June 3 - The independent directors of player protection and
standards authority eCOGRA have approved an updated version of the requirements
for an Affiliate Trust Seal, incorporating suggestions made during consultations
with affiliate program managers.
The requirements now include a review of the security architecture of
affiliate programs applying for the Affiliate Trust Seal, and proof that
applicant programs can fully recover from unforeseen system disasters that could
impair a program's level of service to its affiliate clients.
Following extensive international research last year, eCOGRA developed a set of
best practice standards for affiliate programs which has to date been
successfully implemented in three major affiliate programs, with others
currently undergoing the inspection and compliance phase by eCOGRA's
professional audit teams.
Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA, says that there is strong demand from the
affiliate community for independent on-site audits conducted by qualified
Chartered Accountants and IT specialists with appropriate industry knowledge in
order to improve business efficiencies to international standards, and give
affiliates the assurance that the tracking and revenue calculations of
accredited affiliate program softwares are fair and accurate.
"The directors have decided to make available a more focused certification
process which will fine-tune our certification," said Beveridge. "This will mean
that the eCOGRA compliance system will concentrate on the following key areas of
affiliate program activity:
- Affiliate revenue is calculated accurately and deductions are correctly
allocated
- Payments are completely and accurately processed
- Preventative and detective controls are in place to ensure accurate and
correct linking of players to affiliates
- Program software applications are developed, implemented, maintained and
secured in a manner representative of best practice international standards
- Affiliate programs shall be able to demonstrate that they can recover from a
system disaster".
Beveridge commented that this more focused approach will enable eCOGRA to reduce
review fees to GBP 5 000 per annum, excluding expenses.
"Where possible, testing will be conducted remotely, however it will also be
necessary to conduct certain elements of our reviews at the operator's
premises," Beveridge explained, adding that his organisation would also provide
a thoroughly experienced dispute mediation channel for complaints falling within
the scope of eCOGRA's Affiliate Trust Seal mandate.
"I would like to make it clear that our involvement will henceforth be limited
to the standards covered in the audit. We will therefore not be drawn into areas
beyond our mandate from affiliate programs which we have not inspected and
audited - and therefore cannot properly investigate - in disputes that may
involve adequacy of funds, timing of payments to affiliates, and advertising
practices," Beveridge said.
About the Affiliate Trust Seal program:
"Any affiliate program can apply for the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal, provided
management is prepared to commit to the requirements and comply with the regular
reviews and audits by eCOGRA compliance teams.
The requirements have been developed through expert international consultation
and with input from leading affiliates and program managers, and are designed to
make practical improvements to business efficiencies and ensure that affiliate
marketers are treated in a professional and fair manner in their dealings with
accredited programs.
About eCOGRA:
eCOGRA is a non-profit London-based organisation that sets online gambling
standards across all platforms and provides an international framework for best
operational and player protection practice requirements, with particular
emphasis on fair and responsible gambling.
These standards are enforced through inspections and reviews, and continuous
monitoring. Accreditation is open to all software companies and their operators.
Accredited companies are entitled to bear the “Safe and Fair” seal, indicating
to players everywhere that all operational systems and games are fair and
continuously monitored to consistently high standards.
Click here for a list of
eCOGRA Casinos.
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