Best CM accredited casino of 2019: GUTS.
I know they won't win it, but out of the CM Accredited Casinos where I have an active account,
they are my favourite.
I know they are a shadow of their former selves, but then again, I think quite a few of the Accredited Casinos have taken steps in the wrong direction this year.
So they are far from alone in that regard.
As for
who I think should win it - well if Trada had postponed their move to AG until January next year, they would likely be a clear winner. But they didn't, so now I (and perhaps a lot of others) am not sure.
I don't think that VS deserve it, given their shameful RTP slashing in 2019.
And to be honest, I think they will happily engage in more player-unfriendly cuts in 2020.
The statement of intent (influenced by nothing more than pure greed) has been made.
So maybe it should go to one of the L & L group casinos. Problem is, I haven't registered at any of their casinos, except for
All British, where my account remains unverified.
So I could find myself with no option but to abstain from voting this year.
Best Casino of 2019 (not CM-accredited): Sky Vegas.
Best Casino Group of 2019: Casino Rewards.
I know CR have their critics and detractors, but I can only go on my own personal experience playing there. And it has been a positive one. That said, their increasing of WR on bonuses from 30 times the bonus to 200 times the bonus did make my heart sink a bit.
But it won't put me off playing there in 2020.
Best Rep: L & L Jan.
Perhaps a little unlucky not to win it last year, I think Jan has done more than enough to deservedly win it this time.
Best Casino Software Experience: Blueprint
A company that does Smegaways right, unlike the provider that owns and leases out said Smegaways mechanic.
Best Slot of 2019: Dead Or Alive 2
A slot that can payout (and HAS paid out) a win of £10,000 on a 9p bet. That's just nuts.
Most Awesome Screenshot of 2019: ssrrlldog for his Divine Fortune Jackpot win.
Honourable mention: subsoil's win on DOA2
ssrrlldog's win:
subsoil's win:
Head in the Sand Award: UK Gambling Commission.
They will ban feature buys, but they still won't ban reversible withdrawals.
I don't think they help operators in any way either, due to a lack of absolute clarity of their own rules.
Which only forces casinos into making their own interpretation of said rules.
Which then results in some very OTT overreactions, including ridiculously unwarranted and intrusive requests for personal information that a casino really has no business asking for.
To such a degree that players end up feeling disillusioned and wondering if depositing a bloody tenner to play some 9p spins on DOA is really worth the hassle.
We already know that Mr.D (dunover) is on the brink of quitting slots for good because of this nonsense.
Simply put, the UKGC need to be better or they will end up wrecking the industry in the UK.
Fall from Grace Award 2019: Videoslots.
For their RTP reducing/slashing dickmoves.
For now expecting the player to foot THEIR tax bill, instead of absorbing the costs themselves.
And of course, they didn't have the good grace to inform their player base of these player-unfriendly changes either, did they?
Nah, screw that. Let's just bury the news somewhere near the bottom of our news page, where no-one is ever likely to look. Yep, real classy of you Videoslots.
Sneaky slimeball behaviour from a casino that I now consider to be shady, greedy and ethically challenged.
Biggest Disappointment Award of 2019: BTG.
They have become stale. They seem to be churning out new releases at a much more rapid rate than in previous years, which makes me think they are more preoccupied with releasing 10 mediocre slots per year instead of 3 great ones. Even the streamers are beginning to become collectively disillusioned with their mediocre efforts.
Forum Highlights of 2019: The Remarkable CM Community Thread
Created by an equally remarkable CM member, Harry_BKK.
Still going strong some 16 months (and 158 pages!) after it was created.
In Memoriam 2019 - Brian Cullingworth AKA Jetset
Forum Member Achievement Award of the Year 2019: Jasminebed
@Casinomeister Bryan, the "CM Hall of Fame" has four members, all of whom I believe are male and from the UK (vinylweatherman, Jetset, KasinoKing and Trancemonkey).
I think the time has come for someone to join the ranks who is 1. female and 2. not from the UK.
And Jazzy meets both of those criteria. So please make it happen, Mr. bossman dude
I shouldn't need to explain why I think that Jazzy deserves to win the award this year,
because all the evidence that one could possibly need is there for all to see.
But I'll list a few reasons anyway...
Long-time (and very well-respected) CM member - CHECK
Empathetic to and respectful of the entire CM membership - CHECK
Honest, candid and even self-critical to a fault, but never judgemental towards others - CHECK
A very ready, willing and able giver of compassion, help and great advice - CHECK
An all-round good egg and a class act - CHECK
I think that covers it. Apologies for the VWM-esque post.