text: I never thought the day would come in which a State run gambling monopoly sought out – yet alone, achieved – a “Safe and Fair” accreditation from eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA). Yes indeed folks, the day has come. French monopoly, Partouche, has achieved the highly sought after seal, which will soon be displayed on Partouche’s online casino betting site.
  In fact, the accreditation has been given to Partouche Technologies, which supplies the software for Partouche’s online gaming offering. Specifically, the accreditation applies to Partouche’s online casino platform. As soon as in-house development for an online poker platform is complete, Partouche says they will be seeking an eCOGRA certification in that area as well.
  The news of Partouche’s eCOGRA certification could be taken with mixed feelings, considering the fact that France’s regulatory laws are still protectionist in certain areas. However, having an established land-based casino operator seek an accreditation from an online-based player protection body is a great boost to the credibility of the online gambling industry as a whole, and eCOGRA in particular.
  While the online gambling industry certainly has eCOGRA to be thankful for in fostering high responsible gaming standards and transparency, eCOGRA would not even be what it is were it not for Microgaming Software and the host of online casinos, poker rooms, and to a lesser extent – sportsbooks and bingo rooms – that have answered the calling of fostering player trust and achieving the eCOGRA accreditation, which is no easy task, mind you.
  In other words, for Partouche to ride off the credibility of eCOGRA, while still blocking other online casino operators (even some that are eCOGRA approved) from doing business with French citizens, would be a real shame.