July 24, 2008 (PokerNews.com) — The European Gaming and Betting Association have launched a new comprehensive set of standards. These are designed to accompany the strict laws already imposed by the European Union licensing power for online gambling.
These new standards are designed to oversee player protection, fair gaming and responsible operator behaviour in the online gaming and betting environment. This includes online casinos, sports betting, and other licensed gambling venues. Members who voluntarily comply will now be subject to over 170 online gambling regulations introduced by the EGBA.
These changes build on the EBGA's code of conduct adopted in 2003. According to EBGA, self-regulation is vital in the online gambling industry. "It also ensures, given the cross-border nature of the sector, consistency of standards across Europe to guarantee consumers can play in a safe, secure and reliable environment," said the EGBA.
These standards include:
* No tolerance of fraud or criminal behaviour
* Prompt and accurate customer payment
* Independent and thorough assessment of the fairness of online gaming
* Responsible and ethical marketing practices
* Promotion of responsible gaming
* Preventing underage and problem gambling
* Ensuring the confidentiality of customers information
The chairman of EGBA, Norbert Teufelberger, said: "These standards are a sign of our commitment to an exemplary level of corporate and social responsibility. They could serve as a basis for reflection at a time when governments and regulators across Europe are trying to find ways to best protect consumers in the online gaming and betting environment."
The EGBA itself is a non-profit organisation and is one of the leading gambling and betting operators in Europe. It has many large members, including PartyGaming, who operate popular brands such as PartyCasino. EGBA members are all committed to providing the highest level of security and safety to the online casino gaming community.
"Our goal is to ensure that EGBA has a meaningful professional review process for determining each member's compliance with agreed and consistently applied standards, which consumers and regulators have come to expect in the online gaming and betting industry," said Andrew Beveridge, CEO of eCOGRA.