Question about Grand Banks and Breakaway

[paul1]

I played at Grand Banks (and Black Widow) a long time ago. Never had any trouble getting paid, although I know about their reputation. Anyway, I also once opened an account at Breakaway, which I only played for play money, never real money.

So recently, I get an email from Grand Banks that says they are closing my account because of the law change in the USA. And they recommend I play at Breakaway Casino and they put a $25 bonus in that account for me.

I guess my question is, what's up with Grand Banks and Breakaway? One is on Playtech, the other on RTG. And Breakway is sister to Sci-Fi. So what's the connection? That's my question. What's the connection between the two?

As I understand it, Breakaway and Sci-Fi have decent reputations. Is that correct? Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought they were a reputable place. Does everyone agree with that?

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but my fuzzy memory tells me that long long ago that Grand Banks and Black Widow were RTG. Am I wrong?

Anyway, before I deposit, I just thought I'd run it past some of you knowledgeable people.

Thanks.

[venetian]

Grand Banks and sister Black Widow were Playtech and were the first casinos I ever played on (pre CM). I got caught up in their hell hole of waiting to get paid for 3 months. But you know I never won more money consistantly than I did there. Too bad about them. Before 2000 I cannot give any comment about them being something else.

[The Watchdog]

They were bought by the people who manage Sci Fi Casino...

Since Grand Banks was a Playtech Casino, they are merging customers to RTG as well, same deal as with the Main Street Group.

Can't say these people are good or not, because I honestly don´t know.

I do know that they bought Grand Banks to bring it out of the whole... along with Black Widow and another one..

[Addisyn]

I have played both casinos. Sci-Fi wouldn't even let me deposit until I had a FAX back form on file. I thought that was a bit of overkill.

Breakaway was okay. I have withdrawn from them in the past. Timely and their support was good. Sci-Fi I couldn't hit a thing but only played it once. Right now any casino I touch isn't paying out. Maybe a slump then again there was a discussion thread about the RTG casinos getting tighter.

[jetset]

Black Widow, Grand Banks and Sterlinghouse were all RTG at one time but switched to Playtech under the ownership of Brian Woods's Pair of Dice / Chance Group.

They had a bad reputation for slow pay and disrespect for players - especially bonus players, and the rumour that a sale was going through has been going the rounds for a while.

I have received (as yet unconfirmed) reports that the group has been taken over by the owners of long-time RTG powered Sci Fi and Breakaway casinos who are also in Costa Rica. If this is true then that would explain the differing softwares referred to earlier in this thread.

I don't know if Brian Woods is still involved at any level.

[Addisyn]

I was just playing at 49er and getting a bit frustrated. Almost $200 in and I decided to shoot my wad and play $5/spin. On Aztec's Treasure my old standby I hit a $600.00 win. So does this have any ramifications? Are the RTG casinos paying out on the high bets more than the low ones. I usually bet $2/spin but have lost a bit lately so went down to 20 and 40 cent spins.

[paul1]

Thankyou for the responses.

Sounds like the Sci-Fi group buying out the Black Widow group, is going to be a good thing.

Obviously, as an American player, I'm looking for more options. Gosh, this new law really sux.