The integrity of the eCOGRA seal hinges primarily on the following:
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the degree to which operators and suppliers of software live up to the requirements; and
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how effective are the procedures applied by the Audit Panel firms to ensure that there is compliance with these requirements.
eGAP incorporates an in-depth and extensive list of requirements
covering all aspects of online gambling as it relates to fair gaming practices. Here's a summary of each practice and what it is intended to achieve:
PLAYER PROTECTION
01 PAYMENT TO AND RECEIPTS FROM PLAYERS
Payment requests or receipts must receive prompt attention and be processed accurately.
02 MINIMUM INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS
Holders of the seal of approval musk keep adequate records of player and game activity.
03 MINIMUM SECURITY REQUIREMENTS
Operators must introduce and maintain information security policies and procedures to ensure availability, integrity and confidentiality in all gaming operations.
04 RESPONSIBLE GAMING
The operator must establish, enforce and monitor a gaming environment where problematic gambling is discouraged.
05 PLAYER AND GAME FUNDS
There must be enough funds available to pay balances or winnings to players on demand.
06 PLAYER INFORMATION
Players' accounts must be managed and recorded securely, safely and efficiently. Operators must respect the privacy and confidentiality of all player information at all times and ensure that no player's information is disclosed without authorization.
FAIR GAMING
07 SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
The development, introduction and maintenance of software must meet the best practice standards.
08 TOTAL GAMING TRANSACTION REVIEW
Games must be random, independent and fair.
09 SERVER CONNECTIVITY REQUIREMENTS
The game server must meet the minimum connectivity requirements so that players don't suffer losses because of bad connections.
10 GENERAL GAME CHARACTERISTICS
Holders of the seal of approval must ensure that all games are run fairly.
11 DISASTER RECOVERY
eCOGRA seal holders must show that they can recover from a system failure.
12 SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS
The system and the hardware must be good enough to protect the approved operator and the players in the event of malfunctions.
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT
13 ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING
The operator must apply and keep records of preventive and detection controls against money-laundering and fraud. This must be done in accordance with the relevant points in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) guidelines.
14 RESPONSIBLE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS
Seal holders must not use misleading advertising or promotions. They must honor the conditions set out in their promotions.
15 PROBITY CHECKS
Operators and their key personnel must be in good standing and not have criminal records.
THE REVIEW OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE
eCOGRA pays close attention to gaming software when deciding if suppliers and online casinos meet the requirements for membership and eGAP compliance; eCOGRA has accordingly devised a comprehensive and practical testing system.
eCOGRA recommends an "outcome-based verification" approach
which is significantly different from the more common testing of source code, the traditional testing method used at land based casinos and often used for online casinos because there hasn't been a better system before. When successfully testing the outcome rather than the source code, there can be a high level of confidence that the software does meet the compliance standards. There is also minimal disruption of the normal casino activities.
In outcome-based verification, every transaction in every game is analyzed in detail by an independent and trusted third party, a reputable international accounting firm which has been appointed to the eCOGRA Audit Panel. This type of test is ongoing. It analyses real transactions and real game play regardless of how many transactions are taking place. It can be done while a system is being developed or changed. The auditors use statistical analysis to check if the data output lies in an acceptable range. Outcome-based verification also makes it possible to investigate specific queries about the game play.
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