Demand for eCOGRA Mediation Services

eCOGRA, the e-Commerce Online Gambling Regulation and Assurance organization, recorded a 10% increase in demand for mediation services from players in 2009, the company reports.

The independent standards authority received a total of 826 disputes to mediate via its online player facility, including 83 disputes from non-eCOGRA operators.

Overall, the company appeared to handle disputes fairly - of 628 issues by its Fair Gaming Advocate Tex Rees, 48% of those disputes were settled in favor of the player. The other disputes were deemed invalid because they were anonymous, non-specific or abusive.

"The average number of valid disputes handled per week was 12.07, slightly up on the 2008 number of 10.6%," Rees said. "Taken over a total of 141 ‘Safe and Fair' seal websites, that amounts to an average of 0.37 issues per site per month, a minute increase over the 2008 number of 0.36."

Cash-ins provided the most cause for dispute, figuring in 46% of the submissions, ahead of bonus related, 22%, locked account, 19%, and another 13% related to responsible gambling, queries on sports betting, software enquiries and spam.

Online Casino Reports proudly stands alongside eCOGRA abiding for safe, certified and fair gaming.