Webmaster decides to blacklist: BetOnline.com, BetOnline Affiliates

[robertmedl]

As of today, BetOnline.com and BetOnline Affiliates have been blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory for spamming.

Complete details are here.

[tryme]

There's two things here that I want to comment on. The first isn't directly aimed at you, Robert.

1) Threads that have 'Rogue' or 'Blacklist' in their title: my opinion is that, because this is GPWA's website, only mods and Casino City staff should be able to start threads that say things like 'BetOnline Blacklisted'.

I understand that other affiliates may want to have certain properties rogued and they can choose whatever title they like for their thread. However, it's misleading if I come to this site and see a thread that says 'Blacklisted: BetOnline...'

The implication is that GPWA have blacklisted this site, which isn't the case.

My view is that either the OP or GPWA should ensure clarity about thread titles of this nature.

2) I read your blog post, mate and I kinda understand where you are coming from. However, I do find it strange that you don't want the affiliate managers at a sportsbook you presumably promote to contact you with useful info.

If I've misunderstood and you don't promote BOL, fair enough.

On a tangential note, I do promote them and haven't had an email from them entitled “BetOnline.com and recent changes in the US market”. Can someone PM me with the details?

[Buddy M]

First of all I agree with tryme. When I saw the title the first thing that came to my mind is that Betonline screwed some player or the aff program didnt pay out. As far as the email "BetOnline.com and recent changes in the US market" I actually found it to be good news, stating that they are in it for the long haul. I know that just by stating that it can still change, but I just thought in a week full of US pull outs, man this is good news, but maybe it is spamming, I dont know, I for one was glad to get it.

In either case, I have to say again that I agree with tryme. The title can be taken the wrong way.

[eaton2003]

Robert,

Please accept my apologies as I took all methods to make sure not to contact you and this email slipped through the crack. It is completely unacceptable and something I will make tride to avoid ever occuring again in the future. This occurred as I compiled a list of affiliates I have been in contact with for the past couple of years who would be interested to know the status. From this list I only wished to send to those who would be interested and not spam.

Regretfully even though I thought I took all the apppropriate measures I emailed you. This was a complete slip and for this I do apologise. I will go through my old emails and see why I accidently emailed you to ensure this does not happen again to you or anyone else who specifically requested not to be emailed from me. It is much easier for me just to email those who wish to be emailed and I am sure you agree on this.

Sorry once again and this email was intended to let everyone know 'we are still open for business'.

[eaton2003]

This was a personal email and not newsletter being sent out so it was not sent to all members. The title is a little confusing but was not the intention.

[TheGooner]

To talk about blacklisting to players for affiliate program contact is strange.
To do so as the result of one email seems to be a major over-reaction IMO.

[Buddy M]

When I said this:

"In either case, I have to say again that I agree with tryme. The title can be taken the wrong way". and that:
"When I saw the title the first thing that came to my mind is that Betonline screwed some player or the aff program didnt pay out".

It was not in responce to the email title from Betonline, it was in responce to the original title of this thread: Blacklisted: Betonline.com and Betonline Affiliates. That title was bad news and is what I was referring too, I just want to be sure everyone understands that. As for the email from Betonline, that was good news to me.

Simon, I'm not sure if I am on the "Send To" email list, but if I am not, please add me.

Thanks, Buddy

[MichaelCorfman]

For clarification I have edited the thread title to start with "Webmaster decides to blacklist" rather than "Blacklisted" to better indicate this post refers to the action of a single webmaster.

Michael

[robertmedl]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it!

The key issue to me is that the affiliate program did not respect explicit and repeated requests to have an account deleted and to be unsubscribed from emails. To me, this is basic record keeping. In my nearly 5+ years in this business, as goes the affiliate program, so goes the sites that it promotes.

-- Michael: I'll follow the "Webmaster decides to blacklist..." convention in the future.
-- Simon: Appreciate the apology and your response.
-- tryme, TheGooner: At one time I did promote them. They didn't convert. I stopped promoting them and asked that my account be deleted (1/1/09) and that my email addresses be removed from all of their databases (1/1/09, 6/3/10, 8/30/10). And yet they kept sending me email. And so I blacklisted them.

I have nothing to gain by blacklisting a site, by the way. And I do not take it lightly. It takes me hours to do all the work on my sites, my blogs, and in my records, but I feel that warning potential players is worth those hours.

[eaton2003]

-- Simon: Appreciate the apology and your response.

No problem and I understand it is your right to complain as I violated something although be-it by accident. Will take care in the future for this not to occur again. Worth noting my accidental 'email send' is no reflection to the way we treat our players, as in my eyes BetOnline goes above and beyond what the average sportsbook will do and I am excited to be part of them.