Gambling Wages/Virtual Casinos' Press Release at CAP/Calvin Ayre.com

[MartyDavis]

Sorry for the delay!

Hi Everyone,

I apologize for taking so long to respond, I am anxious to get moving on these issues and was not fully aware of their magnitude, nor how passionate members are towards Gambling Wages/Virtual issues. Bryan, I apologize for not consulting with you prior to posting and want to thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt.

There are 8 pages associated to this post and it will take me a few days to go through them all, in the mean time I want to address a few issues.

1. Player Payouts - I agree that two months is too long for payouts, and I know that this does happen. The information I have says that this represents a small percentage of total payouts, but I understand and appreciate that from a player perspective it is simply not acceptable. You have my commitment to be forthright about the situation and I took this job based on the understanding that the company is going to take measures so this does not happen in the future.

I will do my best to resolve old issues and I can assure you that moving forward I will make myself available to handle all new issues as quickly as possible. We do have third party audits in place such as RNG/TST – Casino Game Certified and CDS – Central Dispute System as well as a dedicated grievance, retention, and customer service and payout department.

2.

The previous attempt by Gambling Wages was a whitewash. Although some 10K was reportedly paid out in settlements, one issue discussed at length here was the notorious confiscation of a 6K RJ from a member, even though the deposit she made when she won it HAD NO BONUS ATTACHED AT ALL!!!!!!!

They used the "F U clause" argument, and later she found that all her history HAD BEEN DELETED from the cashier to prevent evidence from being extracted that she HAD indeed met all the rules, EVEN THE F U CLAUSE ONE.

Marty, if you REALLY want to show that the brands have turned over a new leaf, offer to reopen this case (assuming the member still feels this is an issue), and tell her/us WTF happened.

This is a specific player issue and I would like to handle this issue right away. I need the clients user ID and the last correspondence related to this issue. Please PM or send an email with player details.

3.

Here's a recent thread Link Outdated / Removed from a member who is still active on this forum.

I can probably find a few more, but generally when someone comes with a complaint about a casino from the Virtual Group, nothing much can be offered in the way of assistance.

Maybe you can start here Marty.

Again this is a specific player issue and I want to address it immediately as well. Please PM or send an email with player details.

4. The GW PR release posted on CAP and Calvinayers.com showing Gambling Wages making an attempt to re-brand (prior to addressing player issues), is where I come in. I obviously have not handled the player initiative well. I made an attempt to address these issues on the forums and I can honestly say I was unprepared for the sort of volume and passion I find myself up against. It is my top priority to address and resolve whatever issues that will be brought to my attention.

I was brought into GW only a few weeks ago and I will be looking into the issues that have currently been brought to light. I am committed to addressing all concerns. This will not be an easy task for me, so I will greatly appreciate whatever patience you can allow me. From my end, I will do whatever I can to spend as much time on Casinomeister as possible and I will do everything in my power to respond in a prompt manner.

I want to thank all the posters that gave me the benefit of the doubt and gave me such a warm welcome to Casinomeister, especially Bryan.
Thank you,

Marty Davis
Sr. Marketing Manager
Gambling Wages
Skype: martydavis26
Email: md@gwages.com
Toll FREE: 1-800-549-7407

 

[jetset]

Deeds are going to speak louder than words here, Marty.

The past history of this group suggests that there will be a brief spurt of 'goodness' where a few issues may even be addressed, but that the old behaviour soon reasserts itself.

You will have to take great care of your personal reputation on this assignment, but then I'm sure you have already sussed that out for yourself.

As to CDS which you mention - that's only as good as the guys who handle it for RTG, and that can be sporadic. Over and above that, when CDS refers the matter to the operator - and this operator in particular - it can be a touch and go affair.

 

[RobWin]

Well hell, I guess we are just wasting our time in trying to post on Calvin's page there.

They have now removed Joeyl's comment that was posted right below Gamtrack's comment and the Google (Virtual search string) that was edited out) has now been re-submitted a few times also without being published even after Adrian had ensured us it would go live if re-submitted!

You gotta love CENSORSHIP folks to get to the real truth!!
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[bonustreak]

This is not a question Marty so don't worry about answering, it's a statement.
The first thing that GW has done wrong with this new vamped up effort of PR for the casinos is go to certain affiliate forums and iGaming reporting sites(whom also report to affiliates!) first when what you should have done is address all these past player issues with the company!! This tells me one thing and one thing only, GW don't give a rats ass about players past, present or future and what they do care about is collecting new affiliates to market and promote that hideous group of casinos to unsuspecting players!!

Shame these casinos are not buildings so they could just be torched down to finally once and for all go the hell away!

 

[MartyDavis]

This is not a question Marty so don't worry about answering, it's a statement.
The first thing that GW has done wrong with this new vamped up effort of PR for the casinos is go to certain affiliate forums and iGaming reporting sites(whom also report to affiliates!) first when what you should have done is address all these past player issues with the company!! This tells me one thing and one thing only, GW don't give a rats ass about players past, present or future and what they do care about is collecting new affiliates to market and promote that hideous group of casinos to unsuspecting players!!

Shame these casinos are not buildings so they could just be torched down to finally once and for all go the hell away!

Yes, could not agree more the PR effort was putting the cart ahead of the horse. So far I have received a few player issues and I am addressing those now.

 

[RobWin]

Yes, could not agree more the PR effort was putting the cart ahead of the horse. So far I have received a few player issues and I am addressing those now.

LOL.. ... So who's brainstorming idea was that? lolololololol

*snip*

What amazes me even more though Marty is how truly out of touch some of you guys are with what really goes on in the industry and to top that, you are the very guys that are in positions of decision making capacity!!

What is WRONG with this pic here brother?? The BIG picture, that is??

Jezzus Krist!!
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[RobWin]

I almost forgot to mention that maybe all of you industry insiders that are planning on attending the next big igaming conference at the end of May, could maybe have a platform there to discuss these serious player issues involving the Virtual Group.

Maybe you guys can do this at the "

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

"...huh

I was just looking at the list of speakers who are scheduled to speak there for both the

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

and the

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and it certainly looks like an informed bunch, I'll tell ya waht!

But dang~it, they all seem to have simply forgot about the players and seem to be speakers that are more focused on SEO and Marketing and Industry Strategies....gosh darn~it

Looks like there is once more no real platform set-up for discussion of the Gambling Wages aka Virtual Group here and how you guys could help rid the industry of this social pariah that has been plaguing it for so long.

But I know the party will still be awesome though with all the free and sponsored drinks and all, that's the important part here and I hate I'm going to miss it...

Thanks again to all the well known peeps that attend these conferences most of the time, and for bringing issues like the "Virtual Group" to the forefront of topics to discuss at these industry meet-ups, if not for you good guys, who would the players have looking out for them at these events!
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[bonustreak]

Shame these casinos are not buildings so they could just be torched down to finally once and for all go the hell away!

Just in case anyone was wondering this is meant as a figure of speech and no more

Thank you Marty for admitting that the PR thing was put way before the horse and I will give you kudos on how your handling this situation, I really hope your being paid well for this massive battle you have ahead of you.

 

[RobWin]

@ Robwin - your comment on meeting up with GW/Virtual at the next "super-show": Well, I've met with these guys no less than six times since 2003, and you can see where we are today

Actions are louder than words. If they cared about the players, or this industry as a whole, we would never be having this conversation.

Bryan I think you totally missed the point I was making there, please read paragraph 1 an 5 again as I never meant for someone or all to meet with Virtual as I already know that you yourself have already been down that avenue a few times in the past and the recent past....

I was referring to the actual affiliates that attend all of these industry meet-ups to book a room and discuss these issues amongst themselves and come to an agreement on a clear cut path to totally get rid of the Virtual Group once and for all.

Maybe by publishing them to all of their blacklists such as they all did with the Grand Prive affair or a plan to convince newb affiliates why not to promote these pariahs. At any rate, at least that would be a start where no one has attempted this before, at least give it a try instead of sitting in SEO and Marketing meetings the entire time.

My other point is, try to actually make some of these industry meet-ups to be a little more focused on what is best for "the player" and keep the players best interests at heart in at least one of these meetings each year.

What a change that would be huh...instead of all of the focus on how affiliates can continually make new player conversions and rank and line their own pockets.

I do have one simple question for anyone that attends these industry meet-ups and that is:

Who is there looking out for the players best interests at these meetings?

I have yet to see any evidence of this as in regards to the Virtual example I gave above. If I have missed this somewhere then someone please point me in the right direction here, a link, thread, PR release, headline, etc., etc. Thanks!

Remember guys, there is power in numbers in more ways than one!
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[jetset]

Please guys - let's just drop this tit-for-tat that so endangers a useful thread and WW a personal appeal -please give the cap button a break - all this shouting is jangling my nerves .

@RobWin - until you have attended a [non-affiliate, general internet gambling] conference - and there's a big one upcoming in Montreal soon - it's hard to appreciate how much stuff is quietly organised, informed, argued and put together for the benefit of players by a number of people who truly place advocacy above advertising or affiliate activity, and have by deed and reputation earned the respect and the ear of decision makers.

It's not at all the exclusive club of "industry insiders" that some would have you believe, btw - it's open to anyone who is perceived to deliver real and balanced value.

Like Bryan and a few others, these are not the sort of guys and gals that do this stuff so they can subsequently issue press releases, post a brag-fest or otherwise blow their own trumpets.

I don't think your post some pages back about "those who attend conferences" was meant as a criticism of the sort of people I am referring to above, but it is something you should perhaps note and see demonstrated for yourself by attending such a general industry event - it's very informative in any number of positive ways.

Back on topic - @WW - this thread is moving so fast that your response to my last post is now deeply submerged, so I will just comment that if your view remains unchanged regarding the perceived relevance of Marty in real terms, we will have to agree to disagree.

The one thing your rationale does not appear to take into account is the danger to new online gamblers sucked in by manouevres such as "we've turned over a new leaf", because in the past that has turned out to be a hollow promise in several cases, and with this operator in particular.

That's a real danger to newbie players and the reason why there's a need to keep posting challenges whenever someone like Marty (for whom I bear no personal malice) pops up singing from the latest and now well worn "we're cleaning up" hymn sheet.

It's been said many times, but it bears repeating - reputation is a critical element in this industry.

If a company so rashly and repeatedly throws it's rep away, there is no way that players will meekly accept its latest assurance that it is reborn and instantly integrity-driven.

So the past definitely does matter, and until there is bona fide evidence of real change, players should be slow to trust again....even if a respectable affiliate name is spearheading the initiative.

 

[Casinomeister]

Admin note: reopened thread

Okay guys - be cool, and keep this thread on track. Thank you.

For comments dealing with player issues and the Virtual Casinos in general, please post here:
https://www.casinomeister.com/forum...ing-wages-rep-trying-to-assist-players.37533/