Casinomeister's Newsletter
2 December 2004
Issue #210
weekly



Dear Reader,

I've got a friggin' cold.

Succinctly yours,

Bryan
In this issue:
  • Word From the Meister

  • Casinos You Gotta Join

  • This week's humor

  • FORUM HIGHLIGHTS


    Can't read this newsletter? Click here (or copy and paste this into your browser): http://www.casinomeister.com/newsletter.html#skip for the cool online version.

    • WORD FROM THE MEISTER
    THE DEMISE OF A CASINO
    If you haven't heard, Kiss Casino has called it quits. And I hope it has not come as a surprise or has given you much of a shock. The warning signs were there, and these were pointed out a number of times in our forum.

    This is what was sent to their players yesterday:
    Dear Player,

    It is with great regret and a heavy heart that we announce that Kiss Casino will be closing permanently on December 22, 2004.

    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.

    Your current account status:

    As a matter of good will, all players that are not able to playthrough their credits or cash out their withdrawable balance by December 22, 2004 will still be able to contact our customer service center until December 31st, 2004 to request credits to be cashed out, should they have met wager requirements. All funds remaining in casino accounts after December 31st, 2004 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 our casino.

    Regards,

    Kiss Casino
    Giving credit where credit is due, I applaud the manner in which they are bowing out. They've notified their players with a courteous email stating their intentions and giving the players more than enough time to access their accounts and do whatever. This is a much better scenario than "poof" they're gone, which has happened more often than not. The question is whether or not this demise was expected or predicted. The answer is yes.

    Last August, a thread appeared in our forum where a few players were expressing their dissatisfaction concerning the operation of Kiss casino. http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4881 One player (sandmanfromlv) shared an email he received from the casino that addressed his pending cashout of $2500.
    I am currently owed $2500 by Kiss which has been pending now for over 2 weeks. While they respond to emails, I have been receiving the standard RTG banking untruths, such as the old Costa Rican banking holiday stall, we're waiting on some banking issues to clear up in a couple of days, and finally, the one that should get both myself and others worried....

    "Unfortunately we do not have a date as to when your withdrawal will be payed yet. I will contact you as soon as we do. We are waiting for a wire transfer and all I can assure you is that we are doing everything in our power to have your money for you as soon as possible"
    This was worrying. As the affiliate manager of the casino joined the discussion, and the conversation spiraled this way and that, a couple of us kept insisting for an answer on what was meant by this comment "We are waiting for a wire transfer...". CJ, the affiliate manager never gave an explanation for this comment. A major red flag everyone. Not too much later another thread appeared here: http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/showthread.php?p=48609 which covered the dilemma of a 19-year-old player who was considered not of the "age of majority". This was only after the player had won money. It didn't make a difference to the casino when he made his few first purchases and lost them. This selective application of the rules landed them in Casinomeister's Rogue Section.

    The operator contacted me stating his concern that he had been "rogued" at Casinomeister. He had met me before, and felt that I was a reasonable person and he was hoping to better understand my motivation. He went on to explain their position on not paying this 19-year-old from Indiana. They thought that what they were doing was fair, and that it was the right thing.

    I replied with the following:
    As you are probably well aware, I am motivated to protect players from questionable casino practises as well as protecting operators from fraudulent players. In the case of Kiss casino and this "underage" player, I feel that this policy is flawed and unfair to the player. There is also the possibility of abuse by the casino management concerning this policy. Let me explain:

    As far as I can tell, there is no clear cut law that governs what the "age of majority" is for online gaming in Indiana. When the player initially signed up, he was under the assertion that he was of age. The casino accepted his deposit, and when the player lost his deposit - this was a non-issue for the casino. When he returned to the casino and made a deposit and won, it became clear that it was now an issue. Immediately players see this as "selectivity" in how rules are applied. If a casino is going to apply these standards to one player, then they need to be applied to all players across the board. If these rules are not applied even-handedly, then it can be perceived as an unfair and potentially abusive policy.

    Also since this is your policy and not a policy dictated by Costa Rica, RTG, or whomever/whatever, you can make whatever calls you want on this. You could have sent the player on his merry way with his winnings and then ban him from future play, letting him know that he would be welcome back on his 21st birthday. Since there was no clear-cut law broken, the confiscation of this player's winnings seems a bit harsh. No one would have gone after you if you paid a 19 year old player. There are many casinos catering to the above 18 player - I have yet to hear of any operation being in jeopardy by a 19-year-old player collecting his winnings.

    I sympathize with operations trying to do the right thing, but I really think the right thing here would have been to implement this age policy after-the-fact; not during his cash-out procedure. Again, the problem lies with the vagueness of his State's statutes. If you were able to produce documentation that indicates that it is clearly illegal for this player to play at your casino, then fine - more power to you. But then what about all of the 18-20 year olds that come from this state - what about their deposits into your casino? This is why this is so problematic. Again, I stress that this policy should have been implemented after this player (and any others) would have been paid.

    Sincerely,

    Bryan
    I never heard back, and then three weeks later - they notify players that they are closing. Who is to say what prompted this, but reading in-between the lines they seemed to have been on shaky grounds. I don't know how this is affecting their sister casinos "Giant Vegas" and "Giant Slots". Only Real Time Gaming and the operator of this casino group have the answer to this one.

    I have a feeling it's not quite over yet.
    PHOENICIAN AND NOSTALGIA LEAVE REAL TIME GAMING
    Well that was a shocker, especially to the employees of Real Time Gaming on Wednesday morning when the news hit the fan. I don't think they were aware of the move until after the players found out. Phoenician Casino and Nostalgia Casinos are a couple of the reasons why I decided to take RTG back on board. Now they've crossed over to Microgaming! What a coup for MG! These are highly professional and well financed casinos which have had a fairly high profile in the past with their instant Neteller cashins. Unfortunately with their migration, this insta-cash option is no longer available, but perhaps with enough feedback from players, this is something that Microgaming can implement in the near future.

    In the meantime, new players collect a 50% deposit bonus up to $100. If you are not a member already, sign up here or via Casinomeister now!!

    For you text subscribers:
    http://casinomeister.com/cgi-bin/adcycle1.15/adclick.cgi?gid=5&cid=101&mid=353&id=541
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    http://www.casinomeister.com/casinos.html
    SO WHAT'S A POOR BOY (OR GIRLIE) TO DO?
    This leaves dedicated Casinomeister players slim pickin's when it comes to RTG sites to choose from. But Casinomeister proudly hails TWO Real Time Gaming casinos that cut the mustard to be listed. You can get your RTG fix here:

    Bodog Casino Join Bodog Casino today and get a 10% Cash Bonus on your first deposit.

    iNetBet is still running their Casinomeister Exclusive welcome bonus - this only goes until 31 December so act NOW!

    If you've already joined these two casinos and have "petered out", well fret no more. There are a couple more RTGs that will be joining us in the near future. Watch this space...
    ATTENTION - CASINO OPERATORS, SUPERVISORS AND AFFILIATE MANAGERS
    You are invited to join our forum as a "Casino Representative" group member. There are already a number of your competitors and colleagues already listed as members. It's time you became a member as well. Why? To help streamline the complaint process or any issue players may have concerning your operation. I try to monitor and administrate the forum as best I can, but I am not in there 24 hrs a day and most people know that I do not work on weekends. Making yourself available to your players will only benefit your operation, and it will benefit this industry as a whole when player issues are caught in their fetal stage before they become a full-blown nightmare.

    I understand many operators do not want to post in forums fearing the unrelentless mob. Rest assured I feel your pain. As a member, you are not obligated to post in the forum when issues come up; your account will merely be displayed in order for members (or me) to either PM you or send you an email.

    If you are already a member, please contact me via the forum requesting membership of the "Casino Representative" group, or go to your "User CP" and request membership there. Thanks!
    ATTENTION - SCROOGES
    Tired of being accused of "Scroogeness" every Christmas? REDEEM YOURSELF AT MY WISHLIST!! Yes! Now is your chance to become a better person by buying me something at my Amazon.co.uk wishlist!! Just imagine experiencing the pleasure of giving, and giving generously. Don't be a Scrooge! C'mon! What are you waiting for!!!
    MORE CASINOS YOU GOTTA JOIN!
    Set your winnings in motion at Jackpot City Online Casino! Sign up as a new Real Money Player today, and we'll give you 25 Dollars worth of FREE casino credits - no deposit required - to spin and win on our electrifying selection of Slots!

    PLUS! Enter Belle Rock Gaming's 9 Cars Promotion at the Home of the Biggest Jackpots and you could win one of nine cars, each worth 25,000 Dollars, as well as a share of 1 MILLION casino credits! So put your foot down! Visit Jackpot City Online Casino and fast forward to a win today!
    Challenge Casino has finally gone Viper, and to celebrate they are offering a TRIPLE DEPOSIT BONUS - up to $1000 Free!

    Here's how the offer works:
    1st Deposit
    Max Deposit = $100
    100% Bonus = $100
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    Check them out today!!
    Sign up at Aces High Online Casino today and receive a complimentary 15 Dollars worth of casino credits. PLUS, 35 Dollars worth of Free Casino Credits is yours when you make your first single deposit of 50 dollars!

    That's up to 50 Dollars worth of Free Casino Credits in Total! Just the kind of deal you've been waiting for!
    GONEGAMBLING'S JACKPOT
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    Check it out here!
    Return to Top
    And now for the humor......
    A boy is watching television and hears the name Jesus
    Christ. Wondering who Jesus Christ is, he asks his mother.
    She tells him that she is busy, and to ask his father. His
    father is also busy so he asks his brother. His brother
    kicks him out of the room because he doesn't have time to
    answer his stupid questions.

    So he goes downtown and sees a bum in an alley. He asks the
    bum, "Who's Jesus Christ?"

    The bum replies, "Well, I am."

    The boy, not believing the bum, asks for proof. So the bum
    takes the boy into the bar down the street and takes him
    inside. They walk up to the bar and the bartender exclaims,
    "Jesus Christ, are you in here again!?"
    ha ha ha

    Return to Top
    THIS WEEK'S FORUM HIGHLIGHT
    Actually, this highlight is from me. The forum receives on average 5-6 new members a day. And one of my private joys is to read how they answer the question, "Tell us something interesting about yourself." Reading on, you'll see we have all kinds in our forum. Here are just a few:
    About you : nothing
    About you : i am living in bangladesh for quite some time
    About you : sdfgtrgreth
    About you : im a bum
    About you : I live on the moon
    About you : I am a calm, confident man.
    About you : I am a native ameerican indian.Older than dirt (lol)
    About you : Cartoon Rapper.
    About you : I like puppies,hot chocolate ,and long walks on the beach.
    About you : I love women.
    About you : move along...nothing to see here
    About you : Write me ;-)
    About you : I'm a Life Coach who lives at on 10 wild acres at the end of a dirt road with her husband, 6 parrots, 6 cats and assorted peacocks and other wild critters.
    About you : I represent a website that I will not spam in my profile.
    About you : Free $51 in your account just enter the code FREE51 100% redimable and Enjoyable !!
    (needless to say this was from an a-hole spammer who was drug out into the street and shot).
    About you : Nothing much. I'm a pretty boring person that just likes to read.
    About you : I'am a men
    About you : I love Rabbits
    About you : wife and 2 kids hobbies football and poker and then theres the love of my life BEER

    and.....
    About you : im naked

    Not a member yet? If not, why not? Sign up here and join the action!!
    http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/
    Complaints? Kudos? Please let me know.

    Peace
    Bryan Bailey
    Webmeister
    Casinomeister
    		me
    http://www.casinomeister.com