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A copy of my eariler post in the Vote section
It would appear on the surface that Virtual has made some much needed changes to their business. It would be nice to think that those changes were derived from Dannys presence in the forums. Although I think that would be very naive.
Reality is not so sugar coated. The fact is the competition level for on line gamers is stiffer then it was 5 or even 2 years ago. Mega groups like Bell Rock Gaming, party poker, and others have raised the bar in the industry as a whole. It is harder today to open up and actually succeed in a mass player rip off. So in order for a group like Virtual to stay even remotely competitive they have to clean up their shop a bit.
Reality is also the fact that forum players make up an extremely small percentage of real money players, at on line casinos and poker rooms. Not so much at the many sports books though. The sheer volume of information needed to make educated and effective plays in a sporting wager, does not correlate into playing black jack or slot machines.
I have followed with interest the introduction of Virtual Danny into the Players Union membership. I have watched the standards of the Virtual group increase, notably the very public spin off of the most offensive clones of the Virtual group. However, I have also seen the credit taken for such actions as though there were a genuine interest in what the Union members, and non-Union supporters alike had to contribute to the conversation.
Again, I would like to voice my opinion, and state that the forum player or member had little if anything to do with the decisions made by Virtual management. Especially in regards to the newly independent guise of the former Virtual clones.
I would also like to express my sincere shock, and absolute amazement at the Players Union management in allowing Virtual Danny to promote himself thru his signature hyperlink. It is one thing to allow a Union member to self promote something like their own forum, or a "refer-a-friend" type deal at a poker room. But, allowing a casino manager to promote a casino that has no Union protection? I think it sullies the reputation of the Union in allowing this type of blatant and shameless promotion. Do not misinterpret what I am saying, I am and most likely will always be a staunch supporter of the Players Union. I feel that the rough and hardcore approach to dealing with player issues and complaints is needed. I think the Union does a very good job in researching and of course protecting it's members. The exception is of course with Virtual group.
More needs done in this arena. A group as large, and as powerful as Virtual Casino, needs to be dealt with in as harsh a manner as the Union decided to take on Rochester casino. Relentless fire needs to be placed upon them until they stop doing what it is they are doing wrong. That of course is the need to spin off the last remaining clones, and ensure prompt payouts of winnings.
It is one thing to allow Virtual Danny to enter the Players Union, and open a dialog with the forum player. It is something entirely different to allow him to openly promote himself in such a blatant manner. It is also very disturbing that a long time supporter of the Players Union was banned as a result of the conversation with Virtual Danny. Lanidar brought a balance to the skyrocketing conversation, and outright self promotion of a casino that richly deserves criticism. If the Players Union is going to take the chance in promoting Virtual casino, then announce it, put the banners up, and be done with it. But this censorship of an Original Union member, and banning of him was defiantly a step in the wrong direction of the Players Union. Shame on the Unions management again, for yet another poor decision. You chose to take the side of a CASINO, over the concerns of a PLAYER, and have violated the very core of your foundation as "for the player, by the player" as m249a The Boss is so fond of saying.
I fail to see why one single group has courted such favoritism, and been granted a free pass to run rampant thru the Union, causing the censorship and banning of a player who in my opinion, all be it harshly, was voicing his genuine discontent of what he perceived as something that needed to be countered.
As a Union member, I would personally like to see the following occur. And occur very quickly.
1. Remove the link in Virtual Dannys signature. It is offensive to the Union members to have a manager promote themselves in such a blatant fashion, and my personal interpretation of the Union rules, says such things are prohibited.
2. A list of REAL questions, posed to Virtual Danny, by the Union management. Enough with the "tell us how you feel" type questions. If he has a genuine desire to find out what the Forum player is concerned about, pose the questions in a heavily moderated thread, that allows ONLY the response and tactful posing of further explanations.
3. An official announcement from the Union management, saying weather of not Virtual casino group (the ENTIRE group) is endorsed by the Union. And if the Union will apply it's insurance to them. This is a long time coming statement, and should have been done 2 months ago. It is time for proactive management on the part of the Unions staff.
4. An official statement from the Union management as to why Lanidar was banned. A very poor management decision, almost an after though on their part.
As a Union member, I feel I deserve a timely response to these issues, and furthermore a comment on why it took the Union management this long to realize, if you have at all, that there was a problem with your decision making process. I have, and will continue to support and contribute to the Union. But the time has long since passed for the Union management to stand up and make these necessary adjustments and regain some of the lost credibility.
This is purely my thoughts, and opinions. I would like to see open dialog on this issue.
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