Ownership Change at eCOGRA

March 25, 2011 | News Category: Casino Software

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eCOGRA, the eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance organization, has recently undergone a change in ownership. The chief executive of eCOGRA, Andrew Beveridge, led a successful management buy-out. The changes have been agreed to by the founding members of eCOGRA.

The change is a positive move for the player protection and standards body, since the organization will no longer be connected to any online gambling software providers or operators. eCOGRA will now be a totally independent body, and will continue to offer the eCOGRA seal, audits, advisory services, and the other services that they have always offered the online gaming industry.

eCOGRA's founding members feel that the time is right for them to cut their ties with the organization that has been connected with major players in the industry since 2003 when it was launched.

Andrew Beveridge said: "The industry is maturing, and eCOGRA must be part of that evolving process. The trend toward national or state regulatory regimes around the world is just one of the areas in which our professional services are increasingly in demand by companies and jurisdictions committed to ensuring that they are well prepared in all respects to meet the highest international standards."

Beveridge also explained that the basic operation of eCOGRA would mostly remain the same as it currently is, and that the current services offered would continue.

He noted: "We will continue to offer unbiased player dispute mediation through our Fair Gaming Advocate, and our TGTR outcomes-based software monitoring system is proving increasingly popular with non-accredited entities and will if anything be expanded."

Beveridge made a point of noting that the organizations "commitment to responsible gambling" would continue in the future, and that this would be particularly noticeable in the operator training initiatives, as well as in the requirements and standards that online gambling companies have to fulfill in order to receive the eCOGRA seal.

He continued to speak of the future, saying: "Going forward eCOGRA intends to become a major force in helping shape new gaming regulations, offering specialized advice and assistance to existing and emerging jurisdictions and at the forefront of establishing industry standards."

Michael Hirst OBE will be the chairman, and the directors will include Bill Galson OBE, Frank Catania, Bill Henbrey, and Andrew Beveridge.

Michael Hirst noted that the original eCOGRA Independent Directors mandate will still be upheld. The original mandate notes that the organization would constantly strive to increase the credibility of the online gambling industry, and would develop the necessary standards and regulations, as well as protect the players.

Hirst said: "Those basic principles will remain our goal in addition to increased competitive commercial activity."

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