Online Casino Gaming

Note from author R.D. Ellison:

        Prior to late 2003 this page contained links to online casinos. These types of casinos are no longer advocated by the author, however, due to a trust issue that is deemed serious enough to warrant this change.
        At this time, it is believed that the (online) accounts of large bettors and consistent winners are flagged, then carefully watched. If the customer's wins prove to be a consistent drain on casino resources, the managers can cause certain bets to lose at their whim. The technology to do this does exist, and since there is no government regulation of most sites, what's to stop them? Utilizing the latest technology could be regarded by the company as a prudent business decision, for "protection" from "unscrupulous players."
        And for those casino operators whose software does not have that kind of control, there are still options that can give them the equivalent:
        1) They can refuse to pay out winnings based on a stated belief that the player is exploiting the software with some kind of electronic device, system, or gimmick.
        2) They can use the claim of "software exploitation" as an excuse to refuse to pay, whether the claim is legitimate or not.
        3) They can refuse to pay based on evidence that you are not using the program as agreed. (Their scrollable contracts state that the games are for entertainment only, and making money would be considered a business.)
        4) They can refuse to pay based on a desire to take your money and run, coupled with a willingness to absorb any heat that may arise from that decision!
        While the author does not wish to pass judgment on an entire industry, there is more than ample evidence of a lack of integrity in the business in general, as one might expect in a situation where there is no system of checks and balances strong enough to deter the possibility of larcenous conduct. For these and other reasons too numerous or complicated to state herein, the author recommends that players confine their play to land casinos, preferably based in the U.S., for they are strictly regulated by state governments, and are therefore considered to be absolutely safe.
        The links that remain on this page are for gaming news and advice, etc.

        [posted 8-13-03; updated 11-24-03]