eCOGRA Wins Top Watchdog Award

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The online casino and poker room standards authority eCOGRA was voted the gold medal for Top Watchdog by over 27,000 players voting in the 2005 Gambling Online Magazine annual awards this week.

Announcing the award, magazine manager Lisa Gregory said: "The readers of Gambling Online Magazine have voted the award of a gold medal to eCOGRA in the Best Watchdog category for 2005.

"Throughout the year eCOGRA has set admirable benchmark standards for player protection and operational efficiency at its "Play It Safe" seal casinos and poker rooms, benefiting players and the industry alike. The work of the Fair Gaming Advocate in particular has been an inspiration in terms of transparent, fast and fair resolutions and highly professional communications."

Resolving player disputes with the casinos and poker rooms under its authority is a key aspect of eCOGRA as an international non-profit body which offers the free Fair Gaming Advocate mediation service to players who have been unable to resolve disputes at casino or poker room level.

Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA said that the board of directors was delighted with the accolade. "Player protection is the primary goal of eCOGRA around which our requirements and standards are framed, so it is very rewarding that players have recognised our efforts in this way," he said.

Disputes involving eCOGRA's 56 "Play It Safe" seal operations are a miniscule percentage of the large number of wagers placed every day, Beveridge noted. "Every case is assessed independently on its merits. On average, our Fair Gaming Advocate has been able to resolve the majority of issues within 48 hours. That's a standard we are proud of and will strive to maintain."

About eCOGRA

eCOGRA, the independent standards authority for the online gaming industry, is committed

to protecting online casino and poker players around the world. The non-profit organization addresses the most important issues to players: fast payouts, fair gaming, responsive and efficient service and responsible operator conduct.

eCOGRA provides an international framework of best operational and player practice requirements enforced through inspections, reviews, and continuous monitoring by independent global audit companies. To date, 56 sites comply with these requirements and have been awarded the coveted "Play it Safe" Seal that identifies to players the safest online gaming sites on the Web. For more information on how eCOGRA is constantly improving standards in online gaming for players everywhere, go to www.ecogra.org.