Please excuse the fact that I am only going to cover basic facts in this post and try not to give opinion or speculation. This is a delicate situation, as you can imagine, and I know that Michael is reading all the posts on many forums before writing a reply. Below is the events in order that I was witness to personally.
I arrived at the convention about mid-day and witnessed Steven outside the event with security speaking to him. He was obviously upset. I listened as they told him he could re-enter the hotel via the commons area in the lobby, but not return to the event.
After security left, Steven informed me that they had escorted him out of the CAP Event, even though had been registered in advance and was wearing his wrist band and a badge which granted him access.
Steven did as they instructed and walked around the building to the lobby entrance, and we had a day of meetings without ever going near the entrance to the CAP Event. It should be noted that the GPWA also had a paid room in this hotel.
Many hours past without incident, until I was speaking with Dom's assistant, Donna, in the hotel lobby. I personally witnessed Steven being "escorted" from the lobby in front of hundreds of stunned people. There were 4 security officers: 2 had Steven's arms pinned back in a "chicken wing" type of submission hold with his head forced forward. 2 more officers followed to keep people away. Steven was obviously in pain and loudly telling them they were hurting him, but they continued to push him toward the elevators at a very quick pace.
I immediately pulled out my camera phone and attempted to get some photos. One photo on my phone is not too bad, but the other two do not capture Steven at all, only the officers. They pressed Steven to an elevator face first, leaning on him with their weight to "force compliance" (although Steven never resisted) before pushing him into the elevator when it opened.
Dominique and Affiliate Manager Roman from Intertops were shouting at the officers to stop being so rough. Dom was obviously upset, and Roman was yelling that this was supposed to be a civilized country. The doors shut and Steven disappeared with the 4 officers, alone. He was being thrown out of the hotel... not just the Cap Event (We were later told by a reliable source that both of the ejections were personally ordered by Lou Fabiano). I was already calling Michael.
Michael was down within a few moments and was taken by security to meet with someone inside the event. From other statements I assume this was Warren Jolly, Lou's partner, and Alex Pratt, event organizer. I followed them as far as I could but had to stop when they entered the event.
I stood there for a few moments, not sure what to do... where Steven or Michael were... wondering if Rebecca had seen any of this. It was then that Lou Fabiano walked up behind me and things got even worse.
I turned and saw him starring at me. It was obvious he was furious. He said: "YOU ACTUALLY F---ING CAME TO MYEVENT???" I looked around to see if he had anyone with him that I hadn't noticed yet... he did not. I said, "Yea, obviously I did."
Lou then said: "Let's step outside and talk about this." I was puzzled, as there were numerous conference rooms. The thought of a fist fight was far from my mind because that's just absurd. So I said, "What?"
Lou said again: "Let's go outside --- me and you --- and settle this like men!". Absolutely stunned, my reply was, "Are you sure you want to do that?". He said he was damn sure. I said OK.
Now, at this point I wish to make it clear that I was still totally perplexed. It was hard to wrap my mind around the fact that Lou Fabiano, President of CAP, was truly challenging me to a fist fight. I was not angry. I did not shout. I did not curse. I had no intention of throwing a blow at all. In the back of my head for some reason, I was still not 100% certain he actually wanted to physically fight.
Hindsight what it is, I now fully realize the man was totally serious. Had I gone outside with him, I don't believe I would have actually gotten into a real fight. I am fairly agile and think I could have avoided an assault by Mr Fabiano who --- most likely --- would not have lasted very long before he tired or someone broke it up.
However, I was walking outside with him when another affiliate manager, Shay from Rummy Royal, stepped in. Having witnessed the whole exchange, and having known me for several years, Shay said:"J Todd, as your friend I am telling you that you are not going outside with him." The reality soon hit me. I thanked him for caring and having the courage to step in. I stopped and started to walk away.
Lou, however, wasn't done. He began to taunt me and shout across the lobby until Shay was able to calm him down as well. Lou just starred at me like he wanted to rip my soul out. I also have a picture of that on my phone (yea, I was calm enough to snap another picture! LOL!).
The whole thing was a disgusting mess. It's been my job to report on the recent events of this industry, and that has hit Lou and Warren hard. And even though Michael and I have told the truth, reported facts, and done what we felt was best for the industry it's still very upsetting for me to be a part of something which --- on the surface --- seems to be detrimental for us.
I am deeply saddened and very embarrassed to have been involved in something like this. I am sorry if anyone feels I acted incorrectly, and I hope you all forgive me if you feel that I've contributed to something that has hurt online gaming.
Warren had no part in these antics. Alex Pratt was wonderful and did his damn best to prevent these things from taking place. But I don't think anyone could have predicted that Lou would act in a way that seems to demonstrate a serious lack of judgment and common sense.
I assure you, I realize the seriousness of this...
I am sorry to hear how roughly Steve was treated.
I'm also sorry to learn that such a scene happened in an industry event!
But...am I the only one LMAO here? It's so very bizarre! LMAO!
Holy shit!
p.s. Jtodd, from all accounts you behaved like a gentleman.
I am under the impression is too serious to actually be funny - I think a lot of us are emotionally involved in this whole thing (some more than others) - but I have thought about it a lot today. And I go through all sorts of feelings. When I put myself in Stevens shoes it is absolutely not funny.
I am shocked about the original allegations with EM running these programs and the same people running CAP. Too me it appears to be pretty deceptive behavior to people who thought they were at somewhat of an affiliate community that in part was there to help affiliates who were having problems with a program.
We always refered to it to "crossing to the dark side" - when you couldn't be a member of the private forums at GPWA , etc , if I remember correctly. Because everyone knew we didn't want the operators know what we were discussing. (because it was usually them) ..
Many online gambling analysts and industry insiders are warning CAP, GPWA, Gambling911, JTodd, and other angry affiliates to not let the CAP scandals and rogue poker room fiasco get out of control. We strongly disagree. Let the fire burn, we say.
These so-called experts worry that outside sources, like Focus on the Family, or politicians who vehemently denounce all forms of gambling (except of course for bingo, horse racing, and the lottery), will use the current situation to prove of the corruption within the industry. They may say the industry is run 'mafioso style'. They may say the industry is in chaos. They may say lots of things, but one thing they cannot say is that the industry sits back and does nothing when corruption is revealed.
If the world is watching, let them, we say, our true colors are showing through, and they reveal a strong hatred for corruption and monopolies...
And if analysts want to use the past week's craziness against us, show them this article and they may realize that this is a time for the online gambling industry to rejoice in its strength, not fear for its weaknesses.
meh that story is just taking a few comments here and there from PAL and elsewhere and spinning it into something bigger than what was said. I dont think any of the main stream media would really care tbh. I mean look at the AB stuff and how far that had to go before they actually picked it up.
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not let the CAP scandals and rogue poker room fiasco get out of control. We strongly disagree. Let the fire burn, we say
That bothers me. Why do they want it to continue? more stories to write about.
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Many online gambling analysts and industry insiders are warning CAP, GPWA, Gambling911, JTodd, and other angry affiliates to not let the CAP scandals and rogue poker room fiasco get out of control. We strongly disagree. Let the fire burn, we say.
I for one agree to let it burn and if needed, add more fuel to the fire. I actually have not commented on any of this situation because of what I thought regarding its affect on me as a small time affiliate. After thinking longer about the situation I have come to feel that it affects every single one of us affiliates in the industry. With the lack of trust for some affiliate programs during this time its unthinkable that something like this issue would arise. But it has and should be dealt with until it is fixed.
The question of whether CAP has a serious interest in "Cardspike" should be made public in the opinion of most affiliates including myself. Those affiliates who think the issue should have been solved behind closed doors are simply wrong and are not familiar as what these sites ( GPWA / CAP ) are suppose to stand for. The reason for the forums is to deal with issues in public or whats the point of having them.
Im pretty sure the reason for the "fight" at CAP Convention is because "Lou' was still ticked off about the whole situation and the fact that the company he represents has been caught in one of the biggets scams this industry has seen in years. You know how angry people get when they get caught doing something wrong. Its a natural defensive reaction.
This CAP meetings was a perfect opourtunity for gpwa / apcw / cap to get together and talk like civil human beings but of course they did not according to the statment made in this forum and CAP. It would appear ( according to the accusations ) that CAP believes themselves to be too big in the industry to sit down and chat like real men. Instead Lou decided to pick a fight. Shame on you Lou and this just added to the facts against you and CAP.
As a betting man, I am willing to bet this has made many affiliate programs reconsider their situation with CAP. Of course now the cost of a CAP badge will probably drop considerably. What program would want to be represented by a program that would have one of its leaders sink to such low levels as to call out someone like J TODD thats has done so much for this industy.
affiliates in my opinion really need to consider some of the facts when considering requesting help from such a program as CAP and its a crying shame because as I know they have helped many affiliates over the years.
What would solve the actual issue? I believe most would agree that full discloure would seriously help. An apoligy from the staff involved from CAP would definitly help as well. If the facts posted are true its about time they do but can also see why they wouldnt, full discloure would cause a serious decrease in cap earnings in a very short period.
Its time to give it up, admit you did wrong and deal with the "Consequences"
instead of causing more problems by being stuborn, imature and causing fights. Grow up !
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Let's go outside --- me and you --- and settle this like men!
LOL for real?
Chris
ps GFPC & CASINOBONUSGUY I also live in Toronto if any of you would like to get together. You can add me to msn as well, brewman20@hotmail.com is my live chat msn name.
The fact that violence was implied, threatened or whatever is absolutely disgusting, i cannot stand violence in any form and to think it has taken place at an industry event defies belief.
Now an actual physical confrontation may have not have taken place but just to offer it up is enough.
I spent last weekend on here trying to explain how this cardspike/CAP/GPWA was doing no one any good whoever was to blame and now look what has happened.
It makes no difference to the image of this industry who was to blame or the causes etc but if anyone thinks that the people that run gambling casinos/poker/sportsbooks will be impressed by this ongoing feud then i am sorry you are misguided.
How the hell did anyone expect CAP to react?
Why GPWA turned up is beyond me, it was always going to wind up CAP massively and you must have known this, its provocation nothing less and yes i expect a flaming response, but sorry it was, whether GPWA is right in ALL that it is done is beside the point, if you run a campaign as GPWA have done against CAP and then turn up at their event, well what can i say.
CAP for its part are by far the worse here, their behaviour is not how business men should behave, they have lowered their image terribly and i have already spoken with some of my friends that attended the event and they have told me they simply cannot be associated with CAP, cannot blame them.
I stand by my previous comments about GPWA investigating CAP, its all there to be read, but this behaviour by CAP is repugnant.
I offered my opinion that a mediator should be in place to sort this CAP GPWA feud but now i dont think that is a good idea.
GPWA should rise above this now, if you continue to get involved with CAP at events or in feuds you will only get dragged down with them, they seem to be on a self destruct mode, stay clearb of it, just not worth it anymore.
As for security cards and someones comment about thinking that England was a civilised country, get real it is, security guards all over the world take no chances and remove people by force, its their job and to brand the UK as uncivilised because of this is stupid.
I mean security guards getting heavy, was that really a surprise?
And if they were too heavy, report it to the police, they will act if a crime has been commited
But come on this is now well out of hand and CAP may well be getting damaged big time by this and probably rightfully so, but be careful GPWA that you dont get smeared, step away chaps for your own image and reputation, allow others like casinomeister forum, gambling911, blogs and whatever to continue the fight, youve done your bit, let others carry that torch.
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Did anyone every say or imply in anyway that you were involved? I must have missed that.
These were rumors at the conference and people came up to me asking. I figured they would filter down eventually to the forums. There are a lot more weird rumors out there and I wanted just facts to be discussed.
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