1st CAP Audit Complete - Thoughts?

Guard Dog

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NOTE: The CAP Audit has proven erroneous. All information below was based upon the first result. Rome Partners have shown to track, but the report stated otherwise. Rome Partners does track their players to the affiliates. Please keep that in mind when reading the erroneous audit information shown below.



Well, the first 'CAP Audit' is complete. Rome Partners was looked into and Top Game (software vendor) seems to be taking the fall for it. Does this mean that 7Aff.com has the same problems? Tough to say without hard data, but read on.

I'd like to first thank Gamtrak and CAP for performing the audit. It is certainly good to have this information 'out there' for affiliates.

ABOUT THE AUDIT:

What truly surprised me about the audit, at first glance, was the amount of sales spin placed on CAP and 'CAP Certification'. Can we just have the test without the spin, please?? :) It seemed very odd and out of place to me.

However - the plan was executed according to their 'methodology' and appears to have been completed very professionally.

Details of the CAP Audit (Be wary... the document is VERY salesy):

CAP Audit - Rome Partners


The above document goes through CAP's Methodology for the audit (after the sales stuff - skip down about halfway through the document for the 'meat').

[newterm][newtermtitle]Methodology (Our Evaluation):[/newtermtitle]

There were 16 volunteers selected to perform the audit. This breaks down in 8 pairs to create an affiliate matching up with a player. The affiliate would verify the tracking of the player signed up through the same audit procedure.

The tracking was performed in 2 successive sessions. Each player deposited into the casino on each session and played for a period of time and even withdrew winnings, if at all possible. The affiliate, then checked stats to verify the play and deposit levels.[/newterm]


[newterm][newtermtitle]Results (Our Analysis): [/newtermtitle]

All Players were not tracked. It appears that in the first session, only five of the eight players were tracked! And, in the second session of tracking NONE were properly tracked.
[/newterm]



[newterm][newtermtitle]Conclusion (Our Analysis: [/newtermtitle]

A very low tracking level was displayed by Rome Partners and this leads us to believe that it could be very possible that ALL Top Gaming Casinos may have the same issue. Let's wait for CAP's second round of Audits to find out if this is an affiliate program issue or an affiliate software issue.
[/newterm]


Thanks CAP for the audit. Please see the link above for CAP's actual audit. The information published here is commentary by AGD only and does not represent the opinions of CAP or it's employees.
 
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dominique

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I found the results shocking.

I am glad these audits are taking place, none of the programs know for whom the bell tolls next, and so it should go a long way to keep them on the straight and narrow.
 

Guard Dog

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I found the results shocking.

I am glad these audits are taking place, none of the programs know for whom the bell tolls next, and so it should go a long way to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Yep - I'm glad audits are taking place also :)
 

slickrick

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Hi,

I have a question about audits and such. (Trying to get my head around the rules for the real world, and rules for the internet).

What can someone say about an affiliate program that won't get you in legal trouble.

I am used to seeing Audits done by regulatory bodies, government agencies and the such.

If the audits effect an affiliate programs business, and are untrue.. could there be legal action?

Rk
 

Guard Dog

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I am used to seeing Audits done by regulatory bodies, government agencies and the such.

If the audits effect an affiliate programs business, and are untrue.. could there be legal action?

Interesting thought. I think Jurisdiction might play a part in this as well. I think that if the audits are done properly and you cover your butt, it can be done without litigation. If false statements are put out there - that's when problems arise.
 

bonusgeek

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I hope in the future we can count on CAP to do some double and triple checking before releasing any more audit results. I mean everyone is real quick to nail this program to a cross when we think a program didn't exercise caution when rolling out a casino without double and triple checking the tracking, so I hope in the future CAP will exercise the same caution everyone is bitching about with the program before they release any more audit results.

I don't mean to be making anyone feel bad about making an honest mistake, I know there are nothing but the best intentions with these audits but lets get it right before airing this stuff out, there are reputations at stake and these audits need to be 100% factual. I trust Prof will make sure this never happens again.
 

Guard Dog

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I would have to agree with Bonusgeek here... Not only is Rome getting caught in this, but all the Top Game casinos as well. I don't know what is best, overall, though...

Should CAP have the ability to NOT tell the information and get things done on the backend... while affiliates pay the price? I'm not sure.

Should CAP give us the information before giving the program the ability to create a patch for the problem? I'm not sure of that either.


It's a tough place CAP has put themselves in, IMO. I'm glad it's not AGD in that position :)
 

slickrick

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Looks like the CAP Audit on Rome Partners were incorrect and a mess.
Apparently it tracks 100%.

Bit of a mess really.

CAP Audit Section. Rome Partners dont look too impressed, damage is done regardless.

Back to my question / statement - public release like this in the real world, would have lawyers knocking on their doors.
 
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Nandakishore

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It would harm the whole concept of auditing done by institutions other than official agencies if it turns out that the CAP audit was faulty. I think it is necessary that an organization or team doing audits must be certified by some neutral organization before they do any auditing and publish the results. I don't know whether the CAP audit team went through any such process of certification.
 

GamTrak

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Looks like the CAP Audit on Rome Partners were incorrect and a mess.
Apparently it tracks 100%.
First, That is NOT true. My spreadsheet that was supplied with the facts were mis-read by the person that created the whitesheet.

If you actually read what Rome (Caesar) said my report is correct and should NOT be thrown out.

Second, there was a tracking issue so the tracking is NOT 100% correct.

You really should get your facts straight before you say stuff that is not true as it just adds to the problems.

Fact is the audits are here to stay and I"m gong to try my best to see that the true facts are put forth before they are published to the public.

And for those that insist on bitchin about the audit and how it won't work need to remember that everyone makes mistakes so let's try to work together and not cause more division and problems with negative and non productive opinions that does nothing to help anyone other then you release anger.

Hi Andy, hope you enjoyed your ski trip and I'm not referring to you in my post.
 
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slickrick

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You really should get your facts straight before you say stuff that is not true as it just adds to the problems.

Wise words which I am sure you, and the organisation you represent could benefit from.

And for those that insist on bitchin about the audit and how it won't work need to remember that everyone makes mistakes so let's try to work together and not cause more division and problems with negative and non productive opinions that does nothing to help anyone other then you release anger.

"Bitchin" is definitely hurtful. It's a good thing the AGD forum doesn't tolerate it. Although it does allow us to make constructive comments and views on the gaming industry. The views might not be shared by everyone, but then you can't please everyone can you?
 

slickrick

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I think it is necessary that an organization or team doing audits must be certified by some neutral organization before they do any auditing and publish the results. I don't know whether the CAP audit team went through any such process of certification.

Most definitley. I'd like to think that something like this wouldve come under an eCogra style certification - although I am not sure how close their relationship with MicroGaming is, or if they have really come into their own.

Although this would really ensure that players are tracked and do signup.

Not if players are being untagged from affiliate accounts.

I am sure there are programs out there who have, and still do it.
 

Nandakishore

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I'd like to think that something like this wouldve come under an eCogra style certification - although I am not sure how close their relationship with MicroGaming is, or if they have really come into their own.
cCOGRA has 3 Non-Executive Directors representing 888.com, Microgaming and bWin. So I wouldn't be much enthusiastic about eCOGRA doing the audit. In fact, I think it is not a bad idea that an organization like CAP does this audit. I have complete faith in the integrity of GamTrak who leads the Audit team, BUT... I think CAP must clear the CardSpike accusations against them. Otherwise, any audit performed by them has IMHO no value.
 

slickrick

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I have complete faith in the integrity of GamTrak who leads the Audit team, BUT... I think CAP must clear the CardSpike accusations against them. Otherwise, any audit performed by them has IMHO no value.

Have to agree with you there. GamTrak's reputation in the industry has been solid, and she is a work horse! Does a damn good job as well. I like the fact that she can be found across all the major forums. Thats dedication right there!

I can see your angle on CAP performing the audits. And it makes sense... CAP is accountable to its members, and people who use it as a resource.
It's also easier to get a responce from CAP then it is from eCogra!

I do hope the next audit will go smoothly.
 

Janet

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Hi people. The opening post in this thread is pretty damning, and readers have to read through the thread to find out that the audit was erroneous.

I think it would be prudent to edit in this case. Enough damage has been done to this group already.

Rome Casino CAP Audit

Joshua is a friend of mine, so I guess I take an interest in this fiasco that I might not have otherwise. Engineer(Dave) knows him, also, as we had dinner together with Joshua in Vegas. I hate to see this happen to a program he's involved in.
 

Guard Dog

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I will edit the first post... I hate changing content, so what will be done is a large note in the beginning of that thread about how the audit results were proven erroneous.
 

pdjoe

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I just can't help myself on this one.

Poor Rome Casino was dredged through the mud on this audit. Thats bad enough! The thing that irratates me is that nobody is posting anything to the effect that they made a mistake, they are truely sorry....

That alone says enough for me. We all make mistakes, when we do, we should stand up, support and help the person we did the damage to. Offer anyway.

To say "the report was flawed and should largely be ignored." by one person doesn't scratch teh suface of what CAP should do to help Rome Casino.

???
 

Guard Dog

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I just can't help myself on this one.

Poor Rome Casino was dredged through the mud on this audit. Thats bad enough! The thing that irratates me is that nobody is posting anything to the effect that they made a mistake, they are truely sorry....

That alone says enough for me. We all make mistakes, when we do, we should stand up, support and help the person we did the damage to. Offer anyway.

To say "the report was flawed and should largely be ignored." by one person doesn't scratch teh suface of what CAP should do to help Rome Casino.

???


I couldn't agree more with you, Joe. This is a huge mistake and CAP is not the one paying the price... Rome Partners / Casino is. It is very unfortunate that CAP is not taking more responsibility and apologizing for the misreading of the audit.

It is very disappointing.
 
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