PR: ECOGRA REPORT ON THE GRAND PRIVÉ AFFILIATE PROGRAM INVESTIGATION

[bonustreak]

Grand Prive are the bad guys for sure but I still believe eCogra needs to pull their seals since it is clear and they have even they realize Grand Prive pulled a fast act on them.

[jetset]

My understanding is that there could be legal consequences which have to be carefully considered here.

Looking back over previous incidents I get the impression that from a legal aspect there has to be a distinction between what a company like GP does to retain its accreditation seals in an operational sense and its behaviour in dealings in other areas.

In other words there does not appear to be a 'one size fits all' rule that entitles the eCOGRA directors to arbitrarily pull an operator's seals for as yet unproved integrity-related offences...or for embarrassing the organisation that has accredited them.

The absence of such a general 'conduct unbecoming' rule and legally acceptable proof that it has been broken could be constraining eCOGRA from doing what the directors at this stage would possibly like very much to do - fire GP's ass.

The consequences of GP launching litigation against eCOGRA in such an event could be serious - we're talking about large companies here and the liability issue will be something that directors have to consider in doing their duty to the company.

The thought that GP is able to so thumb its nose at eCOGRA, presumably MGS and the affiliate industry in general and appear to get away with it is as abhorrent to me as it will be to most of the posters here and elsewhere, but legal caution seems to be a real consideration for the companies involved here.

How much more satisfying it would be to see both eCOGRA and MGS immediately pull the seals and software licence of a company that behaves like this!

[AussieDave]

Has anyone among the affiliates impacted by this looked into the possibility of a class action against GP?

Something like this would also server the purpose of sending a clear message to other aff programs entertaining the thought of going down the GP path.


Cheers



Dave

[GamTrak]

What other options are there for affiliates prejudiced in the closure of the Grand Prive Affiliate Program? Has anyone among the affiliates impacted by this looked into the possibility of a class action against GP?

Today I've started thinking about this "class action" suit against Grand Prive & others, but is it something that can be done? If so then I'm all for it because as hard as I try I can't motivate myself to continue working under the present conditions.

My income has been impacted by this stuff and if they offered to "settle" with me via eCOGRA then they clearly feel that I'm owed something (as I'm a victim of thier actions), BUT I want a FAIR settlement or nothing at all!

Jetset how do we get started on this class action suit? I'm willing to give as much time as it takes to see this thru to the end one way or the other.

[AussieDave]

how do we get started on this class action suit?

What it would require is those affiliates who have a case against Grand Prive` (including yourself) would hire a solicitor to act on the behalf of everyone.

Of course that's the bare bones of it. Far more detail involved than that.

But I'm not a legal adviser and have never been involved in a class action.
Therefore it would be inappropriate for me to give any further information. What you need now as facts.

You may like to look up class action on Google.
But remember USA law may not be at play in the case. Hence I'd also consult UK & or EU law. These may also help answer your questions.


Cheers



Dave

[GamTrak]

Hi Dave,

I've been doing research since this post and gathered the following to give to a local attorney as I'm going after them all! Grand Prive, Micrograming & eCOGRA as IMO they are all in this together. I will be contacting Class Action Attoneys in each of the above countries.

Here is the first site I found with great information. Class Action Suit - http://consumer-law.lawyers.com/Clas...on-Basics.html

Denver Lawyers - http://www.lawyers.com/class-actions...law-firms.html


==================

Microgaming - Isle of Man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attorne...l_(Isle_of_Man)

===================

Grand Prive - (need location)

Has eCOGRA report posted on site under news.

===================

Casinomeister has them rogued

Grand Privé - Bad Casino Practice - Rogue

Software provider: Microgaming
Licensing Jurisdiction: Kahna-haha-wake
Mother Ship: GrandPrive.com
Associated websites:
Belle Vegas Online
Casino Grand Bay
Grand Bay Poker
Kasino Grand Bay
Lake Palace Casino
Jupiter Club Casino
Road House Reels Casino
Fortune Junction Casino
Jackpot Wheel Casino
Villa Fortuna Casino
Villa Fortuna Affiliates

http://www.casinomeister.com/rogue/grandprive.php

=====================

Caruso has articles

http://www.hundredpercentgambling.co...rand-prive.htm

=====================


eCOGRA Information

Address: eCOGRA Limited
2nd Floor
Berkeley Square House
Berkeley Square
London
W1J 6BD
United Kingdom

Email: info@ecogra.org

Company Registration Number: 4690117

VAT Registration Number: 830 8129 41

[jetset]

Today I've started thinking about this "class action" suit against Grand Prive & others, but is it something that can be done? If so then I'm all for it because as hard as I try I can't motivate myself to continue working under the present conditions.

My income has been impacted by this stuff and if they offered to "settle" with me via eCOGRA then they clearly feel that I'm owed something (as I'm a victim of thier actions), BUT I want a FAIR settlement or nothing at all!

Jetset how do we get started on this class action suit? I'm willing to give as much time as it takes to see this thru to the end one way or the other.

I'm no legal practitioner, but I would guess the first move would be to muster the necessary support from fellow affiliates impacted by the closure of the program, sharing your information on class actions, and then formulating a plan to engage with legal support, perhaps on a contingency 'no win - no pay' basis.

[NASHVEGAS]

In CAL's, the only winner(s) is/are the lawyers but knock yourselves out

[Casinomeister]

A class action suit may be too little too late. Besides, what webmaster would be willing to shell out the cash for legal representation when it's only a few hundred bucks that they are owed? I think after a couple of lawyer bills most would lose interest. A class action suit (IMO) should have been pursued in December 2008.

@ Gamtrak - I'm really surprised to see you joining this discussion here after your childish "Casino God" (me) rant over at GPWA. I don't take personal attacks lightly - especially after I have assisted you with your recent PAB (amongst other things). I feel that the GPWA is a better venue for your participation, not this forum.

@every else: it's pretty much clear to me that the operators of Grand Prive are the sole offenders in this unprecedented eff-up. I don't see how eCOGRA or MGS can be thrown into the same blame pit.

Affiliate marketing is just that - it's marketing. I know this won't sit well with a lot of webmasters but it's your own damn fault for promoting a casino group that has been in and out of the rogue pit for years. What did you expect? An honest deal? C'mon - quit your whining and move on.

As for eCOGRA giving webmasters the shaft - think again. It was eCOGRA that agreed to conduct this audit in the interest of getting aggrieved affiliates paid - they performed this audit as agreed by both parties (GP and eCOGRA) and on the surface, the "fair settlement for claimants" was IMO fair.

BUT - as it's been surmised - were they given all of the data? A number of you have it pretty much figured out, and by eCOGRA's recent statement - read between the lines. It's over. GP will not return to this issue.

These are uncharted waters and the landscape can change with each new issue. This is the first time eCOGRA has audited an affiliate program and I believe will be the last time they ever volunteer to stick their necks out for the affiliate folk. Just an observation.

eCOGRA is not your enemy. eCOGRA is primarily set up to deal with player issues. There has always been a debate about marketing issues vs player issues and how they are intertwined, but the bottom line is that eCOGRA was never set up for dealing with the marketing side of the picture. Only recently are they approving affiliate programs. I'm sure it would be a different situation altogether if Fortune Affiliates, Referback, or another eCOGRA accredited aff program attempted to do what GP did.

Further: MGS is taking this seriously. Lest we forget. It was reported that all GP affiliates who had active players and were earners were paid when the aff program was closed. Whether this is true or not - who knows? But was MGS required to check and double check this when no one presented them an official complaint? An official complaint is a written grievance presented to their corporate office; it's not complaining anonymously on a public message board (if the shoe fits, wear it). I'm just tossing that into the ring. Don't forget, this is not a player issue - it's marketing and probably would not get the same level of attention that a serious player complaint would get.

Affiliates that promote operations that are mismanaged, or have flaky operators should ask themselves this: why are these worthy of promotion? What did you expect?

You should have been promoting 32Red or Club World instead

[Casinomeister]

....

The thought that GP is able to so thumb its nose at eCOGRA, presumably MGS and the affiliate industry in general and appear to get away with it is as abhorrent to me as it will be to most of the posters here and elsewhere, but legal caution seems to be a real consideration for the companies involved here.

How much more satisfying it would be to see both eCOGRA and MGS immediately pull the seals and software licence of a company that behaves like this!

Excellent points here.