Live dealer provider Evolution Gaming, which has offices in London, Malta and Stockholm and high tech Internet video-streaming studio facilities in Latvia, has become one of the first in its sector to achieve the high standards required for the eCOGRA Certified Live Dealer Seal.

The company is an acknowledged leader in its sector, and counts many major European Internet gambling operators among its clients, including 888, Bet-At-Home, Expekt, Gala Coral Group, Ladbrokes, PaddyPower, Party Gaming and Unibet.

Explaining the significance of the Certified Live Dealer Seal, eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said this week that the relevant eGAP or international best practice standards required had been specifically designed for the distinct nature of live dealer operations, in which live games are streamed over the Internet in real time from casino studio environments managed by pitbosses and staffed by croupiers.

"The genre differs from the more common and purely software-powered online casino concept in that it features live staff using real gambling devices and tables," said Beveridge. "This requires a very specific set of operating standards and requirements to ensure absolutely fair, safe and independent gaming in which both hardware and software systems are reviewed.

"Along with our usual tests for problem gambling and dispute facilities, we also look at anti-money laundering systems, staff training, operator probity, player information security, staff access to sensitive areas, the retention of video recordings of all sessions, collusion controls and overall game statistical performance on the roulette, baccarat and blackjack games offered."

Chartered Accountant Gareth Muirhead, who spent several days in Riga, Latvia conducting the review, said that his compliance plan had included the examination of both return-to-player and RNG elements, and ensuring that eCOGRA’s Total Gaming Transaction Review system was securely in place, continuously monitoring all gaming activity.

"Evolution Gaming operates a very tight ship, and the cooperation of chief operating officer Svante Liljevall and the technical and operational staff in Riga was outstanding," Muirhead wrote in his report to the Independent Directors controlling the issue of eCOGRA seals.

Congratulating the management and staff in Riga on achieving the eCOGRA accreditation, Evolution Gaming chief executive officer Jens von Bahr said: "As a company we have always tried to lead rather than follow, and I am delighted that you have been successful in satisfying a tough but very practical set of international best practice standards.

"This can only boost our confidence in the commercial arena, knowing we are among the first to successfully put our technology, systems and people to this type of rigorous test."

From April 1-4 Winner Online Casino is giving players special Easter themed bonuses.

In celebration of the upcoming Easter holidays, Winner Casino is offering an Easter themed casino promotion, with extraordinary Easter gifts.

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Get a taste of something new with more than 200 ways to win and over 20 new casino games to choose from!

BoDog Casino is proud to announce the addition of more than 20 new casino games to its already extensive offerings. With fun new slots and video poker games like China MegaWild Slots and Face The Ace Video Poker, alongside a slew of specialty games like Jackpot7 and Bingo Scratch, the Bodog.com Casino has something for everyone, across all limits, high and low.

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The award-winning 32Red Online Casino expands through the acquisition of Nedplay Casino, absorbing the player base and processing outstanding player payments.

32Red is today pleased to announce that Nedplay Casino becomes part of the award-winning gaming operator’s group of casinos. The acquisition of the Nedplay casino, including the player database, Internet domains and Intellectual Property by 32Red, means that players at the Nedplay casino now enjoy the same high level of service and support, and exciting promotions as players at the Company’s other two casinos, 32Red Casino and Dash Casino.

CEO of 32Red, Ed Ware, commented: "We are pleased to have the Nedplay Casino join our group and look forward to delivering the same high standards we apply across our existing operations to the Nedplay Casino".

The acquisition comes after the flagship casino, 32Red, following six years of successive Best Casino awards, is named Casino of the Decade by industry watchdog and player advocacy site, Casinomeister. Ware added:

"Nedplay players join 32Red at a time when our efforts over the past 7 years have accumulated in our receiving the first ever Casino of the Decade accolade. They can now look forward to the same award-winning service and online casino experience 32Red regulars have enjoyed since the casino’s launch in 2002."

The Nedplay brand continues for the time being with 32Red due to assess future plans over the coming weeks. Players with approved pending withdrawals that are outstanding should expect payment from 32Red shortly. Likewise any outstanding Affiliate Partner payments will be settled in the short-term.

32Red Plc – listed on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange (Ticker: TTR) – recently announced a positive end to trading in H2 2009, with gaming revenue up 19% on the first half of the same year and a 23% increase in player recruitment numbers from 2008. The addition of Nedplay will strengthen the company’s presence in the gaming sector for 2010 and is further positive news following the upbeat trading update.

Europe’s fastest growing payments provider announces a deal with award-winning online Casino and Poker room.

Realex Payments announced today that they have signed a deal with awardwinning gaming operator, 32Red, to support its card processing requirements.

32Red prides itself on delivering superior service to its players and wasrecently awarded Online Casino of the Decade. The Company needed to source anew payments partner who could meet the same level of service that theycommit to providing their customers.

Commenting on the deal, Pat Harrison, 32Red‘s Operations Director said "Realex Payments came to us with something different. The level of supportand proactive service they provide is what sets them apart". The deal involves Realex Payments providing payment processing for 32Red across a variety of products, currencies, regions and card types. This dealcomes less than a month after Realex Payments announced signing a deal with Cryptologic.

"Realex Payments has delivered an impressive, cost effective solution thatis both technologically superior and operationally advanced compared toanything else on the market. We see this partnership as long term and onethat will add value to our customers through improved hygiene factors suchas reliability, management information and service" Harrison concluded. Speaking about the deal, Realex Payments CEO and founder Colm Lyon said “Aswe grow our gaming portfolio it is important that we secure partnershipswith respected operators, such as 32Red. To be selected by 32Red ahead ofothers demonstrates our leadership and ability to deliver service ledbespoke payment solutions".