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Online Safety and Security

The following companies are divided into 4 types according to their function.

Auditors- The first group are auditory bodies which work for their “client” the casino operators. They however serve as a bridge between the client and the country of their clients operations. They need to sit on the fence and bring both together in compliance with the regulatory bodies regulations protecting citizens. They lend transparency and council the casinos in their affairs.

Regulatory Bodies- This group works directly for the population at large. Each regulatory body has their own standards of conduct which they compare to the performance of the casino operators. Most have a legal status or set of rules which they enforce via legal action by negating the operators membership and/or certificate.

Online Security Firms- This group is contracted by the casino operators to ensure safety and confidentiality online. Every security firm has their own own method of protection. Most are not competitive between each other but serve to protect the full circle of concerns for privacy.

Player Care Groups- This group few people consider. There are many socially responsible networks that can help the troubled gambling player to stay within his or her’s limits of play. If the in-place infrastructure the individual casino has is not sufficient to help a player that consistently plays past the limit of their budget, then these are some of the associations that can help.

Auditory and assurance services

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

PriceWaterHouse member firms audit many of the world's best-known companies and thousands of other organizations both large and small. Their audit approach is at the leading edge of best practice,  with a deep understanding of regulation, legislation and complex reporting issues involving Sarbanes-Oxley and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). PwC is a  leader in the development of non-financial performance reporting, helping their clients respond to the need for greater transparency, improved corporate governance, and business models based on the principles of sustainability. A large firm such as PwC has clients such as our casinos Betsson, CasinoEuro, Cherry, Unibet and Marias Casino

CFG- Certified Fair Gambling

Founded in 2003, Certified Fair Gambling is the industry leader in auditing game fairness for Internet casinos. Through comprehensive and ongoing monthly auditing and certification procedures, Certified Fair Gambling meets the assurance needs of players, Internet casinos, and Internet casino software developers.  The Certified Fair Gambling seal demonstrates an uncompromising commitment to casino game fairness. Millionaire and English Harbour Casinos us e the services of Certified Fair Gambling.

Each month, Certified Fair Gambling performs a comprehensive series of statistical analysis of the previous month’s game play logs for each casino game.  The purpose of these inspections is to:

* Certify monthly “Return to Player” payout percentage reports for client casinos.
* Certify monthly fairness auditing of all casino games offered by client casinos.
* Certify ongoing commitment to offering fair games by client casinos.

SKL- Statens kriminaltekniska laboratorium

National Laboratory of Forensic Science, SKL, is an independent office and private company contracted under the Swedish national police system. Their main duty  is to be an impartial body of qualified experts that conduct all classes and kinds of investigations.  SKL uses advanced equipment with a highly trained staff to verify qualifications. In most cases they help the criminal justice system of the police, prosecutors and courts to verify evidence. But in many instances they will work for private companies such as online casinos to verify certain aspects of their operation such as RNG verifications and testing score of undersökningsresultaten. SKL is accredited to ISO / IEC 17025 for most of the investigations carried out. CasinoEuro, Betsson and Betsafe Casino are a few of the Mac casinos featured her that place SKL services in place on their sites.

TST- Technical Systems Testing

Technical Systems Testing, TST is an internationally recognized testing facility offering a full range of testing and consulting services to the online casino iGaming and Landbased markets. TST was creted in 1993 and has now come to be one of the world’s most experienced gaming test labs. Their laboratory facilities are know the world over for their pioneering efforts and accomplishments in this testing industry sector. Each lab works closely with industry operators, software suppliers / manufacturers and jurisdictional regulators to verify compliance with strict regulation requisites , producer technical specs, and safe use and practice industry standards. TST’s customer service, laboratory methodologies and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited quality systems are all a part of Technical Systems Testing. This company is used by Victor Chandler and Betsafe Casinos.

Itech Labs- RNG Certifications

iTech Labs is an ISO/IEC 17025 certified testing laboratory for the online gaming industry. iTech Labs consultants test and certified most types of games on a wide range of online gaming platforms since 1998. But their experience goes back more than 40 years. of over 40 years in testing and certifying online gambling systems and games worldwide. Some examples of their evaluations are:

• Casino & Multiplayer games testing
• Sports betting, Pari-mutuel wagering & Financial market games
• RTP/RNG output audits

CertainKey Crypto Systems

The CertainKey’s Gatekeeper Crypto System option is a monitored PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) protection service which safe guarded any e-mails, information and/or web site traffic. Your computer data is protected by installing all the CertainKey solutions which make use of the best file encryption know-how. CertainKey services address the entire range of vulnerabilities within a normal business IT systems, such as safe guarding sensitive data in transit, eliminating the security loopholes in desktop computer systems/hosts, and incorporating the “missing link” in internet commerce dealings with proven id’s. Different from solutions and products aimed at larger enterprise websites, CertainKey computer software was designed to ease the management encumbrance for any company. Superior Casino is one casino that has placed CertainKey in charge of guarding the information on certain key pages on their site.

AGD- Affiliate Guard Dog

affiliateguarddog is an organization which uses factual metrics as a barometer for the quality of Gaming Affiliate Programs. They have introduced the term ‘Platinum Certified Program’ to the AGD website and forums. In an effort of complete transparency, they have given an accurate description of just  how an affiliate program can measure up to a Platinum Certification. Although the AGD is focused on the Affiliate they are facing players as well by keeping forums open for in depth discussion of casino when a casino “turns bad” all the affiliates are aware of the bad performance of the rogue casino and drops them from their site. This keeps the industry clean and safe for all concerned.

CAP- Casino Affiliate Program

Casino Affiliate Program is an organization that maintains membership and forums for the companies that offer advertising and support for the online casinos operating with fair game practices. These are forums and regulations for the webmasters of casino portals not players. This organization and the others similar such as GPWA,  maintain ongoing monitoring program of the online casino operators for the benefit of the entire online gambling community. When a casino is faltering and not paying out on time or has other questionable practices the situation is brought to the attention of ALL the affiliated web master portals. This places pressure on the casinos to fix, adjust or simple “make right” the particular situation or problem that has arisen. Even though this group does not directly represent the players directly, the well being of the industry is maintained via pressure  placed on the casino operators by the intermediary affiliate membership at large.

eCOGRA

eCOGRA is a non-profit organization, an independent standards authority for the online gaming industry. The standards authority was founded by Microgaming Software Systems Ltd. and Virtual Holdings Ltd. They specifically overseeing fair gaming, player protection and responsible operator conduct. eCOGRA examines and tests online gambling sites’ prompt payments, safe storage of information practices, random games, honest advertising and responsible behavior by the operator. The function that eCOGRA performs protects those who engage in online gaming where it is lawful. In case a player encounters problems while gambling at an approved site, eCOGRA provides a dispute mediation service and a fair gaming the most important product of eCOGRA – the one that players encounter in their gambling adventures – is the Seal of Approval, awarded to those casinos which have achieved compliance with eCOGRA's high standards and demonstrated that:

EGBA_ European Gaming and Betting Association

EGBA promotes fair competition for licensed EU operators and the possibility for consumers throughout Europe to access regulated, secured and safe gaming and betting services. EGBA is committed to and apply an exemplary level of corporate and social responsibility. EGBA strives for a regulatory regime that is proportionate, non-discriminatory, fully adapted to the Internet and the cross border nature of our sector. Looking up EGBA on Google will acquaint you with a long list of situations that are being mediated by this prestigious regulatory body.

ESSA- European Sports Security Association

The European Sports Security Association (ESSA) was established in 2005 by the leading online sports book operators in Europe to monitor any irregular betting patterns or possible insider betting from within each since that time it has become a standard of good practice.RGA- Remote Gambling Association.

G4- Global Gambling Guidance Group

G4, the Global Gambling Guidance Group, aims to minimize the impact of problem gaming by promoting a worldwide accreditation programmed for the remote and e-gambling industry and operators. G4 is the brainchild of a group of international experts in the field who come from Australia, the Netherlands, U.K. and sweden is a prominent seal for all concerned casino operators.

CIGA- Curacao Internet Gaming Association

The Netherlands Antilles were previously called the Netherlands West Indies, the islands are a part of the Lesser Antilles a few hundred miles off the coast of Venezuela and SE of the British Virgin Islands, commonly called the BVI's.  The Netherlands Antilles constitutes an independently governed territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with an area of 800 sq km.

By heading off-shore, the e-gaming sector has been able to overcome the biggest obstacles in its path. Recently, the gaming industry has been dealing with rising costs and legislative restrictions particularly in its major market of the USA. But the help of off-shore countries like The Netherlands Antilles, It has been able to find its legal standing and run smoothly in the international e-gaming world.

Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles was one of the very 1st Independent offshore countries that has regulated e-gambling. The Antilles has a special European Union classification because of its membership in the Territory of the Netherlands. The regulatory arm and clearing house of the Curacao Gaming Commission is the Curacao Internet Gaming Association (CIGA) chartered in 2001. The CIGA controls 30 online-gaming houses. CIGA is also a member of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) signifying that it adheres to its strict regulations. Superior Casino is one of our listed casino that is working under a Curacao licenses.

The mission of the Curacao Internet Gaming Association (CIGA) is to:

• Provide an ongoing forum platform for it's members to discuss issues and common interests in the worldwide online gaming sector.
• To define honest online guidelines which establish user confidence in online services In the Netherlands Antilles.
• To serve as an information depository to the CGA, for consulting in ongoing legislation so as to be internationally competitive in the industry.
• Enhance, and protect the awareness and reputation of the Netherlands Antilles as a safe place for e-commerce.

All CIGA membership agree to the below tenants:

• To manage their company with an e-gaming license issued by the appropriate Curacao authorities.
• To keep a strict audit of all wagers for all customer.
• To avoid false or misleading advertising and marketing.
• To refuse wagering of persons under 18 years of age.
• To maintain the e-gaming systems open to independent, 3rd party review.
• To keep sufficient finances to pay all wagers on demand.

ARC- Antigua Regulatory Commission

The twin-island independent country called Antigua combined with Barbuda is probably the most dazzling gemstones within BWI. It is one hundred & seventy sq. kilometers in total. With one hundred and eight square kilometers making up Antigua while Barbuda is sixty two square kilometers.

Antigua and Barbuda’s intercontinental economical assistance sector was birthed by the ratification of the Int. Business Corporations Act CAP 222  in the early 80′s. Originally, the IBC Act was governed via the Ministry of Finance. By early 1990, the state’s monetary growth  had grown substantially and the government, stimulated from this development, needed to position the islands to be a leading overseas finance centre. The Commission is answerable to the legislation and direction of all companies licensed in the IBC Act. These establishments are subject to yearly analysis to assure they are complying with the regulations, polices and global criteria.

Annual on-site analysis consist of the examples below:

1. checking solvency
2. reviewing policies and processes which control operations;
3. critiquing normal and money laundering prevention central command techniques;
4. making sure compliance with suitable customer account administration guidelines;
5. confirming the compliance with globally accepted prudential requirements;
6. evaluating the quality of management;
7. confirming the accuracy of returns submitted to the Commission;
8. enforcing enhanced due diligence and KYC standards; and
9. determining whether detailed documents of purchases and customer documents are preserved.

In addition to on-site checks, there is continuous off-site discipline by means of an evaluation of quarterly returns and annual audited financial records, together with follow-up on recommended helpful actions.

AOGA- Antigua Offshore Gaming Association

The Antigua Online Gaming Association (AOGA) works as an association  to display the concerns in the remote games field approved and controlled by way of the island state of Antigua and Barbuda. The AOGA was initially established with two objectives:

The first being to developing an improved universal understanding of the virtual igaming industry situated in Antigua. The second objective is marketing the private igaming industry for the benefit of the Antiguan economy, Antiguan remote igaming operators and their worldwide consumers, as well as for the common health in all countries.

GRA- Gibraltar Regulatory Authority

Gibraltar is a peaceful country at the very southern tip of Europe whose harbors are sprinkled with every species of dolphin making way between the Atlantic breading grounds and the balmy Mediterranean sea. The Government of Gibraltar’s licensing arm is the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority empowered under the Gambling Ordinance 2005 but Gibraltar began offering licenses to online gaming sites in 1998. Many very good online casinos left England in the lat 1990′s before the heavy tax on betting establishments was repealed. These very fine casinos (such as Victor Chandler, Landbroks and more) are still calling Gibraltar their home today.

As the GRA  state on their web site at The GRA only issues remote gambling licences to companies with a track record of undisputed clarity and of high reputation.  From what I understand the liscences are not easy to obtain. As of 2008 there were only 28 online casinos that were able to acquire a license. To recieve a license for operating an online casino based in Gibraltar there are strict standards that must be met befor they will issue a license. Among these requirements are testing of the online casino’s gaming facilities by one of the following testing systems:

Approved Testing Facilities by Gibralatr Regulatory Authority

• Technical Systems Testing (TST) [
• eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA) [
• iTech Labs Australia (iTech) [
• Gaming Associates Pty Ltd [
• Gaming Laboratories International Europe B.V [

GPWA- Gambling Portal WebMasters Association

With over 5,000 members, the Gambling Portal Webmasters Association (GPWA) is strives at helping its members succeed in the online gaming industry and to stay honest. The GPWA was founded in 2001 to provide affiliate members with the means to collaborate with other online gaming affiliates in every country. It watches over ALL  Casino activity and their relationship to the affiliates and players to make sure that all are running reputable operations. The philosophy of the GPWA is to keep the reputation of the entire industry from player, threw the affiliate to the Casino Operators clean from bad management.

GH- Gambling Hispano

GamblingHispano surge como el primer emprendimiento en el mercado del juego hispano con el fin de establecer un punto de encuentro para el sector. Abarcando tanto a operadores online, como a webmasters y representantes de la industria física, nuestro objetivo en gamblinghispano es crear la primer comunidad del mundo de las apuestas en español, enfocándonos especialmente en Latinoamérica. Además de trabajar en diferentes sectores de afiliación como son Casino, Poker, Apuestas Deportivas, Skillgames y Bingo, GambingHispano llevará a cabo dos exclusivas ferias anuales dedicadas exclusivamente al mundo de las apuestas físicas y en línea, ampliando el alcance de nuestra comunidad virtual.

IBAS- Independent Betting Adjudication Service

When the players and or a client of an online casino and the administration of that casino have a dispute that is in deadlock  Independent Betting Adjudication Service acts as the impartial adjudicator.  The is a system that both the casino and the player have to agree to beforehand and abide by the moderators decision. The IBAS does not however rule on complex legal issues. The IBAS Panel is made up of betting experts who apply their special knowledge and experience to the raw facts while applying the casino’s  terms and conditions. During the procedure IBAS check that Casinos have complied by the Gambling Commission’s standards and also with the IBAS terms and conditions of registration that were agreed to by the operators of the casino.

IGC- Interactive Gaming Councel

The IGC, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in 1996 in the US, relocating to Vancouver, Canada, incorporating there in March 2000. The organization was established to provide a forum for interested parties to address issues and advance common interests in the global interactive gaming industry, to establish fair and responsible trade guidelines and practices that enhance consumer confidence in interactive gaming products and services, and to serve as the industry's public policy advocate and information clearinghouse. The IGC does what it has set out to do, and more.
IGC membership has increased significantly since being founded, drawing more and more attention from noteworthy industry groups to complement existing leading industry players. We have members from the U.S., the U.K., South Africa, Israel, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, Denmark and Sweden — to mention a the IGC has built a reputation for reliability, integrity and credibility through its high standards, and appeal to legitimate businesses. Affiliation with our association ensures that you have a trusted organization fighting for the promotion and enhancement of our industry, fighting for you when you need it and most importantly – with a collective voice.

NASDAQ OMX

The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc. is the world’s largest exchange company. It delivers trading, exchange technology and public company services across six continents, with approximately 3,700 listed companies. NASDAQ OMX offers multiple capital raising solutions to companies around the globe. NASDAQ OMX technology supports the operations of over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. NASDAQ OMX is number one geographically in major-worldwide listings, with approximately 3,700 companies in 50 countries representing $4.5 trillion in total market value.

PCI Security Standards Council

The PCI Security Standards Council is a public encompassing forum for the continual development, enhancement, storage, dissemination and implementation of security standards for financial data protection. Their mission is to raise standards for financial information security. This is accomplished by education and awareness of the PCI Security Standards. This organization was founded by the leading casino payment method providers, namely JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide, American Express, Discover Financial Services  and Visa, Inc.

RGA- Remote Gambling Association

The Remote Gambling Association became operational on 1st August 2005 as a result of a merger between the Association of Remote Gambling Operators (ARGO) and the Interactive Gaming, Gambling and Betting Association (IGGBA). The RGA represents most of the world’s largest licensed, and stock market-listed remote gambling companies and provides the industry with a single voice on all the issues of importance to regulators, legislators, and key decision makers around the world. The RGA is conserned with fair practice for all of its members. It is considered one of the best “self regulatory” tools in online gaming.

Westminister Licensing, UK

The City of Westminster Licensing Service is situated in the Council’s Premises Management Delivery Unit. The Service is responsible for a large range of licensing regimes including Premises and Personal licenses under the Licensing Act 2003, Street Trading (including street markets and tables and chairs), Gambling licenses and permits under the Gambling Act 2005, Sex Establishments and other general licensing regimes (including Pet Shops, Massage and Special Treatment, Poisons, Animal Boarding, Weighbridge Operators, Zoos, etc). This license is held by land based operations. So if an online firm is presenting this seal, you know they have a land based division operating within their jurisdiction of Westminster.

Online Security Systems

Verisign Secure

Verisign Secure means the data sent from and to the casino/player is secure, safe and confidential. Imagine sending mail through the postal system in a clear envelope. Anyone with access to it can see the data. If it looks valuable, they might take it or change it. An SSL Certificate establishes a private communication channel enabling encryption of the data during transmission. Encryption scrambles the data, essentially creating an envelope for message privacy. Vlic on the casinos symbol to check its current status.

Thawte- Verification of Identity

Thawte is a system that allows the player to verify he is not being fooled and is at the correct location. It is yet another method, other than encryption that ensure your data input is secure and the sensitive information is going to the correct company. Click the Thawte Trusted Site Seal on web pages in your secured domain to confirm the casinos identity. A seal verification page opens in a new browser window and shows the verified domain name; the certificate authority, which performed the authentication (Thawte); and the certificate's validity period.

Equifax Security Online

Equifax capacitates casinos and their players with facts they may depend upon. With a healthy culture of creativity and direction, they use their collected data, statistics and software to enhance the operation of the on-line casinos and also the activities of the players.
To reduce the impact of dupery in an internet casino or it’s gamers, Equifax brings into play methods to spot possible dupery before it takes place and determine it quickly as soon as it has been dedicated. Authentication of the internet business, along with the individuals connected to it online is critical. Also, supervising profiles will reveal warning flags which could reveal the likelihood of fraud already in progress. Equifax can help with both id verification in addition to dupery discovery. Moving a long way past simple documented files, Equifax integrates credit ranking, debt monthly payment history, business demographics and company integrity. Use of improved information and facts, can shed new light on credit worthiness, business stability, potential prospects and much more.

GEO Trust- SSL Certification

GeoTrust® is the world’s second largest digital certificate provider. More than 100,000 customers in over 150 countries trust GeoTrust to secure online transactions and conduct business over the Internet. Their range of digital certificate and trust products enable organizations of all sizes to maximize the security of their digital transactions cost-effectively. GeoTrust’s world-class SSL Certificates offer fast delivery enabling up to 256-bit SSL encryption, and include a range of GeoTrust® True Site Seals based on the level of identity verification. GeoTrust’s Signing Products represent the latest in next-generation technology for digitally signing applications, binding people and documents, and assuring code integrity to wireless platforms.

BotGuard online poker security

Botguard Online Poker Security Systems is owned and operated by ICU intelligence. ICU Intelligence provides software solutions for analytical CRM (Customer Relations Management) based on the latest research in the field of artificial intelligence. The main applications are detection and prediction of customer behavior such as fraud, churn rate or “VIP” potential. sales and marketing is headed up by Sara Larsson, +46 (0)706 – 37 89 39 in Gothenburg Sweden.

Since it’s impossible to watch the actual players at their computers, BotGuard finds Robot players based on their behaviour. Small behavioral quirks and i non-human irregularities are spotted and there by identifying the Robots and their owners.

Comodo Internet Security

Comodo Internet Security offers a wide range of services all pertaining to keeping your connection with the casinos secure, safe and private. They are the first online security company to offer a full line of 2048-bt SSL Certifications. They specialize in e-commerce security as well as online communication security. Their expertise will guaranty their clients have a bullet proof email communication line. Then in the casino cashiers sector they make handling all currencies as safe as cash at your local supermarket. Their lines of certification include:

• EV SSL Certificates
• PCI Scanning
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Visitor Ratings
• Comodo Anti Virus
• TrustConnect
• Comodo FireWall
• Comodo Secure Email

Player Care Groups

Gamblers Anonymous

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a gathering of men and women who stay in communication to share  experience, about how it feels to live in the world that is lonely and helpless.  The wold at the same time or a few minutes later can feel comforting and full. The hardest thing is to admit there is a problem. Once that step has been taken Gamblers Anonymous can keep like people together to help one another, day by day, to stay interested in the healthy things that life can be. There are no fees. The organization is sustained by voluntary donations. There are no rules regulations nor dogma of any kind. The premise is to give up and surrender yourself to the “It Doesn’t Matter”.

Gamecare

GameCare is a leading provider of social counseling in the UK for the help and prevention of a gambling problem. Gamcare believes in a non-judgmental approach to a face to face counseling effort. Gamcare keeps a 24/7/365 phone and online line open for a counseling emergency of any kind. If the casino is displaying the GamCare emblem, it means they have been certified by Gamcare. Being certified entails a long list of responsible policies and practices the casino must maintain in functional order.