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In a shock move this week, the UK’s Skybet.com has opted to shut down its popular online gambling affiliate program under pressure from local advocates who claim some affiliates promote losers in an effort to share in company profits.
It didn’t take long for the affiliate community to respond and, as one might expect, those responses were not overly positive.
“I imagine Sky Bet’s lawyers have their case ring-fenced on every level, so the reality is there is likely nothing affiliates can do to claw back lost earnings,” affiliate Tom Galanis said in a piece for Tag Media.
“It’s brutal and will result in job losses and businesses going under.”
Another successful affiliate, Neil Mitchell, commented: “I signed up early 2011. So I'm now out of a job. The good times were great. Now I've got to rebuild and think about what to do next. Sad times for me.”
Gambling911.com was among the first to report the news, including fears that other online gambling sites might follow. And that’s exactly what has happened.
Ladbrokes announced it is suspending its affiliate program while reviewing options.
“Gambling911.com has never engaged in this type of affiliate marketing,” Senior Editor Payton O’Brien stated late Wednesday. “That said, we understand the revenue sharing model to be among the most lucrative. Affiliates do not get paid if the folks they refer win.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
