I've just been reading the Meister's report on RTG attitudes toward complaints and disputes, and in particular the comment:
Quote: RTG is adamant that they can only act as the software provider now, and that they have to distance themselves from player issues. Any player problems need to go directly to the licensing agency. Um, well...many of their casinos operate without gaming licenses. And some of the ones that do - have absolutely horrible histories with players. The Crystal Palace group comes to mind - their servers are in Kahnawake Unquote
I think this is an unacceptable cop-out and a regressive return to RTG's bad old "hands off - none of our business what our licensees do" days.
With the bad records of so many of their licensees this is the last thing they should be doing if they value the business of the international player community.
RTG has now reportedly re-located to Costa Rica, and there were reports from former employees that they had been bought out by international interests based in Curacao.
In an industry where the majority of licensing jurisdictions are a joke, it is cynical in the extreme for RTG management to palm off the player with a problem to a licensing jurisdiction that will likely not even respond to his or her emails....and presumably when a casino goes under that, too, will be shrugged off.
Software providers have a duty to select their licensees carefully and police their activities for the safety of their players, and frankly this unilateral decision giving players the bird is BS imo.
The 'Meister also mentions Kahnawake in his report, and it is encouraging that they are apparently about to take a more active role in handling player disputes (about time - their past record was spotty to say the least)
With the right sort of people in place on the disputes side, and a genuine commitment by management to doing it right I think Kahnawake could do much to improve the way their jurisdiction is perceived by players and thus be made more effective for operators.
Some of the points I think they need to bear in mind:
1) Fast response to complaints - an immediate acknowledgement and then a fast attention to the issue followed by a decision. Most disputes should be capable of resolution within a few days.
2) Either employ an experienced person or train one up - perhaps in collaboration with the 'Meister.
3) Consistency - have a set of basic policies to cover principal areas of dispute that can be applied for speed and consistency.
4) Convenience - a well publicised online facility where players can lodge reports for fast attention.
5) Enforcement - make compliance with regulations and a responsive attitude to the Kahnawake disputes person a condition of a Kahnawake license. Operators must be required to communicate timeously with the dispute section in the event of a complaint.
6) Transparency - regular reports on dispute stats, and a preparedness to communicate with media and player advocates on serious issues (at one time the Kahnawakee would simply retreat into silence if contacted)
7) Kahnawake top management backing - a disputes person can only be as effective as the backing he or she receives from top management.
Quote: RTG is adamant that they can only act as the software provider now, and that they have to distance themselves from player issues. Any player problems need to go directly to the licensing agency. Um, well...many of their casinos operate without gaming licenses. And some of the ones that do - have absolutely horrible histories with players. The Crystal Palace group comes to mind - their servers are in Kahnawake Unquote
I think this is an unacceptable cop-out and a regressive return to RTG's bad old "hands off - none of our business what our licensees do" days.
With the bad records of so many of their licensees this is the last thing they should be doing if they value the business of the international player community.
RTG has now reportedly re-located to Costa Rica, and there were reports from former employees that they had been bought out by international interests based in Curacao.
In an industry where the majority of licensing jurisdictions are a joke, it is cynical in the extreme for RTG management to palm off the player with a problem to a licensing jurisdiction that will likely not even respond to his or her emails....and presumably when a casino goes under that, too, will be shrugged off.
Software providers have a duty to select their licensees carefully and police their activities for the safety of their players, and frankly this unilateral decision giving players the bird is BS imo.
The 'Meister also mentions Kahnawake in his report, and it is encouraging that they are apparently about to take a more active role in handling player disputes (about time - their past record was spotty to say the least)
With the right sort of people in place on the disputes side, and a genuine commitment by management to doing it right I think Kahnawake could do much to improve the way their jurisdiction is perceived by players and thus be made more effective for operators.
Some of the points I think they need to bear in mind:
1) Fast response to complaints - an immediate acknowledgement and then a fast attention to the issue followed by a decision. Most disputes should be capable of resolution within a few days.
2) Either employ an experienced person or train one up - perhaps in collaboration with the 'Meister.
3) Consistency - have a set of basic policies to cover principal areas of dispute that can be applied for speed and consistency.
4) Convenience - a well publicised online facility where players can lodge reports for fast attention.
5) Enforcement - make compliance with regulations and a responsive attitude to the Kahnawake disputes person a condition of a Kahnawake license. Operators must be required to communicate timeously with the dispute section in the event of a complaint.
6) Transparency - regular reports on dispute stats, and a preparedness to communicate with media and player advocates on serious issues (at one time the Kahnawakee would simply retreat into silence if contacted)
7) Kahnawake top management backing - a disputes person can only be as effective as the backing he or she receives from top management.