April 12 - The Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta (LGA) and independent
standards organization eCommerce and Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance
(eCOGRA) have agreed to closer cooperation in pursuit of player protection
measures.
Subject to certain conditions, the LGA has agreed that operators using
software supplied by eCOGRA members, and that is subject to eCOGRA's principles
and testing methodologies, will not be required to submit to further review and
monitoring processes required for the award of a Malta online gaming license.
The LGA will continue to use its own methodologies in conducting due diligence
investigations on all applicants to decide on their suitability as licensees and
to review other appropriate areas addressing player protection and responsible
operator conduct.
The discussions follow investigations by the LGA in a search for optimum
testing and operational systems. Malta is a full member of the European Union.
The agreement will potentially apply to a wide range of online casinos and
poker rooms, comprising a significant proportion of the available business.
Malta numbers 71 online gambling sites as licensees, and there are 76 major
Internet venues carrying the eCOGRA "Play It Safe" seal.
Further discussions will now detail the finer points of cooperation and
consistency between the requirements of the two bodies, based on an acceptance
of common principles of honesty and efficiency in the interests of player
protection.
Mario Galeo, the chief executive responsible for Malta licensing says that he
is pleased with the agreement reached with eCOGRA and looks forward to close
cooperation and communication in the interest of creating better conditions in
the online gambling industry.
"We share a common purpose in seeking to ensure that the player is given fair
gaming and efficient, courteous service by casinos and poker rooms that are
licensed and regulated by our respective bodies," he said. "We look forward to a
closer working relationship that benefits both the players and the industry in
the years ahead."
The CEO of eCOGRA, Andrew Beveridge said he was delighted that the LGA had
approved the testing procedures and operating standards that his organisation
had introduced for the "Play It Safe" seal operations.
"eCOGRA is keen to interact with any jurisdiction that shares our values and
we regard this closer relationship with the LGA as a significant step toward
consistent global regulation for safe online gambling," he said.
The agreement follows a similar collaborative arrangement with the Kahnawake
licensing jurisdiction in Canada, which was signed late last year by the
directors of the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and eCOGRA.
eCOGRA has announced that the growing interaction between major regulatory
and standards authorities is broadly aimed at achieving wider consistency across
geographical borders in regard to requirements and standards concerning online
casino and poker room relations with the player community.
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.
read more about eCOGRA ...
Related Gambling Articles:
- Online Casino Confirms Progressive Jackpot Winner - 04-13-06
- Online Casino Will Send Four To New York - 04-12-06
- Absolute Online Poker Adds Blackjack - 04-12-06
- NBA Finals Betting Preview - 04-12-06
- Online Poker Software Upgrade For Interpoker - 04-11-06
- Online Sportsbook Posts Mid-Term Election Betting Odds - 04-11-06
- Canbet Online Poker Announces $2 Million Grand Series - 04-11-06
- Online Casino Group Celebrates Spring - 04-10-06
|
Del.icio.us
Digg
Google
Spurl
Furl
Simpy
Y! MyWeb
OnlyWire
Redit
StumbleUpon
Technocrati