Good threat – and good post by Dom.
I would rather take my chances with large volumes of small rake players, then deal with the mess of rakeback.
If all the rooms would simply put an end to the practice instead of supporting it we would all be better off.
Imagine going into a store and you are already at the cash register and they offer you a 30% discount just for being there.
The two “large” rakeback affiliates you refer to – who stole our whales that were acquired through genuine marketing practices in the last few years are now getting their payback. The demands for reporting and increased rakeback percentages are going up, increasing their administration and essentially wiping out their already small profit margins.
With respect to the “new breed” of rakeback affiliate going for 50% and giving back 45%…the rooms who are offering this practice will soon not be around as they cannot have enough revenue coming in to handle their overheads.
I agree with Dom with respect to “helping these original rakeback affiliates” – ya right, watch what happens when they close up shop and keep their last 1-2 months of large revenue from the rooms as their profit and screw their players.
The biggest threat on the horizon is the over exposure of Poker with really no marketing plan, no pushing of personalities, etc. and the fact that the supply will outweigh the demand.
What happens to these rakeback players when a room is acquired or consolidates – that is the question?