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INTRODUCTION:
=============On approximately April 28th, 2006, the Association of Professional Casino Webmasters began conduction a series of audits on the ReferBack group of casinos. The purpose of these audits was to test the player interaction with the casino software download, installation, deposits, and game play.
We also studied player tracking within the affiliate statistical interfaces by direct link and the ReferBack’s “Bell Rock Buddy” system. Lastly, we wanted to look at ReferBack’s cross marketing campaign outside of the “Bell Rock Buddy”.
Audit One Info:Our first auditor visited the Showdown Online Casino, downloaded, and installed the software. They made a modest deposit, played, and won a small amount of money. This activity was immediately reflected within the appropriate affiliates statistical interface.
The auditor reported a satisfactory experience. However, they were disappointed that they “Bell Rock Buddy” was bundled in the download, and that they were not given the option of having the “buddy” or not.
Audit One Issues:
Within a few days, this same auditor logged onto the “Bell Rock Buddy” and used a link within it to visit the River Belle Online Casino. They made a small deposit, played, and lost the money.
This time, however, the player activity did not register within the affiliate statistical interface. To this date (May 18th, 2006) the activity associated with this visit via the “Buddy” has never tracked.
Audit One Conclusions:
It appears to the APCW that the “Bell Rock Buddy” has flaws within it similar to those we have uncovered with other MicroGaming “buddy” systems. What was also interesting was the tracking link used within the “Bell Rock Buddy”. When our auditor clicked to visit the River Belle, the link had a “VT” tag (which we believe is a marketing tag) with no “aff” tag to link it to the correct affiliate (SEE SCREEN SHOT BELOW).
We decided to try to duplicate this audit and test our findings.
Audit Two Info:Approximately a week later, we send a second auditor to the River Belle Casino, downloaded, and installed the software. They made a modest deposit, played, and lost. This activity was once again immediately reflected within the appropriate affiliates statistical interface.
The auditor reported a satisfactory game play experience.
Audit Two Issues:
This auditor stated that the “Bell Rock Buddy” was not bundled within the software download on this occasion, and that they did have the option of installing or not installing the “buddy”. We instructed our auditor to install.
That very same day, the second auditor used the “Bell Rock Buddy” to visit The Gaming Club Casino. They made a small deposit, played, and lost the money. Just like in the first audit, however, this player activity did not register within the affiliate statistical interface. To this date (May 18th, 2006), no activity associated with this visit has ever been reported in the affiliate stats.
Audit Two Conclusions:
It now seem apparent to the APCW that the “Bell Rock Buddy” is flawed and does not track player activity for affiliates properly. Like with the first audit, the link within the “Buddy” had a “VT” tag but no “aff” tag linking it back to the correct affiliate (SEE SCREEN SHOT BELOW).
Audit Three Info:Due to the fact that our two auditors had a different experience with the installation of the “Bell Rock Buddy”, we sent a third auditor visited Jackpot City Casino and detail the software installation process and how it related to the “Buddy”.
Audit Three Issues:
Our third auditor was given the option of installing the “Bell Rock Buddy” or not, and they elected to not install. What followed were several confusing messages that led the auditor to believe that, if they chose to NOT install, they could not download the software. The auditor continued to reject the “Buddy” and, eventually, the software did install without it.
Audit Three Conclusions:
This auditor strongly believes that Refer Back wants players to install the “Bell Rock Buddy”, and that when a player chooses NOT to install there is some coercing involved by implying it’s a necessary component. This activity continually steers players toward changing their mind about the “Buddy”.
Not only does the APCW believe this is a bit “strong arm” and could potentially result in the loss of business, but (given the results in audits One and Two) makes us wonder about the motivations being such an aggressive approach.
CONCLUSION:
===========These audits suggest that the “Bell Rock Buddy” is not accurate, and that the potential loss of revenue for affiliates is staggering. We also believe that the option to NOT install the “Buddy” is being handled in an aggressive manner not conducive to good customer service.
The most disturbing facts about thing about these audits, however, is the utility with the “Bell Rock Buddy” itself which allows players to link their account together. Simply by entering their email address or account numbers, players can link all their accounts together within the “Buddy” (See screen shots below from audits One and Two):
– – – – – – – – – –
AUDITOR ONE BUDDY CONTROL PANEL:
– – – – – – – – – –
AUDITOR TWO BUDDY CONTROL PANEL:
– – – – – – – – – –
The fact that the “Bell Rock Buddy” has this feature begs the questions:
1) If the “Bell Rock Buddy” can easily link accounts with the same email address, why can’t the affiliate statistics tracking do the same?
2) Why does the “Bell Rock Buddy” require an additional level of input from the players to associate accounts that Refer Back is supposed to already know are from the same player?
3) Even after our auditors linked their account together within the “Buddy”, why did the affiliate stats still not track?
When combined and taken as a whole, the APCW believes the integrity of the “Bell Rock Buddy” is at best questionable, and at worst a convenient over site by ReferBack.
Well, looks like these Buddy things all have the same problem.
Perhaps Microgaming’s basic design at fault here?
I know I recently received notice of another Microgaming group using this program – just can’t remember who it was right now.
Perhaps Referback could ask Fortune for some input and both programs could cooperate to solve these tracking problems for the better of their affiliates.
Dom,
There are many questions that have come from these two audits having similar outcomes, but I will discuss them with you and other board members before we proceed.
This audit was the first of several non-member audits.
Very very g00d work J.Todd!!
Thank you…
Hope this is the start of something possitive =0)
Hi J,
Thank you for your feedback on the Belle Rock Buddy.
I have just a moment ago received news from our office regarding your findings and you will be pleased to know that we are giving this issue the attention it deserves.
Judith (from Miami) on behalf of the ReferBack Team
Judith,
Thanks for the quick reply and attention, it’s greatly appreciated. I look forward to discussing this with you further, both here in Miami and afterward. =0)
Hi there,
Thank you all for your patience. The buddy was removed from the download bundle some time ago and should not have been available. Thank you for bringing these instances to our attention. We are in the process of making sure that all new downloads not contain the Belle Rock Buddy.
We are assessing the impact of the Belle Rock Buddies tracking. We have established that it was tracking on the “visitor number” level. We now have to establish exactly how accounts were allocated. Once we have these findings we will take the next actions.
Thank you
WayneThanks for your swift action.
We are looking forward to a speedy resolution.
Int, you’re the man!
very nice job!
I am currently 2 days into awaiting a reply from Intercasino to see why one of my testers didn’t register in their tracking. Will post the situation if it seems the problem is one that is universal. … that’s if they ever reply. (i’ve had problems getting a reply from them in the past).
**********************
Wayne.
Well done by RB to address this situation in a timely and sincere fashion.
I was very, very concerned when i first read this post. Now although still concerned, I am not rushing to take down RB’s links.
please let us know what was the final conclusion in this matter and whether the buddy thing is going to continue to exist and ifso, some kind of assurance the problem has been fixed. *although you can bet your farm more testing will be done.
While I feel some what hypocritical for saying this because personally I don’t have any sponsors that the APCW has listed
(although in my defense: I didn’t know they were listing RB – perhaps Int you should announce whenever another program is added to your audit list so that those of us who were previously not able to participate can be aware that upon your new added program, we can now perhaps have something to contribute).
anyway with that said: I hasten to add/ask that everyone support the APCW as you can see where today it literally saved thousands, perhaps more, …
bb1webs wrote:…perhaps Int you should announce whenever another program is added to your audit list so that those of us who were previously not able to participate can be aware that upon your new added program, we can now perhaps have something to contribute…Hey ya BB1! Long time no hear! :hehe:
Thanks for the support and feedback. Let me address your question:
As of March 2006, it has been APCW policy to audit whoever we choose… whether the program is a member or not. ReferBack has expressed a sincere interest in working with us on this issue and becoming a member. However, when this audit was conducted, they were not members.
When we conduct audits on member programs, we let that program know the details of the audit prior to it’s public release. We give them time to investigate any problems and prepare a reply.
When we conduct audits on non-member programs, we do not afford them this same courtesy.
