Perhaps this is a new twist on multi-tiered programs.
1st tier – OLD-affiliates may or may-not get screwed.
2nd tier – NEW-affiliates will definitely get screwed.
Yes, perhaps.. However there are some interesting affiliate programs like pokerroom.com, pokerchamps and poker.com, even though I haven’t read all of their affiliate agreements. It feels like new programs are good to begin with but as they grow larger they look for ways to reduce their payments to affiliates. They also use the agreements (three month rules etc) to force affiliates to promote them actively otherwise they’ll lose their players. I think programs that have an honest approach with a straight revenue share deal with no strings attached will have the most success.