Gibraltar Accepts eCOGRA Certification for Online Gambling Integrity

- Total Gaming Transaction Review Testing Approved for Gibraltar Online
      Gambling LicensesLONDON, UK, May 16 /CNW/ - eCommerce and Online Gambling Regulation and
Assurance (eCOGRA) has become one of the first organisations to be approved by
the Minister responsible for Gambling of the Government of Gibraltar for
purposes of testing and certifying the integrity of online gambling equipment
and software used by Gibraltar's licensees in compliance with the Gambling Act
2005.
    The independent standards and player protection body announced this week
that the Total Gaming Transaction Review, used for continuous monitoring and
data analyses to assess accurate payout percentages and certify Random Number
Generation fairness, has been extensively evaluated by the Gibraltar
authorities before being accepted.
    Earlier this year, eCOGRA appointed a high powered and professionally
qualified specialist team with a cumulative total of 18 years' experience to
operate the TGTR process, providing the most comprehensive data verification
service available to online gambling operators to date.The service includes:

    -   Onsite audits to ensure that software used by the online casinos and
        poker rooms is being developed, implemented and maintained in a
        manner representative of best practice standards;

    -   Independent verification of the completeness and accuracy of all data
        used in the calculation of the payout percentage and RNG reports;

    -   Annual quality assurance reviews by leading audit firm KPMG on the
        methodology and processes used to produce the payout percentage and
        RNG reports; and

    -   Continuous oversight and monitoring of accredited online gambling
        operations following approval by eCOGRA's independent directors.eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said: "We are delighted that a regulator of
the calibre of the GRA has accepted this advanced process after intensive
study. Our testing principles and methodologies have now been recognised by
several other international jurisdictions concerned with protecting players
through the professional and continuous testing of online casino and poker
room operators. Over 130 tier one online casinos and poker rooms currently use
our widely proved TGTR services. In addition we now have the added scrutiny of
the leading audit firm KPMG through their annual quality assurance reviews,
thus providing an unrivalled verification programme. "

    About eCOGRA:

    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 Safe" seal, indicating to players
everywhere that all operational systems and games are continuously monitored
to consistently high standards. Membership remains open to all software
companies and their operators. For more information, go to www.ecogra.org.

For further information: Stuart Hehir, Chameleon PR, London,
[e-mail], [phone]