Casinoshare U.S What will the software be?

[mattsgame]

This is interesting seems the playshare group want to stay in the U.S market

As of the 1st of June, 2010, play for US players on CasinoShare and Grand Mondial will be moved off the Microgaming platform and we will begin licensing software from a brand new software provider. The new software will have a similar look and feel, stability and most of the features you have become accustomed to, but with some notable changes. This change has been made in order to ensure that we are able to continue offering safety, service and exciting gaming to all our customers.
This new casino, called CasinoShare US, launches on the 17th of May, 2010, and will offer players the same look and feel as the Microgaming software they all know and love, as well as all of the features and most of the games they have come to expect from an online casino.

When is this all going to happen?
All US players at CasinoShare will be migrated to CasinoShare US by the 17th of May, 2010, whilst all US players at Grand Mondial players will be migrated on the 31st of May, 2010. From a player perspective, the migration process will be completely seamless and won't be required to download new software or open a new account. They will utilize their existing accounts and their balances will be transferred.

Just intrigued if anyone knows what Platform this will be? EDIT: just realized they say a BRAND NEW SOFTWARE PROVIDER should be interesting then.

 

[dominique]

The new software will have a similar look and feel, stability and most of the features you have become accustomed to, but with some notable changes.

Very interesting.

Looks like it will be very similair, almost the same... I wonder how many other micros will follow suite, likely most IMO.

New provider - hmmm.... party gaming partners with Harrahs, and microgaming...

I have my theories, but pure speculation as to what is going on here.

 

[felicie]

Thanks Mattsgame and go ahead Dominique I'm interested in reading it.

 

[dominique]

Well, for one thing, if you are a US micro player you will experience a little downtime, while you are switched to this "new" software.

No one knows it's name as yet.

It appears that microgaming is minding the coming into law of UIGEA on June 1st.

It will cut off all US players before then.

Most micros, if not all, will move US players to this "new" software.

That leaves Microgaming in compliance with UIGEA while people can still play.

So that leaves them able to jump on a Vegas deal as the US opens up - which should happen very soon now, if you take Party's opening of offices in Los Angeles as an indicator.

 

[nisosbar]

That is terrific. We need a new platform, IMO. Never enough slots in the world, lol. I presume they will be taking American players?

 

[Simmo!]

Very interesting.

Looks like it will be very similair, almost the same... I wonder how many other micros will follow suite, likely most IMO.

The big UK brands and PLC's like Laddies and 32Red certainly won't until the law is 100% clear.

New provider - hmmm.... party gaming partners with Harrahs, and microgaming...

...and don't forget the new payment provider!

I presume they will be taking American players?

No announcement on that yet but it has to be extremely likely.

 

[Mousey]

I dunno about all this... who is Casinoshare and Playshare... ? I'm a player, I play at casinos not their affiliate thingys...

so... they're moving to a 'brand new' software? What? Topgame? or whatever GP went to maybe? or truly something 'brand' new?

Tighten your belts, and put on your helmets... things might get a bit bumpy ...

 

[Simmo!]

I dunno about all this... who is Casinoshare and Playshare... ?

Casinoshare is a casino (odd name IMO) and Playshare is the affiliate program which also looks after Grand Mondial casino.

 

[Mavin1]

Well this is more than a little exciting.

I figured I would pull up Casinoshare and re-download it since I do have an account with them, weird, I can't get the casino page to open, I get an operation aborted message on a big white screen.
Haven't tried GrandMondial yet.
Just thought it was strange since I can pull up any other casino on the net.

edit; Just tried to pull up Grandmondial and it has the same aborted message.

 

[dominique]

Casino Rewards is following suit now... we may hear a lot more come Monday.

 

[dominique]

Well this is more than a little exciting.

I figured I would pull up Casinoshare and re-download it since I do have an account with them, weird, I can't get the casino page to open, I get an operation aborted message on a big white screen.
Haven't tried GrandMondial yet.
Just thought it was strange since I can pull up any other casino on the net.

edit; Just tried to pull up Grandmondial and it has the same aborted message.

That means you are in migration... when it comes back for you it will be all new but everything will work for you.

 

[Mavin1]

That means you are in migration... when it comes back for you it will be all new but everything will work for you.

Ooooh, I love migrating!!!!!!

 

[Redbush54]

I have been told by my aff mgr. that this is for existing US players only and not for new acquisitions. When I ask about creatives and info for the new "CasinoshareUS" I was told they weren't necessary. So apparently existing promos, etc will be valid on this new software.

 

[jetset]

I don't know any more than anyone else here, so this is possibly inaccurate speculation, but I would think that it would be very dangerous for Microgaming to set up another [clandestine] software provider to deal with the American market.

My reasons for saying this are:

The American authorities in any legalised US market will most likely consider the past record of applicants, and their associates, for licensing purposes - one of the French stipulations, and an opinion already expressed by a number of American enforcement and legal authorities.

In such a scenario, Microgaming can still argue that it restricted its licensee activities to states in which no specific internet gambling ban existed, and even stopped new player signups, because the Justice Department policy that all internet gambling is illegal is legally questionable.

However, if an investigation showed that MGS had actively sought to deceive the US authorities by deliberately setting up an 'alternative' software provider to which it remained associated, that would be somewhat more difficult to explain away.

The corporate structuring would have to be very clever to get away with it to start with.

Whatever the true outcome here, it's going to be very interesting and will probably have a major impact on the industry, because the US online market remains an extremely attractive and important objective for everyone.

 

[chayton]

A couple of days ago I received a 'courtesy call' from Casinoshare. They just wanted to know why I haven't played for awhile and offer me a big fat bonus if I wanted to deposit. Right after I got off the phone I realized that I should have asked if this software switch was going to affect me (I'm in Canada) or if I'm still going to have MG? Anyone know?

 

[Pinababy69]

A couple of days ago I received a 'courtesy call' from Casinoshare. They just wanted to know why I haven't played for awhile and offer me a big fat bonus if I wanted to deposit. Right after I got off the phone I realized that I should have asked if this software switch was going to affect me (I'm in Canada) or if I'm still going to have MG? Anyone know?

Ditto here Chayton. I thought it was odd, because I never get calls from any MG casino, even the ones I haven't played at in five years or more. Anyway, funny it was sort of....I told the guy "sorry, but you guys lost me the day you went down that white label route....and, the only MG I play at or ever will play at is 32Red, so you're wasting your time". I was polite, but just told him it was a waste talking to me.

As to the software, I see no reason why your software wouldn't still be straight MG, but again, I know nothing more than anyone else. I just don't see why it would/should change for us here in Canada.

 

[dominique]

What would make sense to me is this:

Microgaming sells an altered version of the software to new owners. The software is altered to exclude any licenced games (like Hellboy) and add others in their place. (We'll soon know if this is true)

The new software is owned and managed by completely different people, as are the new casinos.

The actual Microgaming software is completely rid of all US players before the UIGEA takes effect.

This gives Microgaming the status of being in compliance. All they did was to sell some of their games, and games are being bought and sold all the time.

 

[Simmo!]

Agree with Dom. That would be where my money was aswell.

Does raise the issue of payment processing for the US though.

 

[dominique]

Agree with Dom. That would be where my money was aswell.

Does raise the issue of payment processing for the US though.

Well, that's the issue in the first place, UIGEA is all about payment processing.

Microgaming will not be involved in processing payments to US players anymore.

What solution will the new software have? Probably the same as other US facing softwares...

 

[nisosbar]

If Casino Grand Bay's move to the same software as Mandarin Palace and Wizbet is what they refer to by 'completely new platform', well, that's not true. I like their games okay, but it crashes my computer.

 

[Mavin1]

I decided to try and load a MG casino from ccrewards, but found that my account was locked, I contacted live chat and here is a portion of what I was told.

Microgaming is currently updating their casino systems to provide you with a better gaming experience, due to this system upgrade, your casino account will be unavailable until the upgrade completion. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused by this, however, Microgaming will hopefully complete this upgrade quickly, and you will be able to once again access your account and continue to use our great services.
Please try to login again from time to time as these updates should be completed soon. However we do not have an exact timeframe as to how long it will take until all maintenance is completed. It might be that the casino is unavailable for several days.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience but hope you will appreciate our efforts to provide you with the best gaming experience possible.

So yes, the migration is in process. My hope is that it will be comparable to MG and that all US players will be able to enjoy this avenue.
If it is another RTG, or Mandarin type software, That will be very dissapointing.

 

[Mousey]

I decided to try and load a MG casino from ccrewards, but found that my account was locked, I contacted live chat and here is a portion of what I was told.

Microgaming is currently updating their casino systems to provide you with a better gaming experience, due to this system upgrade, your casino account will be unavailable until the upgrade completion. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused by this, however, Microgaming will hopefully complete this upgrade quickly, and you will be able to once again access your account and continue to use our great services.
Please try to login again from time to time as these updates should be completed soon. However we do not have an exact timeframe as to how long it will take until all maintenance is completed. It might be that the casino is unavailable for several days.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience but hope you will appreciate our efforts to provide you with the best gaming experience possible.

So yes, the migration is in process. My hope is that it will be comparable to MG and that all US players will be able to enjoy this avenue.
If it is another RTG, or Mandarin type software, That will be very dissapointing.

Thank you.

What is ccrewards casinos?

 

[kenneth2816]

I am thinking it is this platform as well...thought it awhile back when I was getting all the discs in the mail from Mandarin et al...

 

[Mavin1]

Thank you.

What is ccrewards casinos?

I should have probably said Casino Rewards, as far as I understand it, it's an MG group much the same as Jackpot Factory. You can check it out on the search engine.

 

[felicie]

Could someone explain to me why Micro is going thru all this in regards to US players and yet RTG, Rival, Top Game and others don't need to worry or seem to anyway? Thank you.

 

[jetset]

Long term vision vs. short term gain?

There will inevitably be those here who disagree with this statement, but I don't think you can categorise MGS with the likes of Rival, Top Game or even RTG in terms of success, industry relevance or even corporate governance.

 

[jetset]

What would make sense to me is this:

Microgaming sells an altered version of the software to new owners. The software is altered to exclude any licenced games (like Hellboy) and add others in their place. (We'll soon know if this is true)

The new software is owned and managed by completely different people, as are the new casinos.

The actual Microgaming software is completely rid of all US players before the UIGEA takes effect.

This gives Microgaming the status of being in compliance. All they did was to sell some of their games, and games are being bought and sold all the time.

This would be the most logical explanation, imo although Microgaming would have to be extremely careful that it's association with the new software company was arms length and only that of a cross-platform games provider.

It may have to go as far as having the sale of games go through a non-US subsidiary/associate of the new software company to ensure it was fully divorced from the actual licensees carrying the software and participating in the US market.

The communications approach is going to be interesting vis-a-vis US players at current MGS licensees, that's for sure.

 

[jetset]

You know, reflecting on this and the wording of some of those casino notifications, there's another, related possibility imo.

Microgaming could for an appropriate consideration licence its software copyright to another software company - preferably one based outside the USA for obvious reasons and definitely independent and totally seperated from MGS.

This would enable MGS to reduce risk whilst still generating income. The software company to which the copyright is licensed could then engage in entirely seperate agreements to power interested operators wishing to offer their wares in the US market. And shoulder the risk of operating in the US.

It keeps MGS's nose relatively clean with the US enforcers, too in case there are future legislative developments that it might wish to exploit.

The only drawback to this scenario that I can see would be technical backup for operators - something for which MGS is renowned; however that would possibly not be an insurmountable problem for the right sort of well set-up and professional software company doing such a deal.

 

[Simmo!]

Just in from Players Palace who have agreed a deal with Casinoshare US to handle their US traffic.

[The new software]...will offer players the same look and feel as the Players Palace Microgaming software they all know and love, as well as all of the features and most of the games they are currently playing at Players Palace. Essentially the branding will change to be more US-centric but the gaming experience, including the customer promotions will remain the same.

 

[lost2much]

Mavin, I just logged on to one of my CR accts without issue. Not sure about the maintenance that you mentioned??? Maybe they are doing this "update" in increments and it hasn't got around to me yet.

 

[dominique]

Maybe, or maybe you don't notice anything different.

Do you see any games missing?

From a player perspective, the migration process will be completely seamless and they won't be required to download new software or open a new account. They will utilize their existing accounts and login's and their balances will simply be transferred. We have planned to make this necessary transition as easy and simple for players as possible and will have extra shifts running 24/7 in the customer services teams to ensure that all customer queries are promptly and thoroughly dealt with.

Plus, see Simmo's comment above.

 

[Brooklyn]

I hope it is ok to post this

Here is the new link

www.Casino-Share.com

 

[Mavin1]

Mavin, I just logged on to one of my CR accts without issue. Not sure about the maintenance that you mentioned??? Maybe they are doing this "update" in increments and it hasn't got around to me yet.

There could also be a difference because I hadn't played with CR for some time and just downloaded one of their casinos. The message I posted was part of chat when I wanted to re-open my account. I was informed to just keep checking back as my account for the time being is locked, but will be available soon.

 

[kauphy]

they r up and running and all games r the same went to casino share and downloaed it. as far as i can see everything is the same.

 

[Brooklyn]

I don't have an account there, but from what I hear, they are missing games like Tomb Raider, Alaskan Fishing, and others.

 

[Simmo!]

they r up and running and all games r the same went to casino share and downloaed it. as far as i can see everything is the same.

Any of the new games ie: Thunderstruck 2?

 

[dominique]

I don't think that link is the new Casinoshare US casino - it's missing the US part. And the new one, from what I understand, does not take new players, only players migrated from the Microgaming platform.

Anyone been migrated yet?

 

[jetset]

I've just used MommyMachine's link and there's a new online casino that's very much US-focused on it.

Notes that it includes Player Palace and boasts 300 or more games.

KGC licence but no indicator as to software provider.

 

[Simmo!]

KGC licence but no indicator as to software provider.

...and when you go to install it it comes up with "Unknown Publisher" instead of the usual "Microgaming Software Systems Limited". From the UK it then proceeds to install what looks like a full MG casino, but that may be geo-targetting - had to go through an anonymous proxy just to see casino-share.com or else it redirected me to casinoshare.eu.

 

[Brooklyn]

I don't think that link is the new Casinoshare US casino - it's missing the US part. And the new one, from what I understand, does not take new players, only players migrated from the Microgaming platform.

Anyone been migrated yet?

I was not able to create a new account, and I did not have one previously.
They aren't taking new US players yet, but live chat at the original CasinoShare.com told me that eventually they will be.

I am pretty sure the link I posted directs to Casinoshare US.

 

[Simmo!]

I am pretty sure the link I posted directs to Casinoshare US.

Yeah it is. If you look closely at the logo, the CS on the dice has been subtley altered

 

[gloria460]

they have removed a lot of games and hopefully they'll add them back. Maybe they wanted to pull them all along. There are no tourneys nor progressive buttons.

I wasn't able to register but could download. I don't think I'm going to play this.

 

[rhick425]

Casino share

Thanks for doing away with the tournaments in your new US only software. Bunch of ASSHOLES! I have removed these casinos. I just hope that the rest of the casino groups do not do the same thing. I hate these controlling political idiots as well as mgs response.

 

[Mavin1]

Any of the new games ie: Thunderstruck 2?

Well, finished loading the games on CasinoShare US and it certainly loads faster than the worldwide MG's. However, no new games, zip, zero, nada! Not even the old version of Thunderstruck or Tombraider or High 5, don't think there are any AWPs either, but didn't look for them.
Otherwise all the regular MG games we have been used to are there, no bizarre alien software.

It also has the new account register option, so it would be interesting if someone that doesn't have a previous MG account tried it out.

 

[Brooklyn]

It also has the new account register option, so it would be interesting if someone that doesn't have a previous MG account tried it out.

I tried, but when I go to register, I get an "Illegal Operation" error.

 

[slotplayer]

I don't think that link is the new Casinoshare US casino - it's missing the US part. And the new one, from what I understand, does not take new players, only players migrated from the Microgaming platform.

Anyone been migrated yet?

it has a us flag in corner right with a check mark

Link Removed ( Old/Invalid)

 

[kauphy]

Any of the new games ie: Thunderstruck 2?

i did,nt see any of the new games but will look again for you. when i clicked on new games did,nt have any there so i,am thinking that we in the u.s still can,t play any of the new ones but seeing they just got up and running maybe later.

 

[kauphy]

I don't think that link is the new Casinoshare US casino - it's missing the US part. And the new one, from what I understand, does not take new players, only players migrated from the Microgaming platform.

Anyone been migrated yet?

yes i have been.

 

[jetset]

Interesting to watch this playing out, and the games that are available to US players, because I suspect that this is the general template for those that will be following.

Pity about the tournaments, though - perhaps it's early days yet. I guess the new software provider will have to set up its own US-centric progressives once more casinos have signed up to the US initiative.

It certainly looks as if this is a licensed copyright deal on the games, but I think the new software provider has missed a credibility opportunity by not identifying itself...and that extends to Kahnawake which has issued a licence and therefore approved the provider.

I imagine it's a lawyer thing, but I also believe it would have been better for both Microgaming and Casinoshare to have made a public announcement over and above the essential comms with players and affiliates - even if it was bland and anodyne it would be evidence of an openess on a commercial deal.

As it is, the absence of such a statement imo creates an atmosphere of covert, under-the-table business, even if that is not so.

 

[Mavin1]

Just wanted to update my experience. I deposited $44 about 5 hours ago and still have $185, quit for the night. Didn't take any bonuses and have gone up and down between $300 and $100, playing mostly $1 wagers. The play has actually been extremely good thus far.
However, none of the newer games that we in the US were able to play, are on this site, none of the precious metal ones, the fat lady, the wolf one, mayan princess and so many others and I did double check, no awps. But can't complain as the play has been very lively on many of the games, with frequent bonus and free spin rounds.
So maybe the trade off for the lost games and no progressives or tournaments is better RTP.
But this is my first time playing, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.