The similarities are hard to miss when filling out the registration forms at on-line casinos.
Most ask for the basics – name, address, phone number, e-mail address, date of birth – some even require a Social Security number.
Most of us fill out the forms without a second thought because we are so used to giving out that same required information.
We presume the information will go no further than the casino.
We expect a degree of privacy.
We expect the casinos to honor that privacy.
Recently, two things occurred that might cause you to re-think when submitting your personal information.
Blackstar Casino, which opened its online casino in June, was bombarded with gamblers who wanted to take advantage of their free $20 sign-up bonus.
On June 14, the casino did a promotional e-mailing to all those who had registered at the java-based casino.
Unfortunately to do this mass e-mailing, Blackstar just emptied its e-mail address book and included the 300-plus e-mail addresses of its registered users in each sent e-mail. Instead of placing the e-mail addresses in the blind CC line, which would have hidden them, Blackstar placed them in the CC line, which made them visible to everyone.
Subsequently, many on-line gamblers have complained that they have been bombarded with spam as a direct result of this. In one instance, the spam resulted from one of the gamblers whose e-mail address was on the Blackstar mailing.
The casino, which has been marred by other problems stemming from their handling of their free $20 sign-up bonus, has yet to apologize or address the issue of their failure to protect the privacy of their customers.
Earlier this month, DucesWild casino did the same thing in a mass e-mailing to promote its casino. More than 50 e-mail addresses were visibly included in that e-mailing.
BingoPalace also did the same thing, but sent an apology e-mail after realizing the error.
There is little to do to prevent this, other than Inscrivez-Vous use one of the many free Web-base e-mail providers, such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Excite, when registering at on-line casinos. Some casinos, however, do not allow free Web-base e-mail addresses when registering.
In the cases where more personal information is requested, such as a Social Security and telephone numbers, some gamblers have suggested using all zeros or typing in private instead of supplying that information.
Others, however, argue that it is important to give the correct information so as not to give the casinos a loophole for not honoring and paying winnings.
Some casinos, such as Royal Vegas casino, will lock gamblers out of the casino for not providing correct information on the registration form.
The other recent example of marketing gone too far occurred when Proc-Cyber Services launched its new infinia, on-line debit card last month.
Gamblers who at one time had cashed out their casino winnings at Proc-Cyber received an unsolicited, welcoming e-mail from Proc-Cyber that stated: “We have received your infinia Account application. Thank you for applying…Your card will be manufactured and sent within 48 hours of you receiving this mail.”
Many gamblers who received this welcoming e-mail reported that they did not fill out an application. They believe Proc-Cyber took the liberty to fill out an application for them using the information they supplied on the Proc-Cyber Services Web site when they made their cash-ins.
When questioned about it, Proc-Cyber replied: “We would like to inform you that the infinia debit card has been sent to all of the users that are related to Proc-Cyber Services and the use is thereof optional.”
They also said that the card must first be activated in order to be used and that infinia accounts may be canceled by e-mailing them.
On July 3, Proc-Cyber sent out another e-mail to its customers who did not yet activate the infinia card.
This e-mail congratulated the customer on a recent winning and went on to explain about the infinia card. The e-mail also stated: “If you do not have an infinia debit card, you will receive one shortly. We have opened an infinia account on your behalf. Once you receive your card, please visit http://www.infinia.com/activate.asp and activate your card.”
Even Proc-Cyber customers who had already told the company that they did not want the card, received this e-mail.
That did not stop Proc-Cyber from pushing their card – even to gamblers who clearly stated they were not interested.
On July 11, gamblers received yet another e-mail from Proc-Cyber. This one stated “Your infinia Card is in the mail! Because your financial security is of prime importance to us, your card was sent in a dormant state and will need to be activated upon receipt.”
The e-mail included a personal activation code and instructions on how to activate the card with a link.
No matter how valuable a service the card may provide to on-line gamblers, there is a violation of privacy in that Proc-Cyber Services applied for the card on behalf of their customers based on information customers provided to receive cashins.
Then to send e-mail after e-mail pushing the card on gamblers who already said they did not want the card is clearly beyond spamming, not to mention unprofessional. It is an abuse of unsuspecting gamblers who made a cash-in with Proc-Cyber and gave the company their personal information.
While prevention is most often the best remedy, there is little on-line gamblers can do to protect their information.
Once the “submit” button is clicked, the information is in the hands of the on-line casino or other business.
E-mails can be sent to the casinos stating that your information is private and should not be used for other purposes, including your e-mail address.
But that is no guarantee abuses of your personal information will not occur.
Unfortunately, the gamble in the industry is no longer just at the tables or slot machines.
