eCOGRA Casino & Gambling Certification
eCOGRA Company Info: Overview for 2024
eCOGRA, standing for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, is an independent agency dedicated to the regulation of online gambling. Founded in 2003 and based in London, UK, it is governed by various regulatory bodies to ensure fairness and transparency.
The organisation operates under strict standards and holds ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and ISO/IEC 17065:2012 accreditations. These certifications demonstrate eCOGRA’s commitment to quality management and a robust approach towards the conformity assessment of regulations in the online gaming sector.
| Company Name: | eCOGRA Limited |
|---|---|
| CEO: | Shaun McCallaghan |
| Year Founded: | 2003 |
| Established in: | United Kingdom |
| Founders: | Andrew Beveridge |
| Headquarters: | 2/F Berkeley Square House London, W1J 6BD W1J 6BD |
| Website: | https://ecogra.org/ |
| Phone: | N/A |
| ISO Certification: | ISO/IEC 17020:2012, ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, and ISO/IEC 17065:2012, ISO/IEC 27001:2022 |
| Services: | iGaming Testing and Inspection, ISO Certification, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Product Certification, eCOGRA eGAP Seal |
One of the notable events in the history of eCOGRA was its being acquired by Hanover Investors through the Hanover Active Equity Fund II. The amount agreed for the transaction remains undisclosed to this day, but what’s known is that the investment saw Mr. Peacock becoming a chair of eCOGRA’s board.
In the company’s history, the acquisition of additional testing capabilities stands as a significant event, allowing eCOGRA to expand its services and reach in the field. This strategic move enhanced their authority in providing certifications and compliance assurance.
All the events and developments through the years of operation didn’t notably change the specific objectives of the agency. However, the history of eCOGRA is remarkable exactly in that the agency stuck to its principles through all the changes that came to pass.
Main Goals of the Organisation
The primary goals and policies of the company revolve around ensuring integrity, fairness, and consumer protection within the online gaming industry. eCOGRA casino certificates are widely regarded as one of the guiding principles for safety and trustworthiness.
eCOGRA’s main objectives are manifested through various focused efforts, aiming to provide a consistent and accountable framework for online gambling. The agency is keen on the following:
- Ensuring fair gaming by meticulously testing Random Number Generators (RNG)
- Implementing measures for the protection of vulnerable and at-risk customers
- Creating a reliable, safe, and secure gambling environment that fosters trust
- Ensuring safe and swift customer payments to enhance user satisfaction
- Taking active steps in the prevention of underage gambling
- Strictly maintaining privacy protection to safeguard personal information
- Actively promoting responsible gambling to minimise harmful effects
- Safeguarding timely casino payouts, enhancing the overall gaming experience
eCOGRA’s casino audits are vital not only for the transparency and integrity of the online gambling industry but also for the protection of consumers. The focus on fair gaming, responsible gambling, and privacy protection builds confidence among players and fosters a responsible industry.
Furthermore, the eCOGRA payout reports are now a yardstick for sensible gamblers who want to know they are registering on a legit casino website. The convergence of these objectives creates a cohesive and comprehensive approach, making eCOGRA a pivotal player in setting the standards for the online gaming community.
Historical Highlights
The goal of eCOGRA, which was founded in 2003, is to promote responsibility and transparency to the quickly expanding online gambling sector. The organisation has since established a reputation as a market leader in the regulation of online gaming and offers assurance to both players and operators.
We believe the market and competitive dynamics that have supported eCOGRA’s growth and margin profile will continue, with further upside from expansion into markets around the world. The US represents a particularly significant opportunity following Federal legislation changes in 2018, triggering the liberalisation of gambling laws at a state level. Matthew Peacock, Founder and Chairman of Hanover Investors
Notable among eCOGRA’s achievements are its various accreditations ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 and ISO/IEC 17065:2012. Accreditation was granted by UKAS – the national accreditation body of the United Kingdom.
With that, the agency became a legitimate testing, certification, and inspection body. One of the most recent news in regard to eCOGRA’s RNG testing is its authorisation to operate as an independent testing laboratory in Connecticut.
- Set a budget for gambling; never exceed your limits.
- Never chase losses; accept them as part of the game.
- Understand the rules and odds of games before playing.
- Balance gambling with other leisure activities and interests.
- Seek help if gambling starts impacting your daily life.
Territories of Operation
eCOGRA, a renowned test house in the online gaming industry, covers an impressive range of jurisdictions. It is licensed to operate in more than thirty different jurisdictions worldwide. This broad coverage allows the agency to offer its assurance and certification services to many.
eCOGRA’s RNG testing elevates the company to where its reports are part of legal compliance assessment. These assessments ensure that online gaming operators adhere to the stringent standards and regulations of their respective jurisdictions.
Moreover, eCOGRA is continually expanding its reach. When new jurisdictions adopt online gambling regulations, it takes steps to include these jurisdictions within its scope of operation. This approach underscores the agency’s commitment.
- UK
- Alderney
- Belarus
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Jersey
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Serbia
- Romania
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- First Cagayan
- Buenos Aires Province
- Buenos Aires City
- Colombia
- Kahnawake, Canada
- Ontario, Canada
- Colorado, USA
- Connecticut, USA
- Michigan, USA
- New Jersey, USA
- Pennsylvania, USA
- Virginia, USA
eCOGRA Compliance Testing Services
As an accredited and independent agency, eCOGRA’s comprehensive compliance testing services are key to protecting the integrity of the global gambling industry. These services call for a combination of technical, security, financial, and legal expertise.
With a firm understanding of these fields, eCOGRA’s casino audits deliver important insights into the reliability of online casino platforms. The following sections delve into the various aspects of said compliance testing services.
RTP & RNG Audits
RTP (Return to Player) audits are essential for making sure that online casino games are fair. They make sure that game payouts correspond to the theoretical rate established for each game featured on the casino website.
By examining and contrasting bets and wins with their corresponding theoretical values, these audits determine real RTPs. This meticulous procedure gives a clear knowledge of whether a game is giving players the chance of winning as promised.
Audits also determine the overall RTPs for each game type in addition to the RTPs for individual games. This gives a more thorough assessment of the games’ performance and fairness in all areas.
- RTP RTP, or Return to Player, is a term used in the gambling industry to describe the percentage of all the wagered money a slot machine or other casino game will pay back to players over time. For example, if a game has an RTP of 95%, on average, for every $100 bet, the player would get $95 back in winnings.
- RNG RNG, or the Random Number Generator, is a crucial element of impartial and fair games. It is a method for creating random sequences of numbers or symbols that are used to determine game results. RNG in online gaming makes sure that every reel spin, card dealt, or roll of the dice is completely independent of the preceding or subsequent action.
For the fairness and unpredictability of online casino games to be guaranteed, RNG, or the Random Number Generator, must undergo audits. The foundation of fair play is the assertion that the results of each game are statistically random and unpredictable.
These audits carefully check the RNG for non-repeatability. This is crucial to ensuring that past game results don’t affect present ones and maintaining the fairness of each round.
Additionally, RNG audits demonstrate that online casinos follow the compliance guidelines established by different countries. Hence, eCOGRA payout reports provide players peace of mind that they are taking part in a regulated gaming environment.
Platform Testing
eCOGRA offers comprehensive platform testing services for various types of platforms, including casinos, poker rooms, and sports betting sites. Key areas covered by this testing include player registration and accounts, privacy measures, player protection, and backup and recovery protocols.
Overall platform security is also tested. Typically, platform testing also involves regression testing of at least one game to ensure consistent performance. The laboratory has a different approach that depends on the type of platform tested.
Game Certification
With thousands of games tested and certified for online gambling countries throughout the world, eCOGRA has a proven track record. Their comprehensive methodology includes the evaluation of functionality, performance, compatibility, integration, and security.
The end goal is to ensure the mechanics, features, and gameplay function in accordance with technical standards and player descriptions. Clients may hasten market access and save certification expenses by using eCOGRA’s acknowledged and certified testing approach for game evaluations.
eCOGRA understands the need to provide effective, high-quality certification work that is suited to specific client requirements. This guarantees that game certifications are undertaken and completed in accordance with set standards, along with proactive and prompt communication during the testing process.
Annual Security Audits
eCOGRA adopts a customised approach to the certification of gambling platforms, catering to the specific needs of each client. Meticulous scoping and planning, coupled with assistance in addressing client queries on preparation, guarantee a smooth and efficient process for fieldwork and subsequent testing.
Leveraging its extensive audit knowledge and experience, eCOGRA ensures that compliance risks are adequately managed, and efficiencies are maximised across all work areas for each platform client.
With the aim of minimising disruption and repetitive efforts for customers, eCOGRA uses a risk-based, multi-jurisdictional strategy for these evaluations to ensure certification efficiency across markets.
Sports Betting Testing
The requirement for impartial assessments of important changes to online gaming systems on a regular basis has grown more prominent in online sports betting regulatory regimes.
The organisation in question offers the benefit of consolidated and value-enhancing evaluations. eCOGRA possesses the capability to assess the integrity of data, structures and automated procedures employed in the reporting systems of sports betting sites.
We have to say that sports betting isn’t at the core of what the company is known for. Nevertheless, in its capacity as a security evaluation expert, eCOGRA also brings a lot of value to sportsbooks.
Live Dealer Testing
The eCOGRA casino certificates have been shaping the standard for live dealer games and studios during the early stages of regulated offerings. The testing process usually involves a review of physical security measures, equipment, training materials, and game outcomes.
The testing agency has conducted inspections in numerous studios and certified hundreds of live dealer games. This proves its acclaimed experts are being trusted by many operators of live dealer games.
eCOGRA continues to set the bar in the field of live dealer certification for a number of reasons. They also assess the approach of providers in rectifying discrepancies and irregularities, and deterring any form of deceitful behaviour or collaboration between players and dealers.
eCOGRA Certification Process
The cost of obtaining a certificate can fluctuate, hinging on factors such as the type of certification, the extent of services required, the intricacy of the systems under test, and other operator-specific considerations.
To make an inquiry or request a quote, you can contact them directly via eCOGRA’s contact info. In the sections that follow, we will provide a brief overview of the application process for obtaining certification.
Application
The process starts with an initial customer inquiry, followed by the provision of necessary information. eCOGRA then reviews the application for completeness. Finally, a certification agreement is prepared and presented to the gambling operator for review and acceptance.
Clients seeking certification services from eCOGRA are required to provide key information such as product details (name, version), jurisdictional requirements related to the product, client information (name, addresses, legal obligations), and general company information.
Evaluation
The evaluation phase initiates the preparation of a comprehensive audit plan. Subsequently, an inspection is carried out to assess the parameters specified in the audit plan. Afterwards, a certification committee is assembled to review the submission in detail.
If there are any issues noted, resulting in a corrective action request, the evaluation is redirected back to the audit team. The team then takes the necessary measures to resolve these issues and resubmits the application for review.
Certification
Once the evaluation phase concludes, all the compiled information is reviewed by the Certification Manager. This individual holds the responsibility of making the final decision regarding the certification. The outcomes could range from granting, maintaining, to extending the certification.
It’s worth noting that eCOGRA does not publicly disclose their pricing maintaining confidentiality on the specifics. However, they do offer a free quotation service accessible via their official website.
Best eCOGRA Casinos for 2024
There are numerous platforms with eCOGRA casino certificates, many of which are market leaders in their respective countries. Take a good look at the top operators in this category and carefully review the information provided below:
| eCOGRA Casino | UKGC Gambling Licence | Payout Report | Responsible Gambling | Other Certificates | Casino Awards | Secure Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Duelz Casino | eCOGRA | Gamblers Anonymous | N/A | |||
| 2. Rainbow Riches Casino | eCOGRA | Gambling Therapy | N/A | |||
| 3. Virgin Games | eCOGRA | GamCare | N/A | |||
| 4. PartyCasino | eCOGRA | BeGambleAware | N/A | |||
| 5. Casushi | eCOGRA | GAMSTOP | N/A |
Our selection of casinos was not random. We employed a set of criteria encompassing aspects such as safety and security, range of games, and quality of service. Safety, assured by the eCOGRA certification seal, was our foremost consideration.
All these are pivotal in our selection process, guiding our judgement when we consider all eCOGRA casinos that are out there. You can learn more about how we choose casino sites if you keep reading.
How to Find eCOGRA Approved Casinos?
We’ve meticulously examined the UK market to save you the time and hassle. However, if you prefer to find online casinos with eCOGRA payout reports on your own, follow this step-by-step guide:
- Step 1: Open the Casino Start by selecting an online casino that interests you and navigating to its official website.
- Step 2: Go to the Footer of the Homepage Once on the casino’s homepage, scroll to the bottom where important credentials are usually displayed.
- Step 3: Look for the Logo of eCOGRA Check the footer for the eCOGRA logo, typically found alongside other certification and licensing badges.
- Step 4: Or Go to the Responsible Gambling Page If the logo isn’t in the footer, check the casino’s responsible gambling page, as some casinos place their certifications there.
- Step 5: Or Check the Terms & Conditions Page Lastly, check the terms & conditions page, another common place for casinos to display their certifications.
Some casinos go a step further by uploading their RNG certificate or payout report, providing additional proof of their fairness and trustworthiness. If available, these reports are usually linked from the eCOGRA logo in the footer or mentioned in the terms & conditions.
eCOGRA’s Seal of Approval
eCOGRA’s Seal of ApprovalThrough the implementation of eGAP (eCOGRA’s Generally Accepted Practices), the testing lab is able to differentiate and settle approved candidates into categories. Stamping their platforms with different seals bestows accreditation to certain features.
eCOGRA’s stamps of approval for online gambling include Affiliate Trust seal, Certified Live Dealer seal, Safe and Fair seal, and Certified Software seal. The oganisation focuses primarily on the online gambling industry with its tests and audits.
Be sure to verify this information for added confidence in your choice of casino. It takes a transparent and savvy gambling operator to go through the hassle of getting certified and publishing the report.
All eCOGRA Casinos Available Online
Our team diligently maintains a current list of all eCOGRA-certified casinos to help you make an informed choice about where to gamble safely online. You can always reach us for more information about the list of casinos shown below.
- Duelz
- Rainbow Riches
- MERKUR SLOTS
- Spin Casino
- Hippodrome
- PartyCasino
- 32Red
- Rizk
- 777 Casino
- Unibet
- Jackpotjoy
- Casushi
- Jackpot Mobile Casino
- PlayUK
- Fruit Kings
- Megaways Casino
- Plush Casino
- Casino Classic
- Luxury Casino
Advantages and Disadvantages of eCOGRA Casino Certification
In the dynamic world of online gambling, choosing the right casino can be challenging. Weighing the pros and cons of the methods of testing of this organisation can aid in your decision-making process.
- Comprehensive Testing
- Global Recognition
- Operates in Transparency
- Security Audits
- Experienced Team
- Comprehensive Testing
- Sector Limitation
- Undisclosed Fees
A hallmark of credibility, all respected casinos undergo third-party testing of some sort. However, the eCOGRA seal sets a gold standard within the iGaming field, assuring players of security, transparency, and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you navigate through the complex landscape of online gambling certifications, we have curated some frequently asked questions about eCOGRA. Please note that if there’s something we didn’t address, you can ask us about it by email.
What is an eCOGRA casino certificate?
An eCOGRA casino certificate is a stamp of assurance awarded to online gambling platforms that meet the high standards of fair play, player protection, and responsible operator conduct. The testing house covers a wide range of testing services, which deserve an in-depth look.
How does eCOGRA protect players?
eCOGRA primarily protects players by ensuring that gaming platforms operate transparently and responsibly. The primary objectives of the organisation is to ensure a level playing field for players and operators. It does that by overseeing the fairness of casino games and honesty in operator behaviour.
Where is eCOGRA accredited?
eCOGRA is internationally accredited, operating in multiple jurisdictions worldwide. These include regions like the United Kingdom, Malta, Gibraltar, and others. You can learn more about the jurisdictional approval of eCOGRA on its website.
What are the best eCOGRA audited casinos?
The best eCOGRA-audited casinos are those that not only meet the stringent testing criteria but also provide exceptional products for online gamblers. These casinos offer a wide range of games, secure gaming environments, and attractive bonuses.
How to find eCOGRA casinos?
The question of how to find eCOGRA casinos boils down to checking the footer or responsible gambling page of a casino site for the company logo. It's also possible for this piece of information to be available through the terms & conditions page.
What does eCOGRA stand for?
eCOGRA stands for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. It is an independent and internationally approved testing agency, player protection and standards organisation. More company info is available on the official page of the organisation.
Who is the CEO of eCOGRA?
The CEO of eCOGRA is Shaun McCallaghan. Under his leadership, the organisation has grown into a leading testing agency in the online gambling industry. The history of eCOGRA is a story of growth and coming to international renown on account of exceptional service.
Cite This Article
To export a reference to this article, please, see below: