It seems as though casino complaints are going through the roof. I could understand this if traffic was going through the roof as well - (unfortunately) it's not. Traffic is pretty much the same as it was prior to the passage of the UIGEA.
It's alarming. Some people consider Casinomeister to be a good place to get the "pulse" of the industry - if this is the case, then we need a paramedic. I used to have casinos lining up wanting to get on board as Casinomeister "Accredited Casinos", now they seem to be lining up to get into the coveted "rogue section". Several casinos have been rogued this week. 32Vegas, and the entire MiniVegas Casino Group. There are a few more cases of pending roguedom, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Please don't get me wrong, I absolutely hate roguing casinos. It sucks - but I feel obligated to my visitors and Casinomeister members to let them know what's up in online casinoland. If players need to be warned, then I'll warn them.
My good friend, Ted Loh, brought up a few good points about this sudden increase in player complaints. He came up with the following:
It makes you wonder if the UIGEA is having intended/unintended side effects of:
1. Giving operators an excuse to stiff or cheat US players
2. Driving certain operations into dire financial circumstances because of a huge US player base
3. Causing software providers to create even more cover for their operations, and/or stalling while they figure out what to do next
IMHO, some of what's been happening lately may be just pure coincidence - either that or we've been under a full moon for a few months - but it seems that there has been a significant increase in problems across the board lately.
What is really bothering me is that we are seeing more instances of confiscated winnings, locked accounts, and accusations of bonus abuse. What ever happened to "pay the player - then lock the accounts" of unwanted "bonus players"? This was a mantra for respectable casinos, but it seems to be thrown to the wayside during post UIGEA.
I really hope that operators consider their role in this industry as a long term commitment of respectability. And I hope that they stay on a firm path of treating players with due respect and fairness. To treat players with contempt will undoubtedly have negative consequences in the future.
BE MY SECRET SANTA!!
Christmas is creeping up on us. And before you know it, the dreaded holiday "panic" will jerk you out of your happy clappy drone-like state. You'll suddenly realize that you haven't bought diddly-squat for anyone yet - even though you have pledged to yourself "I will do my Christmas shopping in the Spring and not at the last minute." Yeah right - you are a misguided procrastinator.
Well, the time is now to get some of the shopping out of your system. Don't be a panicky person! Tis the season to be jolly so spread some joy here at my Wish List. Be my Santa, fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Don't have time to listen to this stuff while sitting in front of the computer? Hell - download it to your iPod (or other MP3 player), and you can listen to me and Vortran while shoveling snow, jogging through the park, or waiting for your wife as she's trying on shoes:
MP3 File Download For your iPods and other MP3 players. http://casinomeister.com/mp3/7December2006.mp3
To download the MP3 file: right click the link, then "save target as...", then chose a place on your hard drive and save.
Please note: I know my voice sounds a little raspy this week - I've saved my Christmas money to buy myself a new microphone.
Don't be a dweeb and forget to get your Xmas shopping done on time. Meister's Mall has been set up for our US members and those in the EU. There are a number of cool items you can get from Amazon - Casinomeister Picks, Poker paraphernalia, books on Vegas, casinos and slots. There are great DVDs to be had, and cool tunes some of which are featured on Casinomeister webcasts. Plus a whole mess of magazines subscriptions (US members) to choose from. Get that special poker buddy that special gift before you forget it's almost Christmas.
You can check out the Meister Mall USA here and Meister Mall EU here.
'Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse.
'Cuzz the cat had pounced on him
And tore him apart -
Ate his mouse intestines
And chewed up his heart.
Kitty thought he heard sleighbells,
Which made him take pause -
He stopped daintily licking
The blood from his claws.
"Must be Santa," thought Kitty
(That quite clever cat)
'Cuz nobody else climbs down
The chimney like that.
Indeed it was ol' Santa
So jolly and fat
With a huge load of presents
And all for the cat!
"Wow, the best Christmas ever!"
Kitty thought with a purr,
Then he coughed up a hairball
And shed some more fur!
ha ha ha
ATTENTION SLOT PLAYERS!!
There has been a poll set up in our forum on what slots you like to play. Are you into free spin bonuses, or does a "pick a bonus round" suit your fancy? Whatever the case may be, please take 30 seconds out of your busy schedule and let us know what you like (and what you think sucks).
Slot players poll here.
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