Guys at this point we feel like Absolute Poker is taking the necessary steps to ensure that something like this does not occur again.
The same fraudulent PLAYERS (Ex employees and prior owner) that took advantage of a security loophole at Ultimate Bet were responsible for the incidents which took place here. Those security breachs have been fixed at both properties and the company is actively pursuing legal action against those involved.
All effected players are being made whole and management does take the problems very seriously.
It’s a sad commentary on human nature that for as long as there has been gambling there have been players who cheat. Casinos and Poker Rooms both online and offline spend billions of dollars a year on security to minimize the cheating, but there is no 100% fool proof method to stop it.
Have there been cheats at highly regarded poker rooms like Binions, Belagio, Mirage,Venetian, MGM Grand or Caesers Palace? Absolutely. Has there been colusion between dealers or even pit bosses and cheating players? Absolutely. Does the general public demand that every Casino or Poker Room which has had cheaters attack their business be closed? No.
Is it fair or reasonable to try to close down an online operator for the same problems, even if they do everything they can to repair the damages done? I dont think so. If you do then by all means drop promotion of that casino or poker room, but dont expect everyone else who plays there or promotes them to follow suit.
The other issue we face at CAP/PAP is we are working with Chipleader, the affiliate program, and they had no hand in any of this at all. Why penalize them when they have always been very supportive of our community?
If the issue was Chipleader was shaving stats or stealing players from affiliate accounts and there was ubstantive evidence to support a claim then that would be grounds for immediate decertification. That isn’t what happened.
Pokerkeep I know you are probably not going to agree with this and not everyone is going to be happy with our decision, but I hope you understand it.
Anyone who is NOT comfortable promoting these brands should drop them and move to Poker Rooms you prefer to work with. It’s your business and you have to do what you think is best for your players and we support that.
For the players and affiliates that do continue to work with Chipleader or play at these poker rooms we support your decision.
Personally I do not feel like my players are in dire straits if they play at either Absolute Poker or Ultimate Bet. I also appreciate the fact that they stayed with US players and affiliates throughout the UIGEA storm and didnt take the easy route and head for shore like many others did. I value that loyalty and it weighs heavily in my decision on which Poker Rooms I agressively promote and which ones I dont.
Thats where we are at.