eCOGRA – Online Gambling, First 6 Months of 2011

In the first 6 months of 2011 – online casino and gambling watchdog eCOGRA reported that they had received details of 475 disputes between players and online gambling operations. Fifty-seven of these complaints were with regards to sites which are not eCOGRA certified and an additional sixty complaints did not contain sufficient information with which to make a relevant enquiry. In terms of the balance of complaints – 358 were investigated, and the amount of disputes resolved in favour of the online gambler had dropped to 40%, this is down 3% over previous years.

The decrease in dispute resolution was mainly due to the fact that several gambling syndicates were found out – and were breaking terms and conditions. These syndicates were uncovered by savvy operators with the application of what is becoming increasingly sophisticated tracking technology. The Fair Gaming Advocate at eCOGRA – Tex Rees, said that “The use of multiple accounts and fraudulent documents are being picked up on a much more regular basis.” There are still a small section of players who are creative in their tactics to circumvent online casino systems, but correspondingly operators are improving methods by which to lock them out.

The eCOGRA Fair Gaming Advocate (FGA) dealt with 41% of cash-in problems, 23% bonus concerns and 21% of locked accounts, after receiving an average rate of valid complaints, of 14 per week. Most of the complaints received were also resolved to all party’s satisfaction within 72 hours – even though there were still a small number of players who attempted to circumvent T’s & C’s.

eCOGRA is a London-based benchmarking and player protection organisation, which offers an international framework for best practices. Their particular emphasis is on enforced responsible and fair online casino practices through continuous scrutiny. eCOGRA certification has thus become synonymous with high industry standards for professional conduct. If you have an online casino complaint, now you know who to approach.