eCOGRA Looks Into Grand Privé Affiliate Dispute One Year Too Late

While its credibility is essentially shot, eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance (eCOGRA), a so-called online gambling watchdog group with close ties to software maker Microgaming, has finally come forward to announce they will at least "look into the matter" concerning Internet casino group, Grand Privé, and its decision to systematically cut off all affiliate partners last year.   YAWN!!!!!

REAL online gambling advocate J. Todd has been investigating the Grand Privé matter for over a year now, as has Gambling911.com.  Both of us have pretty much considered this "case closed".  They screwed their affiliate partners and basically should be put out of business.  Certainly a credible software provider like Microgaming should not be doing business with them. 

eCOGRA released its statement today:

Following a number of Internet-based allegations concerning payments following the closure of the Grand Privé Affiliate Program on 1 December 2008, eCOGRA's professional services have been engaged by the management of the company.

Pursuant to an independent and fair resolution of the issues involved, eCOGRA has been tasked with:

            •            Independently investigating the manner in which the Program was terminated and the reasons therefore; subsequently compiling a full and transparent report.

            •            Gathering and verifying claims by any affiliate that considers an amount still to be owing by the Program as a result of player wagering activity subsequent to 1 December 2008; and

            •            Carrying out a full and independent review by suitably qualified staff of the program software and data to confirm amounts owing to claimants at 21 December 2009.

eCOGRA is open to all submissions concerning the closure and payments owed, and urges affiliate watchdog organisations in receipt of this email to assist it in order to ensure that respective affiliate members are informed of this opportunity to submit legitimate claims.

Claims can be submitted prior to 21 December 2009 at http://www.ecogra.org/grandprive.aspx. Former Grand Privé affiliates who believe they have a legitimate and verifiable claim will be asked to complete the Claim Submission Form that they will find on this link.

The following information will be required on the Claim Form, and will be treated in strict confidence:

            •            FIRST NAME

            •            LAST NAME

            •            BANNER TAG

            •            EMAIL ADDRESS

            •            WEBSITES

            •            PHYSICAL ADDRESS

            •            TELEPHONE NUMBER

            •            BANKING DETAILS

            •            AMOUNT OF LAST PAYMENT RECEIVED FROM GRAND PRIVÉ

            •            DATE OF LAST PAYMENT RECEIVED

Closing dates for submission of claims is 21 December 2009.

In the interests of transparency, eCOGRA's findings will be publicly released on conclusion of the investigation.

The funniest part about this....Okay, the SAD part about all this....is that eCOGRA decided to thumb its nose up at the rest of the industry and renew Grand Privé's "seal of approval" last July. 

Good job eCOGRA!  You guys are completely worthless!

Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher