Data Released by eCOGRA Shows Online Gambling Dispute Statistics

Gambling News - January 29th, 2010 - Written By Glen

The e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance group, the leading authority on safe online gambling, has released the data surrounding disputes and settlements surrounding the eCOGRA certified gambling sites.

According to the press release supplied by eCOGRA, 826 disputes were filed through the eCOGRA player's portal. This is a 10% increase over the year of 2008, which equates to 83 additional dispute claims. However, 83 disputes from the 2009 year were submitted to complain about non-eCOGRA operators, over which the group does not hold influence.

On top of the 83 disputes over Online Gambling sites that do not hold the eCOGRA seal, and thus invalid claims, an additional 115 submissions were deemed invalid due to anonymous plaintiffs, non-specific claims, or derisively abuse accusations. This leaves only 628 cases in which eCOGRA had to actually mediate.

Of these 628 cases, 303, or 48%, ruled in favor of the player.

The exact statistics on the main causes for the disputes were listed as follows. Cashing in chips were the most common dispute claim, totaling at 46% of all disputes. Claims over bonuses accounted for 22% of all disputes and claims. Frozen accounts had accounted for 19%, while all other issues covered 13% of the issues.

According to Tex Rees, the Fair Gaming Advocate, "Issues regarding responsible gambling, queries on sportsbetting, software enquiries, and spam" account for the 'other' percentage.

"The hierarchy of disputes remains the same as it was in 2008, although the percentages differ slightly. Once again I found operators quick to respond and fullt cooperative in addressing the mediated disputes," finished Rees.