Casumo Affiliate Spam Problem

[colinsunderland]

Just to add - here is the urgent email that was sent to affiliates on the 27th of April:



This doesn't sound like an iron fist coming down. If I were one of these spamming affiliates, I could have poked holes in these guidelines to get those links out by the 1000s.

Seriously?? No cool kids like a spammer?? How old are your affiliates? 12?

Don't forget that I am one of yours - and I'm 58. Just call me gramps.

That was pretty much what I thought too when i read it, and mentioned what i thought of it here

I have noticed some of the links have stopped working now, and the one a couple of posts back collecting email addresses has been changed to a 'review', however this has all happened since they lost accredited status, rather than before, not sure what apparently was done before then as was stated by Alex.

Alex also sent me my so called proof of opt in, after he mentioned it in his post as if they didn't have to remove me as they had an opt in, this is not a proof of opt in

email |removed@hotmail.com
fname | Colin
lname |
URL | xwwwwww.ideal-offers.com
tmstamp | 2016-09-26 15:10:19

1. xwww.ideal-offers.com is a redirect to another site, so I couldn't have opted into anything there.
2. the site it redirects to is terrible, there is no way on earth I would put any details in there full stop
3. its not a screenshot, there are no identifiable details, like an IP address, or even my surname.
4. Anyone can type some details out and pretend they are opt in details, look, does this mean casinomeister has opted in?

email |casinomeister@hotmail.com
fname | forum
lname |
URL | xwww.ideal-offers.com
tmstamp | 2016-09-26 15:10:19

Of course it doesn't, and shows how ridiculous this apparent proof of opt in is. I'm presuming it was acceptable to Casumo though as otherwise why send it to me and mention it in the earlier post.

I'm still waiting for the others and a follow up to the one above, not sure how long it should take to do something as simple as this, not weeks, thats for sure.

 

[vinylweatherman]

This issue with spam and deceptive advertising hasn't "just happened", it has been around for YEARS. Casumo therefore hasn't managed the amazing feat of cleaning things up as soon as the issues were brought to their attention in a matter of 2 weeks. It's more a case of for YEARS having largely turned a blind eye to the more deceptive practices, with the rules being "don't get caught" rather than "don't do it". It's the "getting caught red handed with pretty strong evidence" that has forced this "urgent cleanup".

In fact, Casumo based spam and misleading advertising is something that I was noticing LAST YEAR, and some of these affiliates were promoting different casinos with the SAME fake testimonial, even going to the extent of faking the Facebook plug in with comments in support of the campaign.

Behind the scenes however, the UKGC, the ICO, and the ASA were taking the issue seriously, and in the end BGO didn't manage to duck and copped a £300,000 fine for not being more robust with their affiliates. It's likely that there are other casinos currently being lined up for a fine by the UKGC, and these will be announced in due course.

Does Casumo want to be on this list, or is it prepared to listen to player feedback regarding affiliate marketing and behaviour. Players have a legitimate say as they are the target audience for all this marketing, so if we feel it is misleading, then it's misleading.

Many of the terms "dictated by players" for affiliates are based on the new UK rules and regulations, so it's not players that Casumo (and others) need to be afraid of, it's the UKGC, the ICO, and the ASA.

Perhaps some casinos would prefer players NOT to try to force change via a players forum, but instead bombard the ICO, the ASA, and the UKGC with all our concerns and evidence and have them force the change the industry needs.

As for opt-in lists, the revelation that one affiliate was pretending to need an email address in order to issue the advertised offer, but was really classing it as an opt-in to spam lists, proves that even the opt-in provisions are pretty worthless as a means of determining whether or not a given person consented to receive marketing.

 

[colinsunderland]

As for opt-in lists, the revelation that one affiliate was pretending to need an email address in order to issue the advertised offer, but was really classing it as an opt-in to spam lists, proves that even the opt-in provisions are pretty worthless as a means of determining whether or not a given person consented to receive marketing.

To me, that should have resulted in the affiliate agreement being terminated immediately. It can't be claimed it was a mistake or anything like that, it was pure deception, and also gives the affiliate proof of an opt in if it ever came back to bite them on the arse. The fact its been changed but the affiliate is still active says all you need to know about Casumo's view of things like that. It was active for quite some time since I saw it, and who knows how long before that. While I don't expect a casino to be able to check every bit of marketing, when something as grossly against their own rules and the law like that, you would think it would be acted on pretty quickly.

 

[dunover]

Alex - you have a great casino, are nice fun guys as far as I've seen and that's your downfall here.

There are a couple of certainties:

1. You can simply follow these links and correctly, 100% of the time, identify the affy ID's of the tossers doing all this who are likely to get your casino a swingeing fine, as Vinyl says, when the ICO gets hold of this.

2. You then, with no friendly warnings or nice-talk SHUT their accounts arbitrarily. No debate, no discussion and no money.

It is that easy. Word will soon spread. Is it worth taking this extra revenue only to see yourselves writing a huge cheque when you are fined?

There was a spamming 32Red affy ID reported here a while back. I believe once members notified Mark the account was toast, like in minutes. If you find the thread. That's why 32red dodgy affiliates are as rare a 5-reel Shitstorm on Thunderstruck 2. And yours seem to be everywhere.

 

[lockinlove]

Alex - you have a great casino, are nice fun guys as far as I've seen and that's your downfall here.

There are a couple of certainties:

1. You can simply follow these links and correctly, 100% of the time, identify the affy ID's of the tossers doing all this who are likely to get your casino a swingeing fine, as Vinyl says, when the ICO gets hold of this.

2. You then, with no friendly warnings or nice-talk SHUT their accounts arbitrarily. No debate, no discussion and no money.

It is that easy. Word will soon spread. Is it worth taking this extra revenue only to see yourselves writing a huge cheque when you are fined?

There was a spamming 32Red affy ID reported here a while back. I believe once members notified Mark the account was toast, like in minutes. If you find the thread. That's why 32red dodgy affiliates are as rare a 5-reel Shitstorm on Thunderstruck 2. And yours seem to be everywhere.

You could have said a 3 reel shitstorm and it would have the same meaning as a 5

 

[Matti]

On a separate note, we have claimed the casumooffers.co.uk domain and shut down the website as the affiliate was not following our T&C’s.

As far as I can see this domain was owned by Casumo long before this thread was created. As I see it you used your own affiliate page to spam. I don't expect you to confirm this since this I guess it would incriminate yourself in respect of the UKGC.

Somewhere down the line you have lost your ethical compass. Please try to find it again.

 

[colinsunderland]

This popped up on my timeline tonight, mobilecasinoclub again



So the latest win on casumo was almost £4 million? Pretty shit casino if not a single player has won a single penny since that jackpot was won.

Make a deposit and get £1200 and 200 free spins, no terms and conditions, no deposit terms stated, so presumably new customers can deposit a tenner and get all that with no wagering? Excellent deal.

Still waiting for my proof of opt in for all the spam Alex, shouldn't take this long to get them.

 

[colinsunderland]

Alex has been on since my last message and has chosen not to answer again, or send me the proof of opt in I was promised, which I think clearly shows he doesn't give a shit.

 

[colinsunderland]

All Affiliates involved have been contacted and advised to change their marketing strategy. The players have been removed from their mailing lists, even though one account was able to show proof of the opt-in time and date. Currently, the other two affiliates have been provided with a deadline. These two affiliates have been told to stop sending traffic and we have absolutely no problem with closing these two individual accounts if they cannot provide us with proof of opt-in. This is a T&C that we feel strongly about.

Still waiting for these 3 opt ins alex, or have you forgot what you said about getting it? What was the deadline you gave them, 5 years or something, as it shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to get what you asked for.

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately we were unable to get the opt-in, in time for the deadline. Because of this we have paused our co-operations with those affiliates until they can provide it.

If you receive any more emails you feel are unsolicited then get in touch.

 

[Kevin Stark]

I hate when a casino sends too much spam to me by email. And when these suggestions turn out to be false. If only to attract.

 

[colinsunderland]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately we were unable to get the opt-in, in time for the deadline. Because of this we have paused our co-operations with those affiliates until they can provide it.

If you receive any more emails you feel are unsolicited then get in touch.

Thank you Alex, they won't provide it because they don't have it, but thank you for doing something about it, hopefully it will stop as much spam

 

[spintee]

Wow I have only just come to see this thread and I cannot say I am surprised.


I am one of the culprits or should I say, one of the (dictators ) that tried to get theses spammers stopped long time ago but to no avail, Even after dunover's attempts at "stop spam threads" than mine but still no go,

No one was dictating what you should do but what we would like to see or do our selfs, Perfectly ok to listen to our opinion when something is wrong with a site or need our input but when it comes down to the serious things than we are no use?

Sentence from goatwack

Seeing that the ratings on CM are heavily influenced by its members, I feel that they have every right to voice their displeasure at casinos that don't work hard at pleasing its customer base


Absolute correct,

Not only are you letting these get away with it but when you ask for our email to get us of a list than all your doing is giving them more ammo to spam us with other casino

I mean what list? I should not even be on no poxy list to begin with, That should be a reason to shut them off, as colinsunderland as repeated many of times about the spam yet you waited untill its to late to tell him that the offender could not validate hes opt in? I could of told you that, well I did along with many others but you took no action at the said time.

We only trying to help you out, not dictating. If you had took the right steps to begin with than we would not be in this position now.

Also the email you sent out to affiliate's what the boss posted for us to see was a complete shambles,
to me it looked like a complete joke, and to be fair its no joke and you could end up in serious consequence if the U.K gambling commission wanted a few quid or the standerd advertising agency got involved.

Your not a bad casino but who ever is in charged of the affiliate side needs to get a grip, it may be all fun and games now but once the shit hits the fan you going to wish you listen to us dictators

You seem like a decent man Alex and casumo is a good site (minus the bonus system) all I can say is you had ample of fair warning

 

[colinsunderland]

Another spamming affiliate

Can you get the proof of opt in from him please Alex, if you want to save time, just close his account, as (you can probably tell) its an email address that has only ever been used to sign up for casinoroom.

https:// w w w. casumo. com/en-gb/?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=811505

https:/ / w w w. casumo. com/affiliate/?targetCampaignId=default&btag=657298_D18BBF2566A9499294F6B27B4C126A42&oid=13546090-f11e-412d-97ea-3f720bc452ab&pid=811505&bid=1546

Have forwarded it to hey @ casumo . com too.

 

[Playford7]

View attachment 79314

Another spamming affiliate

Can you get the proof of opt in from him please Alex, if you want to save time, just close his account, as (you can probably tell) its an email address that has only ever been used to sign up for casinoroom.

https:// w w w. casumo. com/en-gb/?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=811505

https:/ / w w w. casumo. com/affiliate/?targetCampaignId=default&btag=657298_D18BBF2566A9499294F6B27B4C126A42&oid=13546090-f11e-412d-97ea-3f720bc452ab&pid=811505&bid=1546

Have forwarded it to hey @ casumo . com too.

Spintee for PM!.. top post mate!..

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

Hi Colin,

Thanks for bringing this to my attention,

I am looking in to this right now.

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately the affiliate could not provide opt-in and has been reprimanded for this.

This is the first complaint we have had on this affiliate in many years working together.

They pass on their apologies and have ensured me this will not happen again.

Regards
CasumoAffiliates.

 

[colinsunderland]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately the affiliate could not provide opt-in and has been reprimanded for this.

This is the first complaint we have had on this affiliate in many years working together.

They pass on their apologies and have ensured me this will not happen again.

Regards
CasumoAffiliates.

So they spam and get away with it
The fact is, this email address was only ever used to sign up with casinoroom, so I am 100% certain if I have been added to their spam list, then so have others.
thanks for looking at it though

 

[vinylweatherman]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately the affiliate could not provide opt-in and has been reprimanded for this.

This is the first complaint we have had on this affiliate in many years working together.

They pass on their apologies and have ensured me this will not happen again.

Regards
CasumoAffiliates.

It's the first time they have been caught red handed, not the first time they have done this. If they had been sourcing their lists properly, this shouldn't have happened in the first place.

The danger for operators is that now the UKGC are on their case about this, and operators now face hefty fines for unlawful marketing practices, even if this has been done by their affiliates.

Most people who receive these emails probably don't do much about it other than curse under their breath as they delete them and wonder how it got through the spam filter.


What casinos should be doing is asking affiliates to provide the casino with evidence of opt in for all email addresses they send marketing to. This will mean the whole marketing database gets checked, rather than just isolated email addresses after a complaint.

A target can be set, say 99% of email addresses on their list must come with valid proof of opt in. This requirement would encourage affiliates to go through their lists and remove any email addresses they can't link to valid opt in information, and they will do this before sending the returns to the casino so that they can be seen to be meeting this 99% target.

For those who receive the spam, there needs to be an easier way to complain, something along the lines of the way spam texts can simply be forwarded to a universal number rather than the recipient having to find out the specific complaints procedure for the business being spammed.

 

[spintee]

VWM beat me to it,

First time they have been found out but even that is most likely not true,

Its no joke of a matter, we look as it as just another spam email but when look closer, than this shit can really damage people, not only will you get a hefty fine but also get adverts closed down on T.V

OPT in list? dream on as these emails are coming from inside info, I have a number of emails and not one bit of spam from a casino site on a few of them? why is because nether used them emails to sign up to sites, If emails are getting leaked than what about our info?

About secure as a rubber chain

 

[Jory]

I've just received my first ever spam text message and wouldn't you have guessed, it's from Casumo affiliate.

What bothers me the most about this is that it was sent to my personal mobile phone, a number I don't give out freely.

I reported to Casumo support who suggests I must have signed up to a site and opted in to receiving these text messages. That is simply not true.

I also get the email spam but that is so out of control these days that I don't even bother reporting it.

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

I've just received my first ever spam text message and wouldn't you have guessed, it's from Casumo affiliate.

What bothers me the most about this is that it was sent to my personal mobile phone, a number I don't give out freely.

I reported to Casumo support who suggests I must have signed up to a site and opted in to receiving these text messages. That is simply not true.

I also get the email spam but that is so out of control these days that I don't even bother reporting it.

Hi Jory,

Could you please message me directly with your username (if you are signed up), a screenshot of the text you received and if possible an affiliate link.

I will look in to this immediately.

Thank you.

 

[colinsunderland]

Same 2 facebook affiliates at it again with misleading adverts, no terms and conditions (nor are they one click away), fake videos showing impossible wins

First one

Outdated URL (Invalid) . com/UnitedKingdomSlotMachineFans/videos/10155364645244593/



Fake book of dead video

THIS WON'T LAST LONG! - really, its been the welcome offer as long as I can remember, and I haven't had an affiliate mail to say its changing, when is it changing to something else Alex?

Get 200 FREE SPINS + £1200 Bonus to Celebrate the start of Summer !!! - What, no deposit? No wagering? No terms and conditions? All customers? Brilliant, I will sign up now.

The page the link takes you to states the jackpot is over £10 million, what jackpot?

The text on the page states

Disclaimer: We are an independent company offering casino related news, view, hints & tips and all landing pages are our own and not those of the brands featured on this page. Everything can be substantiated. Brands display their T&Cs on their sites and should always be fully read and understood prior to playing. Only players over 18 years old can register at online casinos. Playing online casinos, slots or bingo should remain a form of entertainment. This piece of content is written by casumooffers.co.uk to promote the online casino operator, Casumo. While we try to ensure that this information is correct, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness.

I thought you had claimed the casumooffers domain, presumably it is you who is doing this misleading text now then? Or are they lying about who wrote it?



Mobile Casino Club - them who had a hidden opt in to a mailing list

Outdated URL (Invalid) . com/MobileCasinoClub/videos/10154475414650826/

Ah look, casumo must have that well known 3 reel progressive jackpot version of starburst now



No T&C's again, except new players only, so obviously no wagering requirements on this offer
Link takes you to Outdated URL (Invalid) . co . uk/casumo/lps/index.html which has more content written by casumooffers, thats a coincidence isn't it?

Isn't it funny how the latest big win on both Starburst and Twin spin is the exact same amount £277000

Outdated URL (Invalid) .mobilecasinoclub .co.uk/casumo/new/casumo-starburst-latest-big-win/

Outdated URL (Invalid) .mobilecasinoclub .co.uk/casumo/new/casumo-twin-spins-big-win/

As the small print on both those pages says

Everything can be substantiated.

can you do that please Alex, I emailed mcc but they didn't reply, and they've blocked me from facebook so can't comment and ask

 

[CasumoAffiliates]

Hi Colin,

Whilst we appreciate your help with pointing out shady practices to us, I think in some parts of your previous post you are being a bit silly. The affiliate mentioned above is ASA compliant however we agree that his marketing strategy could be altered to help out the players user experience.

Each picture does state that terms and conditions apply, they are not advertising wager free bonuses as you well know.

He is posting real life wins and not fake wins, at no point does he state this was the game that the jackpot was won on. Again this could be construed as confusing, but it is compliant. We are not going to close an account down for confusing but compliant. We have however asked the affiliate to keep the games relevant to the wins for clarity in future.

With regards to casumoffers.co.uk this was seized by us in January, of course this does not mean it is us because the URL is still listed, again you know this.

Sometimes affiliates can have hundreds of pages and an oversight like this can happen, we have alerted the affiliate they must change this to reflect the truth and they are in the process of doing this. Thank you for finding that.

Best Regards

 

[spintee]

Just because its compliant does not mean its right.

As you pointed out a few times that Colin (knows this) how do you know what he know's ?

Just like the affiliate knows that the pictures are fake and if a restraunt showed a massive picture of a new burger that was also massive and went and bought it to receive a mini burger than I guess thats right because somewhere in the small print and 100 links it states you are not getting the burger shown? Infact the burger show is fake and impossible to make that burger, same as impossible to hit some of those screen shots.

I would bet that this is not ASA compliance, maybe for some off shore tax free place but certainly not in the U.K

Googlr has just been fined over 2 billion for advertising there own stuff,

Others and I are only telling you what is likely to happen,

Hi Colin,

Whilst we appreciate your help with pointing out shady practices to us, I think in some parts of your previous post you are being a bit silly. The affiliate mentioned above is ASA compliant however we agree that his marketing strategy could be altered to help out the players user experience.

Each picture does state that terms and conditions apply, they are not advertising wager free bonuses as you well know.

He is posting real life wins and not fake wins, at no point does he state this was the game that the jackpot was won on. Again this could be construed as confusing, but it is compliant. We are not going to close an account down for confusing but compliant. We have however asked the affiliate to keep the games relevant to the wins for clarity in future.

With regards to casumoffers.co.uk this was seized by us in January, of course this does not mean it is us because the URL is still listed, again you know this.

Sometimes affiliates can have hundreds of pages and an oversight like this can happen, we have alerted the affiliate they must change this to reflect the truth and they are in the process of doing this. Thank you for finding that.

Best Regards