Morality of the industry

[ElaineGardiner]

All my friends and family know what I do, and I don't have any issues telling people either. I've never had a bad reaction, but generally they don't understand what affiliate marketing is, so I usually just settle for "marketing for an online casino", then I sometime get asked if I deal the cards.

I think casino and poker online in the uk isn't as socially talked about as sportsbook, so when I worked in sportsbetting people could relate to it a lot more than a casino.

[Voids]

The people I've spoken to especially the younger end of the spectrum understand and find it interesting. I think as many have said it's misinformed people, or people with misconceptions that generally take the "moral high ground".

When I look at my own website, I never try and tip a losing bet, I always try to find value and good picks. That is enough for me to feel comfortable in myself.

[Integrity]

I published this piece over the weekend after reading another attack on gambling by a religious leader here in the U.S. So odd the timing, as I had no idea of this thread when i put the article together:

This Week in Gambling: Religious Zealots Label Gambling a "Sin"

Enjoy...

[Renee]

My mum doesn't approve but she doesn't give me a hard time about it now. The first time she asked me how I felt about encouraging gambling addiction I told her that when the upper reaches of religion decide to sell all their assets and use the money to feed people I'd go about getting another job!

That is the best comeback I've ever heard.

All my friends and family know what I do, and I don't have any issues telling people either. I've never had a bad reaction, but generally they don't understand what affiliate marketing is, so I usually just settle for "marketing for an online casino", then I sometime get asked if I deal the cards.

I think casino and poker online in the uk isn't as socially talked about as sportsbook, so when I worked in sportsbetting people could relate to it a lot more than a casino.

I also get asked if I deal the cards. A lot of people are very oblivious about the fact that there are online casinos that work the same way as regular casinos.

[muffincrumbs]

First to answer the question:

I say online marketing just like Renee, and if asked specifically I tell them. I have a problem with honesty, I always tell the truth lest it be directing toward someones death bed or child haha.

The problem with me is that I invite people who are very religious to have conversations with me where I ask extremely hard questions to answer. Things like:

"Whats the difference between letting someone gamble who has an addiction, or cooking food for someone who is fat. There both diseases and both are feeding into it, if you will forgive my pun."

or

When I saw a friend of mine buy a case of booze for a bum begging outside the drug store who was an obvious alcoholic I was initially really pissed, but what he said next is also true.

"Jared, he would get it anyway, all I did was help get him to the bottom of the hole faster and safer. Maybe another night in the ditch will do him some good..."

People with addictions need to hit the bottom before the rise back many times, and you are not their shepherd, not are you important enough to make that kind of impact, in my opinion.

Everything that is "fun" can turn into an addiction. One of the most common ones i bet 9/10 of you have at one time (Online18casino), or are currently contributing to someone with a sex addiction, smoking problem, drinking problem, or other by either directly or not doing anything to help.

In fact, since there are millions of people suffering with addictions all over the world and you are just sitting there reading this it is obviously all YOUR FAULT!!! LOL

Let's band together and take down people who profit from over-eaters!!

[slotplayer]

Everyone has their own moral compass so I would not go around shouting it from the mountain tops.

[muffincrumbs]

Everyone has their own moral compass so I would not go around shouting it from the mountain tops.

You are not me sir, and I mean no offense. I say what I feel and mean.

The capitalization was for fun, but I will yell from my mountain pretty often, you know this, you have been here longer than me and have seen me call people out...

like that time... never-mind.

I certainly am not trying to push anyone to change, just trying to give my opinion on mortality and gambling as it is complex enough that my fun little post should have taken care if it. Maybe not so sorry bud!

What's your opinion on the subject slotplayer?

[AcePlayer]

There was a post like this in AGD a few months ago.. and as I said there.. This industry gets a bad rep for being greedy, sleazy and unmoral.. But I have found it to be just the opposite. With the exception of muffincrumbs outing my addictions everyone I have dealt with has been very kind, trusting and professional.

With a name like muffincrumbs I guarantee your feeding someones addiction! Overeating is a _big_ addiction and should not be taken _lightly_...

[mojo]

Things have certainly come a long way since I first started but I still don't bring it up. I've tried explaining it but I get blank looks. People ultimately think I'm gambling. Unless they understand online marketing in the basic form, there's a lot of misconception. Family that do know are proud of me for learning it and being successful all this time. Before I told them they were worried I was on the computer to much.

As far as morality I shut down from people who judge and could care less. Similar to Maria. I'm fine with it and play myself.

However, I sometimes wonder if I am hypocritical for not wanting any porn casinos on my site, even if it's mild. I have nothing against the average porn but I won't promote it. Hmm. Perhaps that's how people feel about gambling as well. Not sure if that makes sense but it's something I ponder.

[AcePlayer]

People ultimately think I'm gambling.

LOL at that. A few people I know from my childhood think along the same lines.. Got a new car last year, and they somehow think I won it lol.. "Oh nice,do you play slots or blackjack?" I just smile and say yep... I really could care less, but its amusing.

[slotplayer]

You are not me sir, and I mean no offense. I say what I feel and mean.

The capitalization was for fun, but I will yell from my mountain pretty often, you know this, you have been here longer than me and have seen me call people out...

like that time... never-mind.

I certainly am not trying to push anyone to change, just trying to give my opinion on mortality and gambling as it is complex enough that my fun little post should have taken care if it. Maybe not so sorry bud!

What's your opinion on the subject slotplayer?

I'm not offended nor should you be. My post was not in response to yours. I'm not sure how you interpreted it.

I was just saying that everyones level of morality varies.

As far as shouting it from the mountain tops goes, I just meant I like to play it down.

Years ago I mentioned I was making money from promoting online gambling and mostly everyone frowned upon it, apparently it triggered their sense of right and wrong, not unlike your buddy buying the case of beer initially triggered yours.

As far as my opinion goes, I don't have a problem with promoting it.

[muffincrumbs]

I sort of did interpreted it that way, but would be pleased to have your response to my answer specifically regardless, I am a bit relived too and agree with your position slot player. I should probably play down more aspects of my life now that I think about it.

[clarar]

I also agree that in terms of morality, the levels can vary from person to person.

When someone asks me about my job, I say that I work in online marketing. If they ask which industry I also tell the truth and that's usually when people judge. In general what I noticed is that people don't know what affiliation is and working in marketing, retention or support is all the same.
So when they think about our job, they picture us squeezing player's pocket with an evil face!!!

In any case, it doesn't get to me. I met amazing people during all these years, people that I admire and I can learn from and also made several good friends.

[LukeC]

I'm completely open about it - I say I work in online marketing for Paddy Power and when asked further, say that I work with partners who we pay commission to when they send new customers to us. I can't recall a time I've got any stick over it - it's far more frequent that people ask for tips! If I did it wouldn't bother me, as it's very unlikely I'd get along with those people anyway.

Unlike Hodgy I never had any problem with my mum - seeing as my Great-Grandfather used to run an illegal bookies and her mother was a runner!

[Moonlight Cat]

Do you tell them?

Only several of my friends know about my buisness.
I think, that money like silence.

[oldfaithful]

I just tell people what I do, why be ashamed your only earning a living like most other people, I have a friend who is a slaughterman in a meat factory, don't like the idea but people eat meat.

Another Friends of mine works in a pub, people like a drink so fair enough,

Everybody has a different job this is just the route I have taken, I enjoy my job, not many people can say that !!

[BountyPkr]

hey guys,
pretty good that most of you are not ashamed as some of my friends think it may be a problem.
To me personally it's a hard thing to tell people about my job. I really like it, but I know not all of them would approve it.
Well it's fine with my friends -- they do not think it's unmoral, but I'm sure most of my family members won't understand it. Anyway I guess the most crucial thing is to like your job and not to care if someone wouldn't like it.

[DaftDog]

I tell people that I do online marketing and that I sell all sorts of advertising online for a fee and commission. If they ask what my website is I give them one of my non gambling related website. A few of my close friends and family know that I also promote online casinos.

Some people do think it's unethical to promote online gambling but I don't think it's any less so than being a banker or financial advisor. After-all, has online gambling ever caused a global economy melt-down?

[Nick.RevenueJet]

If somebody I really don't know ask, I tell them I do Online Marketing as well. When they ask further, I just tell them I take traffic from point A and move it to point B.

[canadahod]

My Mom was shocked when I told her what I am doing hehe!