Initial forum posts suggest that PokerStars Partners is terminating certain affiliate accounts.
The common thread during discussion is “too many old players generating revenue to justify the affiliates monthly payment”. Some claim they weren’t given a reason at all in the formal notice from Amaya Gaming, while others report they have been given an ultimatum to produce real money player referrals as per the terms and conditions or face termination.
“To ensure that your account remains open, you are required to send 1 RMP [real money player] in November. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help in your efforts to generate new real money players to prevent any impact to your account,” one affiliate posted.
Affiliates cut from the programme will be paid for September and have been instructed to remove all marketing materials from their sites by October 1, 2014, the notice advised.
PokerStars affiliate agreement terms clause 8.4, referred to in the notifications, reportedly gives the company the right to terminate their agreement on seven days notice.
PokerStars regulated move into the UK market following the implementation of the Gambling (Licencing and Advertising) Act 2014 will impose a 15 percent place of consumption tax on revenue earned through UK players. This latest move by the poker giant seems to indicate austerity measures in light of the tax burden it faces from November 1, 2014.