The following letter, addressed to Steve Adkins, was received by WINNERonline on 26 October 2000, in response to the column "How Players Defraud Casinos". The letter is reprinted, unedited.

Dear Steve,

I had thought that you were an objective reporter... a credible information source on the internet working in the best interests of the players. However, I will reserve judgement on that. Believe it or not, I do feel that you provide a valuable service in our industry... albeit, a little light on the investigative side.

As I stated in my replies to you, and would have emphasized had you phoned me yesterday after I gave you the number to call, we just got our servers back online this week. We will begin issuing checks today... rest assured, you have lit the fire under our backside to expedite this process.

Regards,
Craig Williamson

The following is a response from OPA President Steve Adkins, 26 October 2000.

Dear Craig:

I am a watchdog for the online gamblers, I am also concerned about online casinos as well. As far as investigating what did I miss? Was there some side to your story that my numerous phone calls and emails missed? Did you ever make one statement to me? I have recording of me trying to call you time and time again. I left messages and everything.

I am not an investigator nor do I claim to be. How dare you insult me, I have done nothing wrong. Those with crooked fingers should not point.

When the player is wrong I side with the Casino. But when the Casino is wrong, I do side with the players.

Lets back up here and see how maybe I have arrived at some conclusions. First I was contacted by a large number of players on your Ladybug Bingo Site. These players all made purchases and were playing for real. Then you claimed that the Firecash company screwed up and you should not have been accepting bets. But did not offer anything as far as what you were going to do to clear up the matter.

Here you clearly state when you claim to have ended Beta Testing.

After looking over some bank statements I find that this is not true. People were being charged as early as the 21st of July for purchases in the LadybugBingo. So the Beta Testing story did not hold up. You responded by saying that the back end did not have permission to start taking bets. But you did.

Then the hurricane, then you said two weeks ago that you would give me copies of the airbills. I wait ten days and contact you again. Only to be told your not sure of what my problem is.

Then you write this letter in response to my column like I have somehow been unfair to you. Now, I am really confused. But none of that matters. I am glad I have lit the fires and hope that you write the checks. I understand that new businesses have problems, however this is the online gaming industry. You cannot take bets and then say OOPS, we did not mean to.

I called the number for windnsea gaming that was on your last press release. The answering machine even said it was your company. So now you send this email with the new number.

Then I resent you the email with the original 26 complaints. You cannot even keep this straight. It was 26 not 3 as you stated.

You pop up a new number and then ask the next day why I did not call. There was no invitation for me to call. You act like you offered to take my call... I just do not understand.

Then you say people are sending out emails with your name on them. I ask you to send me one. You said you would but never did.

Then before you pay the old players you get casino silk back online. And wonder why I might be concerned.

MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT YOU PAY THE PLAYERS. IT HAS BEEN MONTHS NOW AND ALL WE HAVE GOTTEN IS BROKEN PROMISES. IF YOUR REALLY LEGITIMATE, YOU WILL JUST GET THEM PAID. That is my concern.

Steve Adkins,
OPA

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