Bulgaria accepts eCOGRA as an independent testing agency

The independent online gambling testing and monitoring company eCOGRA has been accredited by the Bulgarian State Gambling Commission (SGC) as an acceptable testing laboratory for aspiring online casino, sports betting and poker operators looking to enter the Bulgarian market.

eCOGRA submitted to the SGC’s stringent assessment and accreditation program in order to meet demand from operators keen on serving Bulgarian gamblers after the country’s government reduced taxation from 15 percent on turnover to 20 percent on gross gaming revenue.

The Commission granted authorisation to eCOGRA on 21 January at its first meeting of 2014, allowing the company as an independent third party to conduct tests of gaming and gambling software communication equipment of aspiring licensees.

eCOGRA was comfortably able to comply with the SGC’s strict requirements for testing laboratories, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and the ability to demonstrate complete independence from any software supplier and operator.

Tex Rees, a director of the UK-based company, said: “Our application followed interest expressed by some of the industry’s leading software suppliers and operators who are clients of eCOGRA and are now expressing interest in obtaining a Bulgarian licence.

“This followed the change by the Bulgarian government to a tax based on gross gaming revenue, and strict but more practical technical and other operating requirements.”

Over 200 of the most established and successful internet gambling websites are accredited and policed by the independent, London-based company, which is staffed by professional auditors with Big 4 auditing firm experience, information system experts and responsible gambling specialists.

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