Thanks Google, Now I’m screwed
It looks as though Google have decided to allow online gambling sites to advertise via their adwords system, this in itself is great news. However this is only open to actual operators them selves who own their own lisence. Affiliates will not be able to use the system at the current time. This means all the time spent getting out sites to the top of the search engines has now been wasted since the casinos themselves can simply bid more and get above our natural listings.
Although this isn’t 100% it is set to go live tomorrow and I’m sure the impact on affiliates targeting the UK will be huge.
The only good thing to come of this is that one day affiliates will once again be able to advertise using adwords, but I can’t see that happening for a long time, if ever.
What I’m drinking now - Strong vodka and orange! (STRONG)
November 5th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Does anyone know if apply for a UK gambling license via http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/Client/detail.asp?ContentId=110
and use the license number on google to get around the block on affiliates?
November 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
As far as I know you have to be a casino operator in order to get a licence. Although I will look in to it as being approved by adwords to market gambling program could be extremely profitable
November 6th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I have sent the gambling commission an email explaining the situation and asking if it’s possible to get a personal licence for this purpose.
Although I’m not feeling particularly optimistic :-s
November 7th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Got a reply from The gambling commission basiclly saying I don’t need a gambling licence to promote online casinos (which I knew already) and I need to contact google in order to advertise. So they basiclly told me what I already knew.