGRA seal of approval is recognised on a global basis and remains one of the most prestigious marks of trust any gambling service provider can hope to attain.
It is therefore highly advisable to select online casinos and gaming sites that feature the eCOGRA seal.
eCOGRA Approval
For a service provider to receive the seal of approval from eCOGRA, it must fulfil each of the nine primary policy objectives laid out by the group, which are as follows:
- The protection of vulnerable customers.
- The prevention of underage gaming.
- Combating fraudulent and criminal behaviour.
- The protection of customer privacy and safeguarding of information.
- Prompt and accurate customer payments.
- Fair gaming (e.g. RNG and RTP game evaluations.)
- Responsible marketing.
- Commitment to customer satisfaction and support.
- The provision of a secure, safe and reliable operating environment.
In addition, eCOGRA carries out extensive investigations and evaluations of published odds and payout percentages, in order to ensure that the random number generation software (RNG) used by the service provider is fair and honest.
The eCOGRA seal
You will usually find evidence of eCOGRA accreditation at the footer of the online casino’s home page.