CardSpike / CAP / Gambling911

[Caruso]

There are some rather interesting remarks here:

Operators can stop bleeding money to CAP

Unsurprisingly, the comments are anonymous:

Dear Affiliates/Affiliate Programs, for years, Lou Fabiano and Warren Jolly, both principle owners of CAP, have used their authority to squeeze out a number of affiliate programs from this industry - some of which were well-deserved, others not so much. Sometimes their decisions were based on purely merit (or lack thereof), but most of the time, the term "Rogue" was loosely awarded to any affiliate program that was unwilling to pay their hefty advertising fees, or should I say, "Certification" fees.

Is this just muck-spreading, or have there been corroborated cases of affy programmes being subject to what amounts to extortion, threats of cyber-bombs in their cyber-shops if they stop the payments?

This is a huge accusation, mafia-esque in its breadth, and really nothing but criminal extortion at the root. If anyone should want to tell me anything in private about any of this with a view to writing about it (I am not afraid to expose the corroborated and verifiable truth), please do so.

[mojo]

Unfortunatly this is nothing new Caruso. I have heard from various resources that affiliate programs are very unhappy. Of course, before anyone starts yelling at me, I can't (won't) prove it.

The problem here is that since CAP is the biggest, AM's have little choice in maintaining a forum there. Should they opt out, they are publicly decertified and sometimes humiliated. The fees are astronomical causing resentment from some affiliates (and affiliate managers) arguing that the money could be better spent on incentives and such.

As long as affiliates continue to utilize cap then that's the way it is. However, programs could also take a stand. Affiliates will go where the program managers are active.

This is wholly my opinion and my opinion alone. I am not trying to prove anything, just putting info out there for new readers/affiliates.

[Caruso]

Well, if they want to go on record on my site, they can do. The offer is there. Bullying is one thing; deleting threads is one thing; barring posters is one thing; and for that matter, concealed ownership of rogue pokerrooms is also one thing; but extortion is another. Evidence of threats about the consequences of de-"certification" is proof of attempted extortion.

FWIW, I'll be at the ICE as usual, and available and happy to chat about anything with anyone who might be interested.

[Nandakishore]

I was away for about a month due to some illness. I was back a few days and started reading in all forums the CardSpike affair. If you are back after a month and get confronted with such a thing, you are really shocked. I just don't know what to say. The accusations are becoming so heavy that I hardly see any chance of any reconciliation. So where are we heading for?

[mojo]

The accusations are becoming so heavy that I hardly see any chance of any reconciliation. So where are we heading for?

I agree Nan, there is no 'just get along' scenerio. For a small affiliate like me, I would say a complete breakdown and rebuild of the online affiliate power structure.

[thisisvegas]

Well maybe things will change over time but people have to be patient. As long as affiliates are not being banned here I don't think there should be any worries at GPWA.

[lionslots]

I agree Nan, there is no 'just get along' scenerio. For a small affiliate like me, I would say a complete breakdown and rebuild of the online affiliate power structure.

It's really sad and pathetic how things have gone down this path.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE THE ONLINE GAMING INDUSTRY, AND WE SHOULD BE ALL GETTING ALONG, OR AT LEAST TOLERATING THE OTHER.

I am all for everyone having their voice, and jumping onto the forums and saying what they want to say but there seems to be so much venom and aggression in some of the comments. It just seems loose, and truely disgusting.

Saying that, this is probably the most action most forums have had in a long time. Definitley the most heated, and the most interacted. Great to see such passion.

We all have the same end game, affiliates want to make money, affiliate programs want to make money.

My opinon is, if you don't agree with the way
- CardSpike,
- CAP,
- GPWA,
- APCW
- or any other operator whether affiliate program or service provider

in how they operate, what they charge, or their policies - don't go there, don't give them your money, advertising or support.

Seriously, when and how do we return to "business as usual"... I miss those days

I've been a big supporter of CAP since I entered this industry, recently my account at CAP has been restricted in certain areas which limits my interaction with other industry members which is annoying, if CAP doesn't want me interacting with their members there are other options, other forums (AGD)!

This industry should be united, rather then splitting.

Now send me your traffic!

[GamTrak]

I've been a big supporter of CAP since I entered this industry, recently my account at CAP has been restricted in certain areas which limits my interaction with other industry members which is annoying, if CAP doesn't want me interacting with their members there are other options, other forums (AGD)!

Sorry to hear that because I really enjoy interacting with you ~SC~! hehe

I won't say my pet name for you because I know how much you luv it, but now that I know where you are I'll be checking you out!

[lionslots]

Sorry to hear that because I really enjoy interacting with you ~SC~! hehe

I won't say my pet name for you because I know how much you luv it, but now that I know where you are I'll be checking you out!

Actually! I just read what I wrote, man that comes off wrong! I'm not helping!

It should probably read, I don't interact in the CAP forums as much as I used to.

S. Chocolate.

[GamTrak]

Actually! I just read what I wrote, man that comes off wrong! I'm not helping!

It should probably read, I don't interact in the CAP forums as much as I used to.

S. Chocolate.

Ok that's cool too! You gonna be in London? If so I want to see you.

BTW I thought that you had switched up to caramel on me for a minute there! LOL

[lionslots]

The plan was supposed to go to London, but with so much on, new products, and a launch at the end of this month, a week away is going to seem like an eternity!

I'm sure you'll do the partying for me!

[mojo]

My opinon is, if you don't agree with the way
- CardSpike,
- CAP,
- GPWA,
- APCW
- or any other operator whether affiliate program or service provider

in how they operate, what they charge, or their policies - don't go there, don't give them your money, advertising or support.

Seriously, when and how do we return to "business as usual"... I miss those days

I've been a big supporter of CAP since I entered this industry, recently my account at CAP has been restricted in certain areas which limits my interaction with other industry members which is annoying, if CAP doesn't want me interacting with their members there are other options, other forums (AGD)!

This industry should be united, rather then splitting.

Now send me your traffic!

Nice post ! I agree, if you don't like something, don't support it. I am not a member at CAP and I seem to get along just fine.

We will be back to biz as usual but I think things have shifted a bit and that is not nessacarily a bad thing. In a way it's healthy to voice our unhappiness, unpleasant as it is, because resentments tend to fester and then there is a big explosion. We also need to support each other if there is angst amoung our peers. That is a big reason I come here. If something goes wrong for me I want the help of the good peeps here. Talking it out is the only way.

At the end of the day hopefully we will have a clearer understanding of each other and more open and honest relationships.

OK, ok, I'll send you that traffic!

[GamTrak]

I'm sure you'll do the partying for me!

I don't know about that as I'm known as a "one shot wonder", but I'll do my best!

Actually, I'm the type to attend every class and visit most of the booths and skip the parties that run until 5 am because I need to get my monies worth and retain the information! LOL

[wagerprofits]

GamTrak

You will not have to worry about 5am partie sin London most places will be closed by 2am so by the time you get a kebab and taxi home you will still have about 6 hours sleep.

Happy days.

Shaun

I don't know about that as I'm known as a "one shot wonder", but I'll do my best!

Actually, I'm the type to attend every class and visit most of the booths and skip the parties that run until 5 am because I need to get my monies worth and retain the information! LOL

[arkyt]

Is this just muck-spreading, or have there been corroborated cases of affy programmes being subject to what amounts to extortion, threats of cyber-bombs in their cyber-shops if they stop the payments?

They contacted numerous programs telling them not to associate with iGAMI or else - I got that straight from programs who were contacted. Nearly all programs believed in what iGAMI was doing, but they were bullied into staying away. Lou further went on a huge campaign on CAP referring to the site iSCAMI warning members to stay away - he refused to have any link the site editting threads which included one and banning members who were openly associated with the site. He even tried to intimidate, with success, GPWA into banning those involved here on this forum.

Knowing all that to be truth , I have little doubt that they do the same for affiliate programs. Its a well known fact that CAP is run ala mafia style...

[Caruso]

What is the big deal with CAP anyway? Why do programmes fork out extortionate fees and acquiesse to effectively extortion threats for a forum there? There are other affiliate-based sites, like this one, or the new GIA, or Casinomeister for that matter, which are probably run by better people. Or you could all set up your own site and have every affy programme out there signed up. Don't charge anything and the programmes are saving $8000 a year or however much the ridiculous ownership of a forum amounts to.

CAP only has "weight" because you all (or "they all" for those who don't participate) supply it. I don't understand what the attraction is.

[casinobonusguy]

There are some rather interesting remarks here:

Operators can stop bleeding money to CAP

Unsurprisingly, the comments are anonymous:



Is this just muck-spreading, or have there been corroborated cases of affy programmes being subject to what amounts to extortion, threats of cyber-bombs in their cyber-shops if they stop the payments?

This is a huge accusation, mafia-esque in its breadth, and really nothing but criminal extortion at the root. If anyone should want to tell me anything in private about any of this with a view to writing about it (I am not afraid to expose the corroborated and verifiable truth), please do so.

I read this thread and comments -now they are saying cap owns absolute slots?Does cap own Effective Media ?Are they now like an income access setup where they run the aff programs for other casinos?

[casinobonusguy]

Sorry to hear that because I really enjoy interacting with you ~SC~! hehe

I won't say my pet name for you because I know how much you luv it, but now that I know where you are I'll be checking you out!

LOL SEXY CHOCOLATE RAKESH Effective Media Group paid me money on behalf of Absolute slots which I refunded via paypal so i guess they have same relationship with Absolute Slots as they do with Cardspike?

[Jinnia]

CAP only has "weight" because you all (or "they all" for those who don't participate) supply it. I don't understand what the attraction is.

Exactly Caruso!!!

Affiliate programs just STOP paying for the seal, and for having a forum there. What's so hard about that?

Same here: I don't understand what the attraction is.

[mojo]

LOL SEXY CHOCOLATE RAKESH Effective Media Group paid me money on behalf of Absolute slots which I refunded via paypal so i guess they have same relationship with Absolute Slots as they do with Cardspike?

Oh my my. This is bad news. I promote Absolute (rival). If effective media is the affiliate program the banners are being removed tomorrow. I am sorry if this offends anyone but I am in business here.

Could someone from Absolute respond please?

edit to add: If there are any casino programs utilizing CAP or Effective Media I personally will NOT use them. This may not matter as I am a small affiliate. However, the powers that be that exclude my peers from their conferences and ban well respected members will not get my support. That is my very small statement. I would like full disclosure and honesty please. It is not to much to ask.