eCOGRA

Established in 2003 and based in the United Kingdom, eCOGRA is a leading independent and internationally approved testing agency, specialising in the testing, inspection and certification of online gambling software and systems. 

Our rigorous testing and certification processes give regulators and customers the confidence that gaming operators, and software and service providers are compliant.

eCOGRA was founded as a self-regulatory body in 2003 to monitor the practices of fair gaming, player protection and responsible conduct by operators, suppliers and service providers in the online gaming industry. At a time when the industry was largely unregulated, several prominent stakeholders recognised a need to implement a best practice framework for operational standards that ensured ongoing player safety. 

eCOGRA’s Generally Accepted Practice (eGAP) Requirements have continued to evolve with developments in technologies and international regulations, and demand for the eGAP service offering remains very strong. The ethos of impartiality and independence remains a key aspect contributing to the success of eCOGRA.

eCOGRA provide a full remote scope testing, inspection, and certification solution for over 30 jurisdictions.

iGaming Testing and Inspection

The broad range of professional qualifications, training and experience of our staff ensures that we are equipped to provide professional services across an extensive range of regulatory areas requiring technical, security, financial and legal expertise.

We look for testing synergies and combine certification work across several markets for our multi-jurisdictional operator and supplier clients, which minimises disruption to their operations for certification work and ultimately results in cost and time savings.

Our iGaming Testing and Inspection services include: 

• Core Games Testing

• Integration Testing

• Platform Functionality

• Games RTP Verification

• Change Management

• Information Security Management System

• Cyber Security Review / Vulnerability and Penetration Testing

• Live Dealer Studio

ISO 27001 Certification

An ISO 27001 audit is an internationally recognised, systematic and independent examination of an organisation’s information security management system (ISMS).

Its purpose is to assess the system’s conformity with the requirements of the ISO 27001 standard, as well as the applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and procedures that govern the scope of the ISMS. It sets out a risk-based framework of management system requirements and controls designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information within an organisation.

The ISO 27001 standard offers a holistic approach to information security management, encompassing people, processes, and technology. By implementing ISO 27001, iGaming companies can demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding customer data, promoting trust, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

It is evident that online gambling regulators are already moving towards requiring licence holders and their service providers to obtain ISO/IEC 27001 certification. Jurisdictions such as Bulgaria, Greece and Switzerland require license holders to hold accredited ISO 27001 certification, while other jurisdictions such as Colombia, Denmark, Great Britain, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden currently waive certain security auditing requirements if licence holders are ISO/IEC 27001 certified. This enables the independent regulatory testing and certification process to be expedited with potentially significant cost  savings, less effort and a quicker time to market.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The eCOGRA Alternative Dispute Resolution (‘ADR’) Service is an impartial mediation service, specialising in the field of online gambling disputes. eCOGRA is approved by the Great Britain Gambling Commission in accordance with The Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015 and by the MCCAA as an ADR service provider in Malta.

When a dispute is logged through the eCOGRA Dispute Form, the mediator (eCOGRA) assists both parties in reaching a mutually acceptable resolution to their dispute. The mediator does not make a decision or impose a solution on the parties, but rather facilitates the discussion and negotiation process between them.

The mediator helps the parties to identify the issues in dispute, clarify their respective positions and interests, and explore possible solutions to the problem. Mediation is a voluntary process, and the parties must agree to participate in the process in good faith.

eCOGRA’s ADR Mediation Service has several advantages over traditional litigation. It is typically faster and less expensive than going to court, and it allows the parties to maintain greater control over the outcome of their dispute. Mediation is also a confidential process, which can be important in the online gambling industry where privacy and confidentiality are paramount.

eCOGRA is completely transparent and impartial throughout the process and in the UK the Great Britain Gambling Commission publishes and Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Report, detailing statistics from that year, including Dispute Volumes, Status, Types of Dispute and Average Resolution Time.

eCOGRA eGAP Seal

Organisations certified to eGAP (eCOGRA Generally Accepted Practices) are entitled to display the eCOGRA Seal, indicating to players and other stakeholders that operational systems are secure, monetary deposits are safe and games are fair, and continuously monitored to consistently high standards.

eGAP approvals are an effective way of helping to prepare operators for certification in regulated markets. Best practice guidelines are contained in the eGAP requirements, prepared by international auditing firms and other professional organisations.

All players at eCOGRA approved sites have unlimited access to eCOGRA’s full-time dispute mediation service at no extra charge for resolving disputes. Numerous webmasters and affiliates now promote the benefits to players of frequenting eCOGRA-approved sites.