eCOGRA Launches Affiliate Trust Program
by Hillary LaClair, Senior Editor
With the online casino market always increasing, it is more crucial than ever that organizations like eCOGRA be used to monitor internet gambling websites. eCOGRA has broadened its oversight, as it will now be available to affiliate programs.
eCOGRA’s goal is to ensure online casino gamblers fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct. Upon joining the list of eCOGRA’s approved websites, internet casinos and now their affiliates will be subject to monthly inspection. If a gambling venue meets the operators’ standards of “Generally Accepted Practices,” they will be award a seal of approval. Gamers will recognize the Safe and Fair Seal that many internet casinos proudly display. Affiliate programs can now obtain the new eCOGRA Affiliate Trust seal which identifies said website as one that maintains the same standards of fairness and efficiency.
In order to display the new Seal, affiliate programs must show that their program “establishes, enforces and monitors best practice standards.” More specifically, they must be able to demonstrate that they accurately calculate affiliate revenue, pay their affiliates on time, and accurately link players to affiliates.
Fortune Affiliates of the Fortune Lounge group is the first to tout the Seal after an in-depth inspection of the website. “We are extremely honored to receive the very first Affiliate Trust Seal,” a spokesperson said. “The process was a tough one, but as our Affiliates have always known, we have always held ourselves to high standards.”
The spokesperson continued, “Although there are others monitoring affiliate programs, eCOGRA provides the most public, structured and formal on-site approach, ensuring compliance with consistent standards through regular monitoring and full annual reviews carried out by highly qualified inspection and auditing teams.”
Louis Fabiano, founder and president of CasinoAffiliatePrograms.com was not at all surprised by Fortune Affiliates recent accreditation. He commented, “One of CAP’s premier certified partners, Fortune Affiliates is one of the largest, oldest and most respected groups in the Microgaming family, and fully deserving of being the first affiliate program awarded with the prestigious eCOGRA seal.”
The accreditation process is a painstaking one, as the company has set the highest standards in the industry. eCOGRA Ceo, Andrew Beveridge stated that the organization goes so far as to visit the physical locations of the affiliate programs in order to collect accurate player and affiliate data and ensure that everyone is properly taken care of and paid as they should be.
“The eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Initiative is all about actually going and visiting the management and operations of affiliate programs, gaining direct access to check relevant player and affiliate data to ensure that affiliate members are being treated fairly.”
In addition to the constant regulation of the online casinos, poker rooms and affiliate programs that display a Seal, a player dispute mediation service and an advocate are always readily available for arbitration to internet gamers, where it is legal. Accreditation is open to all online gambling operators and affiliates. More information about the Affiliate Trust program and their accepted practices may be found at www.ecogra.org/affiliates.
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