Cereus software receives eCOGRA accreditation

The Cereus Poker Network, home of leading online poker sites AbsolutePoker.com and UB.com, has received the Certified Software accreditation seal from independent player protection and standards organisation eCommerce And Online Gaming Regulation And Assurance (eCOGRA).

Kahnawake-licensed Cereus is owned and operated by Tokwiro Enterprises and determined that there should never again be a repeat of the issues that resulted in it having to pay out millions to disadvantaged players.

As a result, the operator tasked its poker and back-end software provider, Seoul-based Quad Dimensions, to come up with key product developments and security improvements to protect players and enhance the overall gaming experience.

“Cereus management’s commitment to compliance, specifically player safety, facilitated an efficient review and certification process,” said Sean Roberts, Compliance Manager at the London offices of eCOGRA.

“The active measures taken, in light of events that impacted players, coupled with an impressive range of additional mitigating controls that have since been implemented, have contributed to the Cereus online poker network’s software reaching the standards we require for software accreditation.”

eCOGRA stated that it conducted a rigorous on-site review earlier this year encompassing every aspect of Cereus’ software development activities and found that the network met its Generally Accepted Practices, which are a set of industry best practice operational and management requirements.

“Doing everything possible to reassure the poker community that our operation and software are completely safe and secure is a priority for us,” said Paul Leggett, Chief Operating Officer for Tokwiro.

“This is why we decided to work with eCOGRA and apply for the Certified Software accreditation seal. Its inspection team was extraordinarily thorough, looking at a wide range of elements in our software.

“We are proud that our product passed the tough requirements to achieve this important accreditation. We have learned a great deal from eCOGRA and we respect and support its ongoing efforts to make the online poker industry more accountable.”

Andrew Beveridge, Chief Executive Officer for eCOGRA, revealed that his organisation had been continuous monitoring the online poker network's random number generator and game results for the past year through the group’s proprietary Total Gaming Transaction Review. This process analyses every live gaming transaction to ensure fairness of the cards dealt and also includes comprehensive controls to verify the completeness and accuracy of the data used in the monthly evaluation.

“Cereus management's complete cooperation and commitment to an in-depth inspection and monitoring process involving the network's transaction records and its software has been remarkable,” said Beveridge.

“Going forward, we are confident that the network's adherence to our standards and best business practice requirements will prevent any reoccurrence of the unfortunate incidents of the past.”