eCOGRA speaks up against Gambling Federation
March 11, 2005
The Gambling Federation malware issue is still the subject of
heated discussion among online players after a gambler discovered
blocking malware within a standard GFED casino software he had downloaded
to his computer some three weeks ago. IT specialists in the player
community assisted in isolating and identifying the malware, and
other players warned by this found that their GFED downloads had
also included the hostile element.
Leading gambling portals took up the issue and GFED issued a contrite
admission through both its PR manager, and later its CEO Flaviano
Fogli. Fogli issued a guide for the removal of the malware and publicly
admitted that it had been an ill-advised practice.
For some weeks there have been calls for the trade associations
to which GFED belongs to make a statement, but nothing has appeared.
This week, the regulator eCOGRA issued a public statement on the
issue, which follows:
Andrew Beveridge, Chief Executive of the international regulatory
body eCOGRA spoke out today on the recent discovery that the Gambling
Federation Group software download had for some months included
a covert element of malicious software (malware) designed to block
users from the sites of competitors.
"eCOGRA believes it is the responsibility of every organization
that represents the interests of the online gaming industry and
its players to send a strong signal that the use of this sort of
tactic is unethical, dishonest and totally unacceptable to any responsible
business." he said.
"Including malware in a download to a player's computer
without his knowledge goes far beyond the routine inclusion of harmless
advertisement tracking or log on recognition "cookies"
and must be discouraged in the strongest possible terms in both
the interests of the players and the poor perceptions of the industry
that it creates.
"Trade organizations have been rightly criticized by the player
community for their lack of action resulting from the GFED debacle.
At eCOGRA, we're already vigilant in ensuring that this sort of
practice does not happen at any of our sealed casinos".
Beveridge emphasized that in the case of an eCOGRA Seal casino,
there is little likelihood of this kind of situation arising due
to enforced policies on management and financial probity verification,
in-depth inspection of all operational aspects of an applicant,
subsequent ongoing monitoring and review and detailed and specific
regulations with which eCOGRA Seal casinos are required to comply.
"In the event that an operator is found to be in contravention
of any of the eGAP requirements, this is reported to the compliance
committee." Beveridge revealed. "If there
are no relevant mitigating circumstances, the committee should not
hesitate to withdraw the Seal. eCOGRA's structure, staffing and
policies and procedures has been very carefully constituted to provide
for effective self-regulation. Any member or approved operator that
does not comply with the organization's detailed standards effectively
undermines the core values and purpose of the initiative, and simply
cannot be tolerated," he said.
As we went to press, iGGBA head Wes Himes said, "I have
only just been made aware of this issue and it deeply concerns me.
To reassure you, I have taken this issue to our Council and we shall
be taking action on an agreed basis sometime soon. I can not speak
more about this as it would preclude the options the Council may
take, but rest assured we will be addressing this issue as soon
as possible."
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