Gambling Federation Malware

[Petunia]

** I have one last question: "What is GFED going to do about this whole lot? We now have eCogra saying that they won't have this happen, we have IGC saying "GET OUT". We have CAP saying that they won't stand for it. NOW I want to know... GFED - what do YOU have to say (in conclusion) to this lot. What are your intensions from here on? Do you still have a CEO? Just wondering**

[caruso]

What does it matter what they do? They'll carry on as before, there's nothing else they can or would do. They've already "apologized" and offered the lame "data base theft" excuse. I expect nothing more from them.

What matters is the response from the industry as a whole - organizations, advertisers, etc etc - which to date has been largely, if not totally, positive.

[Petunia]

**Caruso, like it or not, they are still a part of this industry, and although that sorry excuse for an explanation was their FIRST attempt to put out fires, it does not let THEM off the hook! There should be INTERNAL implications for this - Should they not at least come out and state their own stance on the situation too. (Apart and seperate from the man himself? OR IS HE GFED?) I care what THEY say and do as they still have a responsibility towards their aff webmasters!(Who's caugth in a catch 22 - They earn a income from this so they cannot stop the marketing, but they want to do the 'right' thing too....)

So far only three players in the whole industry has given their views on this... which imo is not enough! BuT as this is a business, it is also like a chess game. You move, I move, you move. Right now, they are a few moves behind! Is there anything they can say and do to make pple 'trust' them again? Is there anythign they can say and do to start repairing the damage? YOU might not care about this, but I do. Kicking them off prominent 'trusted' groups is one thing - what are THEY going to do to protect aff partners in future from this kind of stupidity? is all I am asking*

[Dirk Diggler]

I care what THEY say and do as they still have a responsibility towards their aff webmasters!(Who's caugth in a catch 22 - They earn a income from this so they cannot stop the marketing, but they want to do the 'right' thing too....)

Only affiliates who's only consideration is money are in a catch 22. The ones that give a sh*t about the players are not - it's clear what to do.

[unicorn40]

This is the statement released by Gambling Federation regarding the MALWARE situation and their actions:

Gambling Federation is pleased that the IGC board supports the idea that theft and conversion of property is a reprehensible act. Unfortunately when IGC informed that there are appropriate means to deal with such cases, they failed to indicate what these means were.

Does IGC consider legally pursuing the perpetrator(s) of theft and conversion of property as appropriate means? Considering the offshore presence of the industry and considering that transfers of property do not, for the most part, leave a physical address, it is safe to say that legal actions are not effective and therefore not appropriate to solve this issue.

If an answer could be given, in a reasonable time frame, this might help to define a code of conduct for the entire industry, in the unfortunate event that an operator or software house is one day victim of theft and/or conversion of property.

If no answer is provided, it would appear that the only appropriate solution would be no action at all. If no action is the only possible answer to theft and conversion of property, then with this decision IGC is in reality, indirectly and unwillingly leaving it wide open to the ones that perpetuate theft and conversion of property and leaving its members without any possible protection.

This might discourage other operators or software houses from applying for an IGC membership.

Considering the delicacy of this issue, it is understandable if IGC would like to take the necessary time to answer. As for, Gambling Federation’s membership fee, it is strongly suggested that IGC donate the concerned sum to a charity organization of their choice.

Statement from Flaviano - CEO of Gambling Federation
Talia Paschini, Gambling Federation PR Manager

[jetset]

Mr. FOGLI has, by issuing this statement demonstrated once again that his capability in executive judgement is open to question, imv.

To further insult those who feel strongly about his actions in the malware affair by figuratively stamping his feet over the IGC decision whilst blithely ignoring the main reason for his companys hassles is ill-advised and arrogant to say the least.

Face the facts, FOGLI - you were the man in charge and the responsibility for this crisis is yours. Your company dumped unwanted and malicious software on the computers of probably hundreds if not thousands of unknowing players.

The issue here is not your lame justification for doing that - it is the fact that you did it, you were caught doing it, you admitted doing it and you paid a fairly light penalty for doing it.

I would suggest that you consider yourself fortunate to have escaped so lightly and show a bit more humility and contrition and less focus on this alleged database theft you are using in your attempts to ameliorate the gravity of this offence.

[Petunia]

I would suggest that you consider yourself fortunate to have escaped so lightly and show a bit more humility and contrition and less focus on this alleged database theft you are using in your attempts to ameliorate the gravity of this offence.

*Very very fortuanate indeed!!! Jetset, you have a way with words, i guess it is because you make practical comments, rather than getting into an emotional tug-of-war! I agree with what you said, and I think that the Man himself issues quite the lame

"If an answer could be given, in a reasonable time frame, this might help to define a code of conduct for the entire industry, in the unfortunate event that an operator or software house is one day victim of theft and/or conversion of property" - IMHO I think that it is up to operating house to sort that problem out. It was in INTERNAL problem, and you saught an "external" solution to this! There are ways of dealing with staff leaving and protecting yourself, THIS however was not the way!
Although there are governing bodies and regulators, everyone still has a personal responsibility towards themselves, their business and their customers. Trying to eliminate the oposition is just not IT! (Even Bill Gates could not exactly get away with that one!)


I recommend: "Dilbert's book on business ethics" *grin* **

[amandajm]

The industry does need a code of conduct.

[caruso]

This is the statement released by Gambling Federation regarding the MALWARE situation and their actions

No it isn't. This is nothing whatsoever to do with the malware incident. This is Gambling Federation continuing with this extraordinary line of painting themselves as the "victim" in all this, victim of some alleged and unproven crime of "data base theft". If there WERE any ex-employee misdoings behind it all it would change nothing. As it is, all this is hot air - one is supposed to accept "on oath" the justifications of a man who downloaded malicious software on his customers computers?

I would suggest that you consider yourself fortunate to have escaped so lightly

Lightly? The "escape" is only as light as it's allowed to be. The matter has received big publicity and affiliates will have reconsidered and be reconsidering their affiliate relationships, which is going cut into Fogli's profits.

As long as noone succumbs to the idea that they've "got off" and forget the matter, I don't think they're going to escape from this one jot.

Any word from the iGGBA?

[Casinomeister]

Any word from the iGGBA?

No - only that they are aware of the situation. Ho hum.