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Year in Review:

The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) is the leading international trade association committed to the advancement of the interactive gambling industry. While any year in review brings memories of various ups and downs, the IGC has had a tremendous year, by any standards, with the establishment of its head office in Vancouver, Canada being at the forefront.

Many governments, most notably the United States, are currently debating an appropriate response to the spectacular growth of the Internet gaming industry. While some officials are advocating for an outright ban, the IGC has been actively promoting a more sensible solution: regulation. The year 2000 has seen IGC representatives testifying on the pros and cons of Internet gaming before two important bodies, the Nevada Gaming Control Commission and the New Jersey General Assembly Commerce, Tourism, Gaming and Military and Veteran's Affairs Committee, during full-day hearings in Las Vegas and Trenton, respectively. In addition IGC representatives have appeared on a panel at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States summer forum, and met with members of the National Council of State Legislators as well as international regulators following the meeting of the International Association of Gaming Regulators held in Venice this fall.

As an international association, IGC educational efforts have not been confined to the United States inspite of the fact that the US still comprises the largest portion of the consumer base for the industry. The IGC has been proactive throughout the international Internet gaming industry, providing written testimony to the Gambling Review Body in the U.K. and keeping abreast with developments Down Under.

In addition to its educational efforts, the IGC has also made important strides in establishing key programs of benefit to the interactive gambling community; most notable in the launch of the IGC Seal of Approval (SoA) program and Citadel, a fraud detection database.

Seal of Approval (SoA)

While the actual philosophies behind the SoA have been a subject of discussion among members for some time, the goals of the program have remained constant: to promote the integrity of gaming operators; increase consumer confidence with interactive gambling experiences; maintain fair and honest gambling practices; and provide both operators and players with a mediated dispute resolution process.

VIPsports.com and the Sunny Group (click on the Members “link” at the top of the page to view the respective sites of Members) are the first IGC members to acquire membership in the SoA program. Successful SoA applicants (indicated by a SoA logo against their name on the Members Page and on their home page) agree to a higher level of commitment to provide fair and honest gambling environments and maintain business practices in compliance with SoA policies.

Year in Review (Cont.):

Citadel

An important decision for Internet gaming operators is vetting fraudulent transactions and possibly excluding a particular category of player. In response to the growing need for an automated Risk Management Database, the IGC, in conjunction with industry experts, secured the services of eSuccess to develop Citadel, an industry-wide fraud detection and screening service (the first of its kind) and offers universal access to all operators. More information can be found at http://www.esuccess.ca/product/citadel.html.

Lastly, and by no means least, an association the likes of the IGC is only as strong as its membership. The IGC has experienced tremendous growth in its membership this year with the number increasing from 75 to over 100, and there are still 2 months to go. The IGC Board, Executive Committee and Executive Director gratefully acknowledges and thanks its members for their support over the year. This is clearly a testimonial to the maturity of the industry and the interest in member companies speaking with a single voice as they build a solid base around the world.

Thank you and we look forward to serving the membership and public in the coming year.

Latest News:

Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) Implements Seal of Approval Program

The Interactive Gaming Council Canada (IGC) today announced the commencement of “live” operations for a new program, known as the “Seal of Approval” program, that will allow Internet gaming operators to acknowledge, and display in a visible manner, their support for fair, honest, and responsible gaming.

Have a Complaint?

Members of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) have all agreed to abide by the IGC's Code of Conduct. If you feel that a member operator has treated you unfairly, or you have tried to resolve a problem without success, please tell us about it by completing our Consumer Complaint form. Our mediation department will look into the matter and try to help get it resolved.

Mission:

It is the mission of the Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) to:

Provide a forum for interested parties to address issues and advance common interests in the global interactive gaming industry;
To establish fair and responsible trade guidelines and practices that enhance consumer confidence in interactive gaming products and services; and
To serve as the industry’s public policy advocate and information clearinghouse.

IGC Members are dedicated to achieving the goals implicit in this mission and welcome your comments and support.

Have an Opinion or Comment:

The IGC is an ever evolving institution that is constantly seeking input from its members as well as the public on the issues facing the gaming industry. The public is invited to express opinions regarding any member and issue. If you wish to submit your opinion or make a comment, we welcome you to do so by writing to us at .

Code of Conduct:

As a vehicle to achieving part of its stated mission, the Interactive Gaming Council has established a Code of Conduct as a voluntary standard to which the membership has agreed adhere. The Code is available to the public for review.

Log on For Choice:

The campaign, sponsored by the Internet Consumers Choice Coalition, allows U.S. pro-freedom individuals to contact their Members of Congress via the World Wide Web urging them to preserve the freedom of the internet, and your rights to gamble online. Click on the logo and then send your prewritten letter to your Member of Congress or Compose your own.

Seal of Approval:

In an effort to assist the public in recognizing interactive gaming operators who meet the IGC standards for fair and responsible practices, the IGC is developing a Seal of Approval program. Check back for our announcement of the inauguration of the program and those operators who are participating.

Q's & A's On Internet Gaming:

Can internet gambling be prohibited?
What are the collateral effects of the Kyl prohibition on Internet gaming?
See IGC's answers to those and eight other hot questions about Internet gaming.

The Helping Hand:

The Interactive Gaming Council is committed to a goal of promoting Responsible Gaming. It has launched a Helping Hand campaign to assist internet players determine if they have a problem and learn where they can obtain help.

IGC members:

Follow the link to our Members Page for a List of current members of the IGC.

If you or your organization is not a member but would like to help promote the IGC mission, join now. Simply complete the easy-to-use online membership application.

Members forum:

Forums, draft proposals minutes etc open to members only. If you are a member click here to enter.