Be Aware - cashout limits may apply
April 1, 2009
When playing at an online casino there is always the chance that it just might be your lucky day and you end up winning BIG! We can all go into a pleasant day dream as to what we will do with that big lump sum when it hits our bank accounts, but receiving your winnings all at once does not always happen and that is something any player should be aware of to avoid disappointment.
At present the majority of Playtech and RTG (Real Time Gaming) powered properties have maximum cashout limits ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per week. Examples of these are Casino King and City Club Casino, which are really great places to play, but do carry limits of $10,000 per month. So if you happen to hit a jackpot or enjoy any substantial wins at places like these, you will only be able to cash out according to the set weekly or monthly limits and this means many weeks or months of waiting to receive your full balance on large amounts of money and jackpots. Now this doesn’t bother many people and it might not bother you, but please keep it in mind when playing at casinos.
For high rollers, it is preferable to select establishments like powered by Microgaming, like 32Red, which impose no cashout limits at all.
In order to ascertain if a casino carries cashout limits or not , take some time and read the terms and conditions posted on their websites or contact their customer support teams to enquire about this if you can’t find the information online. A few minutes spent doing at the beginning can help you to avoid weeks of unexpected waiting in future.
Cryptologic and Paramount Partnership
March 20, 2009
CryptoLogic Limited is as usual, on top of its game in endeavouring to bring casino players even more exciting feature slots. The group recently signed a long term deal with Paramount Digital Entertainment that will see famous movie characters from over 20 film titles like Forrest Gump, Braveheart , Ferris Bueller and Beverly Hills Cop appearing in its games towards the end of they year.
In a recent interview, group CEO Brian Hadfield conveyed the groups excitement regarding their newfound relationship with Paramount, elaborating that it would enhance the groups strategic position and contribute to ensuring the brands continued success.
Paramount Vice President for Interactive Licensing, Luke Letizia, is equally excited at the prospect of working with Cryptologic on the ongoing projects and stated that the group was confident that their new partner would develop games that are on par with the quality and caliber of Paramount Pictures properties.
With projects like this in the works, and a track record of happy, loyal players at its various properties, one can be sure that Cryptologic is well on its way to becoming one of the leading online entertainment brands. So be sure to look out for the new titles at the end of 2009.
New Titan Slot Release
February 21, 2009
Diamond Valley Pro is one of the newest Titan Casino releases. This 5-reel, 20-Line Slot game will have Players hunting for diamonds and winning free spins and multipliers in the Bonus round.
Playing is easy. Simply select the desired payline, click on the Bet One button or the line numbers to the left or right of the reels, spin the reels and, if you get a winning symbol combination, you win according to the relevant winning table. Each time you click on the Bet One button, an additional payline is selected. If you select the Bet Max option or line number 5, all paylines will be selected. The Paytable option shows the winning table. You will only win if a combination occurs on an active payline.
It is important to remember that there is a difference between the line bet and the total bet. The line bet shows how much you’re betting on a single payline. The total bet shows how much you’re spending in the currewnt game round. The payouts shown in the paytable are multiplied by the line bet, not by the total bet. If you get winning combinations on more than one payline, the winnings for each payline are combined.
You may also be eligible to play the bonus round. In this round you must collect a specific number of hand symbols on an activated payline. The hand symbols have to lay consecutively, starting from the left most reel.
Play Diamond Valley Pro at Titan Casino now.
Online casinos top land-based venues during economic slow down
February 20, 2009
A recent report released by Ernst & Young indicates that online casinos are faring far better than their land based counterparts during the world economic slow down. The report details the analysis of research conducted across 135,000 individuals from around the world and confirms that gamblers are frequenting brick and mortar casinos less in order to cut costs but are in turn visiting online casinos.
Due to the fact that online casinos are easily accessible via the world wide web, these groups can successfully target vast international markets and offer a variety of language and currency options in order to accommodate players in an environment where they feel comfortable. While land-based venues on the other hand, have long enjoyed their “destination” status offering mammoth resorts, outstanding shows, decadent cuisine and additional entertainment to attract gamblers and their families, during the present recession and tough economic times gamblers are choosing not to travel, and these properties are feeling the effects of the large losses of revenue.
Interestingly, the report notes that in addition to providing solubility to online casino companies themselves, the tax revenue generated from these properties is contributing to keeping some state budgets afloat. Countries, like the UK, who have effective tax regulations in place are already benefitting from this large stream of income as the economy falters.
Casinos in 3D
February 20, 2009
The internet presents a world of endless possibilities, especially when it comes to entertainment and online casinos. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone brings out something that takes the industry by storm and that is exactly what is happening with the advent of 3D online casinos.
When it comes to these properties, gone are the days of flat, boring graphics as you explore their lifelike casino lobbies and enjoy the games in a way that you never could before.
In fact, this possibilites presented by 3D platforms are so attractive that even French land-based casino operator Lucien Barriere Hotels and Casinos recently announced that they would be entering the UK online casino market next month with its very own 3D offering. The casino will allow players to create customised virtual characters from a selection of life-like avatars in the site’s Dressing Room before going on to enjoy a night of casino action while chatting to other players as they go.
But what will truly set this property apart from existing offerings is that it will be the first online casino to mirror a real-life casino and will be the online version of the company’s own land based casino, and the games offering will be comprised of exact replicas of those found at its venue in Deauville.
This is sure to spark some fierce competition amidst existing online casino operators and players can expect to see some pretty novel and exciting ideas emerging as the technology just keeps getting better at their favourite places to play.
Player Cruises - what you really need to know
January 12, 2009
It is not uncommon for casinos to hold real life functions where they gather their VIP players from across the globe at a venue or on a cruise for some serious online casino action with a more human touch and personal interaction.
In fact, casinos in the Fortune Lounge, Bellerock and Vegas Partner Lounge fold offer free regular Player cruises to exotic destinations, filled with non-stop entertainment, tournaments, prize money and action…sounds perfect doesn’t it?
While the concept is an excellent one, just be aware that these trips aren’t necessarily “free” because the casinos feel like treating you out of the goodness of their hearts. They are businesses and as such, nothing is entirely for nothing! Yes, your cruise, accommodation, drinks and meals as well as your tournament entry may be complimentary (always check the Terms and Conditions carefully just to be sure), but the mere fact that you are invited to one of these functions means you have spent enough at the casino beforehand to warrant the invitation. Also, in-between tournament you will have time on your hands…LOTS of it and because there’s nothing much else to do on board the ship, you’ll end up gambling quite a bit!
That’s where the catch comes in and where it can get really expensive for you if you don’t control yourself. In fact, the casino groups bank on the fact that you will spend most, if not all of your time in the casinos on board and even have arrangements with the tour operators running the cruises and get a substantial “kick back” on the revenue generated from the gambling you do in your leisure time (all part of business of course), so they are actually making money on these things instead of laying it out on a “free holiday” for their valued guests.
Of course there is nothing wrong with these kind of promotions at all, and many are a great deal of fun and offer a nice change and a bit of social interaction as you enjoy your favourite pastime, it just pays to be aware that this is not just a “freebie” if you spend your leisure time gambling. If you do want to do that however, make sure you save and budget accordingly beforehand, just as you would for usual online casino entertainment to ensure that you really enjoy your time away and don’t regret it when you get home.
UK Online Gambling on the rise
November 20, 2008
The Gambling Act 2005 not only introduced reform to gambling in the United Kingdom, but infused the industry with life through less stringent advertising restrictions which have led to the syndication of mass media campaigns across the country and seen a vast increase in both traffic and player numbers as well increased competition between gaming operations for their share of the pie.
Players are benefitting from the current competitive environment as casinos vie for their attention and patronage with impressive sign-up bonuses and generous promotions. Add to this the fact that the UK has one of the widest distributions of broadband internet access and it is not difficult to see why online gaming is growing at a rapid rate in the country.
Recent reports indicate that was once a shunned hobby is now becoming one of the most popular pastimes for adults across the UK and there is something for everyone from online casinos which offer all of the land based casino and table games as well as a few arcade games, to the dedicated poker rooms, sports books and bingo halls, each with bigger and better offerings and features than the next. In addition to these, there are numerous review sites which assist players in choosing the right casino for them as well as warning against those that are not up to scratch. With the majority of households equipped with broadband access, all of this information and the ability to access one’s favourite online casino, poker or bingo room is at the tip of one’s fingertips 24/7 and is proving to be an attractive entertainment option for many citizens.
It is no wonder then that major casinos operating in the UK market are positive about the future projections and continued growth in the market.
All Slots makes Slots Tournament History
November 20, 2008
All Slots is making online casino history with the launch of its $500,000 World Series of Slots tournament, which is the largest online slots tournament to ever be held to date.
The tournament will be held between September 1st and November 10th, offering a record-breaking half a million dollars in cash prizes. Differing from the usual Slots Tournament Model, players will have access to daily Free feeder tournaments with large cash prizes being rewarded each week rather than at the conclusion of the tournament, these include $25,000 Weekly Finals, a $100,000 Semi-Final at the beginning of October, and the $200,000 Grand Final taking place in November, featuring a 1st place prize of $100,000.
With this being All Slots third exclusive free slots tournament , the casino has a great deal of experience behind them and it’s sure to be evident throughout this competition as they once again offer both old and new players alike the opportunity to win unrivalled weekly cash prizes while playing for free.
Microgaming Casinos now recruiting their 14th Millionaire
November 20, 2008
Microgaming is famous for its Progressive Jackpot Network which is the biggest on the net with 21 progressive games to choose from, a large number of participating casino operators and thousands of players across the globe who contribute to the various jackpots which grow by the second.
To date, $250 million has been paid out in progressive winnings to over 6,500 winners (13 of which were made instant millionaires) and the numbers just keep ticking away with current jackpots totalling over $/€/£ 6,300,000 and counting.
Here’s a quick look at the most popular progressives and the staggering jackpots that are up for grabs (winnings are paid out in the currency in which you play):
- Mega Moolah - $/€/£ 3,7 million
- Roulette Royale - $/€/£ 909,000
- King Cashalot - $/€/£ 625,000
- CyberStud - $/€/£ 226,000
And there are many more to choose from! So if you’re feeling lucky, visit your favourite Microgaming powered casino today and you may just be the 14th millionaire on their ever increasing list of winners.
Not so Desperate Housewives
November 20, 2008
The children are at school, all the household chores have been taken care of and instead of popping out to tea with “the girls” or curling up on the couch with a good book, thousands of well-to-do British women are glued to their computers enjoying the guilty pleasure of spending an hour or two at their favourite online bingo rooms.
This phenomenon is re-shaping the face of bingo, in fact its giving it a facelift altogether! While land based bingo halls across the UK are stereotypically packed with chain-smoking, blue haired grannies that play slots in between bout, the online bingo crowd is decidedly different. Young, empowered, financially sound and up for a bit of fun in the comfort of their own homes these women play and even meet new friends online in the bingo chat rooms, all with the off-chance of winning some extra cash. This is not to say that the older bingo crowd won’t be joining in though, with increased closures on land based halls due to the smoking ban, restrictions on £500 slot machines and the fact that they are facing payments on both gross profits and VAT, they very well may be but the online environment is just a whole lot different than what they are used to!
One thing is for sure though, with Bingo Halls reporting double player figures in the past year, we’re sure to see the industry grow phenomenally in future and before you know it, instead of meeting for tea, all “the girls” may just be meeting up at their favourite Bingo Room for a chat and some afternoon fun.
