Since its start in 2003, eCOGRA has offered players a dispute service that casinos cannot simply dismiss. It also provides a way to review game payout percentages publicly for games at an eCOGRA approved online casino.
- Provides a channel for player concerns
- Manages disputes between players and casinos
- Makes casino payout percentages public
Protecting Players
Putting player interests ahead of casino interests was among eCOGRA’s original principles, a focus also associated with licensing bodies such as the MGA and UKGC today.
When eCOGRA was established, the UKGC’s remote gambling licence was not yet in place. The MGA was little known and was not overseen by the EU government. It also struggled to earn credibility while many illegitimate licensing bodies were active.
eCOGRA was created in response to that climate. Its central role remains mediation between players and casinos: a player with an unresolved complaint can submit it to eCOGRA if the casino belongs to the organisation.
A casino that repeatedly falls short of eCOGRA’s terms and conditions may lose its place on the organisation’s approved website list. It must then take down the eCOGRA seal of approval.
The possibility of losing the eCOGRA seal gave players added influence. Casinos had reason to examine complaints that players brought to the organisation.
Players can access the eCOGRA casino dispute form here.
Quarterly Random Number Generator (RNG) Reports
eCOGRA also tests casino systems, offering services intended to help online operators strengthen their credibility.
RNG and RTP Reviews
In an eCOGRA survey, 91% of players rated RNG fairness reports as an important factor when deciding whether to join an online casino. The organisation offers online operators RNG and RTP review services.
- eCOGRA publishes monthly payout reviews covering all games, including table games, slot games and poker
- Each quarter, eCOGRA produces RNG reviews for blackjack, roulette, video poker, poker, bingo and skill games such as backgammon and mah-jong
Players can view these reports by selecting an online casino’s eCOGRA seal of approval.
Security Reviews and Jurisdiction Approvals
eCOGRA conducts information security assessments of software suppliers and online gaming operators. A casino preparing to meet a licensing authority’s security rules can ask the organisation to assess its compliance.
For instance, a casino seeking a UKGC or MGA licence could have eCOGRA identify areas where it falls short, giving the operator an opportunity to address them before pursuing a UKGC or MGA licence.
eCOGRA Before Government Licenses and eCOGRA Today
After the UKGC and MGA licences were established, many reputable gambling sites—including casinos, sportsbooks, lotto and poker operators—sought the eCOGRA seal. Experienced players often preferred approved casinos because they had little confidence in the licensing bodies then available.
eCOGRA’s work continues, though its seal no longer carries the same weight it once did. Licensing from bodies such as the UKGC, MGA, SGA and DGA, which emerged over the last 10 years, is now enough for many casino players to regard an operator as trustworthy. Even so, casinos displaying the eCOGRA seal remain popular.
Conclusion
Today, eCOGRA is a non-profit organisation offering online casinos a route to approval and greater credibility within the industry. For players, it provides a way to raise concerns with large casino operators and publishes monthly and quarterly reports about games and payouts. Those reports are not proof that a casino cannot rig its games. Operators can also use eCOGRA’s work to update their systems and policies to align with requirements from authorities such as the UKGC, MGA and SGA.
