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.
Will Shuckburgh appointed as Group CEO, and Shaun McCallaghan to assume new role of Senior Director, Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
New eCOGRA Chairman appointed. Approved in Virginia. INAB ISO/IEC 17020 awarded.
Approved in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado. eCOGRA Ireland established.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Greece and Ontario.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Lithuania, New Jersey, Romania.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Portugal. Approved as an ADR service provider by the Great Britain Gambling Commission. Introduces vulnerability and penetration testing services.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Bulgaria and Croatia.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Estonia.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Alderney, Denmark, Great Britain, and Latvia.
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.
eCOGRA appointed to test compliance of Kahnawake Gaming Commission Licensees.
eCOGRA awards the industry’s first ever mobile gambling provider accreditation to Spin3.
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.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Gibraltar.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for First Cagayan.
Jurisdictional approval obtained for Kahnawake.
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
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.
About eCOGRA
Service Quality
We believe the following factors contribute towards our ability to consistently deliver an excellent service to our clients:
+20 years experience
A track record of high-quality certification services dedicated to online gambling activities.
Development of technical standards
Using our independent approach our highly skilled team has contributed and developed multiple standards & requirements.
Benefit from a personalised service
Our clients are each allocated a dedicated relationship manager for your compliance needs.
Balancing capacity with growing demands
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.
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.
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 Irish National Accreditation Board’s (INAB) accreditation to EN ISO/IEC 17020:2012.
About eCOGRA
Direct involvement
Value-driven pricing
Our commitment to competitive pricing is coupled with the delivery of exceptionally qualified resources, surpassing the offering of our competitors.
Third-party dispute mediation service
This specific service relates directly to players, to date we have successfully handled over 10,000 disputes.
Offering a broad range of services
Our highly skilled team enables the provision of professional services across an extensive range of regulatory areas, including those that require technical, security, financial and legal expertise.
Formulation of methodologies
With specific reference to testing, inspection and certification methodologies.
Specialised in-house training to ensure quality
Our training programs are designed to ensure our level of quality and consistency is always upheld across all our teams. We do not make use of sub-contractors.