Affiliate Announcements
Affiliate portal owner takes legal action against program over retroactive quotas
Dave Sawyer founder of OnlineCasinoReviewer.com two nights ago initiated legal proceedings against an affiliate program for inserting a clause into its T&Cs that defaults affiliates to 10% commission if they failed to send the required number of players over a two-month period.
Dave Sawyer launched the legal action against Interactive Technology Corporation, which he claims is the parent company of Affiliate Edge, after he received no response to his demand for payment of $6,335.80 (£4,800).
This is the amount Sawyer claims his company Bath Rock Media Ltd would have received for the months of June and July 2017 had the retroactively applied clause not been inserted into the terms and conditions near the start of this year. The change was not directly communicated to affiliate partners in the programme, Sawyer claims.
Clause 4.7, added to the Affiliate Edge T&Cs in February 2017, stipulates that: “Affiliates who send 5 FTD’s or less over a 2 calendar month period collectively will be marked as ‘non active’ and will be reduced to 10% default commission.”
“The action I am taking is I believe unprecedented when it comes to iGaming Affiliates. Affiliates should not have to stand for retroactive terms and I am hoping the courts will see it the same way as I and also my peers do.” – said Dave Sawyer in a statement on his site.
Sawyer launched the legal action to recover the monies after a claim for payment within 30 days went unheeded by ITC.
Affiliate Edge, formerly CWC Affiliates, is the programme for eight casino brands running on the BeSoftware and Real Time Gaming platforms, including Club World, Lucky Red and Aladdin’s Gold.
Contacted by iGB for comment, Affiliate Edge Manager Darren Brenner provided a copy of a letter sent to Sawyer dated 25 September in which the company called the casino affiliate’s financial claim “groundless” and stated that they had acted in accordance with Clause 8.5 of the terms and conditions of predecessor programme CWC Affiliates that Sawyer signed up to back in 2006, under which “agreement may be modified by posting the new agreement on to the site.”
The letter also stated that the agreement is governed by the laws of Curacao, where Affiliate Edge is based, so Sawyer “cannot issue proceedings in England and should you do so you will be liable for costs.”
Affiliate Announcements
QMRA Launches Italian Quality Mark for Affiliates
QMRA is a Compliance Quality Mark for iGaming Affiliates, launched by XY Legal Solutions B.V. (XYLS). XYLS launched a Dutch Quality Mark, KVA (https://kva.nl/), in September 2021, now working with numerous operators (LeoVegas, ComeOn, 711, TonyBet, Hard Rock Casino) and 90+ members.
In February 2024, QMRA was launched. Affiliates from the following markets were able to apply for the Quality Mark: Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, USA Michigan, The UK, Ontario and Estonia. As of today, Italian affiliates will be able to join QMRA as well. Applicants will receive:
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- A Compliance Report, containing compliance feedback if needed, in certain cases usable for obtaining a Meta Ads License;
- A specific Online Certificate about the member website, explaining its compliance (https://qmra.eu/members/affiliates/);
- Possibility to consult the QMRA team on compliance related questions.
Several joined since launch, representing all available markets so far. Among joining companies were Leadstar, ADM Group, BetFans, Game Lounge and Gentoo. Game Lounge and Gentoo decided to make QMRA official company policy. Sitebee, a Gentoo launched Compliance Tool, announced an official partnership with QMRA on legal support last week.
Affiliate Announcements
Registration opens as ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ unveiled as creative theme for Barcelona-bound iGB Affiliate
As registration opens for iGB Affiliate, ‘Nuevos Horizontes’ (New Horizons) has been unveiled as the creative theme driving the international marketing campaign in support of the 2025 edition which will be the first to take place at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona alongside sister show ICE.
Explaining the thinking behind the creative Naomi Barton, iGB Events’ Global Portfolio Director said: “The iGaming industry is continually evolving, and our 2025 campaign invites affiliates to explore new horizons at our exciting new venue, Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.
“iGB Affiliate is the home of the igaming affiliate community, and it enables connection, growth and shared business success for our audience of affiliates, operators and tech vendors. This campaign will drive our community into uncharted territory, sparking a spirit of exploration that embraces emerging markets, innovative strategies, and untapped commercial opportunities. It equips affiliates with the tools and insights needed to adapt, innovate, and conquer new horizons.”
She added: “With our move to Barcelona we’re setting our sights on an incredibly bright future. The additional space at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, which is among the largest exhibition venues in Europe, will enable iGB Affiliate to achieve its full potential and continue to connect the best affiliates with the best operators and tech vendors.
“The 2025 edition of the show is set to feature a record 250 exhibitors and sponsors, occupying 15,000 sqm of space. The enhanced facilities in Barcelona will empower the affiliate community to forge new igaming connections, build strategic and trusted partnerships, expand their networks, and explore uncharted territories.”
Affiliate Announcements
Gentoo Media extends partnership with Betsson Group for automated brand protection tool GiG Comply
Gentoo Media is pleased to announce that the partnership with Betsson Group Affiliates (BGA) for GiG Comply has been extended for another year. The agreement marks the fifth consecutive year that Betsson will continue to use Gentoo Media’s automated compliance and brand protection tool, GiG Comply.
The extended partnership between Betsson and GiG Comply, further strengthens the ongoing collaboration between the two companies, ensuring that Betsson continues to uphold the highest standards of regulatory compliance across its extensive brand portfolio. GiG Comply’s comprehensive monitoring tool gives Betsson Group Affiliates the necessary means to ensure that their marketing efforts remain compliant, and meet regulatory demands across various markets.
Rasmus Bank Nielsen, Head of GiG Comply said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Betsson Group, one of the industry’s leading operators. The renewal of our agreement, for a fifth consecutive year, underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and the effectiveness of GiG Comply. We look forward to continuing to support Betsson in maintaining the highest standards of compliance in their marketing efforts”.
Shakyra Jonsson, Senior Affiliate Operations & Events Manager at Betsson Group Affiliates, added:
“We are pleased to extend our partnership with GiG Comply for a fifth consecutive year. As a company committed to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance, it is crucial that we continue using tools like GiG Comply to ensure that our affiliate marketing efforts align with the diverse regulations across the markets we operate in. This partnership reaffirms our dedication to safeguarding our brand while remaining compliant in a rapidly evolving industry.”