Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

[AussieDave]

I'm sure I can speak for most affiliates and say, the AGD audit reports are definitely appreciated, it's information you don't normally have access to,without actually signing up to a program and seeing the results first hand.

See that's the thing...

A LOT of programs these days are marketing high % commissions BUT... The truth is ALL in the proof. By the time all the aff program costs, and fees are deducted, your commission %'s is anywhere near as attractive, as the program made out, huh!

I've just perused the latest AGD audit:
https://www.affiliateguarddog.com/community/threads/slotum-partners-audit-report.16155/

The following results, are based on a €20 deposit, with no bonus given.

• 25% = 16.25 %
• 30% = 19.50 %
• 35% = 22.75 %
• 40% = 26.00 %
• 45% = 29.25 %

Lets not BS or piss on anyone's shoe's here. These results are woeful. It's creative accountancy at its finest. What's worse though, aside from handful of programs who actually pay 100% of their advertised commissions, most programs, these days, are shafting their affiliates sideways, with double dipping & or bogus fees.

A few weeks back now, but at another casino affiliate program (been working with them for literally 10+ years), I was very-light on in my monthly commission. No email notification, not a peep. Wasn't until I contacted my AM, who then informed me, their now deducting off shore GST @ 15%.

I'm not on Rev Share, instead, I'm paid 1.3% on the total wagering each month. One of my player is a whale, who, apparently, receives 10 to 15% bonus of each and every deposit. That 15% tax is paid again deposits (player losses) and bonuses.

According to my AM, I'm earning 35% on the theoretical RTP on slots which that margin is 3.71%. 35% of that = 1.3%.

What I earn and are paid on is 1.3% NOT 35%. I replied saying: If you honestly believe I'm paid 35% then you owe me a LOT of back payments. Not so smart-mouthy after that - still awaiting a reply

This hyperbole fluffery (aka Bullshit) reminds me of:
Video Slots and their marketed 25% paid on ALL slot spins.

Truth... by the time all their deductions were calculated, that 25% was in fact 1%.

That 1% looks piss-poor when compared to the BS of 25%!

Back to the topic at hand:
Affiliate programs marketing FAKE commission percentages.

Slotum Partners is certified here at AGD... Above is the audit stats. However, on their forum page: https://www.affiliateguarddog.com/community/forums/slotum-partners.857/

The banner displayed states: Earn up to 45% commission.

However...the ADG audit report states the 45% only earns an affiliate 29.25% in paid commission.

And that's the problem right there.

Why are programs certified, when, they are clearly not paying their advertised commission percentages???!!!

 

[melcb]

Certification is based on the affiliate programs terms and conditions. It is not possible for us to audit every single program (takes time, resources) so its not part of the certification criteria.

Audits are an additional project initiated by AGD to dig deeper into each program, affiliates then have further data they can use to make more informed decisions on who to promote.

 

[AussieDave]

Certification is based on the affiliate programs terms and conditions. It is not possible for us to audit every single program (takes time, resources) so its not part of the certification criteria.

Well, it should be!

Andy (old owner) was charging US$250 per month for AGD Home page "Supporters" section. If LCB charges the same fee, that's US$4,250 per/m just there. I would assume your also charging for those promotional posts, where, lets say a new industry B2B site gets spotlighted...

Then there's the Platinum Certified Programs, who are paid sponsors.

Have no idea what that fee is, but the GPWA charge approx US$14K per year, for their top tier (platinum) sponsorship.

11 programs are currently AGD platinum sponsors.

And for the record, if it wasn't for AGD members posting to this forum, it would be a ghost town. Members posting to the forum, allows LCB to charge advertising fees, listing fees and any other fees/charges earned as a result. Hence, IMO, AGD has a certain level of responsibility towards its membership base. Conducting audits on "certified programs" should be a mandated prerequisite.

How the hell is anyone going to know IF a program offering XX% is actually paying XX%, without conducting an audit? The AGD forums and GPWA are riddled with affiliate complaints about unethical programs. Why should anything listed in a programs T&C's be trusted, without, and at the very least, conducting an audit on each programs commission structure, before "certification" is granted.

Doing anything else...It's akin to running a car-review site, BUT not test driving the vehicles, reviewed

@melcb - with all due respect, your an employee of LCB, your not an affiliate. Your livelihood is not at risk IF a program lies or falsifies their T&C's

The GPWA has the power to make a positive difference to the igaming affiliate industry, by standing up against programs who choose to scam affiliates. Sadly though, the GPWA seem to place $$$'s 1'st and their members welfare 2'nd.

AGD could help to make the industry better for igaming affiliates, by actually ensuring every "certified program" listed at AGD, has been audited. Or is AGD just a mini version of the GPWA? I would hope not...

Food for thought... I highly doubt €20 (what's lost on each audit) is going to break-the-bank at AGD/LCB network. Hence, the excuse used for not conducting these audits, is even more absurd!

 

[DaftDog]

I agree that an audit should be part of the certification process. Maybe the extra costs and resources used could be covered by charging a higher certification fee.

 

[AussieDave]

I agree that an audit should be part of the certification process. Maybe the extra costs and resources used could be covered by charging a higher certification fee.

Paying literally millions of dollars for websites. Receiving 45% commissions (according to their audits), and with a staff of 60+ employees, that tells me, the LCB Network ain't short of a buck, or person-power resources.

When all boiled down, sounds to me like LCB Network doesn't think the membership base is worth the extra spending... Which sadly, makes us all pawns in their money making venture.

Edit:
Just so we're all crystal clear on this... No fool other than myself it seems, would operate a watchdog site (funded by me) for both players and affiliates, which spanned over 10+ years. While I hold no issue with AGD site making money. If AGD is truly an affiliate watchdog site, then stepping up to plate on these audits for all "certified" programs, isn't an unreasonable expectation.

If anything, it should be a standard practice