Many people are suspicious about online casinos and the software they use. How do you as a player know that when you play at a casino, the results are legitimate? As a player, you need to be certain that the software used by the online casino, and the casino payout percentage it claims is legitimate.
There are essentially three organizations that perform independent audits in the online casino industry. They issue certificates that let you know that an online casino is trustworthy, practices fair gaming and the casino payout percentage has been verified and is correct. This audit ensures that a online casino is fair and secure.
The three organizations performing independent audits are: (Click on the links below for more information on each authority)
eCogra. eCOGRA (e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) is an independent body that provides vital protection to online casino players. It verifies that online casino operators are honest, the games the promote are fair, player money deposited is safe and winning bets are paid timeously. eCOGRA accepts applications for membership by internet gambling software suppliers who share its vision of fair and responsible online gaming. The eCOGRA Board will only grant membership to those suppliers whom the Audit Panel approves and are found by the Board to have the highest level of integrity and are able to comply with eCOGRA's Generally Accepted Practices.
OPA (Online Players Association) Payout Percentage Verification Service. The OPA is the largest internet gaming watchdog in the world. The OPA has offered this service, since May 2002, to any OPA Approved Casino who wishes to have its casino payout percentage independently verified by the OPA's accountancy team. The OPA requires the casino to make available its entire gaming logs for each casino. These logs are scrutinized and a certificate is eventually awarded.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Statutory Audit. PwC conducts an independent audit of online casinos to ensure they comply with statutory or regulatory requirements. The PwC statutory audit verifies the truth and fairness of an online casino's financial information; provides advice on controls and system or processing weaknesses; confirms the accounting treatments applied to complex transactions; and specifically addresses any other regulatory reporting requirements.
