Statement From eCOGRA Regarding Jackpot Factory

[Simmo!]

STATEMENT ON THE JACKPOT FACTORY INCIDENT FROM ECOGRA

Over the past several days eCOGRAs independent directors and I have been involved in seeking to have an unacceptable search engine optimisation marketing campaign involving the Jackpot Factory group withdrawn.

The campaign, which disseminated offensive and even false information to vulnerable audiences is in the opinion of the eCOGRA Compliance Committee unethical in both content and intent.

The first priority of eCOGRA was to ensure that this material was pulled down as soon as possible. To that end eCOGRA complied with its corporate procedures by first verifying the allegations and then insisting that the Jackpot Factory group management take immediate action to obliterate all traces of this material.

Despite eCOGRA strongly emphasising to the Jackpot Factory Group that the removal of the offending material was of the highest urgency, it took longer for the Jackpot Factory Group to remove the material than anticipated due to complications arising from the unorthodox manner of its original construction and technical implementation. We are informed that those responsible for conducting this campaign have been appropriately dealt with by the Jackpot Factory group.

The eCOGRA Compliance Committee has been assured by Jackpot Factory staff that the offending material has been removed . If any future traces surface going forward, eCOGRA has insisted on an assurance that Jackpot Factory will immediately remove these, too.

eCOGRAs next requirements will involve its independent inspection regime, which will study how this offensive material managed to pass through the vetting and administration systems within Jackpot Factory. The objective of this will be to ensure there can be no reoccurrence.

eCOGRAs independent directors who form its Compliance Committee have nevertheless decided to suspend the Play It Safe seal from All Slots casino and those other casinos within Jackpot Factory which had links to the offensive material pending the outcome of eCOGRAs investigation.

The Board emphasises that it strongly condemns the nature and targeting of the Jackpot Factory SEO campaign which is contrary to eCOGRAs eGAP and codes of best conduct.

eCOGRA would particularly like to thank those involved members of the player and affiliate communities who took the time and trouble to keep me appraised of developments as this incident unfolded. It is encouraging to see this level of interest in eCOGRA and faith in its procedures, and the assistance provided in assessing the extent and nature of the wrongdoing here was invaluable.

I would welcome any further information which identifies the existence of similar content.

Signed:
Andrew Beveridge
CEO, eCOGRA

 

[HCM]

Firstwebcasino

eCOGRAs independent directors who form its Compliance Committee have nevertheless decided to suspend the Play It Safe seal from All Slots casino and those other casinos within Jackpot Factory which had links to the offensive material pending the outcome of eCOGRAs investigation.

well considering the content found on the firstwebcasino I should imagine that that will have to go as well. Do you know if Ecogra are aware of this Simmo?

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

 

[Simmo!]

...pending the outcome of eCOGRA’s investigation

...is a key line. This isn't a conclusion, merely an interim action taken by eCOGRA. I am sure they will continue to monitor these threads and take on board any further comments.

 

[jetset]

Good point that is important to note.

I have in any case forwarded HCM's find to Andrew because it is important that everyone works together to get this rubbish off the Internet.

Note the last sentence of eCOGRA's statement.

 

[mucullus]

This isn't a conclusion, merely an interim action taken by eCOGRA.

I think from a player perspective it is rather irrelevant whether these articles could be published due to lack of quality control or with full knowledge of management. The eCOGRA seal is deemed to be a player seal and not an instrument to clear an operator's conscience.

 

[Chatmaster]

Thanks Simmo! for the post.

Something I would like to note.

Besides eCOGRA coming to light with the exact response we all expected. eCOGRA has to take the stance of demanding action from the casino, without taking the drastic action everyone (including myself) is expecting them to take. By ensuring that they remove problematic stuff and freeing the web from this crap, eCOGRA accomplished more than they would have by pulling their eCOGRA seal.

I can't however say the same for the way they handled the 888 issue, and that in itself makes me concerned that they are not willing to act and might not be impartial when it comes to independant directors.

 

[vtlady]

eCogra Jackpot Factory

Well, isn't it nice that eCogra finally took the time to get back to us. When all is said and done the Jackpot Factory will get no more then a slap on the wrist for their actions. eCogra should also be monitoring their approved casinos for responsible gaming practices. Which I know they could care less about. eCogra was only set up to help a certain casinos get more of the gaming action and more of our money. What good does do to have a seal of appoval when guidelines and accepted practices are not followed. Microgamming and the licensed casinos have nothing but a racket going here. What a scam they have going its totally unethical.

 

[Pinababy69]

Well, I'm glad to see that eCOGRA did indeed take some preliminary action, and I am heartened to see them state that it is an ongoing investigation. I took a quick look at all of the JF sites this morning, and I didn't see the eCOGRA logo on any of them, not just All Slots.

I would still like to see the issue of a sizable donation addressed, but I would assume that any action in that regard would come at a later date.

 

[spearmaster]

slap on the wrist for their actions

Somehow, I highly doubt it will end up this way. At least, I hope not.

 

[Peaceful1]

Once all is said and done (I am glad to see eCOGRA has taken some attention/action to this matter), I cannot help but say that I personally would still be extremely reluctant (to say the least) to play at any of the Jackpot Factory casinos. IMO, whether it be few or many in an organization/affiliate group are involved in any type of marketing/advertising campaign, the content should have passed through different levels within the organization for review before even being released. Advertising and its content can sometimes make or break a company/organization, and this has definitely left a bitter taste for many I am sure, and one cannot help but wonder what other venues a group involved in such an incident can be capable of. Again, this is personal opinion, and in all hopes proper action will be taken (more than a slap on the wrist after this whole twisted, sideshow marketing campaign), and perhaps in time Jackpot Factory could develop a decent reputation...who knows. The donations that Pinababy mentioned would be a good start...

 

[caruso]

Once all is said and done, I cannot help but say that I personally would still be extremely reluctant (to say the least) to play at any of the Jackpot Factory casinos.

You would consider playing at Jackpot Factory casinos, in spite of all this?

Are any of our merry band of affiliates still carrying them? Kudos again to Bryan Bailey from pulling them within hours of this issue breaking.

EDIT - Hmm, didn´t take more than a cursory search to answer my own question.

Simmo, any plans to pull statements like "...part of the respected Jackpot Factory group" any time soon?

I´m just curious, you being a mod a Casinomeister and all that.

 

[Scooter7]

You would consider playing at Jackpot Factory casinos, in spite of all this?

Everyone in the online gaming community will determine the fate of the JF group collectively by their actions or inactions.

My action was to post on the forum after being a lurker for a long time. I felt like I had something important to say and I got it out there. Other people have closed their accounts, webmasters are removing banners; both actions hit the offending casinos on the bottom line.

If there is enough outrage and it reaches enough ears, public 'input' can spur improvement in the best practices of the industry helping everyone that makes money from online casinos to make more money from higher levels of trust and service.

 

[largeeyes]

This reminds me of my bonus banning, followed by bonus offers in the post, followed by my tirade, followed by more bonus offers in the post. Poor JF.

 

[AussieDave]

I can't however say the same for the way they handled the 888 issue, and that in itself makes me concerned that they are not willing to act and might not be impartial when it comes to independant directors.

Well said Chatmaster

Whilst it's obvious that Ecogra has pulled all stops out to have this matter quickly addressed, I'm now questioning why 888 was not pounced on with the same tenacity.

The Board emphasises that it strongly condemns the nature and targeting of the Jackpot Factory SEO campaign which is contrary to eCOGRAs eGAP and codes of best conduct.

How is the 888 case any different? It's not in my opinion. In fact it's far worse. Still the Board (Ecogra) takes no action.

I would welcome any further information which identifies the existence of similar content.

As long as it's not against an independant director's company (Cassava), then we'll just ignore it and do nothing, eh Andrew!

 

[Scooter7]

Well said Chatmaster

Whilst it's obvious that Ecogra has pulled all stops out to have this matter quickly addressed, I'm now questioning why 888 was not pounced on with the same tenacity.



How is the 888 case any different? It's not in my opinion. In fact it's far worse. Still the Board (Ecogra) takes no action.

The 888 issue is a different kind of bad. Theft is, in ice cream terms, very vanilla. It doesn't make it less wrong, but it's a lot less likely to rally people around a cause than the predatory actions of JF. Please don't shoot the messenger. I'd shut both of them down permanently if I could. No one will give online casinos the proper respect until all of the shady characters are driven out.

 

[RobWin]

The Jury is still out on this one.

 

[AussieDave]

the predatory actions of JF.

Huh!

Site scraping is just one aspect of the 888 (Cassava issue), the other is far worse than the FL case.

888 (Cassava) has and still turns a blind eye to predatory actions that it's directly or indirectly associated with. Be this by its rogue affiliates or by 888 itself. Targeting keywords that children may use imo is as predatory as one could get, is it not!

The FL issue got pulled into line very quickly, though the 888 issue that should receive as much attention from Ecogra as the FL fiasco has been allowed to simple continue.

Considering the implications, I'm left wondering why Ecogra seemed happy to throw JF to the lions but continues to shelter 888.

Would the same action have taken place if the JF founder held independent director status at Ecogra? 888 is a prime example based on Ecogra's actions, hence I'd have to say no.

Given the ongoing 888 shemozzle imo it's a feasible thought that in the case of Cassava and Ecogra there are two sets of rules at play here. I base this conclusion on these two cases which are inherently simular.

PS I'm not attempting to shoot the messanger, though, to me, it's imperative to address every case on the same grounds using the same yard stick.

 

[Simmo!]

Simmo, any plans to pull statements like "...part of the respected Jackpot Factory group" any time soon?

Ah Caruso - you crack me up Where would I be without you constantly checking my site I assume you meant the old Allslots review you found when you physically search on Allslots? Thought I'd removed everything but yes you're right...it was still there though a) not linked from anywhere unless you physically searched the term "allslots" and b) with a long paragraph about this whole affair. But I've now removed the word "reputable", but only because I think for the moment it's justified to do so (for what it's worth, I don't consider inadequte code release controls as disreputable if indeed that is the synopsis), if that makes you happier. Anyone would think you didn't like me - lol

Are any of our merry band of affiliates still carrying them?

Incidentally, one thing I've been meaning to ask you. As an afilliate yourself, I'm intrigued as to why you seem to be keen to be seen as disassociated in your posts?

 

[Peaceful1]

You would consider playing at Jackpot Factory casinos, in spite of all this?

OK...I'll be blunt in answering that question and veer away from my careful objective side for a moment - HELL NO!! I was disgraced by the content I did see in those campaigns (it did not take much for me to sum up the absolute filth involved).

What I meant was that in the event that some detailed explanation/statement, pointing out of only "certain" individuals involved in the scheme, whatever.. nothing JF could say, make statements about, etc. would earn my trust back again (sort of.. "If I were you..." type of thing) when I said "I would be extremely reluctant..."

But thank you, Caruso..you are very observant (needless to say ), and I respect your need for clarification in matters (blatant as it may be), but sometimes the best way to get answers...

 

[caruso]

Ah Caruso - you crack me up Where would I be without you constantly checking my site I assume you meant the old Allslots review you found when you physically search on Allslots?

No, I meant your WildJack entry. Page 6 or 7.

Hey Ted, if you keep sending me "negative reputation" every time I make a factual post, and I keep sending them back atcha, well both end up at zero.

 

[spearmaster]

No, I meant your WildJack entry. Page 6 or 7.

Hey Ted, if you keep sending me "negative reputation" every time I make a factual post, and I keep sending them back atcha, well both end up at zero.

It has nothing to do with whether your posts are factual or not - and half of the time they aren't. It has more to do with the fact that I do not approve of your posts - that is what reputation is about.

Also - you can't zero me as easily as you think you can. And frankly, I don't care. Obviously you seem a bit worried.

 

[Simmo!]

No, I meant your WildJack entry. Page 6 or 7

Aha...yeah. I still think of that as 7Win7 - bloody mobile casinos confusing the issue