Online Gambling

Days ago, Everleaf Online Poker Network banned all new sign-ups and players from the United States as well as two other counties. The move was in response to a letter issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, as well as in response to the seizure of one of Everleaf’s payment processor’s funds.

There are approximately two dozen online poker sites that are part of the Everleaf Online Poker Network. US players may experience significant delays in withdrawing their funds; Everleaf has not commented on how they are going to facilitate the withdraw of funds by their US players.

Everleaf online poker players will want to find an alternative for their online poker play. There are few online poker networks that continue to accept real-money play from US players.

• Bovada Poker: Accepts all US online poker players
• Americas Cardroom: Bars WA MD players
• Intertops Poker (Cake Poker): Bars LA WA NY NJ KY MD MO
•  OddsMaker.com Poker: (Merge Poker): Bars KY LA MO MD NY WA DC

With all the hoopla about Black Friday, and everyone out to get some great deals and save their money, I thought that it would be a good time to remind online casino players of my online casino Black List. After all, we want a square deal and a fair chance of winning when we risk our gambling dollars, don’t we?

After the jump, you’ll find my list of over two dozen online casinos that should be avoided for a variety of reasons.

So, as you are doing your Black Friday shopping online and in the stores, don’t throw your money away at the disreputable online gambling sites that are on The Online Casino Gambling Directory Blacklist. Instead, why not focus on the best of the best instead — the 20 or so top rated online casinos.

Here’s a sample:

  Slots of Vegas
$100 FREE + 300% bonus on initial deposits between $30 and $100!
Slots of Vegas, with over 80 online slot games, is the premier source of slot games for real or fun money. Slots of Vegas offers the loosest online slots, from the traditional three reel slots to the adventure packed five reel slots.

  Treasure Mile
100% bonus on initial deposits between $20 and $200!
Treasure Mile Casino combines the magic and glamour of a hot Las Vegas night out with all the exciting, fun, rewards and benefits expected of a truly world class online casino. Giving you the latest (and totally unique) games and exceptional odds, ph …

  Intertops RED Casino
100% bonus on initial deposits between $20 and $100!
No-download version available!
Bonus code: SIGNUP100. This RTG casino from Intertops is open to ALL US players and delivers all the fun and excitement that you would expect from an RTG casino and combines it with the trust, security, and outstanding banking that you have come to k …

  Grand Eagle
100% bonus on initial deposits between $20 and $250!
With brand new cutting edge games, massive winnings and supreme customer satisfaction, Grand Eagle Casino offers you a truly dynamic and magnificent online casino experience.

  Silver Oak Casino
100% bonus on initial deposits between $25 and $1000!
Bonus code: SILVEROAK1 through SILVEROAK10. Silver Oak Casino has the most dedicated customer service staff in the industry. Our knowledgeable and friendly representatives are available round the clock to assist you with any concerns you have.

BetOnline Affiliates is the affiliate program for BetOnline.com Casino, Racebook, and Sportsbook. Both the online gambling affiliate program and the online gambling site that it represents have been blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory for spamming.

Here’s what happened that led to the blacklisting of BetOnline.com and its affiliate program.

Last night I received a spam email from simon@betonline.com to robertmedl@theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com with subject “BetOnline.com and recent changes in the US market”. The reason that this is spam is because I have repeatedly asked not to be contacted by them.

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—– Forwarded Message —-

From: Robert Medl <robertmedl@theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com>
To: Simon Eaton <simon@sportsbookventure.com>
Cc: support@betonlineaffiliates.com
Sent: Wed, September 8, 2010 3:14:01 PM
Subject: Re: $25 Free Play Promo – BetOnline Affiliates

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Well, this is spam and it is cause for being placed on the blacklist. It has been my experience that as goes the affiliate program, so goes the sites that are promoted by them. Thus, it is my opinion that the BetOnline.com affiliate site as well as the BetOnline.com Casino, Racebook, and Sportsbook should be avoided – unless you like spam.

The FBI has shut down Full Tilt Poker, PokerStars, UltimateBet, and Absolute Poker. Visitors are shown a message saying, “This domain name has been seized by the F.B.I. pursuant to an Arrest Warrant.”. (Read the full article at the LA Times.)

Until all of this gets sorted out, here is a list of  the top 5 online poker sites that accept US players. (In case you are interested, here is the full list of all online poker sites that accept US players.)

Bodog Poker: 110% bonus
Create an account and download Bodog Poker for free with our Getting Started Guide. Play free online poker on our play money tables or head straight to the real money tables and earn Bodog Poker Points.

Sports Interaction Poker: 110% bonus
Bonus code: signup110. You can play for free, or at our 24/7 cash games and enter any of the tournaments of your choice. All you have to do is download, register, and play.

Poker4Ever: 100% bonus
POKER4EVER.com is a fast-growing cardroom offering your favorite poker games: Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi/Lo, and 7 Card Stud. POKER4EVER.com also offers the ultimate tournament experience with its multi-table tournaments

BetUS Poker: 110% bonus
We have an amazing new first time deposit bonus for all our new players. We offer you 110% bonus up to a fantastic $1000. Simply make a deposit, in the poker room click rewards, deposit bonus and enter the code POKER1000.

Doyles Room Poker: 100% bonus

You won’t be able to find another poker room where you can participate in tournaments, ring games and heads up matches with Doyle Brunson — author of SUPER SYSTEM (the bible of poker), winner of 10 WSOP Bracelets and player in every single WSOP.

As I warned readers in December 2008, Grand Prive Casinos are blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory. In my opinion, Grand Prive Casinos are, quite simply, thieves. Be warned — you are taking wildly unnecessary risk with your money if you play at any of the following blacklisted Microgaming casinos / poker rooms: Bella Vegas, Fortune Junction, Jackpot Wheel, Jupiter Club, Lake Palace, Road House Reels, Casino Grand Bay, Grand Bay Poker.

There are plenty of other reputable Microgaming online casinos and reputable Microgaming poker rooms, including these 5-star-rated sites:

Quatro Casino
$4444 FREE + 100% bonus on initial deposits between $20 and $200!
No-download version available!
Quattro Casino has for years been synonym with virtually unlimited game choice, fantastic Welcome Bonus Offers, uncompromised safety and privacy measures and exceptional support.

Casino AUS
$1776 FREE + 100% bonus on initial deposits between $30 and $284!
No-download version available!
G’Day Mate! Welcome to Casino Aus. This Australian themed Casino is your number first stop for true gaming pleasure Down Under and is definitely the place to be for any Aussie gaming enthusiast!

River Nile
$1500 FREE + 200% bonus on initial deposits of $25!
The River Nile online casino offers an impressive 300+ casino games. From slots to blackjack to roulette, we got it all! And yes, that includes 13 progressives – there is definitely something in there that you’ll love – guaranteed!!

PokerTime
100% bonus on initial deposits between $20 and $200!
No-download version available!
If you’re a poker fan, then there’s no better place to wager your stake than at PokerTime. Whether you are a beginner or pro, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the wide selection of games that this action-packed poker room has to offer.

(Additional tags: blacklist, grand prive blacklist, blacklisted grand prive, grand blacklist.)

Rome Partners is the affiliate program for Rome Casino and Diceland Casino. Both the online gambling affiliate program and the online casinos that it represents have been blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory for spamming. Here’s what happened that led to the blacklisting of Rome Partners and the sites that it promotes.

• I joined Rome Partners on 11 Feb 2008. There was very little activity in my account.
• On 05 Jul 2009, I received an email from Jodi N., asking me to join their program. When I replied that I was already a member of the affiliate program, and expressed my dissatisfaction that the program would send me such an email when I am already a member. It seemed spammy to me, and I responded as such.
• Jodi N’s reply to me, in my opinion, was unprofessional and she refused to accept responsibility for sending such an email. “We have a few affiliate managers here and we are all constantly looking for new affiliates to work with. If sometimes we overlap and re-email and affiliate that is already working with us we apologise but it cant always be helped. It is a pity that you would think we have some tactic here and are trying to cheat anyone, as we really are not.”
• I replied that I wished to leave the Rome Partners affiliate program, and to not be contacted again. “I’ve decided to remove your affiliate program and associated casinos from The Online Casino Gambling Directory. Please delete my account and remove my email address from all of your email lists. I do not wish to receive any emails from anyone associated with either Rome Partners or Rome Casino.”
• Gabriel E., Jodi N.’s manager, stepped in and offered an explanation as to what happened. He asked me to confirm that I still wished to leave the program: “If you are in any way interested in continuing to work with us, please let Jodi know and she will do everything she can to assist you, as she is a very capable affiliate manager. If not, I will close your account and inform all affiliate managers never to contact you again.”
• On 20 Jul 2009, I confirmed that I wished to leave the program by replying to Gabriel E., and cc:’ing Jodi N. “My decision to leave Rome Partners stands. Please close my account and inform all affiliate managers never to contact me again.”

Seems simple and clear to me, no?

• On 21 May 2010, I received another email from them; I used the unsubscribe link.
• On 21 Oct 2010, I received email from “noreply@romepartners.com” with subject “European Traffic is Now Welcome”.
• On 24 Oct 2010, I received email from “jodi@sandboxmedia.net” with subject “French and European traffic”.

Well, this is spam and it is cause for being placed on the blacklist. It has been my experience that as goes the affiliate program, so goes the sites that are promoted by them. Thus, it is my opinion that the Rome Partners sites (Rome Casino and Diceland Casino) should be avoided – unless you like spam.

Protecting players from spammers and other unethical sites is part of running an standup and ethical online gambling directory.

Now usually, I can make one post about a particular site and feel that my readers have been sufficiently warned about that site. Well, not so with these guys. I warned my readers about a two months ago about these sites. But because they just keep on spamming, I feel the need to again post about these spammers. Just yesterday I got yet another email from them after repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly, asking to never be contacted by them again, ever, for any reason.

So players — do yourself a favor and stay away from all 888-branded Sites (888.com Casino-on-Net, 888.com Pacific Poker, 888Ladies.com, 888Sport.com), Littlewood Casino and Poker, and GameOnQuickPlay.com. And affiliates can save yourselves some headaches by avoiding Uffiliates.com.

All of the following sites have been blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory: 888.com branded sites (888.com Casino-on-Net, 888.com Pacific Poker, 888Sport.com, 888Ladies.com), Littlewood Poker, Littlewood Casino, GameOnQuickPlay.com.

Why blacklist these sites? All of these properties are promoted through an affiliate program called Uffiliates.com, who are IMO spammers.

• 12/6/08: Received an unsolicited email from Uffiliates.com regarding their new site. I asked to be removed from all email lists.
• 12/7/08. I was told that I was removed from all email lists.
• 1/8/09: I received another email from them again, and asked again to be removed from all email lists.
• 1/11/09: I received this ridiculous reply: “We will endeavourer to fulfill your request and disable your account from receiving any further promotional material emails from us, prior to doing so, we require you to amend your payment option, as Neteller is not longer a valid payment method choice while residing in the United States.”
• 1/11/09: I sent my reply: “This is nonsense. If I have an account with you — and I do not think that I do — delete it and STOP EMAILING me.”
• 3/11/09: I received email mail@read.uffiliates.com with subject “Get the luck of the Irish to win $4,000!”.
• 3/14/09: I blacklisted Uffiliates.com and the sites that they promote.

It has been my experience that as goes the affiliate program, so goes the sites that are promoted by them. Thus, it is my opinion that the 888.com branded sites (888.com Casino-on-Net, 888.com Pacific Poker, 888Sport.com, 888Ladies.com), Littlewood Poker, Littlewood Casino, GameOnQuickPlay.com should be avoided – unless you like spam and inane requests to take an action that is totally unrelated to the issue at hand (like a request to update your payment option when you send in an unsubscribe request).

27 Mar 2009 update: Incredibly, I just received “Uffiliates Newsletter – March 2009″ from mail@read.uffiliates.com to robertmedl@theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com. Wow — this confirms, IMO, that my blacklisting of Uffiliates is absolutely, positively warranted. Grrr…

14 May 2009 update: Another SPAM email from these spammers, “Your affiliate account” from feedback@mailer.casino-on-net.com. More confirmation that these guys are spammy spammers.

(Note: The information present on this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please check your local, state and provincial laws before you gamble online. If your local laws prohibit online gambling then we recommend you consider an alternative form of entertainment.)

Villa Fortuna Casino, along with eight other Microgaming sites that were promoted by Grand Prive Affiliates, have been blacklisted at The Online Casino Gambling Directory for breach of contract with its affiliates.

• Grand Prive Affiliates contracted with affiliates to have affiliates refer customers to various Microgaming sites (Bella Vegas, Fortune Junction, Jackpot Wheel, Jupiter Club, Lake Palace, Road House Reels, Casino Grand Bay, Grand Bay Poker). In exchange for referrals, affiliates were to be paid a percentage of the lifetime revenue generated by referred players (see bottom page at the above link).
• Weeks ago, Grand Prive Affiliates went out of business, while the sites that they were associated with, and to which affiliates referred players, remain operational. However, the sites are no longer paying affiliates for revenue generated by previously-referred players. This is theft and breach of contract.
• Villa Fortuna Casino, while not an original part of the eight Grand Prive-branded group of sites, is being run by the same outfit as that which operates the eight Grand Prive sites.

The net-net of all of this is that, in my opinion, these sites are not to be trusted with your money. If they are willing to steal from and breach their contract with affiliates, there is sufficient evidence to think that they are perfectly capable of doing the same to its players.

Trust me on this one… I’ve been in this business for years. Stay away from these nine sites.

Besides, there are plenty of other top-rated, trustworthy Microgaming casinos and Microgaming poker rooms available to you.

(Please note: Microgaming casinos and Microgaming poker rooms do not accept players from the United States. Wherever you live, please check your local, state, and provincial laws before you gamble online.)

NoXWin operates a casino, poker room, and sportsbook. Recently, they and their affiliates began emailing me at various email addresses on the theonlinecasinogamblingdirectory.com domain.

• On 29 Oct 08, I initially asked to be removed for their mailing lists.
• On 03 Nov 08, I repeated my request, outlined my domains that I wanted removed, sent that email to multiple email addresses on the noxwin.com and noxaffiliates.com domains, and gave a date of 13 Nov 08 by which I expected to be removed from their mailing lists.
• On 18 Nov 08, I again received email from the noxaffiliates.com domain (specifically, tom@…).

I can only conclude that the noxwin.com properties condone spamming, as their noxaffiliates.com affiliates clearly do. Thus, I have blacklisted both the noxwin.com and the noxaffiliates.com domains, bringing the total number of sites on the blacklist to sixteen.