Interactive Gaming Council
About the
Interactive Gaming Council
The Interactive Gaming Council (IGC) is a not-for-profit
corporation organized under the Canadian incorporation
statutes with the primary purpose of providing information
and education concerning the interactive gaming industry.
The IGC's membership is made up of gaming operators,
software designers, and ancilliary support companies
located worldwide.
Mission Statement of the Interactive Gaming Council
It is the aim 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 clearing house.
IGC Members are dedicated to achieving these goals
and welcome your comments and support.
IGC Seal of Approval
One of the most important programs for operator members
of the IGC is the "Seal of Approval" (SOA)
program.
The Seal of Approval is designed to promote fair and
honest gaming practices with regard to interactive gaming
and wagering, and to promote the Internet as a trustworthy
environment for conducting business, communication and
entertainment activities, providing a formal dispute
resolution process. The Seal of Approval embodies many
of the key responsible gambling initiatives that are
becoming increasingly important - some would argue,
those elements that provide a competitive edge in an
increasingly competitive market.
Elements of the IGC Seal of Approval
- Honesty
- Regulatory Compliance
- Consumer Privacy
- Player Protection
- Player registration including name, residence and
age
- The ability to exclude a player
- Prohibition against credit betting
- Protection of player information
- The ability to track player transactions
- Problematic Player Controls prevent access by minors
and identify and curtail compulsive gamblers (including
links to services)
- Operating Rules and Regulations of Play - display
of complete operating rules, regulations and playing
guidelines, including procedures for recording and
awarding prizes
- Audit Trails - the ability to retain transaction
records for a one-year period
- Truth in Advertising
- Banking and Financial Transaction Processing - in
accordance with generally accepted standards of internationally
recognized financial institutions and Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles
- Prize Pay-outs and Account Balances - current payments
- Systems, Security and Back up of Systems.
Helping Hand Program
One of the goals of the Interactive Gaming Council
(IGC) is to promote responsible gambling. To assist
in this endeavor the IGC requires its members to adhere
to the IGC Code of Conduct and Responsible Gambling
Guidelines. The Helping Hand Program is designed to
assist both operators and consumers to proactively address
problem or compulsive gambling issues within the industry.
The IGC is not an expert on health care issues. Instead,
the IGC prefers to serve as a go-between to assist problem
gamblers and others to access existing products and
services and organizations with expertise that provides
support and information in the field of addiction.
The IGC & Responsible Gaming
For the majority of people, gambling is an exciting
and entertaining activity. As such, they make careful
decisions about the amount of time and money to be spent,
where to go and how to keep gambling entertaining. The
IGC website offers some tips on how to gamble responsibly:
Keep it fun:
- Balance gambling as entertainment with other forms
of leisure activities.
- Set a time limit for time spent gambling –
keep a balance in life.
- While gambling, take frequent breaks – keep
it recreational.
- Gamble for entertainment, not as a way to make money.
Manage your Money:
- Don't borrow money to gamble.
- Set a dollar amount to be spent and stick to it
- as with any form of entertainment.
- Only use discretionary income not money for everyday
expenses (if you can’t afford to lose it, don’t
play!).
Be Aware of Potential Problems:
- Do not 'chase' losses with the intent to win back
what has been lost. Accept the losses as the cost
of this form of entertainment.
- Be aware - the way you make decisions can change
during times of personal loss or depression.
- Don’t take time off from work to gamble.
- Don't consume (excessive) alcohol and gamble.
202-2678 West Broadway
Vancouver BC
Canada
http://www.igcouncil.org
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