Gambling Affiliates Union is live!

[GamTrak]

Hi guys,

I'm sure most of you will by now be familiar with the Gambling Affiliate Union and what it intends to do, but for those of you who want to tell friends, find out more etc, here's our Gambling Affiliiate Union story.


Jon

Hi Jon,

Nice article! I wish this part could have been clarified a bit more, but it's all good.

The GAU emerged from the ashes of the Affiliate Union, a similar organisation that was cancelled ahead of launch due to infighting between its founder members, who include White and Bliss, as well as David Nikkelson, or ‘Aussie Dave’, Robin Kendrick (‘GamTrack’) and an affiliate named Peter whose surname is unconfirmed (Greek 39).

For the record there was no infighting and we all got along very well (I guess it was different for Dave), but IMO it was a good team.

Fact is, AussieDave closed shop after asking me to resign due to the fact that I had had a media buy with gambling wages (which could have been handled via email as I removed them shortly afterwards) as well as claiming that there was a conspiracy for those that appointed/approved of the founders to eventually take over or control the AU.

IMO he did not feel he could 'control' me and the others and being that he wanted full control as the decision maker instead of the founders voting (which worked well for us) he decided to kill the project before it launched.

Either way it was totally unfounded. While I do like Dave as a peer, he had this one wrong, but I'm not mad at him!

Just wanted to get the facts out there as I see them. BTW it's GamTrak without the c.

[Chips]

Best of luck and smooth sailing to you and your team Paul! I know the GAU is in good hands!

[JohnV]

Congratulations on taking the positive steps to get this up and running and good luck making it grow.

A couple constructive comments that I think might help assist you with your aim of being a transparent and trustworthy organisation.

- It would be good to see the personal details (to a reasonable extent) of those with hands on involvement in day to day running the GAU. I've had a look around the site, so excuse me if they are there, but I couldn't find them. Alongwith whatever personal details are deemed appropriate, it would also be useful if the same people declared any sites they own/operate.

- Does the GAU have any specific legal structure, or are the constituent parts owned by a single or range of people (domain, content, etc.)?

- What about any membership fees? Into whose or what account will they paid? As a member, I would ideally want to see these funds ring-fenced in their own account and simple accounts made available to the members showing a breakdown of income (fees, sponsorship, etc) and outgoings (staff wages, hosting, etc.).

John

[thepokerkeep]

- It would be good to see the personal details (to a reasonable extent) of those with hands on involvement in day to day running the GAU. I've had a look around the site, so excuse me if they are there, but I couldn't find them. Alongwith whatever personal details are deemed appropriate, it would also be useful if the same people declared any sites they own/operate.

I agree with this 100%.

As the third member of staff, along with Mojo and Chalkie, I have no problem disclosing my personal details on the site. In fact, I think it's an excellent idea.

Paul can officially consider this post as my permission to disclose whatever info he deems is appropriate. All my sites are listed in my signature - I have nothing to hide.

I'll defer to Paul to answer the remainder of your questions.

[Chalkie]

Congratulations on taking the positive steps to get this up and running and good luck making it grow.

A couple constructive comments that I think might help assist you with your aim of being a transparent and trustworthy organisation.

- It would be good to see the personal details (to a reasonable extent) of those with hands on involvement in day to day running the GAU. I've had a look around the site, so excuse me if they are there, but I couldn't find them. Alongwith whatever personal details are deemed appropriate, it would also be useful if the same people declared any sites they own/operate.

- Does the GAU have any specific legal structure, or are the constituent parts owned by a single or range of people (domain, content, etc.)?

- What about any membership fees? Into whose or what account will they paid? As a member, I would ideally want to see these funds ring-fenced in their own account and simple accounts made available to the members showing a breakdown of income (fees, sponsorship, etc) and outgoings (staff wages, hosting, etc.).

John

Thanks John, you have a group of very valid points there along with some excellent questions.

Firstly financials - We will be employing a strategy to ensure that funds are safe and protected and will also be using external auditing system which has yet to be put in place. All members will be allowed access to and sight of GAU accounts.

Ownership - I presently own the domain, however, the intention is to make the GAU an entity owned by the members.

Personal details - These will very soon be published on the GAU website.

[Muppet]

Congratulations on getting this thing off the ground.

I've not been part of a union before so maybe this is par for the course but I am struggling to understand why you are accepting affiliate program employees as members.

Presumably they may be asked to vote for/against themselves at some stage?

Is it not possible that members from affiliate programs could form an obstructionist voting block?

Isn't asking affiliate program employees for membership fees just another (tiny) form of financial compensation from the programs, which you specifically state that the union does not want?

[arkyt]

here's our Gambling Affiliiate Union story.

"has the support of GPWA founder Michael Corfman "

Michael was not the founder of the GPWA.

So the primary and/or sole purpose of this union is to provide "arbitration services" ?

I would figure a large majority of all issues should/could be able to be solved directly by the affiliate, just as most issues have been solved the last 8 years. What does that leave GAU to arbitrate?

What else does GAU intend to do aside from arbitration? If theres not much to arbitrate and thats the unions sole purpose - why is it needed?

[thepokerkeep]

What else does GAU intend to do aside from arbitration? If theres not much to arbitrate and thats the unions sole purpose - why is it needed?

From the GAU homepage...

The GAU will also aim to spearhead the fight for a legislated and regulated industry within the United States of America.


The Gambling Affiliates Union will fight alongside other similar organisations for fairness.


The Gambling Affiliates Union aims to unite gambling affiliates in to a force that will have a strong voice and enough power as a group to force a difference.


The Gambling Affiliate Union aims to bring the industry to a state where it is considered reliable and trustworthy for all involved.

The GAU will focus on the challenges that face Affiliates today including Term and Condition changes, Timely Payments, Tracking and Reporting, Praise and Appreciation, Ethical Accountability and other issues of importance.

[Anthony]

Looking forward to working together on issues that are important to affiliates.

[mojo]

Isn't asking affiliate program employees for membership fees just another (tiny) form of financial compensation from the programs, which you specifically state that the union does not want?

That is a good question Muppet and one I asked Chalkie myself. He should probably answer this but I will say from my understanding.

The idea to allow program managers is to not exclude them. We can't do this without them and to show proper respect, allowing them access is productive. The Affiliate Managers will be allowed a say, one vote.

If members feel that programs should not pay the minimal monthly fee, then they won't. Membership makes all decisions such as this.

Chalkie will be able to expand on this further. Thank you for asking.

[pgaming]

Knew I would gather the strength and say something despite my reservations. But first let me explain what my vision was for the AU/GAU.

Keep in mind these are my own thoughts and have never been discussed before. A board tailored for affiliates made by affiliates. Absolutely no AM’s, sponsors, advertisements, to minimize conflicts of interests.

The Union would be used as a last resort when all else fails regarding various kinds of theft affecting affiliates. This may encompass everything from content theft, rogue programs, domains, accounts recovery, etc… What I envisioned being different from what is currently out there being it the GPWA, GIA, AGD, CM, and many others is the approach.

The approach would provide a better-unbiased insight to some of the problems we affiliates face. We would work together from the back to the front. In other words, backend stuff, discovering certain truths that may be forbidden in the public scope. Transcending a better understanding and alleviating some mistrust, suspicions I assume we all share.

The AU/GAU would be a sanctuary for affiliates to speak freely, be equals, and be part of something very unique.

Will stop there but will add I had five very highly Knowledgeable technical experts to help out. Mojo may know of one of them my mentor, friend and teacher.

As for my last name well that will always remain ambiguous. I personally wish the GAU the best of luck! Do it and do it well!

greek39

[Chalkie]

I would figure a large majority of all issues should/could be able to be solved directly by the affiliate, just as most issues have been solved the last 8 years. What does that leave GAU to arbitrate?

Thanks for your comments and questions, most of which have been answered. I would like to add the following in support of the answers.

Yes affiliates can and do solve problems themselves, however, If 100 affiliates all had the same or similiar problem with a program then the GAU acting on members behalf would be very helpful and time saving for all. It may also alert the community to a widespread problem that may go unchecked even.

If we save time for the programs then they may be able to offer a better service in other ways, they may have more time to support you in other ways.

If most issues had been solved over the last 8 years then there would be no need for any organisation to fight rogues!

But have most issues been solved? In a numerical sense of course they have, however, in a financial sense then no they most certainly have not! If the amount of money that has been stolen from affiliates over the years was added up then how many digits would it be? This figure will only grow and if the GAU can help stem the growth, then the GAU is well worth having around.

[Chalkie]

Congratulations on getting this thing off the ground.

I've not been part of a union before so maybe this is par for the course but I am struggling to understand why you are accepting affiliate program employees as members.

Presumably they may be asked to vote for/against themselves at some stage?

Is it not possible that members from affiliate programs could form an obstructionist voting block?

Isn't asking affiliate program employees for membership fees just another (tiny) form of financial compensation from the programs, which you specifically state that the union does not want?

Thanks for your support and your questions. Without both the GAU would be nothing.

There are varied reasons for accepting program employees and owners in to the GAU.

1. Lots of program employees are also affiliates. Should they be denied our service and assistance?

2. By involving them we are not alienating them and also allowing us a connection for dialogue.

3. There are many programs that will support us in many ways, most programs are ethical and would be only too happy to see an industry clear of rogues and criminals.

We are of course, probably the only union to ever allow the owners membership, however, this is an unusual industry in many ways and for the reasons above we have chosen to do so.

Because it is 1 member 1 vote, although programs will be able to vote in cases involving themselves they are never going to make a difference to the result. There is also the possibility to deny programs a vote when they are subject to the vote.

With regards to programs working together in voting strategys within the GAU, affiliates will always easily out number programs so again there will be no issues.

Membership fees for the GAU are purely to allow the GAU to operate and as the fees from programs will be far outweighed by affiliate fees then i cannot see that this is an issue, although, if the membership was put to vote and it was agreed that fees were not to be taken from programs then we would implement the ruling.

[oc+]

QwertyCasino.com has joined! A very good idea and we look forward to being part of the union. Will need to get used to the wordpress thing though.

[thepokerkeep]

QwertyCasino.com has joined! A very good idea and we look forward to being part of the union. Will need to get used to the wordpress thing though.

Welcome aboard and thanks for joining us.
We can learn the wordpress thing together - it's all greek to me too. Although, so far it seems to be user friendly and fairly intuitive.

[oc+]

Great - have added to signature and placed an intro on our forum, feel free to add to the post. Am slightly confused as to the membership fee, it mentions it has not been totally agreed yet but could not find the section where one can make the subsripction payment, will this be done at a later date or can I assum it is my lack of wp knowledge?

[Chalkie]

Great - have added to signature and placed an intro on our forum, feel free to add to the post. Am slightly confused as to the membership fee, it mentions it has not been totally agreed yet but could not find the section where one can make the subsripction payment, will this be done at a later date or can I assum it is my lack of wp knowledge?

Thanks for your support and coverage.

From the 2nd para on the front page:

The Gambling Affiliates Union is offering for a short while free membership to all gambling affiliates. For free membership, all we ask is that you place our logo in a prominent position with a link back on to one or all of your websites.

There is presently no subscription due and this will be the case until further notice.

[Nandakishore]

Heartiest congrats to Paul and Paula!!

Have just registered and posted a logo on Online Casino Newsroom homepage. The GAU website looks very good. I would like to know more about the sponsorship. Then I can try to get one from the IT industry through my old contacts.


One last thing. There is some discussion going on about the membership of persons from the affiliate programs. I just want to say that I am absolutely in favour of such a membership. If GAU has plenty of affiliates as members they will have the majority vote, and if not, then GAU will have nothing to say anyway, with or without affiliate program members.

[lauferb]

I just joined (and added the nice eye icon to my avatar)
Anthony already said what I want to say so I'll just quote him:

Looking forward to working together on issues that are important to affiliates.

[lauferb]

I just notices an old thread in CAP forum that was closed long time ago...
In this thread people talked about the union issue and it's very interesting because some of the things came true, and some will hopefully not come true

The thread is here