Grand Prive Casino Group Gets Blacklisted - 12-07-08

December 7 - Online casino affiliates, like us, were dumfounded by the actions of an apparently legitimate and responsible online casino operator this past week. The Grand Prive group operates Microgaming licensed online casinos and have been promoted by many affiliates, including some of the so-called "Super-affiliates".

Two weeks ago, affiliates received an email that the group is shutting down its affiliate operations for financial reasons. What wasn't clear at the time was whether the casinos would continue to operate. Affiliates typically get paid a percentage of the life time revenue generated by the casino for players they refer.

Following Microgaming's recent withdrawal from the United States, the initial reaction was that Grand Prive was just a victim of the times. However,  a few affiliates started to smell a rat when players reported that they're were still playing at Grand Prive casinos after December 1, and that they were receiving promotional offers for December!

In the meantime, Grand Prive also had the audacity to invite affiliates to join a new affiliate program called "Villa Fortuna" where they intend to promote a casino of the same name.

For the first week, management at Grand Prive declined to answer any communication, and when they eventually issued a statement, those who thought this saga couldn't become even more of a farce realized that they were very, very wrong.

In short, they see nothing wrong with their actions as their terms and conditions allow them to pull the pug whenever they wished. Huh? Now you could argue that affiliates were dumb enough to agree to their terms, but what about ethics, integrity and responsible conduct?

In the same paragraph, they talk about the financial reasons for closing down Grand Prive affiliates and then claim that the new Villa Fortuna program that they are marketing to the AFFILIATES THAT THEY HAVE JUST SCREWED OVER, is being managed on behalf of a third party. Ok so you can't run a profitable affiliate program on your own eight brands but now you don't see a problem running it successfully for one casino?

"After seven years in this industry, I have just realized that I know absolutely nothing." said Ryan D, chief Editor here at OGI. "If you thought that consolidation and economies of scale are important in these times then I suggest you get some much needed education from Grand Prive - if you can get hold of them that is."

So the long and the short of this story is that they have stolen all future revenue from players referred to them by loyal affiliates, and they will use this money to fund their own expansion.

As has been done by many affiliates, observers, and industry watchdogs, we have blacklisted all of this group's sites:

Do not go anywhere near these sites. They stole from us. Who knows what they will do to you?

Bella Vegas
Casino Grand Bay
Fortune Junction Casino
Grand Bay Poker
Jackpot Wheel Casino
Jupiter Club Casino
Lake Palace Casino
Road House Reels Casino
Villa Fortuna

It is rather disturbing to see that these casinos still display the eCOGRA "Play it Safe" seal. eCOGRA should suspend the Seals. We hope that eCOGRA does the right thing.

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