ECOGRA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
eCOGRA (e-Commerce Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance) is regulatory body established in 2002 as a joint venture between Microgaming, and Virtual Holdings, owner of 888.com. [1] In 2005, Ongame poker software, as used by PokerRoom.com (among others), joined Ecogra. [2]
eCOGRA now has over ninety casino members (nearly all of the Microgaming casinos, plus 888's Casino-On-Net), along with more than twenty poker site members (mostly the Microgaming poker sites, 888's Pacific Poker, and Ongame-powered Europoker and PokerRoom.com). It is funded by its casino members.
Member online casinos and online poker rooms display the group's seal, and are subject to the group's player dispute arbitration service. According to the organization, of the 457 complaints received regarding its casinos in 2006, 161 were resolved in the player's favour, 199 against the player, while a further 97 were rejected as 'invalid'.[3]
The group's board of directors is currently comprised of Andrew Beveridge, CEO, Karl Magnusson, of PokerRoom.com, Roger Raatgever of Microgaming, John Anderson of 888.com, [4] plus independent directors Bill Galston, formerly Chief Inspector of the Gaming Board of Great Britain, Bill Henbrey, ex-head of gaming services at BDO accountancy, Frank Catania, ex-director of New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, plus Michael Hirst, formerly of Ladbrokes[5].
eCOGRA has been accused of lacking independence in a row over spamming by 888.com affiliates, given that eCOGRA director John Anderson is also a major shareholder of 888.com.[6]
