Enjoying Slot Online
One of the most frustrating things that happens while searching for the ideal online casino is when you install a casino onto your computer, decide you don’t like it, move on to another casino that appears much different and install its software only to find out that the games play exactly like the games at the casino you just ditched.
Are there any online casinos out there that are truly unique?
To an extent, yes, but not many. Forget about content; on the Internet, redundancy is apparently king, but you can avoid e-déjà vu using the checklist below.
First, however a brief explanation for why so many casinos look alike: I’ve mentioned in a few recent articles that there aren’t nearly as many unique online casinos as there appears to be. A handful of software developing companies supply the games for 80 percent to 90 percent of the casino sites on the Web. That’s why when searching for a place to play, you get the impression that they’re all the same.
Sometimes you can avoid the aforementioned hassle by identifying who developed the casinos’ software. Some casinos are up front about it; others are not. It’s not that difficult to sift your way into figuring out what’s what, but if you’re into shortcuts, refer to the following pointers:
Boss Media: Nearly every casino built with Boss Media’s software posts the Boss Media logo somewhere on the front page. Most of them post the Casino.com logo as well. They are generally the easiest to identify. Boss Media appears, in this sense, to be the only casino software company that cares to develop brand awareness among the players–probably a good move.
GamblingSoftware.com: Casinos licensed by GamblingSoftware.com are so-so about clarifying who’s behind the software. For those that don’t, nearly GamblingSoftware.com casino carries a basic suite of games that includes blackjack, craps, Caribbean poker, Pai Gow poker, roulette, scratch tickets (pull tabs), slots, Spanish 21 and video poker. You might also check to see where the operators are located. If they’re in Grenada, it’s more than likely one of theirs. Another likeness shared by many is the structure of the FAQ pages. Most of them begin with the question, “What kind of hardware and software do I need to play the games?”
Starnet: Starnet appears to have around 11,000 licenses. Some of them carry the Starnet logo front and center, some of them don’t. The easiest Slot Online way to tell if an ‘unlabeled’ casino is Starnet’s is to go to the help section and seek the page that explains payment procedures. All Starnet casinos, to my knowledge, handle accounts through EFS Caribbean, Starnet’s payment processing subsidiary. Other giveaways: Most of them also feature sporstbooks (and most of the sportsbooks are located under the same domain as the casinos); many of them run their support through @softec.com email addresses; and most of them offer a limited selection of Java games (blackjack, Caribbean Stud, slots and video poker) to go along with their downloadable games.
CryptoLogic: CryptoLogic casinos, like Starnet casinos, use the same payment processing system, in this case Crypto’s Ecash. Go straight to the help/support page and then to the FAQ page and you’ll see a section on Ecash. In most (if not all) cases, the Ecash FAQ link leads to a help page on Crypto’s website at www.cryptologic.com.
Microgaming: Microgaming’s licensees, like Starnet’s and GamblingSoftware.com’s, are so-so about identifying the software developer. For those that don’t post the Microgaming logo on the front page, there are a few common features to look for. The first is progressive slots; one of Microgaming’s strongest assets is its very popular CashSplash progressive slot system. The other feature sometimes advertised up front is Microgaming’s PlayCheck account history software, an application that enables players to replay past games to verify what was won and lost. Finally, many will display that they are licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and/or that the pay-outs are audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers.
