Since its establishment in 2003, eCOGRA has offered players a dispute service that casinos cannot simply ignore. It also provides a way to publicly review game payout percentages for games at an eCOGRA-approved online casino.
- Offers a channel for player concerns
- Handles disputes between players and casinos
- Publishes casino payout percentages
Protecting Players
Putting player interests ahead of casino interests was one of eCOGRA’s founding 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 did not yet exist. The MGA was little known and was not overseen by the EU government. It also faced difficulty gaining credibility while many illegitimate licensing bodies were active.
eCOGRA was created in response to that climate. Its central role remains mediating between players and casinos: a player with an unresolved complaint can submit it to eCOGRA if the casino belongs to the organization.
A casino that repeatedly fails to meet eCOGRA’s terms and conditions may be removed from the organization’s list of approved websites. It must then take down the eCOGRA seal of approval.
The risk of losing the eCOGRA seal gave players added influence. Casinos had reason to investigate complaints players submitted to the organization.
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 build 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 organization offers online operators RNG and RTP review services.
- eCOGRA publishes monthly payout reviews for all games, including table games, slot games, and poker
- Each quarter, eCOGRA prepares 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 organization to evaluate its compliance.
For example, a casino seeking a UKGC or MGA licence could ask eCOGRA to identify areas where it falls short, giving the operator an opportunity to address them before applying for a UKGC or MGA licence.
eCOGRA Before Government Licences and eCOGRA Today
After 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 consider an operator trustworthy. Even so, casinos displaying the eCOGRA seal remain popular.
Conclusion
Today, eCOGRA is a non-profit organization offering online casinos a route to approval and greater credibility in 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 do not prove 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.
