888 / Casino On Net Condoning Site Scraping & Copyright Theft?

[dominique]

Thanks.

That fits right in.

[Chatmaster]

I think the time has come for 888 to realise they have a major problem. There has now been allot of evidence that they are indeed condoning spamming. This explains why they deal so "harshly" sarcasm with affiliates that makes use of this strategy. When looking at their T&C for their affiliates there is no trace of them stating that affiliates would be banned and commissions confiscated. This in it self is in my view an admission of guilt.

Nice job Dave. It is good to see actual evidence instead of just talk. I am sure if we investigate further there will be more . Another concern I have is, if greed is their attitude towards webmasters and spam, what is their attitude towards players. $$$$$catching$$$$$$?

[Webzcas]

Originally Posted by Sodax77

(Greedy) 888.com vs Intercasino.com

xhttp://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?&range=max&size=large&compare_site s=www.intercasino.com&y=r&size=large&range=1y&url= www.888.com#top

Good Catch

To the extent, that one can surmise that they either don't care too much, or they are earning too much revenue as a result of these illegal sites, that they do not wish to cut off this particular revenue stream.

The thing is though. Theft is theft. The fact that 888 are blatantly paying these thieves that scrape and steal content, means they support copyright theft.

I implore 888 to do the right thing and cut off the feeding tube to each and every one webmaster that scrapes and steals content permanently. This should be easy enough to write into their terms and conditions.

There should be no second chances for any rogue affiliates and webmasters that feed off others hard work.

Furthermore, I would like 888 to step up to the plate and explain the blog spamming which i have detailed in the first post in this thread.

[AussieDave]

I don't want to ruffle feathers here nor is this post directed towards any hidden agenda issues either.

With that said I find it of great concern that on one hand <and lets not spilt hairs or play semantics> CON <888> with MG were the ones to inject the start up funds for eCogra. John Anderson <Chief Executive Officer> for CON also holds a current seat as Member Representative Directors for eCogra along with Roger Raatgever <MG Chief Executive Officer>.

Now we can all use fancy BIG words but getting down to brass tacks the main objective <least from my perspective & understanding> is that eCogra was formed to bridge confidence in players of MG casinos & CON, adding it was also formed to allow a structured mediation process.

Along the way its secondary function may also have been to instil a feeling of integrity and trust to the greater community <not necessarily nor primarily just for gamblers>.

eCogra is not populated by chumps it has an impressive list of highly educated and respected board members who head up its helm.

Therefore given the light of CON's current stand point on its wayward affiliates site scaping activities, I personally find it absurd that eCogra has not stepped into this matter. It's highly possible that John Anderson's hand is not on the pulse regarding this issue, still it would seem as plain as the nose on my face that given the connections here <eCogra does endorse www.casinomesiter.com and other sites too> that this issue should be raised directly with him.

[Simmo!]

My understanding is that it is simply that eGOGRA do not see dealing with affiliate issues as part of their remit.

[rowmare]

Although this isn't related directly to scraping, I would like to repeat a post I made at CAP about the effects of the marketing strategies 888.con is prominent in:

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This post is, with any luck, a wake up call to Casinos who will take traffic anyway they can get it, regardless of how their image is subsequently tarnished.

(all bolding has been added by rowmare)
http://www.silicon.com/research/spec...9155842,00.htm
Properties mentioned: Cassava Enterprises (888.com), PartyGaming.

However, whether the casinos endorse this behaviour, turn a blind eye to it or are simply totally oblivious, they are still guilty of failing to protect their brand names and ensure their business is promoted responsibly, at a time when online gaming is in the glare of the authorities' spotlight.

Anti-spam expert Mark Sunner, CTO at MessageLabs, told silicon.com: "There isn't much worse a tarnish than being lumped in with the spam and virus lot."

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http://www.davidgalbraith.org/archives/000783.html
Properties mentioned: Cassava Enterprises (888.com)

Comment spam trail leads to a company with pending $1.5billion IPO with CSFB.

... If, in turn, a significant number of 888.com affiliates are using pagerank gaming techniques via site spamming, then wiping out those affiliates could dramatically affect their revenues and hence the IPO price.

Imagine if Amazon, planning to IPO, had been involved directly or even indirectly with using mass spamming for its marketing, or if a significant portion of their revenues was based upon affiliates that were operating fraudulently, without them knowing. Is that what is happening here?

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http://www.rojisan.com/spam/archives... plc_affi.html
- Another site who is tracking unethical practices, and mentions 88.com as the culprit, or behind the affiliated culprits

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http://www.ahfb2000.com/webmaster_he...ad.php?p=18675
- being discussed in forum about SE spam (888.con)

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The list is endless. The results in the search were plentiful, but I've posted enough links to make a point.

These people are damaging the reputation of this industry "... at a time when online gaming is in the glare of the authorities' spotlight."

If interested in our industry, everybody should get involved in cleaning up online gambling SEO by pressuring the programs to run clean. Blackhatting might be making a ton of money today, but the future isn't clear.

_______________
Fergie


I am all in favor of blacklisting them for their liberal use of Scumware alone, never mind the rest of it.

[Simmo!]

What doesn't help is that when affiliates see this, they often take the "if you can't beat them, join them" approach. Part of the reason that this side of the industry gets deservedly lambasted.

[Webzcas]

To answer your question Trezz. eCOGRA recommends several casino portals, such as CasinoMeister and indeed my own site.

However eCOGRA deals solely with player disputes and does not get involved in webmaster issues. However the fact that portals are recommended by eCOGRA does not mean that we webmasters lose our independence and impartiality.

I think the fact that myself being the webmaster of a portal recommended by eCOGRA, yet I can post this thread raising very very valid concerns re: 888 demonstrates this fact of independence and impartiality - Which I value highly.

As for contacting eCOGRA regarding this issue. I believe several webmasters have touched base with Andrew over the past few days. I myself have as of yet not.

[rowmare]

Originally Posted by Simmo!

My understanding is that it is simply that eGOGRA do not see dealing with affiliate issues as part of their remit.

Perhaps they might reconsider, in light of the scumware issue? I believe players are affects, also, when Search Engine results take them to sites that practically clog their computers with pop-ups.

[Simmo!]

Originally Posted by Webzcas

To answer your question. eCOGRA recommends several casino portals, such as this one and indeed my own site.

LOL....c'mon then you-know-who...there's your opening