Major issue with BingoVega

[universal4]

Welcome to the GPWA SpecialED,

You should have no issue sending pm's to me or any other admin or mod here such as Anthony if you need anything here or if you need one of us to forward anything for you, glad to see you also made contact at the BPU with Ricbyrne.

Ricbyrne, thanks for explaining the situation in detail as you have, I am not sure where Steven was on this issue, but you are likely correct that is what happened.

I will make sure Anthony is brought up to speed to see if we can determine what he found out etc.

Rick
Universal4

[-Shay-]

I noticed the "sponsor affiliate program" has logged in and has been lurking on this thread.

My expectation is that he also posts so that we know where HE is on this matter as well. From the looks of things, he has done a lot of ignoring in the past here.

[Ricbyrne]

I'm sure they keep an eye on this topic, but as you can see, they have little to say about all this. It's pretty hard for them to defend what happened. Perhaps the less said is the position they want to take here.

[Redbush54]

Irregardless of their response, the fact that it was done in the past sounds like a good enough reason to pull them off our sites.

[-Shay-]

I'm sure they keep an eye on this topic, but as you can see, they have little to say about all this. It's pretty hard for them to defend what happened. Perhaps the less said is the position they want to take here.

The affiliate manager with this group was in fact logged in yesterday and reading this thread.

[Ricbyrne]

It seems some review is in order here. Back in 2011 BigTime Revenue applied for membership here. The brands they wanted to make available to the membership was BigTime Bingo, Online Bingo, Bingo Palace and Bingo Vega. Steven picked up on the fact that there was many outstanding complaints about Bingo Vega on the internet. The other 3 sites had no bad history.

In order to get a GPWA Membership, Steven informed them that they had to clear up any outstanding claims that Bingo Vega had. Bpu had some outstanding issues with Bingo Vega along with Casinomeister's. Steven contacted us both and asked if we would be interested in working with BigTime Revenue in clearing up Bingo Vega's reputation, by settling any unresolved players claims against Vega.

Both Brian and my Staff were happy to work with Steven, because we were convince that Mike Yates, Bingo Vega Owner, aka Floorman, Had seen the light and if he wanted to grow with the industry he had to clean up his act. Under Stevens direction, many of the outstanding complaints against Bingo Vega were resolved. Some were so old that the players involved could no longer be found.

Since all outstanding Bingo Vega complaints were satisfied, BigTime Revenue was allowed membership into the GPWA! Steven imposed the condition that Bingo Vega was to complete a probation period, free of complaints, before it could add Vega to its brands.

Our probation period ended long before Casinomeister's and thank god theirs was still enforced. On Jan 1, 2012 I received concrete proof that Bingo Vega owner Mike Yates was involved in rigging his Bingo and Casino games. I shared all this evidence with Steven and we both worked on this together.

My major concern was I found out that Mike Yates, Bingo Vega Owner had acquired the other BigTime Revunue Brands and since he had a history of cheating at Vega, he could also employ the same tactics at his new sites. Contrary to what BigTime Revenue says about Mike Yates, that him and his family are no longer involved in the day to day operations, my sources tell me differently.

Steven had his own way of dealing with this issue so rather than make waves here I let him see if he could come to a resolution. My feelings and experience told me they would Stonewall him as they do everybody. In the end! Steven went on to better things, but this issue of Bingo Vega's connection to Bigtime Revenue has never been resolved.

If you need more info on this read my previous comments in this thread. I for one have never felt comfortable referring any of my members or guests to any of this groups brands.

[Ricbyrne]

Originally Posted by SpecialEd View Post
No, its a legitimate inquiry. Can you PM me? I cant PM without ten posts. I am sorry. I am investigating this specifically and have no interest in other content at this time.

Can someone from Bigtime Revenue PM me Please? It is in regards to SpecialED and his investigation. It is urgent that someone contact me.

[Redbush54]

Can anyone provide an update as to:

1. is GPWA is going to investigate
2. Can Ricbyrne provide any further info
3. is the removal of BigTime Revenue sponsorship possible as a temporary measure until these accusations are resolved and
4. isn't a reply from the program itself a requirement of sponsorship?

[Anthony]

Big Time Revenue contacted me to discuss the issue, we are scheduling a call this week. Once I talk with them I will update this thread.

Ricbyrne, I sent you a PM.

[Ricbyrne]

Big Time Revenue contacted me to discuss the issue, we are scheduling a call this week. Once I talk with them I will update this thread.

Ricbyrne, I sent you a PM.

I answered your PM

[Ricbyrne]

Can anyone provide an update as to:


1. is GPWA is going to investigate
2. Can Ricbyrne provide any further info
3. is the removal of BigTime Revenue sponsorship possible as a temporary measure until these accusations are resolved and
4. isn't a reply from the program itself a requirement of sponsorship?

Yes! I can give further info on this program. Lets start with the last time BTR updated their sponsorship pages at GPWA. It was March of 2012. Ever since Mike Yates and Bingo Vega were involved with this program, we have had silence.


The whole thing ended with Steven working out a way that Players would be paid back for the many bingo, casino and tournaments that they admitted were rigged by Mike Yates and his Family. I always knew they would stonewall Steven and a solution never offered.


In Oct 2012 I tried to contact Steven as to his progress with this issue and never received a reply to my PM, email or Skype message. In Stevens defence I can say this group's lack of fulfilling their promises must have been embarrassment to him. Steven was a unique person and I did enjoy working with him.


Lacking any new leads the Bingo Vega issue just sat. Than a new post from SpecialED here changed everything. We did share some words and as a result, I contacted my sources for a update to confirm new information I received.


This situation is still developing, so I’m limited as to what to release here. I’m sure it will all come together in time. For now! This is what I can share with you. This is information that my sources shared with me and is not from any other discrete source I maybe working with.

Mike Yates, his father and family have stolen millions of dollars from this programs investors. They blocked access from BingoTime Bingo, Online Bingo and Bingo Palace and have taken over operations and full control of all player deposits. You can be rest assured all these sites games are rigged. All Players that GPWA Members are referring to these sites are at risk of being cheated.

This programs sponsorship needs to be placed on hold and the membership informed of this. It’s already been reported that many players have been awaiting payouts since Dec 2013.

It’s also been confirmed that Mike Yates and Family fled Costa Rica, leaving a few staff members behind to take care of the everyday stuff and have gone into hiding. I am convinced that Mike Yates and his family enjoy a very lush lifestyle, by conning, stealing and cheating players, investors and affiliates. He has been very successful at this because he uses Anonymity to hide his true identity and location. It’s been easy for him to steal a few hundred from let’s say a UK Player that has no recourse, because there is really no one out there to help them. He relies on being anonymous to avoid having to pay up. He has gotten rich using this tactic and it’s time to put a stop to Mike Yates.

He has not only cheated us all, but has severely damaged the image of online bingo gambling. As this develops. I will keep you updated. But GPWA needs to suspend BTR’s membership. I have offered my services to the investors that lost control and access to their sites and hopefully they get back what is theirs soon. Any talks GPWA Management has with this program should use exercise care. Be sure you know who you are really talking with. Deception has always been key to Mike Yates success to fleece us all.

[Ricbyrne]

Big Time Revenue contacted me to discuss the issue, we are scheduling a call this week. Once I talk with them I will update this thread.

Ricbyrne, I sent you a PM.

I have to ask myself how important GPWA thinks this issue is? I receive PM's, answer them and get nothing back! Sorry! but I'm not seeing any interest in this from Anthony. Every single hour/day that passes players are at risk. This issue needs to be fully discussed! Yet! no one at GPWA is contacting me.

[Anthony]

I have to ask myself how important GPWA thinks this issue is? I receive PM's, answer them and get nothing back! Sorry! but I'm not seeing any interest in this from Anthony. Every single hour/day that passes players are at risk. This issue needs to be fully discussed! Yet! no one at GPWA is contacting me.

Richard I know you have been working on this for years, to say GPWA does not care because you have not received a reply yet from your PM yesterday is unfounded. I have been working on this for two days, I was going to talk with BTR and reached out to you to get more information prior to my discussion with them. I replied to your PM and as I stated before, I will update this thread one I speak with BTR.

[Ricbyrne]

I’m pleased to say that I’m in direct contact with Anthony and sorry for the miscommunication. I’m looking forward to working with him. Their seems to be some confusion about the BTR group and who they represent. In 2012 I worked very closely with this group to help them gain membership in GPWA.

This program’s brands, Bigtime Bingo, Online Bingo and Palace Bingo had a great reputation and no real history of player/affiliate complaints. When they applied for membership they had to list the Brands they wanted included in their program. Flags went up because Bingo Vega had a long history of player complaints. I will not bore you or rehash what happened with Bingo Vega, it’s all explained in this and other threads.

What is important is that BigTimeRevenue was given membership. For their 3 brands, based on their reputation alone; their slate was clean in the Online Bingo Community. What is not known is Bingo Vega Owner Mike Yates, his Father and family bought into this group of investors and perhaps because of his knowledge of running online bingo games was put in charge of Bigtime Bingo, Online Bingo and Palace Bingo.

At some point, Mike Yates took over control of these sites and blocked access to the group of investors that really own the sites. What he did is very similar to what happen to the Professor at Casino Affiliates. One day he woke up and found he was locked out of the site he started, He did not even have access to his emails. That is what happened here. Mike now controls all the funds that flow into and out of these sites. I was able to verify this all took place, from a very reliable source. Needless to say the Investor group is taking steps to regain what is rightfully theirs. But since this is being legated in Off Shore Jurisdictions, it’s a slow process.

So for the time being, a person who has a long history of cheating, stealing and scamming controls these brands. That means that any member of BTR is working under Mike Yates. As far as I’m concerned, these people are no longer representing an honest program that any GPWA Member should be supporting.

[universal4]

Thank you for the update Richard

Rick
Universal4

[Redbush54]

Anthony is there an update yet?

[Ricbyrne]

I have updated Anthony with all the past and new complaints I have with Sites in this program. He is reviewing and should have something to say soon. I shall hold back my response until he makes his.

[Anthony]

Richard has provided a lot of information regarding the historical issues (thank you Richard) and I reviewed the work Steven did with BTR prior to their joining GPWA. There have not been any significant complaints about the Big Time Revenue affiliate program or sites since they have joined GPWA. I did speak with Fredrik at BTR, he was proud of their track record since working with Steven and restated their commitments they made with GPWA.

Richard did send me a player complaint and payment issue. I have asked for additional information in order to assist. After I receive the additional information I can report on that.

I understand that when a program breaks player or affiliate trust, it is a very difficult to rebuild a sustainable level of trust and there are many that will never trust that program again.

Richard has suggested we remove BTR and if they did not maintain their commitment to operate in a reputable manner we would. As of today I do not have proof they have broke that commitment. I will continue to work with Richard and will be open if he can share recent proof of wrong doing. I reached out to SpecialED last week to see if we can address any questions, still waiting for a reply.

[-Shay-]

Richard has provided a lot of information regarding the historical issues (thank you Richard) and I reviewed the work Steven did with BTR prior to their joining GPWA. There have not been any significant complaints about the Big Time Revenue affiliate program or sites since they have joined GPWA. I did speak with Fredrik at BTR, he was proud of their track record since working with Steven and restated their commitments they made with GPWA.

Richard did send me a player complaint and payment issue. I have asked for additional information in order to assist. After I receive the additional information I can report on that.

I understand that when a program breaks player or affiliate trust, it is a very difficult to rebuild a sustainable level of trust and there are many that will never trust that program again.

Richard has suggested we remove BTR and if they did not maintain their commitment to operate in a reputable manner we would. As of today I do not have proof they have broke that commitment. I will continue to work with Richard and will be open if he can share recent proof of wrong doing. I reached out to SpecialED last week to see if we can address any questions, still waiting for a reply.

Nevermind. I was going to say something but its not really worth it.

[Ricbyrne]

Disappointing, yet expected outcome to this important issue. I have other pressing matters, but be rest assured that I am mulling over a response and you will see it soon!