What do you think of the CAP banning frenzy?

[MichaelCorfman]

I've tried for a very long time to maintain a good relationship with CAP - after all, we are in the same industry. But right now it seems CAP has no further interest in having a good relationship with anyone who is not part of the "family" in the mafia sense of the word.

You see, I've been banned from CAP even though I have never made a post there that could justify such a banning. And I've also been removed from the CAP group on LinkedIn and I've also been removed multiple times from the CAP group on Facebook.

And CityGuard has been banned from CAP. And J.Todd (Integrity) has been banned from CAP. Even kwblue (aso known as affiliate guard dog) was recently banned from CAP for a period of time.

Heck, I'm beginning to feel like being banned from CAP is an honor sort of like being inducted into one of the sports-related halls of fame!

Let us know whether you've ever been banned from CAP, and if you have, please share your story with us. And if you've never been banned, but know a funny story about someone who was, please share. I'm sure there are a lot of really good ones out there.

Michael

[GPWA Teresa]

Heck, I'm beginning to feel like being banned from CAP is an honor sort of like being inducted into one of the sports-related halls of fame!

Let us know whether you've ever been banned from CAP, and if you have, please share your story with us. And if you've never been banned, but know a funny story about someone who was, please share.

I'm still a part of the facebook group.

No Hall of Shame for me...

[alexpratt]

Michael - I have worked with you across a number of our business' and have always regarded you as a really good guy that I respected and got on well with but I honestly think this poll and your post is completely unprofessional particulary at a time when this industry should be coming together.

What are you trying to gain from this poll apart from to encourage negative posts about CAP and a sense of animosity - Even force people to take a sides.

Every story has two sides but I can't even be bothered to venture a reaction to the points made above because as I said it really will gain nothing.

Please understand this is a response from me personally and is in no way CAP's or iGaming Business' opinion - I am just really dissapointed

Sorry mate - I had to say what I thought

[aksana]

Hm, really interesting, I didn't know about Michael's and other members' banning.
I don't think that I'm a member of "CAP family", although I'm a member of CAP and my site was awarded CAP seal. CAP is a very large forum and there are a lot of members, some of them are very good guys and girls but there are a lot of unknown and untrustworthy members, what I don't like. CAP is not my home, I have nothing bad against CAP, but it's not my favorite forum.

[gregdpowell]

And if you've never been banned, but know a funny story about someone who was, please share. I'm sure there are a lot of really good ones out there.

Michael

I've seen some pretty interesting ways to build buzz in a forum but this is a first for me. I am sure this will inspire some insanity on GPWA and trade show gossip circles alike.

[Professor]

Another joke Michael?

Sad that you have to resort to this type of cheap heat to promote your products. We have been cordial and supportive of GPWA for years. Everyone knows that. We provided you with Free Booths at our shows while you did virtually nothing tangible in return. We did cross promos when it made sense. Until now we had helped you distribute your magazine at our shows where they were exposed to thousands of readers rather then the usual handful. You and your staff have been at all our shows and even though you are a vendor we didnt charge you a cent. You were even in Barcelona this year where you tampered with and ultimately stole the JV agreement we had with APCW.

You have always been anything but well intentioned and this post/poll clearly illuminates your real position all along. I hope it opens everyones eyes as to what you are.

It's sad to see an industry colleague behave in such a boorish fashion. You sir are an embarrasment to our business.

Despite your petty attempts to stir up trouble, GPWA members will always be welcome at our events for free.

They have been for years, but you as an individual are not. You simply don't deserve a seat at the table anymore due to your negative, destructive and hateful behavior.

If any GPWA staff want to escape this sinking ship and the lunatic on the bridge please contact our HR department. We will be happy to throw you a life preserver and pull you in to a brighter future.

I will not post here again. All of you are members of CAP and can reach me there anytime you wish.

[pdjoe]

Banned a little over a year ago.

If I wasn't banned then, I would have been yesterday for what I would have posted about the AGD theft.

[EricEricEric]

Michael - I have worked with you across a number of our business' and have always regarded you as a really good guy that I respected and got on well with but I honestly think this poll and your post is completely unprofessional particulary at a time when this industry should be coming together.

i don't think the "banning frenzy" by cap on fb, linkedin and the forum is bringing the industry together. Especially with zero explanation.

i'm glad michael brought this to everyones attention in a fun way. other people could have exposed this in a more serious hurtful manner. i'm sure a lot of webmasters will find the bannings interesting/puzzling.

lets implement a Ban Court . give everyone a fair trial or at least a chance to talk it out in a public forum. perhaps a POLL once all the facts are out there

i enjoy being welcomed at the cap forum and cap events. hopefully i'm not banned.

[Jinnia]

Thank you Mr Corfman!!

It's time this banning frenzy at CAP is brought out.

I myself registered there a few years ago. I couldn't login
after completing the registration. So I was banned even
before becoming a member ... LOL !!

[mojo]

*Raising my hand*

I've been banned for about a year and a half now. At least I am in good company.

That's fine and no biggie. I can live with that. I wouldn't feel welcome at a CAP conference and I don't go. That's ok too.

It does trouble me that AGD had his livlihood pulled out from under him yesterday. We have all grown to admire Andy's hard work and unique idea to serve affliates and alert us of t/c changes. A program cannot be appoved by AGD for any amount of money if their terms do not adhere to the basic standards. He has built this with hard work and integrity. I can't say how much we needed this as affiliates. For it to be copied at CAP, well, I don't know what to say. It's hard for the little guy to compete with that. Who's next?

That's my small humble opinion. I least I know I won't be banned for it.

Thank you Michael and CC/GPWA for having the courage to speak up! I don't find it bashing or anything like that. Just the facts.

[Arjun]

Michael, this post comes as an absolute disappointment when someone of your stature should be leading by example, rather than making ill attempts to demean another business in the same market. CAP is a growing community, and in order to make sure that things are kept industry relevant, some people need to be removed because they can't participate in professional discussions.

Your post clearly reflects why you were banned from CAP, since instead of behaving in a professional manner you choose to be childish and unprofessional with these pathetic attempts at slandering another business. We wish you nothing but success in your endeavors, but it is very sad to see your leadership approach dwindle to such tactics.

Cheers,
Arjun

[MichaelCorfman]

Michael - I have worked with you across a number of our business' and have always regarded you as a really good guy that I respected and got on well with but I honestly think this poll and your post is completely unprofessional particulary at a time when this industry should be coming together.

What are you trying to gain from this poll apart from to encourage negative posts about CAP and a sense of animosity - Even force people to take a sides.

Every story has two sides but I can't even be bothered to venture a reaction to the points made above because as I said it really will gain nothing.

Please understand this is a response from me personally and is in no way CAP's or iGaming Business' opinion - I am just really dissapointed

Sorry mate - I had to say what I thought

Alex, at least you know that here you will not be banned for saying what you think even if you know it is not what I would prefer to hear you say.

I've been told that people view me as soft because I don't stand up for myself as strongly as many people feel I should. And I've put up with a tremendous amount of what I have viewed as unreasonable behavior from Warren and Lou over the years, as have you.

I agree with you that this is a time when the industry should come together, so let me be clear. I was not the one that threw the first stone. CAP banned me from their forums without my having said anything to justify such an action at the time. I still have not banned any member of CAP management from the forums here, and as you can see from the posts they have made, I have allowed them to say what they think.

You say you feel that I have not acted professionally. I would say that I have tried to maintain a sense of humor in a situation where many would respond in anger.

What I have done is to make a deliberate decision to let webmasters who might not be aware know that CAP management exercises a rather heavy hand and bullies many who are well respected in the webmaster community. The treatment of many others such as integrity and kwblue is far worse than what they have done with me.

I've tried to do that in a way that is light-hearted, but the underlying facts are actually pretty mean and ugly in my opinion.

Michael

[pgaming]

CAP is a growing community, and in order to make sure that things are kept industry relevant, some people need to be removed because they can't participate in professional discussions.

Ah...what? Do you mean professors discussions. The one man galaxy who leads horses to poison waters. I question how many more deceit affiliates must be banished for the sake of one man.

If you open a public board then make it public. This maybe no more professional than using board members for your own wallet.

This truly sucks

Your friend the village idiot. Thank goodness I don't need CAP for nothing. I carved my own niche.

pgaming

[GPWA Andrea]

I'm standing with Michael on this one. I have been silent in the forums for a long time, but I wanted to speak up after reading the posts in this thread.

Michael always operates honestly and openly. I've worked with him for nearly 10 years, and I can testify to his integrity. In fact, it 's one of the reasons I've continued working here so many years. (and, btw, thanks for the offer, Lou, but no thanks.)

From what I have seen, I do not believe that CAP values integrity in its business dealings nor do I believe it is supportive of working with other industry organizations or bringing the industry together - given its treatment of the GPWA, APCW and now AGD.

I have personally seen several examples of behind the scenes communications from CAP to affiliates, affiliate programs, and other industry associations that are filled with falsehoods and threats - thus the "Mafia" reference.

Michael could have raised these issues if he wanted to as examples of serious malfeasance, but he did not. Michael chose to bring to light his unfair treatment by CAP in a lighthearted way.

We've had enough bad behavior in the business world lately to last a life time - just look what it's done to our world economy.

I vote for integrity this time.

[mojo]

I've been told that people view me as soft because I don't stand up for myself as strongly as many people feel I should.

Just to lighten things up a bit, this is a side of you I haven't seen before Michael. Knock me over with a feather and call me Fred! LOL

What I have done is to make a deliberate decision to let webmasters who might not be aware know that CAP management exercises a rather heavy hand and bullies many who are well respected in the webmaster community.

Personally speaking, I know that you did not post this randomly and you put heavy thought into this action Michael. I'm sure we will all agree it may change the dynamics of this industry, hopefully for the better. Simply put, there comes a time when it is appropriate to say enough is enough.

[GamTrak]

This is very sad to see happen. I hope that we the affiliates don't have to be expected to choose sides.

[Ricbyrne]

I also was banned by the professor himself, because I presented an issue with one of his major programs. This so-called professional even edited (changed the words) of my post to make me look like a real idiot. Sorry! But no forum administrator has the right to alter a post! That is real low! I have no respect for Lou because, in my opinion, he is all about $$$$ and if the truth costs him $$$$ its not allowed.

Banning anyone from a forum should not be taken lightly. First off you need to do something that is clearly against the rules. Even than a fair Administrator will give a warning about what rule is being broken and the consequences of continuing that behavior. From what I’ve seen, over the years, banning from CAP is swift and most of the time without any explanation.

I certainly hope you all seen that the Professor is not banned from GPWA! He talks about professionalism! Just how professional is it to go to another forum and openly solicit GPWA Staff to go to work for CAP?

I agree that it is time for this industry to unite, but without CAP! There are many fine people at CAP, I met some. But their administrator leadership is lacking. In my opinion, CAP represents the old way of operating and thinking, Old School! Cap had every chance to unite this industry and put pressure on the corrupt gambling sites and programs, but has done nothing to improve conditions for the players that make their life style possible. Many seem to have forgotten that it is the players, we all refer to sites, that makes this whole industry thrive. Without players there is no industry. Yet many keep referring players to sites that cheat them, and few seem to care.

Michael and the GPWA have a grasp on what is happening in this industry. I firmly believe they are willing and able to take a major roll in this industry and make it a better and safer place for players and webmasters alike.

We have heard about how the industry needs regulations and many are waiting for this to happen. I have never endorsed outside regulations. I have always felt that the industry is fully capable of regulating itself. The people are here, the resources are here all that is missing is leadership!

Kudos Michael for having the courage to speak up!

[bonustreak]

This is a sad situation, our industry is in such turmoil right now and what we don't need is this industry killing itself off from the inside out.

I do take offense to the senior members at CAP being referred to as "Mafia", that is so far from the truth. Myself and many others stay neutral and do not choose sides and we fight for the rights of all affiliates new and old, we provide our time and knowledge to the community as a whole and if there is something we do not agree on we voice our thoughts.

A perfect example of that is the BCP issue, we all spoke up and voiced our opinions and CAP listened to our concerns and they did the right thing but I do not see anyone thanking them and recognizing that?

I just have to wonder if this could have come about in a different way, I am friends with many of you on both sides and I plan to keep that in tact and I hope as Gamtrak said that we are not forced to choose any side in this mess.

[arkyt]

I was banned from CAP years ago for simply questioning what is now known as the phony and completely meaningless "paid for" certification. As you have stated when it comes to CAP its a childish thug mentality of you're either with me or you're against me.

Hearing about your banning certainly does not come as a surprise. I as well as many others attempted to inform you of CAP's and more specifically Lou's bully techniques quite some time ago. Its no secret that he spoke out against iGAMI, a (IMO) very worthwhile venture, from the start going so far as contacting programs and demanding that they do not associate with the site.

I know dozens of others who have also been banned - its been well known for years that if you wish to remain a member at CAP you better stay in line and not say or do anything that might remotely reflect negatively on his money machine.

Some recognize that and choose to stand for what is right and leave. Others see it for what it truly is, but choose to use CAP as much as possible to their own benefits walking on the fence, while others are simply unaware and/or brainwashed.

Many know me for my outspoken nature, I have spoken for unity since my first days in this business, 7+ years ago. Sadly, unity has never seen light and I believe until the industry cleanses itself, it will NEVER happen.

[MichaelCorfman]

I hope that we the affiliates don't have to be expected to choose sides.

Robin,

I think you know that the GPWA is run as a very open forum where everyone that participates in a respectful way is welcome. In the past 2 1/2 years since I have been the executive director of the GPWA we've just banned two people for their posts (both in the same thread on the same day), and they were really only banned for a couple weeks (I'm excluding spammers from that count).

And the short-term banning of those couple of folks was done in significant part to maintain a good working relationship with CAP, since the offensive comments were oriented towards the Professor.

It would be interesting, though, if as moderator for polls at CAP, you initiated a poll to see if my ban as a member of CAP should be continued or not.

Even better would be if members of CAP should participate in decisions of whether members should be banned. If, from a distance, I could influence CAP to place banning decisions in the hands of the members, then I think I would have accomplished a lot of good for the affiliate industry.

Michael