Beware: Uffilliates / 888 looking for reasons to close Affiliate accounts

I got this email today:

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Hi Heather,
Hope all is super!!

We need you to remove all Shane Warne content & images immediately
You can see his image in:
http://www.casinossouthafrica.com/poker.html

Appreciate your quick response,

LMK for anything needed,
Thanks,

Casino Affiliate AM

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That was fine, No problem with that, but 10 mins later I received this:

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Dear Heather,
topboss
In accordance with Section 8.2 of the Uffiliate terms and conditions found at http://affiliates.888.com/terms-and-conditions/ (the "Terms"), which govern our relationship with you, we hereby notify you of our decision to terminate your Affiliate Account with User Name topboss with immediate effect. We are taking such action as we are seeking to exert an additional layer of oversight over the affiliates that promote our Sites (as defined in the Terms) and our records show that your account has been inactive for a period of time.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that you are required to comply with the surviving provisions of the Terms, which include but are not limited to immediately ceasing the use of the Links and Licensed Materials (as defined in the Terms) as well as those regarding protection of intellectual property and confidentiality.

We would like to thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

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I then tried to login to my account and see they have blocked me already

I have been with these guys for over 10 years and used to make decent money with them, but then it all dried up, so clearly they only want the big affiliates now and are weeding out the rest.

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Originally Posted by Topboss

I got this email today:



That was fine, No problem with that, but 10 mins later I received this:


I then tried to login to my account and see they have blocked me already

I have been with these guys for over 10 years and used to make decent money with them, but then it all dried up, so clearly they only want the big affiliates now and are weeding out the rest.

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Hello Heather,

I'm really sorry to hear that for you. :-( I hope you get this resolved ASAP.

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I hope you get this resolved ASAP.

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Thanks but I am not planning on resolving anything. Simply removing them from all my sites.
Tempted to blacklist them too, but I guess I can't blacklist a casino for terminating my agreement as much as I would love to!!

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Originally Posted by Topboss

Thanks but I am not planning on resolving anything. Simply removing them from all my sites.
Tempted to blacklist them too, but I guess I can't blacklist a casino for terminating my agreement as much as I would love to!!

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I myself would at least try and get in touch with them and see what they have to say about it.

Sorry to hear that. I stopped promoting them many years ago and am very glad that I did. They probably need the money to pay their fines.

Sorry to hear. Clearly, there are programs that are using these regulations as excuses to terminate agreements and steal affiliates commissions.

Got this reply to my response below

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Hi Heather,

First, thank you for the prompt reply.


Your account is reopen!
I must say that we at 888 do want to work with you ones more and be again one of your best brands, thou 888 can’t have any players from SA.

Please let me know how can we renew our partnership?

I would be grateful if you could send me a short list of your active sources.

Yours,
Ran


From: Heather Gartland

Subject: RE: 888Casino - Shane Warner Images - IMPORTANT!


Hi Ran

As soon as my guy in South Africa who manages this site wakes up, then I will tell him to remove the ad.
However I have also just received a termination notice from yourselves so I will be removing 888 from all 140 sites in my network

Regards
Heather

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Until the next time...

Wow!! You manage 140 sites? I can barely manage a handful :) Good for you though !!

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Wow!! You manage 140 sites?

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HaHa, Lets just say that I TRY and manage 140 sites, but despite having staff helping me - We still can't cope, so sometimes various sites slip in terms of new content being added.

There are too many programs closing accounts these days. Be it blaming regulations, inactivity or nor solid reason at all it is unfortunate that affiliates that have worked to support these programs are left high and dry. The fact they these programs are doing this is a clear signal of exactly who they are.

Best to move on and focus on more reputable programs that truly want to build a relationship. Before signing-up to other programs be sure to do due-diligence and research them. Careful not to fall for the "generous" offers.

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Originally Posted by Topboss

HaHa, Lets just say that I TRY and manage 140 sites, but despite having staff helping me - We still can't cope, so sometimes various sites slip in terms of new content being added.

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Hello Heather,

May I say, good on you girl!

It certainly is not easy to be managing 140 websites.

Keep up the good work! ;-)

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Originally Posted by Topboss

I have been with these guys for over 10 years and used to make decent money with them, but then it all dried up

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It's their choice to do what they like. But, it's your choice whether to accept that treatment or not. Because these days, with the UKGC you have ways to fight this BS, without actually having to be a UK citizen.

If when you signed up to this program, and that clause was not in the T&C's, then they can't retroactively enforce that clause on you now, no matter what they say, its simply not legal.

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Originally Posted by Pokerface

Best to move on

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Unfortunately, that there, is the type of attitude to why a lot of affiliates are in these type of situations today.

The OP has been loyal to the program for 10+ years, and this is how they treat her...pffff that's unacceptable.

If folks didn't just roll over and cope it. Instead, joined forces/voices and said in a united front, this is total ****, we're not accepting that treatment, either stop it or we'll take out a class action on your ass, I dare say, the majority of these closures, would not be prevalent today.

Monkey see, monkey do... that seems to be the mindset of aff programs. They do sh#t, if it's legal or not. And, they continue to following this path, why? Because the majority of their partners, do nothing about being sh@fted :no:

Happyfeet, I totally agree with you and this is becoming common in the industry nowadays.

I haven't decided how to move forward with 888 yet, but I would love to know what the reason for their sudden change of mind was.... I will probably never know.. But what I have learnt from all of the latest happenings is to take a screenshot of the terms and conditions of all programs when I signup!!

I am also very interested to see the outcome of Online Casino Reviewers case against Affiliate Edge, as this would set a precedent.

However I am also worried that in the unlikely event of him losing his case - this would be an open invitation for other casinos to willy nilly change their terms and conditions as and when they see fit.

I forgot to add that I am actually a UK Citizen even though I don't live there, and I would definitely take it to the courts there if I was owed a lot of money and was screwed over by one of the Aff programs based in UK

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Originally Posted by Topboss

I am also very interested to see the outcome of Online Casino Reviewers case against Affiliate Edge, as this would set a precedent.

However I am also worried that in the unlikely event of him losing his case - this would be an open invitation for other casinos to willy nilly change their terms and conditions as and when they see fit.

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I've kept abreast of the information webzcas has posted, along with the interviews given. Not withstanding the reason this AE court case is taking place. While any court action isn't always a decided win, even with everything on one's side. I believe in this instance, there is a such a small chance of Webzcas losing the case, that I'm 99.999% sure he'll win.

On a positive twist, that action would make other aff programs stand up and take notice. Especially those in the UK, or those who hold UKGC licensing. With all the media drama going down in the UK now, especially after they won the FOBT's (or is that FOTB's?), it seems that the Media has now set their sights squarely at the online gaming sector.

TBH, this legal action by Webzcas couldn't have come at a better time ;)

One might even remark, it's poetic justice at its best!

Agree 100% with you!