Has Warren Cloud passed on?

[jetset]

Here's one for the books - not yet confirmed but strong reports from several quarters indicate that Warren Cloud has met his maker.

One of RTG's biggest online casino operators, he is reported to have succumbed to a heart attack whilst out on a boat off the shores of Ibiza, Spain late Saturday evening.

The South African online gambling businessman used several aliases and was also known as "Don Fortune," "Richard Brooks" or "Oliver Curran" to many. He eventually became the biggest and most successful of the Real Time Gaming casino operators with venues like Crystal Palace and many others.

Starting in South Africa with an online casino powered by Korean software, Cloud was not initially successful and left many players unpaid when he relocated elsewhere, first to Australia and then London. However, he became very successful - although with a questionable reputation - after he started using RTG software and based his operations in Costa Rica.

That success was so pronounced that he at one stage contemplated launching an IPO on the London AIM market worth GBP 120 million. This did not materialise, however.

Often at the centre of controversial decisions to the detriment of individual players, leading to major disputes, Cloud has in recent times been low profile, leading to speculation that he may have retired despite his relatively young age. He leaves a widow and one child.

[Casinomeister]

If this is true, it's a real tragedy. Even though we didn't see things eye to eye concerning running a casino, he had a family and a young daughter he loved very much. My condolences go out to them.

[swampwitch]

Here's one for the books - not yet confirmed but strong reports from several quarters indicate that Warren Cloud has met his maker.

Several quarters? Could you name them? I've found nothing in Johannesburg or Ibiza news sources about this. This is just being reported in gambling portals, and every one is basically either quoting or outright copying the 911 report...and I wouldn't trust Sting if he told me water was wet.

[Casinomeister]

I've had it confirmed by RTG. It happened.

What's a shocker is that the guy was relatively young - in his thirties.

[kavaman]

Yes its sad that he died. My condolences aswell.
Are all rtg casinos that were run by curran now closing down? I have recieved emails from silversands, powerbet, and 1 other casino that is run by him to be closing down, do you have any info on this bryan?

-kavaman

[jetset]

The Silversands website still appears to be operating in contrast to most of the other Cloud venues which have apparently closed and bear notices urging players to check "often" for updates.

There's another thread here - titled Powerbet I think - which has been following developments, too.

Edited to add link: http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...tml#post244224

[pevangel]

i received emails from royal circus,powerbet,silver sands and crystal casinos stating all closing down .


It is with great regret and a heavy heart that we announce that
our Casino will be closing on July 31, 2008.

If you currently have a balance with the casino, please either
play out your balance or withdraw your balance before our closing date.

Please note, if you have received a bonus, the wagering requirements
are still in place for all bonuses as well as redeemed/comp points.

As a matter of goodwill, all players that are not able to playthrough
their credits or cash out their withdrawable balance by July 31 will
still be able to contact our customer service center 14 days after the
closing date to request credits to be cashed out, should they have met
wager requirements.

All funds remaining in casino accounts after July 31 will be retained by the casino.

We hope that you have enjoyed your time with us as much as we have enjoyed having you at.

Sincerely
Oliver Curran
Toll Free US: 1800 824 3175



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this is one of the emails i received.

pevangel

[jenn1381]

While I absolutely hated how he treated his customers, I am sorry to hear he has passed. My condolences to his family and friends... heart attacks in your 30's are becoming more and more common... really makes ya wonder. Perhaps the guilt of how he made his millions was too much for his heart to bear.

[Rakesh]

Condolences go out to Warrens Family. I know how much he loved them, and how much they loved him.

[MJackson]

We hope that you have enjoyed your time with us as much as we have enjoyed having you at.

Sincerely
Oliver Curran
Toll Free US: 1800 824 3175

But, but, but, wait. Did you see who signed it?

It can't be! He's not dead he's still alive! It says Oliver Curran right there!