GPWA Times - Issue 21 - May 2012

the coming change. Our terms and conditions were updated as of July 1, 2011. At this point in time the 4 percent fee is not set by default and no affiliate is directly charged. If we choose to implement the fee we will most certainly con- tact the affiliate directly and discuss the fees/ charges before proceeding. “Minimum Activity Qualification. Your Revenue Commission will decrease to a rate of 12.5% following a 3 month period of affili- ate inactivity, during which time no players have been referred.” Affiliates are generally not fans of inactiv- ity clauses. While they understand affiliate programs want their brands promoted, they also know that online casinos/poker rooms/ bingo rooms, etc., are a critical part of the conversion process. And they don’t want to see their revenues reduced by a site’s inability to convert players. What was the thought process behind implementing this term? And how do you address affiliate con- cerns that their income could be dramati- cally reduced through no fault of their own? The clause is stated in our t/c; however, it is not set by default. Each case is assessed individu- ally and at this point in time I have not come across any particular case to date where an af- filiate has received a decrease with no activity. “Players referred from the following coun- tries will be excluded from CPA revenue deals: Italy, Netherlands, Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, India, Bolivia, Latvia, Costa Rica, Lithuania, Dominican Republic, Moldova, Ecuador, Nigeria, El Salvador, Pakistan, Panama, Peru and Brazil.” If an affiliate has a CPA deal with you, and refers a valid player from one of these countries, how is the affiliate compen- sated? Does the player get placed into a rev-share plan for affiliates? Definitely – affiliates who refer players from these countries do have a revenue share plan. Euro Partners offers five casinos, two poker rooms and a sportsbook. What are the ad- vantages and drawbacks, if any, of hav- ing gaming offerings across this range of verticals? Having the wide range of verticals provides us with added value as an affiliate program. It enables our affiliates to grow their business with multiple brands. Euro Partners has been in business since 2002. What have been your keys to success over the last decade? The keys to our success all center around our ability to offer a wide se- lection of customized solutions, whether it be the expansion of our gaming verticals (casino, poker, sports) to provide affiliates with cross- promotion opportunities; a professional mar- keting team with dedicated account managers per country; multi-lingual services; and, of course, our competitive commission model and award-winning Playtech software. How long have Euro Partners casinos used Playtech software? Since 2002 when we launched Casino Tropez. How big a draw are the huge progressive jackpots? Are they more important than the traditional “fruit machines” that may pay out at a higher frequency for smaller amounts? Our progressive jackpots have hit $10 million at a given point in time. The pro- gressive jackpots are definitely more important and more highly profitable than the traditional fruit machines. The progressive jackpots are extremely beneficial to our affiliates; it’s a fan- tastic marketing tool which enables affiliates to generate new, high-quality acquisitions. How do you ensure that payments are sent out on time? And when do your payments go out? Affiliates receive their monthly state- ments by the 11th of every month. Once signed and returned affiliates receive payment within five business days. Where do you think the industry will be in five years? We truly believe that the future di- rection is heading towards a fully regulated in- dustry. It is evident as we monitor the current market trends. The future market share will be split among the “big industry players.” What is the last book you read? Did you enjoy it? And did you read it on an e-read- er? Or do you need to have a copy of the physical book in your hand? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo . I enjoyed it thoroughly, an action-packed thriller. I don’t like the e-reader, I am old school in that sense and I much prefer the physical book. You list tennis, golf and water skiing as your favorite activities. Have you always been an active person? Why water skiing? And out- side of the obvious health benefits, what do you find exercise does for you, especially at times when you are most stressed? I have always been an extremely active person. As I lived all my life in Australia I was always outdoors and loved my sport. As a child I trav- eled frequently with my family. I was raised on the water; hence I started water skiing at a very young age. Exercise relaxes me and it is most certainly a stress release for me. When I’m stressed I find swimming really does it for me; it takes me away to another place. I forget about everything and simply connect with the water. What is your favorite movie? Pulp Fiction. What’s the best movie food? Popcorn. If you had a theme song, what would it be? The Flintstones. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go? Thailand. What would you do if you just inherited a pizzeria from your uncle? Sell it!!!!! If you could have dinner with three other people, living or dead, who would they be? Adriana Lima, Jim Morrison, Bob Marley. What are three things that no one knows about you? 1. I lived and worked in Japan (2002). 2. I own a 45 kg black Russian terrier. 3. I’m a professional water skier. “Our progressive jackpots have hit $10 million at a given point in time. . . . They are extremely beneficial to our affiliates . . . a fantastic marketing tool which enables affiliates to generate new, high- quality acquisitions.” 69 Affiliate Manager Interview Series