How does GPWA affiliate programme "accredition" work?

[Caruso]

If the specific information is listed, I haven't found it yet so a link would be appreciated.

I know how CAP works / worked: pay the big bucks and they would list any old shyte. I'm pretty sure GPWA doesn't operate this way but I'm not sure. Clarification?

[Caruso]

Two seconds later, I appear to have answered my own question:

https://www.gpwa.org/affiliateprograms/

Same as CAP, in essence?

[Anthony]

GPWA sponsors have a code of conduct and not all programs that apply to GPWA are accepted.

https://www.gpwa.org/sponsor/codeofconduct.asp

[casinogod]

I don't know exactly how it works on CAP, if what your saying is correct and all the sponsor has to do is pay up then it does appear different.

To be a GPWA sponsor the program must abide by the GPWA Sponsor Code of Conduct. But yes obviously they also have to pay a fee.

[bets@betsfreebets.co]

what about for affiliates, to be certified, I recently applied a new site in, but got no response...

[Anthony]

I am guessing you applied for a portal seal? I can check that out for you.

[arkyt]

Same as CAP, in essence?

Fundamentally - yes!

[Dominique]

Actually at CAP the accreditation is entirely affiliate vote driven, has been for some time now. Programs can buy advertising, but not accreditation.

[arkyt]

Actually at CAP the accreditation is entirely affiliate vote driven, has been for some time now.

How exactly does that process work?

The concept has me day dreaming of the distant days of GPWA poll rigging.

[Dominique]

No polls, there is a page that publishes a handful of programs a month and you can vote them in or out of accreditation via some voting software.

[arkyt]

No polls, there is a page that publishes a handful of programs a month and you can vote them in or out of accreditation via some voting software.

No Polls? Isn't the voting software polling members?

How are these handful of programs selected?

I know CAP brags about a million members (or something like that) - How many individuals have to vote yes before a program is listed as "community certified" ?

[Dominique]

Go look for yourself, Arkyt. I'm not going to be posting about CAP at length here.

Besides, if you look you'll know as much as I do, I am not involved in it personally.

[CityGuard]

I'm pretty sure GPWA doesn't operate this way but I'm not sure. Clarification?

A similar question was asked recently in another thread (a discussion about a former sponsor that is no longer operating in a reputable manner).

The specific questions asked in that thread were:

1. Can you tell me what are the criteria for a sponsor?
2. Can you tell what the criteria is for Platinum sponsor?

Here was my response, which I hope provides some clarification:

Thanks for posing the question in such a clear manner. I think this is on several people's minds and it is helpful to have an opportunity to answer.

The question you asked can be broken down into two parts. First, are there different expectations for professional responsibility between the different sponsorship levels? And second, what is expected of sponsor programs?

To answer the first part of your question, the Platinum, Gold, and Silver designations refer to the level of finacial support the program provides to the association and the degree of marketing publicity provided in return. We try to make this clear by stating that the designation refers to the selected promotional package in the overview on the program directory page.

To address the second part, of what the criteria are, we make an effort to make sure it is clear that "sponsorship" signifies an advertising relationship between an affiliate program and GPWA. Because of that we specifically avoid language that claims a greater level of research than that (such as certification or audit). At the same time, one of the things that binds together everyone who works here and defines our ethos is that it is important to us to advance the industry and to work only with people that we feel comfortable making known to others.

Based on this, there are a number of programs that we've rejected as prospective sponsors. We also require that each sponsor agree in writing to abide by the GPWA Code of Conduct, which is incorporated by reference into all sponsorship agreements. This commitment that we require has been especially important because programs that were once-reputable sometimes change their behavior, and on several occassions we've suspended or terminated sponsorships based on code of conduct violations resulting from a shift in how the program treats affiliates.

Our own knowledge and the program's written commitment is one step, but not sufficient. Once we've satisfied that step, the other key ingredient to ensuring accountability is that we try to provide an open environment for raising issues. This is vital because thoughtful, caring people disagree on what is the right thing to do in a given circumstance and we want our members to make decisions based on the full breadth of information. And we try to do that ourselves as well. One of the results of relying on independent judgement rather than deferring to external sources is that sometimes we'll draw different lines than others -- for example, Casinomeister, eCOGRA, and Affiliate Guard Dog all have recommended brands in circumstances where we've actively decided against allowing sponsorship, and the reverse is true with cases where we're working with a program that others have chosen not to work with.

To summarize my overview, the sponsorships are a marketing agreement between GPWA and the sponsor program and we try to use descriptions and language that reflects that, but as people who want to work in a reputable industry we turn away or end arrangements when we can't feel comfortable with a particular program.

[arkyt]

Go look for yourself, Arkyt.

... if you look you'll know as much as I do

YOU put forth the notion that "CAP is different" then when asked about details you want nothing to do with it ... nice!

...the Platinum, Gold, and Silver designations refer to the level of finacial support the program provides

As stated, fundamentally its the same - "pay to play" ...