eCOGRA Named Top Poker Watchdog
The voluntary online gaming regulatory agency eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) has been named the Top Watchdog of the online gaming industry by the readers of Gambling Online Magazine.
27,000 Gambling Online Magazine readers responded overwhelmingly in naming eCOGRA the best for a variety of reasons. "Throughout the year, eCOGRA has set admirable benchmark standards for player protection and operational efficiency at its "Play It Safe" seal casinos and poker rooms, benefiting players and the industry alike," said Gambling Online Magazine manager Lisa Gregory. "The work of the Fair Gaming Advocate in particular has been an inspiration in terms of transparent, fast and fair resolutions and highly professional communications."
One of the main goals of eCOGRA is in voluntary regulation of the gaming industry through its exhaustive review process of a room's activities. Their "Play It Safe" seal has been granted to over sixty online casinos and poker rooms since the inception of eCOGRA and they continue to lead the drive towards making the online gaming arena free of any misconceptions about online gaming. Resolving player disputes with the casinos and poker rooms under its authority is a key aspect of eCOGRA, which is an international non-profit body. Their Fair Gaming Advocate mediation service to players who have been unable to resolve disputes at casino or poker room level has been lauded for its quickness in conflict resolution to the satisfaction of all involved.
Andrew Beveridge, the CEO of eCOGRA, said that the board of directors was delighted with the accolade. "Player protection is the primary goal of eCOGRA around which our requirements and standards are framed, so it is very rewarding that players have recognized our efforts in this way," he said. Disputes involving eCOGRA's "Play It Safe" seal operators are a miniscule percentage of the large number of wagers placed every day, Beveridge noted. "Every case is assessed independently on its merits. On average, our Fair Gaming Advocate has been able to resolve the majority of issues within 48 hours. That's a standard we are proud of and will strive to maintain."
Congratulations to eCOGRA for such outstanding recognition and here's hoping that more in the online arena recognize the need for such an organization to exist. It is only with such stringent monitoring and review that the ugly stigma that some still hold about online poker and other games can be erased. It is refreshing to see that eCOGRA is going to be at the forefront of that action.
Ed Note: We think Everest Poker is a highly underrated room. Check them out.
