Issue #208
weekly
Dear Reader,
Ah yes, another Friday, and another conference looming on the horizon. And it seems as though I just returned from the States! Well I did. But I'm really looking forward my Barcelona trip where I will be attending the EIG (European I-Gaming Congress), which is probably one of the most important conferences in Europe - period. So this will give most of you something to look forward to upon my return - the 2004 Barcelona Report which will detail all of the pertinent info and gossip that both players and operators need and love.
And I'm already looking forward to my return from Barcelona so I can settle in for a nice chilly German winter. How cozy!
Comfortably yours,
Bryan
In this issue:
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.
No matter what persuasion you are - a Christian Coalition groupie, or a NORML "Smoke the Vote" advocate, your stance doesn't make any difference whatsoever unless you get involved in the process, and I am really happy that many of you care enough to try to make a difference.
Photographic proof of me making a difference. From this last Saturday's local paper:
http://www.casinomeister.com/vote.html
There have been some heated arguments in the "Wild Card" section of Casinomeister's Forum from both sides of the coin - and I welcome these views as long as they remain civil. But with such passionate opinions, it's hard to remain so (civil) - we're not talking about online casinos here - we're talking about people dying, about government involvements, about corporations being involved, and how this affects us, our friends, and our families. It's hard not to get emotional about these issues, and it's hard not to attack things we don't understand.
I'm proud to be a Yank. I'm proud to see that the voting process really works, because I really believe it does. Whether or not we like the outcome, this is the price we pay for a democracy. Sometimes you have to grin and bear it, but what the hell, isn't that what a true democracy is all about?
Kudos for those of you who got out the vote on Tuesday.
I know that Ted Loh (Spearmaster) was concerned about this as well, and about a month or so ago, he made an attempt to have this rectified. But since these terms are still up, I believe his attempt fell upon deaf ears. Not good. I understand that casinos have the right in choosing how players can play out their bonuses, but I feel obligated to warn players of this unfair bonus term thus the non-recommendation.
Casinos concerned:
Yukongoldcasino.com
Blackjackplayer.com
Virtualcasinocity.com
ZodiacCasino.com
LuckyEmperorCasino.com
GoldenTigerCasino.com
http://www.casinomeister.com/rogue/casinorewards.html
I'm still patiently awaiting comment from the casinos.
The operators of Indio and African Palace Casinos had their slowpay-nopay player problems when they were using Futurebet software, but assured the industry that those days were over when they changed to Playtech. However, there is now some doubt about this as news comes in that there is a substantial five figure payment outstanding to a player who has been waiting for six weeks. And alarmingly, the casino management has been unresponsive to player emails - all good reasons to exercise extreme caution.
From Me:
The problem:
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1st Deposit
Max Deposit = $100
100% Bonus = $100
2nd Deposit
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50% Bonus = $400
3rd Deposit Max Deposit = $2000
25% Bonus = $500
Total Max Bonus $1000
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Also if you wish to claim the standard casino bonus which is offered to all new signups - don't worry - it's still available! If you finish with the special bonus they have created and wish to make a second deposit you still have those offers available.
All you need to do is enter in those coupon codes which are available on the casino websites.
Thanks Colosseum Casino and Vegas Slot for being this November's sponsor! And congrats Sodax77 for being last month's winner. $200 has been added to your iNetBet
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Return to Top
Three engineers and three accountants are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three accountants each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket.
"How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an accountant.
"Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.
They all board the train. The accountants take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please."
The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.
The accountants saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the accountants decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money (being clever with money, and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all.
"How are you going to travel without a ticket?" says one perplexed accountant.
"Watch and you'll see," answers an engineer.
When they board the train the three accountants cram into a restroom and the three engineers cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the accountants are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, Ticket, please."
ha ha haReturn to Top
Urgent: Do NOT deposit by Neteller until further notice Do NOT deposit by Neteller until further notice. Your transactions will appear to be rejected by the system, but the funds will actually be deducted from your account. There is no ETA for this problem to be solved at this time - and all they will do is apologize to you. No warnings were sent to customers, and presumably operators have not alerted their customers either. I will update you when I have heard that this problem has been resolved. |
Advice on website content
It is encouraging to note that the Vegas Partners Lounge online casino group is sufficiently interested in their potential and existing customers to ask for input on upcoming website revamps.
Posting on a popular Got2bet forum, the group asked for straight-talking ideas and with the exception of the inevitable few off-at-a-tangent responses, there were some useful suggestions.
One of the more thoughtful and practical responses in our view was this one, from which gambling website owners might draw inspiration:
QUOTE
1) Give us USEFUL information on the "about us" page. Most casino's "about us" page is either sorely lacking in useful information or altogether missing. The things we want to know are:
- How long has the casino been operational?
- Where is it physically located?
- Where is it licensed?
- What software type is it using?
- What other casinos / businesses are partnered with it?
- And most importantly, SHOW US the people in charge and provide an easy way to contact them. Give some real background on the owners / managers so that we may better relate to (and come to trust hopefully) them. Kudos to 32Red for doing the same.
2) Bonus offers:
- A variety (including a "no bonus" option) should be made available, and the current offers as well as all their T&C fine print should be made available clearly on the "promotions" page.
- When making a deposit the available bonus choices ought to be brought up front and center. Ideally with a nice little menu where the player can examine the fine print for each offer and make their choice as best suits them. That way there are no surprises for either the casino or the player.
- Make the T&C short and sweet. Put the important information at the top (wagering requirements, restricted games) and make it BOLD and obvious to the player that this is not simply "free money" but that there are some strings attached.
3) Annoyances:
- NO POPUPS. They suck, and any "gotta have it" type marketing information presented in them simply ought to be posted at the top/middle of the home page, NOT in a popup of ANY type.
- NO "Download the casino software now?" popups. They are still popups, and these particular ones are even more annoying. As was said earlier, if I become interested in your casino, I am perfectly capable of clicking the "Download casino" link myself.
4) More specific information about the available games:
- Game variations available including minimum and maximum bets on each. UNQUOTE
More comments here: http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5938
News courtesy of Infopowa news service.
More news here.
Complaints? Kudos? Please let me know.
Peace
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Bryan Bailey Webmeister Casinomeister |  |