| |
COMPUTER POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!
FROM ET FAN:
|
|
INTERNET CASINO REVIEWS
By Deep 21 and Nothing But Net
© Blackjack Forum Online 2004-2005
Online Casino Reviews (Updated June 18, 2007)
Our online casino reviews are here to provide accurate information to fellow players. We have been betting our own money in Internet casinos for over six years, and we have seen it all—the good, the bad, and the very ugly. Between our friends and us we have bet and recorded results on literally tens of millions of dollars in action in Internet casinos—at high stakes, low stakes, and in between.
Like you, we care about finding online casinos with honest software, clear and honorable terms and conditions, good customer support, and quick payouts with no runaround. We also expect a bonus and player rewards system that genuinely returns money to players .
Be sure to check back from time to time, as our reviews are sure to change as good new casinos arise, and conditions at others change.
Also, be sure to check the information on our Best Internet Casinos (and best Internet casino bonuses) page. For information on dishonest software at an Internet casino, see Getting Rolled by LuckNRoll in the Spring 2005 Issue of Blackjack Forum at the Blackjack Forum Online Web site.
Cryptologic
VIP Casino and Intercasino
No U.S. players for now
The Good: VIP and Intercasino are truly wonderful online casinos—absolutely honest, with good customer support, good games, the highest limits online, and fast unlimited payouts. We recommend them very highly. Every month they offer bonuses on various games. In addition, Intercasino offers a 100% match bonus up to $100 every month, while VIP offers cash back on both wins and losses as part of their VIP loyalty program. Cashouts usually take a day.
Intercasino recently launched new Marvel Comics online slots with progressive jackpots, and VIP just added the Marvel Comics slots as well. Fans of the superheroes will appreciate the fine artwork and slot bonus schemes. We like the Marvel Comics progressives because the jackpots go off so frequently.
The Bad: VIP and Intercasino have done away with their former PIN system, so withdrawals are fast from the very first time you play. They do, however, continue to charge a dollar every time you make a withdrawal.
Limits: To multiple hands of $2500 on blackjack, $500 inside on roulette.
VIP Casino: 50% up to $100, plus monthly loss rebates
Intercasino: 100% up to $100 every month
Microgaming
CASINO REWARDS CASINOS: Blackjack Ballroom, Golden Tiger, Lucky Emperor, Yukon Gold, Captain Cook's, Casino Classic, and More
The Good: This group of casinos has recently made changes that make them some of our top recommended casinos. All of the download Casino Rewards casinos are powered by Micrograming Viper software, which is fast and gives perfect advice on playing your blackjack and video poker hands. These casinos also feature the latest in Microgaming's slot games, which rival anything in on-land casinos and take bets from a penny to $125 a spin, and Microgaming's excellent video poker, with a wide variety of game choices and excellent pay tables.
Casino Rewards also offers no-download casinos like Casino Classic, Virtual City and Strike It Lucky. Casino Classic and Captain Cook's are running excellent sign-up promotions right now (see below).
We recommend these casinos especially highly because of their new NO HASSLE bonus system, which starts with the sign-up bonuses. The system is clearly borrowed from the EZ Bonus system launched a few months ago by the Referback casinos (see below). What the new no-hassle system means is that you can play any game you like (except All Aces video poker) on bonus wagering requirements, which we applaud. You may also withdraw your deposit and winnings any time you want, without having to grind away endlessly on current or past wagering requirements. The new system makes gambling online virtually identical to gambling on-land, except better because of bonuses. Play what you want, as long as you want, and then get paid quickly. It's a great policy.
Casino Rewards also has some of the highest limits online—not as high as VIP Casino, but up to $1000 on baccarat and some blackjack, and up to $500 inside on roulette, as well as up to $125 a spin on slots.
And they have just launched two great sign-up bonuses at Casino Classic and Captain Cook's—get $500 free to play on the house for an hour (no deposit required). If you win, transfer your winnings up to $200 to a real account (at which point a deposit of $20 is required) and follow the normal no-hassle bonus terms.
The Bad: No complaints at this time, but we're always rooting for more and bigger loyalty bonuses.
Current Offers: Blackjack Ballroom is offering $500 free to play on for an hour, keep your winnings up to $200. In addition, get a 40% match bonus up to $400.
Phoenician Casino is offering up to $1200 in sign-up bonus right now, with the new no-hassle bonus terms. Highly recommended!
Casino Classic is offering $500 free to play for an hour on the house.
Captain Cooks Casino is offering $500 free to play for an hour on the house.
Lucky Emperor Casino is offering $10 free, no deposit required, plus a 100% match bonus up to $100, plus a Neteller bonus.
REFERSPOT CASINOS: Bella Vegas, Grand Bay, Jupiter Club and Lake Palace
The Good: This is another group of casinos that get our very top recommendation. The four Referspot online casinos—Bella Vegas, Grand Bay, Jupiter Club and Lake Palace—are powered by Micrograming Viper software, which is fast and gives perfect advice on playing your blackjack and video poker hands. These casinos also feature the latest in Microgaming's slot games, which rival anything in on-land casinos and take bets from a penny to $125 a spin, and Microgaming's excellent video poker, with a wide variety of game choices and excellent pay tables.
We recommend these casinos especially highly because of their EZ Bonus system. What the EZ Bonus system means is that you can play any game you like on bonus wagering requirements, which we applaud. You may also withdraw your deposit and winnings any time you want, without having to grind away endlessly on current or past wagering requirements. Bella Vegas, Grand Bay, Jupiter Club and Lake Palace online casinos make gambling online virtually identical to gambling on-land, except better because of bonuses. Play what you want, as long as you want, and then get paid quickly. It's a great policy.
To top it off, the Referspot online casinos have one of the best loyalty bonus programs online, as well as some of the biggest sign-up bonuses available to players. We highly recommend these casinos!
The Bad: We'd like to see higher maximum bets.
Current Offers:
Grand Bay is offering a 100% match up to $100
Bella Vegas is offering a 100% match up to $100
Lake Palace is offering a 100% match up to $100!
Jupiter Club is offering a 100% match bonus up to $100!
32 RED and DASH
No U.S. players for now
The Good: We recommend 32Red and Dash online casinos because of their service, professionalism, and high limits. Payouts of withdrawals are extremely fast to Neteller—within a few hours, or at most, overnight, without your having to do anything special. And these payouts are for unlimited amounts—no nonsense about maximum withdrawals or stretched-out payment plans. You win big, you get paid, just as if you were at Bellagio.
The limits are $1000 a hand on blackjack and baccarat, and $500 inside on roulette. There are now once again sign-up bonuses available for games other than slots.
The Bad: 32Red and Dash do send special loyalty bonuses to players, especially to high rollers, but the automatic monthly bonus is only $50. We'd like to see this higher, to go with those high limits.
Current Offers:
Get 100% up to $100 to play slots at 32Red Casino, or 100% up to $50 to play blackjack and other games.
VEGAS AFFILIATES CASINOS REVIEW: Vegas 7, Vegas Slot, Vegas County, Colosseum, Grand Hotel, Vegas Joker
These casinos deserve to be better known, because they are excellent places to play, with high limits (blackjack up to $1000 a hand) and regular loyalty bonuses. They also offer excellent sign-up bonuses, but the terms on these are probably what is holding them back from greater popularity. Although wagering requirements are low, slots are the only games allowed on the sign-up bonuses at many of the casinos in this group, and at these casinos the bonus terms require a minimum withdrawal of your purchase amount plus twice the bonus you received. These are still excellent terms, but table games players seem to be put off by them.
If you prefer to play table games, Vegas Country is offering a 100% match bonus up to $75, with terms that allow you to play any game you like and withdraw your deposit and winnings whenever you want.
Grand Hotel is offering a 100% match bonus up to $100.
Vegas 7 is offering $11 free, no deposit required, plus a 150% match bonus up to $75.
CASINO PROFITSHARE REVIEW: Nostalgia, UK Casino Club, Golden Reef, Music Hall, and Challenge Casinos
This group of online casinos offers automatic Instant Payments to your Neteller account, although Instant Payments are limited in dollar amount and are only available after the first withdrawal, because they need to use your first withdrawal to verify your Neteller account.)
All of these casinos feature Microgaming Viper software and games.
The Bad: These casinos have added new language to their terms and conditions that requires you to meet the full wagering requirements on your sign-up bonuses before any withdrawals will be processed, even if you lose all the money on your sign-up deposit and bonus.
The wagering requirement is now the Microgaming standard of 30x the bonus, with different games counting different percentages towards the requirement.
Music Hall Casino
Up to $500
Challenge
Casino is offering up to $1000
Golden Reef is offering a 100% up to $100
UK Casino Club is offering a 100% up to $125
Nostalgia Casino is offering a 50% match up to $100 twice
VEGAS PARTNERS AND GOLDEN STAR NETWORKS CASINOS: Cinema, Crazy Vegas, Arthurian, Maple, Casino US, 777 Dragon, Sun Vegas, Golden Riviera, Miami Paradise, River Nile and Slots Royale.
The Good: These casinos use Microgaming Viper software, with the best slot games online, excellent video poker payouts, and a great variety of blackjack and other table game offerings. Plus, most (but not all) of the casinos in these two groups offer EZ type bonus terms, which allow you to play any game you like on a bonus, and withdraw whenever you want.
Also, after the sign-up bonus, most of the Vegas Partner casinos offer generous automatic bonuses (typically 15%) on every subsequent deposit.
The Bad: The Vegas Partner casinos in the recent past have made frequent edits on their terms and conditions. Be very careful to read all terms and conditions before you play, and to check for changes in terms frequently.
Also, we'd like to see higher limits on their games.
Be aware that Arthurian requires players to meet the FULL wagering requirement on the sign-up bonus before any withdrawal. Other casinos in these groups allow you to withdraw whenever you like, which we greatly prefer.
Also, be aware that Vegas Partners casinos have recently lowered their betting limits. Gamblers with bigger bankrolls won't feel satisfied with the limits here.
WAGERSHARE CASINOS: Spin Palace, Ruby Fortune, Piggs Peak, Mummy's Gold, Jackpots in a Flash
No U.S. players for now
The Good: These casinos offer excellent Microgaming slots and games. They also offer excellent player loyalty bonuses, and Spin Palace, Piggs, Ruby Fortune and Mummy's Gold all use the EZ bonus system, which allows you to play any game you like and withdraw your deposit and winnings whenever you want. We like this bonus system a lot.
In addition, Ruby Fortune and Spin Palace offer an excellent extra $1000 no-strings-attached bonus to any players who hit a progressive jackpot of $10,000 or more at one of their casinos.
The Bad: No U.S. players for now--why, when the law didn't make online gambling illegal in the U.S.??? We would also like to see Jackpots in a Flash switch over to the EZ type bonus system in place at Mummy's Gold, Ruby Fortune, Spin Palace and Piggs.
Player Advisory at Fortune Lounge
FORTUNE LOUNGE: 7 Sultans, Royal Vegas, Fortune Room, Vegas Towers, Platinum Play, Vegas Palms, Vegas Villa and Desert Dollar
We have been playing at Fortune Lounge casinos for many years. We have never personally had a problem with a Fortune Lounge casino. We haven't had a player complaint about a Fortune Lounge casino from anyone who signed up through Blackjack Forum, despite thousands of sign-ups through Blackjack Forum.
However, players have recently reported at this and other Web sites that they have had funds confiscated by Fortune Lounge casinos in March and April 2007, and that is a very serious charge.
Fortune Lounge has admitted to confiscating the funds of these players. Fortune Lounge has also admitted that a number of the players in question met all bonus terms and conditions of the casino, and there was no proof of any other type of player fraud as justification for the seizure of their funds.
Fortune Lounge is saying they confiscated these players' funds (including funds on deposit in Fortune Lounge poker rooms) because of what they are calling "bonus abuse." Fortune Lounge, like many online casinos, has a clause in their terms and conditions that allows them to withhold promotions from "bonus abusers." Essentially, Fortune Lounge says that they are reclaiming bonuses, and wins on bonuses, from players who have been clear bonus abusers.
In some of the cases in question, it is very clear to any experienced gambler that the players were playing strictly to milk bonuses. In each of these cases, the players played in a virtually identical way. They always made the minimum deposit to qualify for the maximum bonus. They always wagered their entire starting balance (deposit + bonus) on a single hand of blackjack or baccarat. If they won, they always proceeded to play through their wagering requirements by betting $1 a hand on red or black, or odd or even, at roulette. In each case, the players obtained numerous sign-up bonuses from Fortune Lounge casinos, typically playing every casino's sign-up bonus without ever returning to play without a bonus.
See our online gaming board for a report by Casinocide and report from WRX for more information and a link to these players' reports.
What's more troubling to us is a more recent report about confiscation of funds after a completely different type of play. Players should also read the Fortune Lounge explanation of their reason for confiscating this player's funds.
On our Web site, we have long carried warnings to players about the dangers of blatant bonus hustling. But in the case of this latest player, a Fortune Lounge casino manager appears to be subjectively deciding which players look "normal" and which do not. And the judgements of this Fortune Lounge employee have nothing whatsoever to do with the casino's posted terms and conditions.
What worries us is that this "bonus abuser" label could be used as an excuse to avoid paying any player for his or her wins. How can any player know what will look "normal" to some unknown guy in an office at Fortune Lounge? How can any player feel confident that he or she will be paid when she wins?
How long would a casino in Las Vegas stay in business with this kind of policy? The answer is: The Casino Control Commission would make the casino pay, or take away the casino's license.
Reportedly, one player has collected his confiscated funds by filing a complaint at eCogra. If you feel you've been improperly treated by Fortune Lounge, or any casino affiliated with eCogra, we recommend you file a complaint as well. We feel that Fortune Lounge has to find a better way to deal with this type of situation.
RTG – Real Time Gaming
CASINO EXTREME
The Good: Casino Extreme
is an online casino with a troubled history that has recently gotten better but is still problematic. If you play and win, they usually pay now (see below for an exception) —and if you email support asking for Instant Payment of your withdrawal, the payment will be in your Neteller account within an hour.
They also have one of the most generous loyalty bonus programs available online, starting with their sign-up bonus and continuing with generous daily bonuses and 20% cash back on all losses.
Unfortunately, we found their treatment of a player we know so objectionable, that we have pulled down all their links from this site and will no longer play at Casino Extreme ourselves.
The Bad: Their video poker paytables are poor (you can get much better paytables at any Microgaming casino), and their table game limits are low ($100 on blackjack).
Also, you have to be particularly concerned with reading ALL of the terms and conditions at Casino Extreme, and making sure you understand them before playing. Don't just skim them, or read only one page—the terms and conditions here are like a minefield, with little unexpected bombs likely to be planted almost anywhere. And it's tricky to avoid problems, because the terms and conditions are not well organized.
For example, excluded countries are not listed in just one place in the terms. Instead, different excluded countries are listed in different places in the terms and conditions, so that a player who sees the first listing may easily conclude he can play, when in reality he is excluded in another paragraph someplace else. (See below.)
And be aware that you are responsible not only for any terms and conditions posted in the cashier, but also all terms and conditions posted on the casino web site and any terms and conditions included in a particular bonus email. In one case, a player was presented with a list of excluded games in an emailed bonus offer that was different from the excluded games listed in the cashier, and also different from the list of excluded games permanently included on the casino web site. He played a game excluded on the web site because it was not included in the list of excluded games on the mailer, and Casino Extreme penalized him with an enormous wagering requirement.
To give you an idea of the types of problems players have had at Casino Extreme, read these stories from players:
A Player Reviews Casino Extreme: Unethical Use of Terms and Conditions?
Casino Extreme: Like a Drive Through the Bolivian Countryside
King Solomon's, Geisha Lounge and Grand Aces
No U.S. Players for Now
The Good: Good software and loyalty bonuses.
The Bad: Terrible video poker pay tables and low limits on blackjack and other games. Also, bonuses are too often restricted to slots lately.
There is an important fact to be aware of at all RTG casinos. Each owner can set the pay outs on every slot machine and video poker game. They have three settings: tight, medium, and loose. For example, the tight setting for Jacks or Better is 6-5, the medium 8-5, and the loose is full pay 9-6. At some RTG casinos you may find that the 5-cent Jacks or Better is 6-5, the 25 cent is 8-5, and the $1 is 9-6. Not only that, but you may be used to playing your $1 9-6 at a given casino, only to log in one day and find that it has changed to 8-5. RTG is the only software we know of where the video poker payoffs can change on your machine at home from one day to the next. There is a tip-off to this. If you log in and you get a pop up that says, "Downloading new lobby," it may mean they have changed the payoffs on slots and/or video poker.
Offers from Geisha Lounge and King Solomon's Casinos:
King Solomons Casino is offering a sign-up bonus of
100% match up to $100, plus a 50% match bonus up to $250 on your second deposit, plus a 10% Neteller bonus up to $100 --
All cashable if you win. Also check out their monthly loyalty bonuses and new VIP club benefits. Slots only on the sign-up bonus.
Grand Aces Casino is offering a 40% match sign-up bonus up to $400 (plus 10% for depositing via Neteller.)
The bonus is cashable if your withdrawal amount is more than your initial deposit plus bonus. Slots only on the sign-up bonus.
Casino-On-Net
No U.S. players for now
With over 8 million players, Casino-On-Net is the largest Internet casino. They have been operating since 1996, and use proprietary software. We consider them a top choice for players because they have a very solid reputation and great bonus offers right now. Cash outs usually take a day or two. The bonus terms can be difficult to find at the Casino on Net web site, so here is a link to them: Casino on Net Bonus Policy.
The Good: Good sign up bonus (deposit $200, get $200 cashable) with good terms, and good follow-up bonuses and special events. Casino-on-Net also offers fairly high limits on table games.
The Bad: The software could use a wider game selection.
Casino-On-Net: Deposit $200, Receive $200
A Browser Based Casino
Cherry Casino
Cherry uses Net Entertainment software, which means no download required.
The Good: Regular monthly bonuses and special events, with excellent blackjack allowed on the cashable bonus. Payouts usually in one or two days. And limits on blackjack up to $500.
The Bad: The normal bonus is 30% up to a $30 bonus, so bigger bonuses would be nice.
Cherry Casino, No Download Required
Playtech
Golden Palace
The Good: Golden Palace has a sign-up offer of a $300 bonus for a $100 deposit, and follows up with excellent bonus offers every month. They really give a good deal to gamblers. Golden Palace also allows a wide variety of games on the bonuses, including blackjack up to $500 a hand.
The Bad: The Golden Palace group has recently been required by Playtech to bar U.S. players at most of its casinos. The only casino in this group that still takes U.S. players is Golden Casino, but that's fine (their sign-up bonus is a 100% match up to $555, with good terms. Also, the Golden Palace group takes slightly longer to cash you out the first time. The first time you withdraw, expect them to ask you to send copies of documents like a driver’s license and utility bill. Once they have received those documents, cash outs usually take 2-3 days.
Another irritation is that Golden Palace puts some kind of tracker on their software, which may show up as a virus when you run your virus protection software. And, if you order your virus protection software to delete the tracker (for your privacy!), you won't be able to run the casino software without it.
Golden Palace Welcome Offer: $300 for a $100 deposit, sticky
More Browser Based Casinos
Lasseters and Aus Vegas
The Good: Frequent bonuses and sterling reputations. Lasseters and Aus Vegas are licensed and regulated by the government of Australia. They are as reputable as you can get. Past follow-up bonuses for regular customers included a 100% match bonus of up to $1000 for "gold" players, or 100% up to $150 for "silver" players.
The Bad: The first time you cash out they must mail you a check. It then takes 30 or 40 days for them to verify that you deposited the check in a bank account. Once that is done you can withdraw via Neteller.
But the main thing we dislike at these casinos is their wagering requirements, which require you to wager your highest bet a certain number of times. Progression betters, among other players, will find this an obnoxious requirement. Higher limits would be nice as well.
Aus Vegas Casino: 200% up to $100 bonus (sticky) or deposit $10 and get $40 (sticky)
Lasseters Casino: 200% up to $200 (sticky) bonus for a $100 deposit
[Editor’s Note: Internet gambling is illegal in some jurisdictions. In our Internet Casino Reviews and Best Internet Casinos we list only games that provide free games for entertainment if Internet gambling is illegal where you play. Check the laws in your jurisdiction before you play for real money. Also, remember that gambling is always risky. We cannot guarantee that you will win at any Internet casino. ♠]
For more excellent information on online casinos, check out the Independent Online Casino Reviews at the Best Online Gambling Lounge.
Back to Blackjack Forum Online Home
|
|
|
