A good deal of skepticism has circulated as of late regarding the safety of playing poker online. From bots to collusion, the claims are many. Enter eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), an independent watchdog organization that regulates and oversees the game play and procedures at online gaming sites. Now the "Play It Safe" seal, eCOGRA's trademark stamp of approval, has begun to appear on seven additional online poker rooms. The newly-approved sites bring the total number of online casinos and poker rooms meeting eCOGRA's standards to 76.

In order to earn the “Play it Safe" seal, a site must prove that it is financially stable, operationally efficient, makes player protection a priority, pays out promptly, and that its games are fair. Even after a site earns the eCOGRA seal, the organization continues to monitor the site to make sure that it continues to adhere to these guidelines.

The online poker rooms that were welcomed into the eCOGRA family of approved sites are members of either the Ongame Network or the Prima Poker Network. The newly-approved sites are www.europoker.com, www.tridentpoker.com, www.3piggspoker.co.sz, www.gamingclubpoker.com, www.riverbellepoker.com, www.7sultanspoker.com, and www.royalvegaspoker.com.

eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said that other “Play it Safe" online poker sites are in the works. "We expect to make further announcements in the near future as our "100 'Play It Safe' Seals by 2006" campaign unfolds," he said. "Interest in the eCOGRA standards is growing from players, casinos, leading poker rooms and software providers alike, and membership continues to be open to any software provider that is prepared to commit to our goals and principles."

Source:  Poker777 Staff

Tuesday, 04 April 2006