New Wagerworks "Mega Jackpots" - "Cluedo"

[hitobito2005]

It's basically a complete ripoff for the reasons that Simmo has outlined.

They've obviously just transferred the policy over from their USA jackpots, but here in the UK we've never had to put up with this kind of crap. A progressive jackpot should be a set percentage of the payback that is ear-marked to go to one lucky player. This new WW jackpot is a complete farce. Up until now every progressive online was paid out in a lump sum. I'm very surprised that WW was the one to go against the grain.

 

[Slotster!]

Totally agree that it SHOULD be paid out in full, but it's not - and it's clearly displayed about the annual installments... So players choice and all that... I don't think it's ripping anyone off -- just a different way of doing things that you can either play, or not.

 

[Simmo!]

Firstly, it does clearly state its paid in annual installments.
Secondly, the terms clearly state no interest is due
Thirdly, the player has a choice to play or not
Fourthly, I don't think its a rip-off for those reasons above, but it is deceptive IMO.
Fifthly, I agree with liquid_fusion: surprised WW have been the ones to do this.

 

[tristan727]

Sorry - but if a store charges $4.99 for a can of coke, and clearly displays this price - is it not a rip-off? Until I see some proof or argument that the advertised payout % factors in this 20yr thing, then it's an accurate parallel.

 

[Simmo!]

...but it is deceptive IMO.

is it not a rip-off?

There's a fine line between something being a rip-off and being deceptive. You could argue they are the same thing, but in my book a rip-off is deception with intent to defraud. In this case, because the terms state the discrepencies pointed out above, I think deceptive is a more accurate descripion. Either way I don't think it's good business.

 

[KasinoKing]

Sorry - but if a store charges $4.99 for a can of coke, and clearly displays this price - is it not a rip-off? Until I see some proof or argument that the advertised payout % factors in this 20yr thing, then it's an accurate parallel.

No that's not a rip-off - because the price is displayed. If you don't like that - don't buy it.
If you stayed in a hotel & ordered a can of coke from room service and only found out they'd charged you $4.99 when you got your bill - that would be a rip-off.

It clearly says 'Paid in instalments' right under the Jackpot Ticker.
If you don't like that - don't play it.
Would be nice if they also told you the chance of winning the jackpot - I would guess that's something like 10 million to 1 against

 

[uungy]

VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET!

I think its crazy for a casino to even offer such a stupid idea. The money comes in from the players, so they have the cash in the "central bank" or whatever, so why pay it in installments?

What happens if they go bust, is there any insurance? Or do they tell you to bug off? (I think this is a very crucial question/point)

I can understand if they offer the player "we can pay it ou slowly" for tax purposes in the USA or just for a players conveniance, but having a fixed policy sounds silly and unprofessional. I would rather play in a casino that can actually afford the lump some in one shot.

 

[Slotster!]

What happens if they go bust, is there any insurance?

Yes.

Well in the Las Vegas IGT equivalent anyway; I'm sure that the online IGT operations will be exactly the same.

 

[hitobito2005]

I asked the Wagerworks rep here and the manager of Paddy Power to provide me with some comments regarding this, or to reply in this thread. They haven't done so.

While WW are obviously not commiting fraud here, they have set up a way to make loads of extra money from the punters perhaps without them fully realising it by holding onto such a large sum of money for so long. This is especially true since WW are primarily facing the UK market who are not used to annual installments, and may not realise how the jackpot will be worth much less than implied.

 

[KasinoKing]

VOTE WITH YOUR WALLET!

I think its crazy for a casino to even offer such a stupid idea. The money comes in from the players, so they have the cash in the "central bank" or whatever, so why pay it in instalments?

I know it sounds like I'm defending WagerWorks - but I'm not.
I agree they should pay out the jackpot all at once in one lump sum.
But... These 'Mega-Jackpots' are brand new, so the starting jackpot of 1,000,000 (or whatever is was) has NOT come from people playing the slot and so would have to come directly from Wagerworks own funds.
Imagine if (however unlikely) someone hit the jackpot in the first week of launch, or maybe two people hit it in the first month...?
Having to pay out millions could literally bust the company and that is my bet as to how and why the 'instalments' thing came about. I reckon if no-one hits the JP in the next few years they will change it to be paid in one go.

So like I said before - if you don't like it, don't play it.
There are plenty of other progressives which do pay immediately on the net.
KK

 

[uungy]

18th November this was won

WagerWorks is pleased to announce a 48 year old man from Portsmouth won over 2 million at Gala Coral's betting and gaming website www.coral.co.uk on 12 November 2008.

Playing on MegaJackpots Cluedo with Free Spin Mystery Bonus the player won 2,086,585 by getting five MegaJackpots symbols on the centre pay-line with a maximum bet play. Gala Coral deploys the game via WagerWorks rgs. The company has confirmed that it is the largest EVER win by a British bookmarker customer.

The game has already re-set to the highest start level of any online jackpot prize at 1.5 million and awaits the next winner.

Commenting on the win, Oliver Lofthouse, Director and General Manager, IGT-UK Gaming & WagerWorks said, "We are delighted for Gala Coral and its customer. WagerWorks rgs has enabled Gala Coral to offer its customers the chance to win truly life-changing prizes by playing the MegaJackpots games online in the comfort of their own homes! Players will soon have even more opportunities to win big money prizes when we deploy MegaJackpots Cleopatra in the coming months."

David Stevens, Public Relations Manager for Coral said, "This is a record win for a customer of any British bookmaker and we are thrilled that he won this incredible life-changing sum of money when playing at Coral.co.uk. The WagerWorks product range is immensely popular with Coral customers and this incredible win proves that you don't need to stake big to win big!

Link Removed ( Old/Invalid)

the jackpot won was 2,086,585.46

 

[KasinoKing]

18th November this was won

Link Removed ( Old/Invalid)

the jackpot won was 2,086,585.46

Great!
So the average time between jackpots is about 12-months then (the game was launched in Nov-2007) - might as well not play it now until next November...!

I was a bit confused for a while there though, because Corals use Chartwell casino software, not WagerWorks...
But it looks like they have a few of the WagerWorks slots on their 'Games' site.

KK