Gaining your trust

[The Dude]

Before opening an account, what convinces you to trust a casino or poker site? What is the main factor? Is it the design of the site? The transparency? Its licensing jurisdiction? What?

If it's "other", please explain - thanks!

 

[johnsteed]

***


Simply put... "Casinomeister's Accredited Casinos and Poker Rooms".



I generally won't touch any casino with my own money (since '05) knowing that they haven't been accredited by you. I did go with bet365 and BetFred prior to them being accredited, but that's about it. They were established enough as far as I could see, aside from them, if they don't pass your usual set of standards, I won't even think about it.


That WAS the primary reason for my joining this site.



Once it passes that test, I'll base my selections in part by what other players' experiences are with any specific casino. I'll factor in what kind of problems that casino may or may not have had in months/years past, and how they may have solved the problem (or not). That's the point of the site, for me at least.



If I'm going back to '04 and before that, I guess I looked at the casino site's designs. So, I judged the casino based on it's cover. I generally preferred PlayTechs over MGs, Cryptos, and RTGs, because I thought that they had the best layouts. I couldn't have been more wrong, but that's what I went with back in the day.



I also started off with CasinoOnNet/888.com as the first casino I had ever deposited at, because they had banners all over the internet; they used to advertise at MSN/Hotmail all of the time. I assumed that since they were so famous, they MUST have been legit; as I would have felt about PartyPoker.com with all of their TV spots.



Steed

***

 

[lnspin]

Meister, Do you mean trust as in running a fair game, or trust as in your going to get paid when you win.

 

[DaveG39]

Since I found CM, it's player opinion. Before then it was site layout (ie how much they buried the T&C's for bonus offers and/or ways to opt out). Software is important too, the more variety of games the better...I miss Playtech ...BlackJack Switch )

 

[Pinababy69]

It's all about transparency for me. I want to know who they are, where they are, who licenses them, what affiliations they have (if any), if they are approachable and open....that type of thing. Bottom line, I want honesty.

 

[The Dude]

Meister, Do you mean trust as in running a fair game, or trust as in your going to get paid when you win.

The whole freaking kit and caboodle.

 

[KasinoKing]

Well it would be easy to say "All of the above"!

One of my main factors is the software used; I tend to trust all new casinos using all the main softwares except RTG & Playtech of course - any choosing those platforms have to have considerable evidence in the other aspects listed to gain my trust. That, or being CasinoMeister accredited.

KK

 

[yoshirules]

For me its also easy and fast withdrawals

 

[The Dude]

For me its also easy and fast withdrawals

But in order to experience the payout procedures, you'd have to open an account. So perhaps I should reword this to "Before opening an account..."

 

[LaurieJim]

Trust...............for such a small word, the meaning is endless when it comes to online gambling..............laurie

 

[BigSD]

For me its a general feeling I get from their website and staff. If the wording of their terms and condition are clear and unambiguous and when I speak to their staff I don't get the feeling they're solely trying to con me this goes along way with me.

Of course microgaming software and fast and accurate withdrawals help but I find it is the communication I receive that goes along way to developing trust.

 

[suzecat]

I read what other forum members say about a new casino to determine if I want to give it a go. Well, that and my own memory of past events help me decide which casino to deposit and play. I agree with the idea that trust is everything.

 

[WagerWitch]

Other people that I trust --- THEIR OPINIONS are the top of the line of weter I will play at a casino at all.

 

[yoshirules]

But in order to experience the payout procedures, you'd have to open an account. So perhaps I should reword this to "Before opening an account..."

Yes, you're right. So then the opinions of others would be most important

 

[funeral979]

For me its gotta be players opinions. Without happy customers, nothing else matters. If many of the CM faithful have a good experience with a new casino, then I will more than likely try them out. The best advertisement you can get (and this goes for anything) is a satisfied customer.

 

[love2winalot]

Hiya: For me it is what, "certain" other players, or sites have to say about it. I follow that up with, "what they say about themselfs". I have noticed over the years that, "Bad" Casino's all have the same thing in common regarding the people who promote them, or how they promote themselfs............and that is, "THEY TRY TO HARD".

Just tell me what you have to offer, and how good you are, without it sounding like you are begging, or how everyone wins, and you will be bankrupt in a few months, or having terms an conditions that even my Lawyer can't understand..........

I always, and i always recomend playing in Practice mode before depositing a single $, and then only depositing a small sum, playing, and cashing out the balance, BEFORE ACTUALLY DEPOSITING YOUR NORMAL BANKROLL.

 

[jod5413]

Since I found Casinomeister years ago, I have pretty much counted on CM's accredited list and the players experience. After that comes transparency and software.

 

[chayton]

I can't choose just one - they need to be accredited here (or at least not in the rogue pit), they need to have a good history, and the majority of players need to be happy with them. The other things are important too, but those three are the most important to me.

 

[oldtrvlagt]

Several years ago (before CM) it would have been a coin toss...games, website, trial by error. Thank goodness most of those days are gone (other than my latest Rival fiasco). Now, I look at the rogue pit, look at the accredited ones, listen to players on the forum. I have no desire to EVER jump through hoops again trying to get a withdrawal

 

[bb28]

I tend to rely mostly on information I find here from the players but of course the accredited list is an invaluable asset. This is the place I trust as it is viewed as a player community. There are so many knowledgeable members who visit regularly and it seems the majority of the webmasters who frequent the forum have ethics.

CM members are a well informed and vocal bunch.

 

[catrina m]

I read what other forum members say about a new casino to determine if I want to give it a go. Well, that and my own memory of past events help me decide which casino to deposit and play. I agree with the idea that trust is everything.

:clap:

 

[zebedy]

most of the things you list are important so i just put them in order of relevence according to my personal feelings


1st/Player opinions
2nd/Transparency
3rd/Past History
4th/Licensing Jurisdiction
5th/Software
6th/Layout, design and content of the site
7th/Where it's advertised

 

[hippo925]

Most definitely rely on what i learn on this site from the experienced members and the accredited list. After that, i tend to appreciate transparency by casino representatives. A lot of the reps that come and go tend to forget that you may be able to BS me... but you can't BS ALL of us.

 

[The Dude]

So what I'm gathering is that software and licensing jurisdiction is not as important as word-of-mouth.

Interesting.

 

[slotheadlizard]

Word of mouth

So what I'm gathering is that software and licensing jurisdiction is not as important as word-of-mouth.

Interesting.

I think this is true with a lot of consumer products/services. I'm always PMing my casino buddies and saying "who's hot, who's paying within 48 hrs, etc. I usually hear about a casino, then check to see if its on the CM list-Accred. or Rogue. If not, then I do a search on the forum. Somebody always helps you out with info on here. Its how I heard about Casino Titan, and All Stars, and some Rivals that where not yet accredited.

 

[thelawnet]

My view on a new casino:

Has real world presence, such as Ladbrokes: should be safe
Software - Wagerworks: safe, Playtech: maybe, RTG: probably not, Microgaming: probably ok, Cryptologic: safe, Chartwell: maybe
Jurisdiction - Costa Rica: crooks, Alderney/Gibraltar/Isle Of Man: safe, Malta/Kahnawake/Antiuga: makes no difference

Word of mouth doesn't do that much for me, as new casinos can go bad overnight if they're losing money. OTOH, if I saw they were licensed in a reputable jurisdiction (i.e. the Channel Islands/Isle Of Man), that would satisfy me completely.

 

[ksech]

I guess a few of the major factors for me are:
Other players opinions, software type and how well informed/articulate the CR is. I'm willing to sit on a withdrawal for 2 days, but more than that seems needless as countless casinos are now doing a 2 day withdrawal. Trust is a huge factor. If the CR is upfront when I ask questions, it goes a long way, just my opinion.

 

[love2winalot]

So what I'm gathering is that software and licensing jurisdiction is not as important as word-of-mouth

Hiya: The Average person who plays on the internet, "Casinomeister members are not average, but above that", has no idea where the On-Line casino is located at, and like Me, as long as they get paid, do not really care where they are at.

And, unless you knew what software was being used, and downloaded a bunch of Casinos, all with different software, you would not know if the Graphics were good, avg, or poor, as you have no point of reference.

 

[NASHVEGAS]

Pretty much going in the opposite direction unfortunately. Not opening accounts but closing accounts. MAIN REASON----trust is a four letter word (yep my math still sucks) that is being lost instead of gained.

Trust like respect should be earned and of course an online for obvious reasons is at disadvantage. Thus, it would seem onlines (stealing from AVIS) would "try harder". Not happening at least pour moi! Kinda hard to trust someone who keeps always telling me how I've been rewarded. Oh yes, let me add my rewards, well my math still sucks

 

[classymom]

So what I'm gathering is that software and licensing jurisdiction is not as important as word-of-mouth.

Interesting.

I know that should be very important - but not high on my list when I pick a new one. I go by past history of people here and others I know that gamble online. If the word is positive on fast pay outs and good play time for the money- I will give them a go

 

[Joolie]

Casino's

I love the playtech casino's, but if a casino pays me without any problems i'm cool with them. If i follow their rules and give them the info they want and i get good service then all is well. I am going to lose money regardless, but when i win and a site gives me a big time hassle when cashing out, then i will not go back. So I will play by their rules as long as they play by their rules...simple as that!

 

[The Dude]

I love the playtech casino's, but if a casino pays me without any problems i'm cool with them. If i follow their rules and give them the info they want and i get good service then all is well. I am going to lose money regardless, but when i win and a site gives me a big time hassle when cashing out, then i will not go back. So I will play by their rules as long as they play by their rules...simple as that!

But how do you know if they'll pay you before you sign up? What's the influencing factor for you to download their software and make a deposit??

 

[JHV]

But in order to experience the payout procedures, you'd have to open an account. So perhaps I should reword this to "Before opening an account..."

I felt a bit dumb reading this post as, when ticking through the Poll, my primary thought was "Other: Payout Speeds" - but whilst you're right about needing to open an account first and withdraw to be 100% certain, you can also go off what the site claims (assuming the casino is large or otherwise well-known, I think....example: PL claims < 24hr cashouts - they're fairly respectable and large, so I would expect that to be fairly accurate - if a random casino I'd never heard of claimed such, I'd be wary).

I guess it also comes down to other player opinions regarding cashouts as well. (As I read further on, I see yoshirules is thinking along the same lines).

If a casino claims fast cashouts but I hear other players say they've waited for days, that's almost a deal-breaker for me.

 

[chayton]

One thing, maybe I'm anal, but if I go to the main site of a casino and there's broken links or a glaring typo (see our happy winers!) or if in their terms there's a bunch of references to X Casino and the website is Z Casino it makes me a little leery of them too. So yeah maybe site design/content has some part in my deciding whether to play there too. Once I've been playing at a certain casino for awhile I can forgive their typos (you hear me iNetBet?) but if it's a new casino it's different somehow.

And how many casinos can be "#1 top rated internet casino" anyhow? I've seen that on probably 20 sites so far.

 

[bb28]

One thing, maybe I'm anal, but if I go to the main site of a casino and there's broken links or a glaring typo (see our happy winers!) or if in their terms there's a bunch of references to X Casino and the website is Z Casino it makes me a little leery of them too. So yeah maybe site design/content has some part in my deciding whether to play there too. Once I've been playing at a certain casino for awhile I can forgive their typos (you hear me iNetBet?) but if it's a new casino it's different somehow.

And how many casinos can be "#1 top rated internet casino" anyhow? I've seen that on probably 20 sites so far.

Good points Chayton.....oh and don't you love it when the T&C/info are copied from another's website and they forget to change the name of the new casino. Sloppy, sloppy!
To me that is a glaring error and gives me a warning flag and you have to wonder if someone didn't take the time to take extra care with the website, (FIRST impressions are important) then I wonder what else have they neglected to take care with?

 

[JHV]

And how many casinos can be "#1 top rated internet casino" anyhow? I've seen that on probably 20 sites so far.

I should start a casino named "Number One Online Casino" or "The Best Online Casino in the World" - then all those website "Top Casino" lists would have to leave 1st spot blank or give my casino top billing to avoid being slapped with copyright / trademark infringement notices.

Anyone trying to call themselves the "best online casino" would hear from my lawyers pretty quickly - breach of trademark. SERIOUS. BUSINESS.

I'm spooky brilliant when I'm drunk.

 

[chayton]

Good points Chayton.....oh and don't you love it when the T&C/info are copied from another's website and they forget to change the name of the new casino. Sloppy, sloppy!
To me that is a glaring error and gives me a warning flag and you have to wonder if someone didn't take the time to take extra care with the website, (FIRST impressions are important) then I wonder what else have they neglected to take care with?

EXACTLY! And if they're not affiliated with the casino they took the T&Cs from, starting out the new casino stealing content from an established casino's site doesn't really make them look very trustworthy IMO.

Once I saw a "new" RTG casino (we're new, we're not affiliated with anyone you've been ripped off by before) and on their website it showed a screenshot with the Virtual casino logo. Buncha dopes.

 

[chayton]

I should start a casino named "Number One Online Casino" or "The Best Online Casino in the World" - then all those website "Top Casino" lists would have to leave 1st spot blank or give my casino top billing to avoid being slapped with copyright / trademark infringement notices.

 

[bernynhel]

If an online casino I am considering is in the CM Accredited List, I then go to the forum and get member's opinions. Even though I weight member opinions higher then the list, inclusion to the list is prerequisite - so CM is crucial in my decision making. Snails taste like boogers in garlic butter. Only chewier. Obviously an acquired taste, huh Bryan?

 

[love2winalot]

Bet Limits

Hiya: I would like to add also, that some of us table players need/want a good spread between the Min bet required, and the Max bet allowed. If this window is to small, it just increases the chances of you not being able to handle losing streaks. So, i would not download of play there, even if they were accredited........

 

[JHV]

If an online casino I am considering is in the CM Accredited List, I then go to the forum and get member's opinions. Even though I weight member opinions higher then the list, inclusion to the list is prerequisite - so CM is crucial in my decision making. Snails taste like boogers in garlic butter. Only chewier. Obviously an acquired taste, huh Bryan?

Please don't mock me. I am not bright. But I don't understand what you're saying?

 

[chayton]

I think Berny's making reference to Bryans newsletter...trip to France...eating snails, etc....

I thought you said you were brilliant?

 

[JHV]

I think Berny's making reference to Bryans newsletter...trip to France...eating snails, etc....

I thought you said you were brilliant?

Hmm I said that? I have to come clean - I'm the guy on the right of that photo above. Definitely the genius of my family though. Maybe that's what I meant...my brother on the photo left - can't hold a candle to my smrts.

 

[mannie2009]

For me it's this site, I got my fingers burned before, which led me here in the first place.

Now I look at the accredited list, and try and gather some information from the forum on that particular casino.

I've been happy so far.

 

[Westland Bowl]

I clicked "Other" so now I's exsplains....

I will always check the CM Accredited Casinos (CMAC) list first. If the casino is mainly a sportsbook with a casino, then I will also check the Sports Book Review website. Thereafter, I google the casino's name and see what comes up.

The other factors in the poll's list also play a role in my decision to a lesser extent: I will check the player's opinion/experiences as relayed in the CM forums. Many times, a casino is not listed in the CMAC but many players posted about it, i.e. Treasure Mile casino. Past history would come next.

Licensing jurisdictions wouldn't matter to me, despite my experience with Cyberluck/Heroes fiasco. However, I would be leery of Eastern European or Russian-based casinos unless they have proven themselves trustworthy.

 

[bernynhel]

Please don't mock me. I am not bright. But I don't understand what you're saying?

Yeah, Bryan's email about France and eating snails. I wouldn't mock you. Even if I knew you and thought you needed mocking.

Unless...you started something. Then, well, ask anybody. So, which one are you? The good looking one I'll bet!

 

[bernynhel]

I clicked "Other" so now I's exsplains....Thereafter, I google the casino's name and see what comes up....

Yeah, Google! Always! If there's junk in a casino's trunk it'll ususlly show up on the 1st page of results. Googled online casinos before I found CM.

 

[wangpoker]

Transparency and software are very important. Before I open an account I have to know who's the owner, what software it is using. As for the payout I listen to players opinion on forums.

For Asian bookies and casinos, many casinos use EntertAsia live dealer casino software, but I only 100% trust in 888zhenren, Victor Chandler Asia and Bodog Asia (that is bodog88.com). Other casinos just play "hide and seek" game about their backgrounds.

 

[Mick114]

Peoples opinions are most important to me ( forum members, forum owners etc).

 

[JHV]

The good looking one I'll bet!

*giggle* You made me blush.

No, my brother gots the good looks. I gots the brains.