My last GPWA post

[Puma]

Oh how time flies when your having fun and making money. In addition my earnings over the years I have also gained a few pounds lol !!!

But today I finally made the decision to hang up my skates and sell my sites ( which have sold )

It is my personal opinion that the industry of online gambling is not what it was when I started in 2004. I find it now to be more a cut throat business where many will do whatever it takes to make a quick buck regardless of who they hurt in the process. It's alarming that many affiliates and affiliate programs don't realize how they are damaging the over all business with the tactics they use. My hope is that one day these affiliates and programs will realize that this business is actually suppose to be fun. With the fun comes the money, not the other way around. In fact, I made more money on an ezboard forum with contests and a crappy grasp on the industry then I did with a properly hosted website and non stop attention to seo, google page rank and the never ending updating of programs and their promotions. I made more because it was fun to come to work. It is simply not fun anymore.

For those of you I have met through the gpwa website and other along the way I wish you all the best in this business and hope you can make it further than i did. ( although 2004-2012 is not a bad run )

I would personally like to thank a few folks whom I have the pleasure of interacting with over the years and will never forge any of you. I will use screen names for most of these.

Mojo & PaydayJoe - one of my first experiences with online gambling was with you guys and you are by far the nicest down to earth affiliates and friends I have ever met. Thank you for showing me the basics. you guys rock !

Casinobonusguy - Thank you for giving me the opportunity to mess up some of your sites lol !! I learned a lot about the business from you and will never forget the big ass hamburger you bought me at dinner in Scarborough.

Pokerkeep - I have no idea where you went but you sure do keep it real and know your poker. Thanks for the helping hand.

APCW - JTODD , I wish I had your talent and resources. You are exactly the kind of person this business needs and remember to keep fighting !

Anthony - Thanks for replying to my posts when nobody else would touch them with a ten foot poll. I know I have been a pain over the years but you are amazing !

Renee -By far the most helpful affiliate manager ever. You help me with stuff that is not even related to online gambling sometimes and every single affiliate manager here should take lessons from you to learn exactly how to be an affiliate manager.

Universal4 - Rick you have kept this place in line for as long as I can remember and you do an amazing job. Thanks for never banning me

Gamtrak - Robin - I will always remember you from the ezboard days and visit your site once in awhile when I need a refreshing on exactly how things are done properly.

GFPC - Keep up the good fight. You know when something is wrong and you are always around to do something about it.

Dominique - You always have something good to say and you treat everybody with respect and I notice this and many others do as well. you are an amazing person.

Giggles last but not least is you, you may be reading from up in your spot above the clouds, just to let you know it was never the same without you here. You made me laugh so much I almost fell off my chair many a times !

if there is anybody i have forgotten I'm sorry but I cant thank everybody personally lol. I just wanted to say thanks for an over all good time here at gpwa and to everybody I've met during my time here.

With that said it is time for me to say goodbye. It's been a pleasure.

Thank You

Pumacat AKA Chris

[Doolally]

Chris,

Sad to see such a long-standing and respected member leave but sometimes it's just time to move on. You're 100% correct about the state of the industry and the cut-throat business it has become.

Good luck with wherever life takes you next and I hope the next journey is what you dream of.

Cheers

Ian

[pdjoe]

Good luck Chris,

It's been great to get to know you too over the years!

You know we'll be here for you if/when you decide to jump back in

[casinobonusguy]

Chris I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do and even if you do not stay in the biz we should still get together for more great food !

Judy

[Gabriel_LCP]

The best of the best to you in your next chapter in life!

It was great reading your posts and the forum will definitely miss you!!

Stop by every now and then to say hi!

[Dominique]

Wow! I have to say that I have thought to do the same several times. But I end up staying - because I think it will get better soon again.

So far it hasn't and you are spot on.

I hope you are going towards something you will enjoy doing and I wish you all the luck with it!

[FictionNet]

Hey, Chris. Y'never know, you may be back. It happens! What next?

[Anthony]

With that said it is time for me to say goodbye. It's been a pleasure.

Chris,

The pleasure has been mine. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

We will be here if you need us.

[GamTrak]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the kind words. I will certainly miss you for sure! I've enjoyed your online presence since the ezboard days and learned a lot in the process as well as had a ton of laughs from your posts. Take care and cheers until we chat again.

[universal4]

Wow Chris...

I wondered if you were leading up to this....and to be honest I have been too damn spot on with some of my predictions lately I just didn't wanna say anything.....

You will be missed....and it doesn't necessarily have to be permanent....so come back any time....

Rick
Universal4

[pdjoe]

Mojo is out of town and sent me this to post.

Joe

My Dearest Puma,

We go back so many years. I want to tell everyone a story about you!

I was working with Chris on his ezboard, pumaskittenrib which I instantly loved his style. OMG he is soooo much fun! 2004 - 2005? The deal was he let me put up a couple of banners in exchange for being a mod. Cool. I chose some micro banners.

I think I had been there a couple of months. I don’t want to bore anyone with details but I had an accident and went to the hospital. I think it was 10 to 12 weeks before I was back online.

When I got home, what did I find? MONEY! Much needed in my case I might add. In my affiliate accounts! Why? Because Pumie (Chris) left my banners up the whole time. Taking money from his own earnings. Puma took no credit and still wouldn’t to this day. That is the kind of guy he is. If you ask him, he still won’t acknowledge it. That is a true gentlemen.

We transitioned through the affiliate world together. Puma’s Playground was one of the best forums I’ve ever seen. I talked him into becoming a member of the GPWA. I made sure I was there for the voting process.

Chris, I love how creative you are. I honestly feel you are an artist when it comes to this biz. You are innovative and not afraid to try out new things. You fight for your rights and that a must if you want to survive. It’s no wonder on your longevity.

I laugh when I think of you telling me I am your 2<SUP>nd</SUP> best friend online and playing poker freerolls (and beating you I might add).

I totally feel why you are doing what you are doing and I am moving to other areas myself. Not closing the door but rather waiting it out.

If you decide to come back, Joe and I are here. We love you dearly and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to tell you that. I feel so privileged and lucky to know you. There is always a place for you with us.

I admire your list of people to thank and each one of them are well deserving. There really are some great folks in this biz. I’ve been so discouraged and upset, I forget that. Thank you for reminding me. There are more good peeps, and I know the list could be longer.

Thank you everyone for listening to my tribute to pumacat aka my friend Chris.

Finally, Chris my little DJ, find a nice girl and settle down. I’ve been telling you that for years!

MUCH Love,
Paula

[ocreditor]

Wishing you all the best for the future Chris

[SlotsAff]

Good luck Chris in the future - stay well and be happy

[Paolino]

Good luck Chris, I'm sure you will do an amazing job in your future challenges.

[Maria F]

Shame, I never had the chance to work with you. I wish you all the best!

[Chips]

Fair winds and following seas Chris. You will be missed here. The very best of all in whatever you have chosen to pursue.

[LiveCasinoPartners]

I've been in the affiliate business since 2005, about a year after you started. The biggest change I've seen during this time is the effort needed to rank well and earn revenue. You mentioned this in your last post. When I read it I was thinking, "yea, he's right. It does take a lot more now."

Best of luck on your new adventures. I hope you have lots of fun.

[Integrity]

It's always humbling to hear that you meant something to someone. I love what I get to do in this industry, and am perpetually grateful for those who support me. Thank you, Chris... I wish you all the best, prosperity, and most of all FUN and PEACE in whatever you put your mind to.

[GCG]

Thank you Chris for all the valuable information you shared with us, you are spot on with things that matter to affiliates and players.

Good luck and I think you were getting there with your domains but you can always start over again in the near future.

[cass]

I wish you all the best in your new endeavors Chris.

I understand where you coming from, personally I feel you must not leave the industry completely since you have a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and experience.

Maybe you can become a consultant of sorts especially now that the U.S market is on the brink of legalizing online gambling again. Always remember stick to what you good at.