OGA Principles and Ethics

The Online Gaming Alliance believes that fairness, trust and integrity are key factors in establishing long-term, satisfied players. OGA is committed to establishing standards and guidelines for fair and ethical business practices in the online gaming industry. As such, OGA members embrace the following principles:

• Legitimate Entertainment. Online gaming is a legitimate form of entertainment for mature, responsible adults. It's fun, exciting and combines the thrill of visiting a land-based gaming venue with a new level of convenience and privacy.



• Adult Activity. Real-money play is an adult activity not suitable for minors. OGA supports restricting access to real-money gaming based on legal age.



• Responsible Gaming. OGA endorses responsible gaming by players. OGA recommends that all gamers be aware of compulsive gambling and urges anyone who may have a problem to contact Gamblers Anonymous.



• Individual Choice. Individuals of legal age should have the ability to decide for themselves whether or not to engage in online gaming. OGA supports the notion of free choice in a fair and regulated online gaming industry.



• Regulation Helps Everyone. OGA believes a well regulated gaming industry benefits honest players and reputable game operators alike. OGA endorses the efforts of legislative bodies to regulate - rather than ban - online gaming for its citizens. In support of responsible regulation:



• OGA requires that all members operate under a legitimate gaming license from an approved jurisdiction,



• OGA encourages members and players to lobby their local governments for the rights of individuals to choose for themselves whether or not to play games online



• OGA encourages free, democratic governments - such as the United Kingdom - to establish sensible regulations for online gaming and put an end to senseless, counterproductive and ineffective prohibition.



• Fairness and Integrity. OGA requires that members operate their online games with the same honesty, fairness and integrity as the most reputable land-based casinos and poker rooms. This includes areas such as rules and odds, truth in advertising, self policing and prompt, courteous customer service.



• Winners Benefit Casinos. OGA recognizes that without winners, there would be no gaming industry - and the most successful gaming properties have the most winners. OGA members regard winners as good customers and a positive force for their online property.



• Fraud Hurts Everyone. Players who willfully defraud online gaming sites are not only stealing from the site but are also stealing from honest players - who end up getting less entertainment value for their gaming dollar. OGA members have a duty to employ every effort to detect, reduce, prevent and prosecute fraud.



• Player Deposits. OGA acknowledges that money legally and earnestly deposited by players into their personal gaming accounts belongs to them until and unless they wager it. It's their money, and they may withdraw it at any time.



• Financial Integrity. OGA asserts that gaming site operators have a fiduciary responsibility to keep players' deposits safe and secure, to remain fiscally solvent in order to safely and promptly complete all legitimate withdrawals and cashout requests, and to be circumspect in their financial operations.



• Data Integrity. OGA knows that the legitimacy and reputation of an online gaming site is founded on the integrity of its data. Gaming, financial, player and transactional information must be maintained securely and accurately, and must be available as a true record for settling disputes and for conducting audits by legitimate, authorized accounting firms, gaming commissions, government regulators, certification agencies and the Alliance itself.



• Communication. OGA believes maintaining good communication channels with players to handle information requests, manage accounts, provide customer service and settle disputes is essential. In order to facilitate good communication, players are encouraged to provide complete and accurate contact information.



• Privacy. OGA understands that one of the benefits of online gaming is individual privacy, and advocates a clear and comprehensive privacy policy for its members.