IOC investigating spamming in the industry

[Nicola]

I receive multiple newsletters per week from "GambleGeek", "2 Little Fleas" and "Slots 4 Play". I never signed up to any of these newsletters and I am getting constantly spammed with signup offers.

Yes '2 Little Fleas' is annoying as they seem to contact me on e-mail addresses that I have only used for signing up to casinos. Clearly someone sells addresses on to affiliates.

 

[dunover]

Yes '2 Little Fleas' is annoying as they seem to contact me on e-mail addresses that I have only used for signing up to casinos. Clearly someone sells addresses on to affiliates.

You only just realized that?

This illegal trade and breach of the DPA has been going on for years.

 

[ternur]

There is a major change coming with the new GDPR for all companies dealing with European customer base. Unlike the previous data protection legislation, the new legal framework has more teeth (fines up to 20 MEUR / 4% of global annual turnover) and will have an effect how gaming companies handle their customer data.

The new approach in Europe in regards to data protection/privacy sets the burden on operators. There's a built in presumption of guilt in case of data breaches or leaks. The operator is required to prove compliance with the GDPR.

The transition time is already in effect. I'll take a wild guess that many gaming companies are not fully prepared for the change that is on the way. Or simple don't care. Of course the reputable companies take this seriously, but as we all know, the industry is riddled with all kinds of cowboys.

 

[RichyJ75]

Yes '2 Little Fleas' is annoying as they seem to contact me on e-mail addresses that I have only used for signing up to casinos. Clearly someone sells addresses on to affiliates.

Any of these look familiar as well? These are current ones in my spam folder, all of which I have never contacted. Got loads more flagged in my trash file:

The following email addresses are blocked. Messages from these addresses will appear in Spam:
Team 21 <21bet@team21newsletters.com> unblock
Jeff Thompson <admin@kriptfair.com> unblock
Nikola Nixon <admin@theactivesolution.com> unblock
Sandra Miller <admin@theadvertsportal.com> unblock
Kerching <advice@cliffsofengland.com> unblock
MrCashing <affiliates@mrcashing.com> unblock
Mr Green offer <bonusdeal@bestbonus.com> unblock
Carl at ATTAIN <carl.brettle@attain.uk.com> unblock
Club Gold <cloud@e.clubgoldcasino.net> unblock
Matchbook <email@m.matchbook.com> unblock
All British <fan@chocofanat.com> unblock
fundstak@fundstak.com unblock
Timon Saunders <info@casinotiponline.com> unblock
Exclusive Offers <info@exclusiveoffers.com> unblock
Fine Slots <info@fineslots.net> unblock
All British <info@horsecatcher.eu> unblock
Lacey <info@hotsrv.biz> unblock
Wendy <info@mycharitycasino.com> unblock
Poppy <info@nboo.biz> unblock
Andrew Wright <info@onlinecasinotrade.com> unblock
Lisa <info@simplycasino.co.uk> unblock
Rory <info@thedubaihosting.biz> unblock
Kelly <info@usahositng.biz> unblock
Mathew <infonews@gmvoice.com> unblock
ATTAIN Digital Marketing <jackie.salt@attain.uk.com> unblock
John O. <johno@bestbet.com> unblock
Jeff Thompson <mail@fnefne.com> unblock
Sarah Jones <mail@imailinfo.com> unblock
Sarah Jones <mail@nlett3r.com> unblock
Jeremy Smith <mail@purpleglowingtuna.com> unblock
Gracie <mail@relaysectionmaster.com> unblock
Charles Livingstone <mailing@webcasinos.tips> unblock
Emma Handerson <market.box.media@dotmailer-email.com> unblock
Gambler's Voice <matt@gamblersvoice.com> unblock
Michelle Xiao <michelle@nihaocasino.com> unblock
Nancy Benn <nancy@daddyspecialdeal.info> unblock
Rich Casino <news@richcasino.com> unblock
All British <newsletter@bingochicas.com> unblock
Lily Keller <newsletter@data4tech.com> unblock
Banggood.com <newsletter@deals.banggood.com> unblock
Dennis Winter <no-reply@denniswinter.com> unblock
James Hayward <noreplay@soon-pair.com> unblock
admin <promo@bonus-pros.com> unblock
David Sorel <promo@mail.casinobordeaux.com> unblock
Robert Millers <robert@ds.toptradingbinary.com> unblock
Amelie Wylie <root@bonus-pros.com> unblock
JPot247 <sender@spelernieuws.com> unblock
FavBet <subscribe@s.favbet.com> unblock
Paul <support@beginnerincomequicky.com> unblock
Frank <support@buildinglivingforever.com> unblock
Support <support@buildingstarterquicky.com> unblock
Casino Of Dreams <support@casinoofdreams.com> unblock
Best casino news <support@castrones.com> unblock
Club Gold <support@clubgoldcasino.com> unblock
Netent News - Latest Slots <support@digitalsnote.com> unblock
Latest Netent News <support@digitalsnotes.com> unblock
Latest Netent News <support@digitfresh.com> unblock
Oscar <support@givingoppportunityforever.com> unblock
Adrian <support@givingstarterlifestyle.com> unblock
Bordeaux Slots and Netent <support@lastproto.com> unblock
Latest Netent News <support@promodoroso.com> unblock
Latest Netent News <support@protorp.com> unblock
Bordeaux Promotion <support@reddigitees.com> unblock
Latest Netent News <support@tronecas.com> unblock
Madame <support@upzo.com> unblock
VIP Affiliates <updates@vipaffiliates.net>

 

[vinylweatherman]

Since I have been put on the spot to produce evidence before drawing conclusions, I have been monitoring my spam in more detail.

Here is another dodgy affiliate practice that could cause grief for operators:-

It's done to make the recipient believe they have been sent the offer as a consequence of already being a player there as this probably makes it more likely that the bait will be taken and a click through and registration will be made that will earn money for the affiliate.

The implication is of course that they have access to this information, which they shouldn't have. A naïve player new to online gambling is going to take this at face value (which is what I did way back in 2005, and this is what helped form my views of how things worked in the industry).

It still leaves the question of how did they REALLY get my email address, and although we can't rule out the rogue employee, it's more likely that they are using the scammers tactic of knowing that some of these mailers will land in the mailboxes of people who genuinely are already players there, and these are the ones they expect to get a little return from.

This should not still be happening, but is happening due to a lack of determination in policing the methods affiliates use to attract custom.

I have received 8 of these since the 11th November, and they are by far the most prolific spammer hitting my email address.

Their business address is given as :-

Beaufort House,
PO BOX 438,
Road Town, Tortola, BVI

They are sending from two different email addresses.

This looks like the work of a "super affiliate" who has deliberately set up in a jurisdiction where they expect to be "untouchable" in terms of being prosecuted by the likes of the ICO for spamming.

 

[maxd]

Here is one example of CR related spam that has been deliberately designed to deceive the recipient ....

The casino rep has explained to you in some detail (via PM) how this email is coming from a marketing company and not from them. And they've repeatedly asked that you forward the originals so that they can trace the source. It seems you have not cooperated but prefer to harass them publicly over it. I'd say it's "put up or shut up" time. Kvetching about a problem but doing nothing to resolve it is just pointless bellyaching.

 

[The Dude]

The casino rep has explained to you in some detail (via PM) how this email is coming from a marketing company and not from them. And they've repeatedly asked that you forward the originals so that they can trace the source. It seems you have not cooperated but prefer to harass them publicly over it. I'd say it's "put up or shut up" time. Kvetching about a problem but doing nothing to resolve it is just pointless bellyaching.

What he said.

Yes '2 Little Fleas' is annoying as they seem to contact me on e-mail addresses that I have only used for signing up to casinos. Clearly someone sells addresses on to affiliates.

Please be aware that there have been instances in the past where a database has been stolen. No operator in his or hers right mind would sell their database - unless it's some rogue operation operating out of cowboy-town.

Many operators seed their player database so that they can detect this. But if it's an inside job, there is a good chance that they will never know.

What gets me is why the spam? I thought spamming was a marketing ploy of the 90's early 2000's. It's not much of a nuisance if you have a spam filter - like most people have. Yeah, I know - it's the principle of the thing, but I use spamarrest.com for two ancient email addresses - one I've had for 20 years - and I just don't have a spam problem.

 

[vinylweatherman]

The casino rep has explained to you in some detail (via PM) how this email is coming from a marketing company and not from them. And they've repeatedly asked that you forward the originals so that they can trace the source. It seems you have not cooperated but prefer to harass them publicly over it. I'd say it's "put up or shut up" time. Kvetching about a problem but doing nothing to resolve it is just pointless bellyaching.

I had not been told to forward anything at the time of posting, I had an explanation that marketing companies could send such material, but had to use their own lists, and there was no way to get any data from CR. It is STILL misleading to explain that I am getting the emails due to being a CR member, as this isn't something they can possibly know, but it does give the impression to the recipient that they have access to the player emails from CR in order to send only to CR members. Other programs have told affiliates that they must use the creatives "as-is" when targeting the UK market, and not add potentially misleading statements or alter them in any way. They are clearly trying to mitigate against the risk of an affiliate altering the material or adding anything that could cause the UK regulators to rule the marketing to be in breach of the rules.

The bottom line is that they are getting paid for the traffic they generate from such methods, and this is what fuels the spamming industry. There would be no point in such spamming if they were not able to make any money from it.


This issue of CR spam has been going on for YEARS, and nothing much has been done about it despite numerous threads here on the subject.

Funny how an investigation by the ICO has operators failing over themselves to finally nail the problem.

Although there are many other offenders, CR has been one of the most prolific beneficiaries of spam marketing, so they are one of the key targets to go after in trying to clean up the spam problem.


Despite spam filters, spam has caused a SEVERE problem for me because in the arms race between spammer and filter my ISP went too far and ended up blocking legitimate emails at source with the user having absolutely no control over the issue, and I was unable to effect the transfer of money to my PayPal account because key verification emails were getting blocked. The ISP won't budge on the issue, saying it's up to senders to properly set up and register their email servers according to their standards.

I am STILL failing to get some emails, including critical ones, and I can only resolve the situation when I know to expect such an email, and can then query its non receipt.

I am probably not seeing the true extent of the problem, and these 8 CR spams in 4 days are probably the result of the next step in the arms race, finding away past Virgin Media's new and draconian filter.


If it seems that I am focussing on CR and letting the others off, this is not so, it's because CR affiliates have been the ONLY spammers to hit my mailbox since I began this examination. The rest are probably getting killed at source by the ISP filters, and it's impossible to see them.

Before I began, I have received the occasional spam for operators like Lucky247, Casumo.

Today is a little different. 1xCR 1xPlaymillion 1xlottoland

 

[maxd]

I had not been told to forward anything at the time of posting...

In which case you haven't been reading your messages properly because I've been CC'd on at least 2 where they explicitly requested you do so. They can't help you if you don't help them, regardless of the dark forces you might imagine are responsible.

 

[dunover]

In which case you haven't been reading your messages properly because I've been CC'd on at least 2 where they explicitly requested you do so. They can't help you if you don't help them, regardless of the dark forces you might imagine are responsible.

With respect I did this via the CR rep and though it did eventually cull the CR crap (I haven't had ONE since!) it goes to show that whether it's an indirect marketing company operating on CR's behalf or direct CR spam itself, the fact is that in BOTH cases CR can stop it. Therefore CR must be complicit in some way as to what's going on here.

The bottom line is that nobody should be subject to this level of spam whichever the source, direct or not and in my case it HAD to be CR who supplied my e-mail to its 'marketing' company.

The premise seems to be get deluged with spam until you kick-up enough fuss, otherwise put up and shut up.

Vinyl, if you DO speak with the rep (yes, you shouldn't have to jump through these hoops because there is no effective or heeded 'unsubscribe') she will get it stopped for you. I got so pissed-off with it myself that a while back I received my only ever minor infraction here for changing the 'w' in their name to a 't' in one post in temper after snapping one morning so I know how it feels!

 

[maxd]

With respect I did this via the CR rep and though it did eventually cull the CR crap ... CR must be complicit in some way as to what's going on here.

Yes, working with the rep to find and stop the marketeer is exactly the point.

Does that make them "complicit"? Hardly!
Someone gives the cops some info and the cops catch the offender. Cops are complicit!
Why not the judges too when they convict the guy? Complicit!
Maybe the prisons? Complicit _and_ harbouring the fugitive!

The rep helping solve a spam problem is a rep helping solve a spam problem. Conspiracy theories not required.

 

[dunover]

Yes, working with the rep to find and stop the marketeer is exactly the point.

Does that make them "complicit"? Hardly!
Someone gives the cops some info and the cops catch the offender. Cops are complicit!
Why not the judges too when they convict the guy? Complicit!
Maybe the prisons? Complicit _and_ harbouring the fugitive!

The rep helping solve a spam problem is a rep helping solve a spam problem. Conspiracy theories not required.

They DON'T stop the marketer, that's the point. They simply stop them communicating with YOU!

Not a conspiracy theory at all. Join a CR casino with X e-mail address, then right on cue marketing stuff shortly appears from OTHER CR sites to that X address. The casino joined sends offers directly from themselves (yes fair enough if I joined, not an issue) and the crap from the OTHER CR sites comes via this 'marketing company'. How did the marketing company get my e-mail from the original CR site? I believe that's what Vinyl's getting at as it happened in my case and far too much of a coincidence!

Yes, the CR rep was helpful to me in getting the deluge removed but this was after all attempts by myself via 'unsubscribe' (sometimes blank or faulty links surprise surprise!) which failed, and shouldn't have.

I have often though the same as Vinyl, we need a covert 'e-mail spam sting' whereby we test all the main brands/licensees with unique e-mail addresses that can't be trawled and are ONLY used for that one casino. Some e-mail companies allow 'throwaway' addresses unlimited? so having a complex one say dun1209vin3407max9854@x.com and changing 4 of the digits for the next casino and so-on may prove once and for all which groups are complicit in illegally flogging/passing on our details, and to whom.....

 

[spintee]

They DON'T stop the marketer, that's the point. They simply stop them communicating with YOU!

Not a conspiracy theory at all. Join a CR casino with X e-mail address, then right on cue marketing stuff shortly appears from OTHER CR sites to that X address. The casino joined sends offers directly from themselves (yes fair enough if I joined, not an issue) and the crap from the OTHER CR sites comes via this 'marketing company'. How did the marketing company get my e-mail from the original CR site? I believe that's what Vinyl's getting at as it happened in my case and far too much of a coincidence!

Yes, the CR rep was helpful to me in getting the deluge removed but this was after all attempts by myself via 'unsubscribe' (sometimes blank or faulty links surprise surprise!) which failed, and shouldn't have.

I have often though the same as Vinyl, we need a covert 'e-mail spam sting' whereby we test all the main brands/licensees with unique e-mail addresses that can't be trawled and are ONLY used for that one casino. Some e-mail companies allow 'throwaway' addresses unlimited? so having a complex one say dun1209vin3407max9854@x.com and changing 4 of the digits for the next casino and so-on may prove once and for all which groups are complicit in illegally flogging/passing on our details, and to whom.....

You can even get a private domain name and a shit load of emails with it for like £5 a year, spamtest.com than emails will be easy@spamtest.com and so on, Only spam I received in my bought box was of aflliate spam lol, So even affilate programs pass on to the next

 

[Webzcas]

I caught up with Tom Galanis from Tag Media and spoke to him about what affiliates in the iGaming sector should do, should they be in receipt of one of these letters from the ICO. Other areas covered include PERC.

The interview with Tom starts at 1:31 in

 

[petro]

Yes, working with the rep to find and stop the marketeer is exactly the point.

Does that make them "complicit"? Hardly!
Someone gives the cops some info and the cops catch the offender. Cops are complicit!
Why not the judges too when they convict the guy? Complicit!
Maybe the prisons? Complicit _and_ harbouring the fugitive!

The rep helping solve a spam problem is a rep helping solve a spam problem. Conspiracy theories not required.

It's really a question of how much control CR have over the situation.
It might be the case that the control CR has over the situation is so small that it renders them more-or-less innocent.

 

[dunover]

OK, an update on this. Nicola wondered why Income Access had provided private data to the ICO - simply because they were legally required to. They were asked for 400 names which were thought to be associated with unsolicited e-mail or text spamming although this was a blanket approach to trap certain ones and NOT because they ever thought ALL 400 affiliates were doing it!

If required and demanded via the right procedures, in the UK the Police or ICO have a right to be given this information. Paysafe had acquired Income Access shortly before this letter was issued, although that's not relevant to this matter. The whole matter started after the public had provided sufficient ammunition by FORWARDING UNWANTED SPAM TEXTS TO 7726 (as I recommended people do earlier in this thread).

The ICO believed that affiliates of that particular program Income Access were illegally using data. The Privacy Policy of any operator, casino or affy outfit will always have a pledge not to disclose or share your information. In the UK however, PECR laws mean they're compelled to hand over any info demanded by the relevant regulatory body in this case the ICO.

The notion that your privacy of details is guaranteed by any company's Terms Of Service is false and misplaced.

 

[Webzcas]

That said, all UK based affiliates need to be aufait with PECR. If you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about.