About Us

The eCOGRA Story

Established in 2003 and based in the United Kingdom, eCOGRA is a leading independent and internationally approved testing agency, specialising in the testing, inspection and certification of online gambling software and systems.

eCOGRA was founded as a self-regulatory body in 2003 to monitor the practices of fair gaming, player protection and responsible conduct by operators, suppliers and service providers in the online gaming industry.

At a time when the industry was largely unregulated, several prominent stakeholders recognised a need to implement a best practice framework for operational standards that ensured ongoing player safety. eCOGRA’s Generally Accepted Practice (eGAP) Requirements have continued to evolve with developments in technologies and international regulations, and demand for the eGAP service offering remains very strong. The ethos of impartiality and independence remains a key aspect contributing to the success of eCOGRA.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leaders

Browse the eCOGRA journey in our timeline.

2003

A legend is born. eCOGRA is established to achieve the objectives of player protection, fair gaming and responsible conduct by operators, software providers and relevant service providers. Andrew Beveridge is appointed Chief Executive Officer

2004

Chairman of the Board of eCOGRA, Michael Hirst awarded an ‘OBE’ Officer of the British Empire. Tex Rees appointed as Fair Gaming Advocate, responsible for the fast and fair investigation of player disputes for eGAP Seal Holders.

2005

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Kahnawake.

2006

Jurisdictional approval obtained for First Cagayan.

2007

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Gibraltar.

2008

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Isle of Man. The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) launches a set of standards that encompasses all aspects of player protection, fair gaming, and responsible operator behaviour for EGBA members. eCOGRA is appointed to carry out compulsory annual audits.

2009

eCOGRA awards the industry’s first ever mobile gambling provider accreditation to Spin3.

2010

eCOGRA appointed to test compliance of Kahnawake Gaming Commission Licensees.

2011

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Italy, Malta and Spain. Andrew Beveridge, eCOGRA CEO acts as Chair of the CEN workshop agreement on Responsible Remote Gambling Measures. ISO/IEC 17025:2005 awarded to eCOGRA by UKAS.

2012

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Alderney, Denmark, Great Britain, and Latvia.

2013

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Estonia.

2014

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Bulgaria and Croatia.

2015

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Portugal. Approved as an ADR service provider by the Great Britain Gambling Commission. Introduces vulnerability and penetration testing services.

2016

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Lithuania, New Jersey, Romania.

2017

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Czech Republic. The first independent online gambling test house awarded ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 by UKAS to offer accredited ISO/IEC 27001 certifications.

2018

Shaun McCallaghan appointed new CEO. Jurisdictional approval obtained for Jersey and PAGCOR. Grants ISO/IEC 27001 certification to Bede Gaming, Bet365, and Betway. Approved as an ADR service provider in Malta.

2019

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Belarus, Colombia, Buenos Aires Province, Sweden and Switzerland. Grants ISO/IEC 27001 certification to Kindred and PAF. ISO/IEC 17020:2012 awarded to eCOGRA by UKAS. Exhibits at ICE London for the first time.

2020

ISO/IEC 17065:2012 awarded to eCOGRA by UKAS. Grants ISO/IEC 27001 certification to NetEnt. Jurisdictional approval obtained for Buenos Aires City. eCOGRA achives top score in Danish Tender Process.

2021

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Greece and Netherlands.

2022

Jurisdictional approval obtained for Pennsylvania

About eCogra

Independence

eCOGRA prides itself on its independence and integrity. The organisation is committed to ensuring that the work conducted by its employees demonstrates the highest possible standard of professionalism.

Company policies and procedures are designed to ensure that management and employees are free from any undue internal and external commercial, financial and other pressures and influences that may adversely affect the quality of eCOGRA’s work.

 

 

Internal mechanisms are in place to ensure that eCOGRA avoids involvement in any activities that may diminish confidence in eCOGRA’s competence, impartiality, judgement or operational integrity.

The organisation is regularly required to demonstrate its operational independence from operators and providers in the online gaming industry to jurisdictional regulators and its accreditation body.

eCOGRA has been awarded the United Kingdom Accreditation Service’s (UKAS) accreditations to ISO/IEC 17020:2012, ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, ISO/IEC 17025:2017, and ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

 

 

Clients are allocated dedicated relationship managers that act as single points of contact.

Consultation to regulatory authorities and instituitional bodies on the adoption of technical standards, compliance reporting requirements, and testing principles and methodologies.

We will not hesitate to turn away new clients if we believe there is a risk that the additional workload will impact our ability to effectively service our existing clients’ needs.

About eCogra

Service Quality

We believe the following factors contribute towards our ability to consistently deliver an excellent service to our clients:

The broad spectrum of activities our services cover, which enables us to have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the industry and its stakeholders, including:

A track record of high quality certification services dedicated to online gambling activities for over 17 years.

Development of technical standards and other compliance requirements;

eCOGRA has been awarded the Irish National Accreditation Board’s (INAB) accreditation to EN ISO/IEC 17020:2012.

About eCogra

Direct involvement

Direct involvement in responsible gambling initiatives and training;

We always endeavour to ensure our pricing is competitive, notwithstanding the fact that the resources employed by eCOGRA are typically more highly qualified than our competitors.

Provision of third-party dispute mediation service for players, with over 10,000 disputes handled directly by eCOGRA to date; and

 

 

The broad range of professional qualifications, training and experience of our staff ensures that we are equipped to provide professional services across an extensive range of regulatory areas requiring technical, security, financial and legal expertise.

Formulation of testing, inspection and certification methodologies;

Specialised in-house training ensures consistency and quality in the diverse range of services we provide, and we do not make use of sub-contractors.

Contact Us

Careers

Jurisdictional Approvals

Email

General: info@ecogra.org

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