It has been alleged at an online gambling website that a trade in player details has been occurring, and some of the companies wrapped up in the scandal are big names.
The story, running at australiangambling.com.au claims that detailed information on registered players at a number online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks is being offered for sale by an individual named Ryan Clegg.
Names, addresses, email, telephone numbers and playing history of the players are all included in the data available to unscrupulous purchasers willing to pay the right price. The data sales are clearly in breach of operator privacy policies and likely illegal, and will present a public relations nightmare for those involved if proven to be true.
While the actual sources of the stolen data within each company was not revealed, companies whose players are being traded, according to Clegg include amongst others, Casino Tropez, Eurogrand, Casinojoy, 888, Intercasino, Spin Palace, 32 red, William Hill, Europa Casino, Vegas Red, PlatinumPlay, Roxy Palace and William Hill.
And the going rate for a database of details of 40,000 gamblers? Around $4,000 apparently.
There will be plenty more written about this particular issue before it is put to bed. Online gambling is an industry that has always been and probably will always be plagued by rogue operators because of the dollars involved. Legitimate operators have faced an uphill battle from day one to establish credibility and trust, and scandals like this certainly don't help.
Subscribe to feed