Doesn’t matter. The affiliate is the one who took the chance with nothing in writing. They should have never represented themselves to players as “having a deal”. I can understand the players being upset but that should be directed towards the affiliate because the bottom line is the affiliate is going back on the agreement. The poker rooms say this type of thing is between you (affiliate) and the player. If the affiliate wants to make right by the players they should A: not only stop the rake backs to this particular room (and get a clue that it is possible that other rooms could do the same), B: continue to pay these players what was promised as they are still making what is a very nice commission off the them.
Didn’t someone around here mention that rake backs could possibly lead to lower profits for affiliates? If this affiliate does what was promised I’d say they’re right in more ways than one.