Casinomeister's Newsletter
23 February 2005
Issue #220
weekly



Dear Reader,

Yep, for those observant ones, you've noticed that today's not newsletter day, but you got one anyway - it's a day early. I shall not be here tomorrow since I'm heading for Stockholm to join Pokerroom.com in a little party of sorts. So til then, ta ta.

Fleetingly yours,

Bryan

In this issue:
  • Word From the Meister

  • Casinos You Gotta Join

  • This week's humor

  • FORUM HIGHLIGHTS


    Can't read this newsletter in HTML? Click here (or copy and paste this link into your browser): http://www.casinomeister.com/newsletter.html#skip for the cool online version.

    • WORD FROM THE MEISTER
    GAMBLING FEDERATION AND MALWARE
    Last week the news rocked the online gambling industry - and not in a good way unfortunately - that Gambling Federation had included "malware" in their installation software. In other words, when players would download their software, a file on their hard drive was modified without them having a clue. What did this modification do? It prevented the player from accessing three websites (casinoxo.com, theblackjacktable.com, and royaldutchcasino.com). Why did they do it? This was a statement posted throughout the Internet that explained everything:
    While our actions were not justified, readers of this message thread should know that Gambling Federation is a victim of an orchestrated attack to mislead our players. Over the past few months, we received numerous complaints from our players enquiring about unsolicited promotional e-mail delivered to a player’s e-mail address that was used only to communicate with Gambling Federation casinos. After reviewing the complaints from our players, it become apparent that one of our ex-employees was inappropriately and unethically stealing part of our player list, contacting our players and promoting non-Gambling Federation casinos.

    We recognize that are actions were based on emotive judgment; we reacted to an unethical attack by applying the same philosophy with which our company was unfairly attacked. Regardless of our reasoning, we would like to extend our apologies to the investors and employees of Gambling Federation and in particular all our players and affiliates that have contributed to the success of our company over the years.

    Gambling Federation continues to be committed to the free market and responsible business practices. We are also convinced that time will clearly demonstrate that we were in fact a victim in this matter. We will never use and have never used any tactics toward a legitimate and reputable competitor, like the vast majority of our competitors.

    We want also like to thank our colleagues and associates that have communicated, publicly and privately, their support for Gambling Federation over the past few days.

    Best Regards,
    Talia Paschini
    Gambling Federation PR Manager
    Well, this explanation didn't fare so well with a majority of players who tore this apart in the fora. In this industry (and in any industry for that matter) two wrongs don't make a right. There are better ways of dealing with an ex-employee who steals your database. There are legal options since this is property theft (and I'm sure that Costa Rica has a some law that can be applied here). And then there are "creative" options; ingenious ways to deal with your enemies without wavering from the path of being ethical. This malware episode in inexcusable, and it cannot be justified. To excuse or justify this transgression only opens a door to a big dark scary room, and sets a precedent for other idiocies.

    Why hasn't the IGC or iGGBA made any statements concerning this? The silence is a bit deafening; my ears are starting to hurt. I pray that this silence is only the wheels in the background churning out some sort of decisions or statements since there is a vested interest here. From Interactive Gaming Council's Code of Conduct pagehttp://www.igcouncil.org/aboutus.php?do=conduct
    3. Consumer Privacy and Data Protection: IGC members will design and operate their services to afford customers privacy and confidentiality and will post their confidentiality practices and procedures. Each IGC member will institute controls to detect and eliminate fraud and to protect data and the system from internal and external breaches.
    And from the iGGBA "About Us" page http://www.iggba.org.uk/html/aboutus.html
    iGGBA aims to provide reassurance to playing customers of the probity and trustworthiness of its members, and also to represent the trade, particularly in the formulation and maintenance of formal regulation. iGGBA is recognized by the Gaming Board of Great Britain as well as GAMCARE, the UK social responsibility group.
    I hope by this time next week, we'll hear from someone besides outraged players, forgiving webmasters, and people like me.
    LOOK OUT SWEDEN!!
    Here I come! I've never been to Sweden before, but it's time that I should. I have Swedish seafaring blood in me (maternal grandfather's side) which probably explains why I don't get seasick nor airsick. So why go now? Well Pokerroom.com has cordially invited me to check out their offices and join them for a little partying. I'll be touring their offices in Uppsala, and then hanging out in Stockholm for a few days, so if I'm not responding to any emails or banning people in the forum you know why. I should have some interesting things to talk about, so stayed tuned.

    About PokerRoom.com
    PokerRoom.com was launched in 1999. As one of the first poker rooms on the Internet, it was all no-download for play money but since then things has just grown and improved. PokerRoom.com has become one of the largest online poker rooms in the world, with a stunning selection of safe and secure no-download games, a real sense of community amongst their members, and a pioneering attitude to the poker industry.

    They first introduced real money games in August 2001 and have since introduced a number of new games and innovations to their list of features. You'll find classics such as Texas Hold 'em, other poker- and casino games. At the start of 2004, they introduced spectacular gaming to their customers in the form of new amazing software with 5 different poker games and several fantastic tournaments.
    ATTENTION - JOB SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS
    Casino operators, are you looking for a new casino manager? Casino Managers are you fed up with your stoner customer service reps? Game developers, are you looking for fresh new blood? Graphic designers, do you have some talent to share - for a nominal fee? The "Help Wanted" section is now at your disposal in the "Strictly Commercial" section of our forum http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=53 where you can post your help wanted or seeking work ads. Finally an industry specific place to get some work done!!
    CASINOS YOU GOTTA JOIN!
    ATTENTION SLOT LOVERS!! Wild Jack Casino  is offering a 100% match bonus for new players up to $100!! Plus if your first deposit is $50 or more, they'll give you an extra $10 free!

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    Get a 100% Match Bonus with your first purchase up to $100 at Silver Dollar Casino

    And check out their $20,000 Fabulous February Frenzy!! This is a four week promotion starting February 1st. Each week a different game exclusive to English Harbour Casinos will be featured. The first 500 players who make a deposit at any English Harbour Casino in the month of February and play the featured game will be eligible to win a share of $5000 a week!
    A 100% Match Bonus of up to $250 FREE!! Take advantage of Riverbelle Online Casino's Double Deal Bonus today and you'll receive:

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    CONTESTS!
    Casinomeister's Scavenger Hunt! Find the info, answer the questions, and be eligible for $200 in cash!!! It's fabulous!!! It's fun!! With all of the exclamation points, it's gotta be good!!! So c'mon! What are you waiting for?? Let's play here!!
    Thanks Nostalgia Casino for being this month's sponsor!
    GONEGAMBLING'S JACKPOT
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    Check it out here!
    Return to Top
    And now for the humor......
    from the archives...

    A man goes to a bar with his dog. He goes up to the bar and asks for a drink. The bartender says "You can't bring that dog in here!" The guy, without missing a beat, says "This is my seeing-eye dog." "Oh man, " the bartender says, "I'm sorry, here, the first one's on me." The man takes his drink and goes to a table near the door.

    Another guy walks in the bar with a Chihuahua. The first guys sees him, stops him and says "You can't bring that dog in here unless you tell him it's a seeing-eye dog." The second man graciously thanks the first man and continues to the bar. He asks for a drink. The bartender says "Hey, you can't bring that dog in here!"

    The second man replies "This is my seeing-eye dog." The bartender says, "No, I don't think so. They do not have Chiwauas as seeing-eye dogs." The man pauses for a half-second and replies "What?!?! They gave me a Chihuahua?!?"

    Ha ha ha ha


    Return to Top
    THIS WEEK'S FORUM HIGHLIGHT
    Actually, this highlight is from the new signer uppers. For the past year, Casinomeister's forum has averaged about 180 new members a month, with the last two months exceeding this amount. This just goes to show that the forum is a groovy place to be - and where you might meet that special someone who can fill you with warm fuzzies, or just plain piss you off. One of my private joys is reading what people's profiles and how they answer the question, "Tell us something interesting about yourself." Reading on, you'll see we have all kinds in our forum. Here are just a few:
    About you : I play poker, but only in person. Online I always lose. I used to play blackjack, but have since fallen in love with pai gow poker, which is way, way more fun.
    About you : nothing
    About you : Just another guy with an opinion
    About you : Alcoholic, manic, depressed, schitzofrenic and health
    About you : i am earn online in the internet
    About you : I'm Blonde...I've got ADD...and I'm an Aquarian....the triple whammy LOL
    About you : ssss
    About you : I'm whoring for a "better life".
    About you : umm not alot
    About you : I would rather you did not know too much about me just yet as I am new to your site
    About you : Have a Bitch to Pitch straight away!!!
    About you : i am a chinese
    About you : Who, me?
    About you : jewish boy
    About you : mom, small-time gambler, love slot machines
    About you : I'm 83 and retired.
    About you : I suffer from an acute case of poker addiction, better than heroin, right?
    About you : tralalalalalalalalalaaa
    About you : I play in a Beatle Band.

    and.....
    About you : I am Pro Playboy and live off rich wimmin!

    Not a member yet? If not, why not? Sign up here and join the action!!
    http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/
    Complaints? Kudos? Please let me know.

    Peace
    Bryan Bailey
    Webmeister
    Casinomeister
    		me
    http://www.casinomeister.com