Affilite sites vs US crazyness

[casinopt]

The federal agents going hunting the operators and not affiliate sites. But affiliate sites must have a terms on your site to explain that your site not accept bets and is for information only.

[StevenC]

Hi All,

Thx for the great discussion, i see a lot of discussion is being done. But does anybody know, if by LAW its illegal to send US players who are interested in Gambling to companies who except US traffic? And what can they do, if the .com domain is on a US server?

thx

[Webzcas]

Good response by Baldidiot, not so much of an idiot LOL

My company is in the UK as am I. The majority of my sites are hosted on my dedicated server with a UK hosting company based in London, England. My .co.uk sites in the main promote white listed programs, but there are a couple of exceptions.

The fact of the matter is, the UK govt would not act like the DOJ. The initial worst case scenario is a slap on the wrist by the ASA. However, if you have a .co.uk domain it is wise to link to GamCare or the such like.

[faulkwood]

Better safe than sorry. (I guess the intimidation tactics are working.)

[GamTrak]

Better safe than sorry. (I guess the intimidation tactics are working.)

I agree. Although there has been no mention of affiliates being in trouble by the DOJ, that does not mean that it's not on the list for future plans as it's not very hard to google the sites and seize them.

I'm a logical person and IMO if they have made it known that they don't want players in the US to gamble online then anyone that provides a way or advertise a way are or will eventually be at risk.

IMO when it comes to the DOJ don't count on them to not go after affiliates because all it takes is for them to attach a law to a bill next week and we are toast.

Sorry to be all gloom and doom, but I'm no longer comfortable marketing to US players.

[baldidiot]

Good response by Baldidiot, not so much of an idiot LOL

My company is in the UK as am I. The majority of my sites are hosted on my dedicated server with a UK hosting company based in London, England. My .co.uk sites in the main promote white listed programs, but there are a couple of exceptions.

The fact of the matter is, the UK govt would not act like the DOJ. The initial worst case scenario is a slap on the wrist by the ASA. However, if you have a .co.uk domain it is wise to link to GamCare or the such like.

I'd also throw in the 18+ logo or "18+" if you're targeting the UK market. If memory serves correctly, gambling brands advertising offline have to include the 18+ and gamcare link actually in the advert. Plus of course a legal disclaimer

Sorry to be all gloom and doom, but I'm no longer comfortable marketing to US players.

I've felt that way since I started, which is one of the reasons I never promoted full tilt or stars etc..

What I don't understand is that if the government is primarily doing it because they want their slice of the pie (which I'm pretty sure they are) why not just keep the DOJ payment processor and tax the crap out of it from the operators end. Then everyone would be happy - they even have the facilities already set up. It would be way easier than new brands trying to enter the market when they finally do regulate it. Plus they could keep track of everyones winnings for taxes...

[xecutable]

Hi All,

Thx for the great discussion, i see a lot of discussion is being done. But does anybody know, if by LAW its illegal to send US players who are interested in Gambling to companies who except US traffic? And what can they do, if the .com domain is on a US server?

thx

By law, Gambling Advertising is protected speech under the First Amendment. However, as an affiliate you are guilty of "Aiding & Abetting" which would mean that if you are knowingly helping someone to commit a crime, you are guilty of that crime. Which of course comes down to what exactly is the crime here and is there one. For now it's just a blur.

The second however there's a conviction and a certain bookmaker is found guilty, then its affiliates become guilty as well. And as GamTrak said, you never know when DOJ can decide to go after affiliates as well.

[Online-casinos.co.uk]

If any of you want to get out of the biz now and cash in on your US websites PM me.

[boczom1]

If I was an affiliate outside of the U.S. right now , i'd be completely in disbelief right now...considering what our govt. has just done to QT.

All these affiliates that got out of the U.S. years ago, thinking they were completely in the clear.. right ? I'm sure QT felt the same way beforehand.

Imagine if our govt. starts prosecuting affiliates in other countries now ? They'll make up a new law tomorrow & enforce whatever they want.

Guys, what it all comes down to is : This is ALL currently being done because of our economic crisis, and the feds are trying to do everything possible to keep our online gambling revenues within our borders....which is why online gambling bills are going up left and right... All of a sudden, it doesn't seem to be against the law to gamble online. (as long as its regulated by our state or federal laws)

[Webzcas]

I'd also throw in the 18+ logo or "18+" if you're targeting the UK market. If memory serves correctly, gambling brands advertising offline have to include the 18+ and gamcare link actually in the advert. Plus of course a legal disclaimer

Good catch. Anyone have a decent 18+ logo I could use?

[Online-casinos.co.uk]

One thing's for sure, .co.uk and .eu casino domain names have recently gone up tenfold in value against the equivalent .com names. Looks like good news for you at least Webzcas!

[Webzcas]

Looks like good news for you at least Webzcas!

There is no good news in any of this to be fair. But on a personal note, I did start focusing on the UK back in 2006 when the UIGEA came along. So thankfully have not been affected too bad yet by all what is happening.

[freedom2play]

Affiliates should not be affected unless you are huge. So if you are real big, move to an exotic location, after all you should enjoy your money a bit. Names that come to mind are Monaco, Malta, Thailand, Hong Kong, and last but not least Tonga.

[GamTrak]

Affiliates should not be affected unless you are huge. So if you are real big, move to an exotic location, after all you should enjoy your money a bit. Names that come to mind are Monaco, Malta, Thailand, Hong Kong, and last but not least Tonga.

Interesting that you say that Freedom because hubby and I did pack up and move back in 2006, but in the end there is no place like the USA and we ended up coming back after wasting a ton of money to make the move to another country. We moved to the Domincan Republic. The experience was great, but there were to many negatives to overcome for me. Hubby was in heaven. hehe

My biggest problem was the language barrier and going into the grocery store and not have a clue! LOL Just getting out on the road was terrifying let along going to another town to take care of business which was a nightmare due to the way they drive and other conditions.

[baldidiot]

Good catch. Anyone have a decent 18+ logo I could use?

I'm lazy so I just use "18+"

I thought the gambling commission, ASA or gamcare would provide one but they don't seem to have one anywhere.

[freedom2play]

Interesting that you say that Freedom because hubby and I did pack up and move back in 2006, but in the end there is no place like the USA and we ended up coming back after wasting a ton of money to make the move to another country. We moved to the Domincan Republic. The experience was great, but there were to many negatives to overcome for me. Hubby was in heaven. hehe

My biggest problem was the language barrier and going into the grocery store and not have a clue! LOL Just getting out on the road was terrifying let along going to another town to take care of business which was a nightmare due to the way they drive and other conditions.

I guess it is a matter of personal taste and luck. For instance you mat pick a country you like or one you don't, and it is hard to tell. Also some people feel better at home, others abroad. I left my home country in 1992 and I am not coming back until I retire.

[mojo]

Affiliates should not be affected unless you are huge.

I would tend to agree with that. They would want the largest and easiest targets IMO. It's helping their coffers for sure.

Unless they want to make an example of someone. That would probably be someone who is attacking the DOJ on their websites and blatantly shouting out to USA players how to get around the processors.

I'm still not clear on the First Amendment rights (which doesn't apply if something is illegal). But is it illegal to gamble online? I still admire Casino City for suing the DOJ!

[baldidiot]

I would tend to agree with that. They would want the largest and easiest targets IMO. It's helping their coffers for sure.

Unless they want to make an example of someone. That would probably be someone who is attacking the DOJ on their websites and blatantly shouting out to USA players how to get around the processors.

I'm still not clear on the First Amendment rights (which doesn't apply if something is illegal). But is it illegal to gamble online? I still admire Casino City for suing the DOJ!

Holy moley! BIG props to casino city for taking some action

[casinoranking]

No offense gamtrak but you probably chose one of the worst islands to try and move to. I am not sure now you survived as long as you did. Only two worse islands in the caribbean that I can think of to live in would be haiti and jamaica.

You should have tried an english speaking island. But even there it's going to be a huge culture shock.

[GamTrak]

I would tend to agree with that. They would want the largest and easiest targets IMO. It's helping their coffers for sure.

Unless they want to make an example of someone. That would probably be someone who is attacking the DOJ on their websites and blatantly shouting out to USA players how to get around the processors.

Being that we get paid 25 to 40% of the revenue that is made in the industry why would they leave that on the table? I like to feel special, but I doubt the DOJ think I am. lol

I hear ya casinoranking. It's my husband's fault as I wanted to try out a few countries, but he got stuck on that one (the first one we visted) so since I try to the be good and faithful wife I agreed. hehe I think he just got stuck on seeing all the hot chicks on the beach that was across the street from us. They also had some hot guys, but it was not enough to make me want to stay.

If I do ever leave the USA again then I'm going to AMSTERDAM baby!