In an attempt to assist European regulatory regimes in designing technical standards for online gambling sites, the London-based Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has issued its own preferred set of technical guidelines.
The RGA is a London-based organization representing 29 of the largest European online gambling firms. RGA members include 888, bwin.party, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Playtech, Microgaming, WIlliam Hill, PaddyPower and other prominent European concerns.
The technical standards in general can be described as an attempt to ensure the integrity of the business/customer relationship, braced in business-friendly terms. Among the talking points included are the following:
- Helping establish a wider regulatory framework encompassing societal standards, market dynamics and consumer experiences;
- Providing for cross-platform conformity;
- Ensuring clear differentiation between betting (bookmaking) and gaming products;
- Creating online-gambling standards that are “auditable” and provide “fair and safe betting and gaming.”
RGA CEO Clive Hawkswood noted in a release that uniform technical standards would benefit both regulatory regimes and RGA member companies, but he insisted that the issuing of the preferred guidelines should in no way be construed as a call for self-regulation by RGA member firms.
