WOV Recommended - So What?
September 23rd, 2020 at 10:45:26 AM
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I've noticed and responded to a couple of recent threads about online sites that are "Recommended Online Casinos" here. I haven't seen a direct, specific response from management when issues have arisen or discussions have centered around online casinos, regarding what the Recommendation means, for the sites, for the people who frequent them, and for members here.
So I'll ask directly:
What are the specific features or offerings of an online casino that earn a WOV Recommendation?
Where can we go to read the specifics of any guarantees or safeguards offered by WOV for folks who access these sites?
Are Recommended sites SAFER, more LEGITIMATE, or HONEST in their dealings with users?
Why should we favor these sites over and above other sites?
My impression in the past was that a Wizard recommendation was something that mattered, and that frequenting a Recommended site had benefits or advantages over other sites. If nothing else, you were visiting a site that the Wizard or his staff had vetted.
But reading a few past threads my conclusion is that a WOV recommendation means nothing.
I'm willing to be convinced that I am wrong, and that WOV Recommended sites are worthy of my business, over and above all the others.
But someone needs to convince me.
So I'll ask directly:
What are the specific features or offerings of an online casino that earn a WOV Recommendation?
Where can we go to read the specifics of any guarantees or safeguards offered by WOV for folks who access these sites?
Are Recommended sites SAFER, more LEGITIMATE, or HONEST in their dealings with users?
Why should we favor these sites over and above other sites?
My impression in the past was that a Wizard recommendation was something that mattered, and that frequenting a Recommended site had benefits or advantages over other sites. If nothing else, you were visiting a site that the Wizard or his staff had vetted.
But reading a few past threads my conclusion is that a WOV recommendation means nothing.
I'm willing to be convinced that I am wrong, and that WOV Recommended sites are worthy of my business, over and above all the others.
But someone needs to convince me.
September 23rd, 2020 at 11:05:13 AM
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Quote: racquetI've noticed and responded to a couple of recent threads about online sites that are "Recommended Online Casinos" here. I haven't seen a direct, specific response from management when issues have arisen or discussions have centered around online casinos, regarding what the Recommendation means, for the sites, for the people who frequent them, and for members here.
So I'll ask directly:
What are the specific features or offerings of an online casino that earn a WOV Recommendation?
Where can we go to read the specifics of any guarantees or safeguards offered by WOV for folks who access these sites?
Are Recommended sites SAFER, more LEGITIMATE, or HONEST in their dealings with users?
Why should we favor these sites over and above other sites?
My impression in the past was that a Wizard recommendation was something that mattered, and that frequenting a Recommended site had benefits or advantages over other sites. If nothing else, you were visiting a site that the Wizard or his staff had vetted.
But reading a few past threads my conclusion is that a WOV recommendation means nothing.
I'm willing to be convinced that I am wrong, and that WOV Recommended sites are worthy of my business, over and above all the others.
But someone needs to convince me.
First of all, I want to make it clear that I have nothing to do with management of the sites, or the forum, I only write for various sites owned by LCB.
With that, I'll answer your questions to the best of my understanding. I have numbered your questions below for our mutual convenience.
1. What are the specific features or offerings of an online casino that earn a WOV Recommendation?
2. Where can we go to read the specifics of any guarantees or safeguards offered by WOV for folks who access these sites?
3. Are Recommended sites SAFER, more LEGITIMATE, or HONEST in their dealings with users?
4. Why should we favor these sites over and above other sites?
1. My understanding is that these casinos have had their software vetted by an acceptable source to ensure fairness.
2. I would start here:
https://wizardofodds.com/advertising/policy/
3. It depends on how you define those words.
4. The last paragraph in the link I posted. If you sign up through this, or any, "Wizard," branded site, then the site will try to help if you ever have a dispute with a casino that you followed one of our links to get to.
ADDED: However, I would encourage anyone to understand that does NOT mean they do not have to abide the Terms & Conditions of a particular online casino. My personal advice is if you think the Terms and Conditions (and/or Bonus Rules) are unfair, ambiguous or impossible to understand---then do not play at that casino unless you can get clarification that is to your satisfaction.
By signing up at a particular online casino, you are entering into an agreement to be bound by the Terms and Conditions of that online casino, even if they are not favorable to the player or might be considered, by some, to be ridiculous. I have personally written various articles analyzing online casino promotions where I have disagreed with the Terms and Conditions of casinos...both Recommended and Not Recommended (but advertised).
If a player does not abide by the Terms and Conditions of a particular online casino, and the casino takes remedial action that is made known by those same Terms and Conditions; I would assume that we could try to help, but sometimes not much could be done about it.
And, I cannot emphasize enough, if you do not understand/accept the Terms and Conditions, then simply do not deposit at that particular casino.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/off-topic/gripes/11182-pet-peeves/120/#post815219
September 23rd, 2020 at 3:46:37 PM
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My question is why does the Wizard only recommend offshore non state-sanctioned casinos? I realize these can reach more players than casinos that are state specific (as it currently is). But, I am hesitant.
I have played Bovada in the past (its been years), and having the only withdrawal options be bitcoin (which takes days to approve, but you get it pretty quick after approval) or check by courier (which takes weeks and costs money) seems pretty sketch to me. I don’t know much about all of the newer "Wizard Approved" casinos (it used to be just Bovada).
I like being able to go to the cage of an online casino (at their physcial location) and withdrawing instantly or an ACH transfer which usually approves in a couple hours. When a casino heavily promotes bitcoin as Bovada does for deposits and withdrawals, it seems pretty sketch (again, I have never had an issue cashing out other than the issue of waiting for approval, waiting for bitcoin, transferring, selling it, then transferring that to a bank account is so cumbersome for withdrawals it gets to the point where it makes me want to forget about it and just keep playing, which perhaps is the point.....)
Plus, if I am going to lose money most sessions anyway, I would rather keep the money local. More states are transitioning to allow state licensed casinos to have online casinos (of course you must be within state boundaries), it seems like it makes sense to support them.
I guess the argument is, its too region specific, and probably would vastly lower potential referrals, which is true, but also much safer (there is a legal body that you can complain to instead of the relying on the Wizard to negotiate for you, which is in no way meant as an insult to him or this site, but unless there is some contract they have behind the scenes for arbitration, the casino can just tell this site "sorry no, we are not looking into this any further" and there is no recourse beyond that).
This will probably get me some hate, but if you live in a state with legal state gambling, I would advise almost any licensed casino over any on the list here. Much more recourse, much more transparent bonues terms, much more health and saftey warnings, and much more withdrawal options (including just driving to the casino and getting cash at the cage), people you can call 24/7 (on the actual phone, not a weird chat box), etc....
If its your only option where you currently live, Bovada is fine, and you probably won't have any issues (just read the fine print on the bonus terms, some can be a bit tricky), but withdrawals are a pain, and good luck talking to somebody. I can't speak to any of the other casinos currently listed....
I have played Bovada in the past (its been years), and having the only withdrawal options be bitcoin (which takes days to approve, but you get it pretty quick after approval) or check by courier (which takes weeks and costs money) seems pretty sketch to me. I don’t know much about all of the newer "Wizard Approved" casinos (it used to be just Bovada).
I like being able to go to the cage of an online casino (at their physcial location) and withdrawing instantly or an ACH transfer which usually approves in a couple hours. When a casino heavily promotes bitcoin as Bovada does for deposits and withdrawals, it seems pretty sketch (again, I have never had an issue cashing out other than the issue of waiting for approval, waiting for bitcoin, transferring, selling it, then transferring that to a bank account is so cumbersome for withdrawals it gets to the point where it makes me want to forget about it and just keep playing, which perhaps is the point.....)
Plus, if I am going to lose money most sessions anyway, I would rather keep the money local. More states are transitioning to allow state licensed casinos to have online casinos (of course you must be within state boundaries), it seems like it makes sense to support them.
I guess the argument is, its too region specific, and probably would vastly lower potential referrals, which is true, but also much safer (there is a legal body that you can complain to instead of the relying on the Wizard to negotiate for you, which is in no way meant as an insult to him or this site, but unless there is some contract they have behind the scenes for arbitration, the casino can just tell this site "sorry no, we are not looking into this any further" and there is no recourse beyond that).
This will probably get me some hate, but if you live in a state with legal state gambling, I would advise almost any licensed casino over any on the list here. Much more recourse, much more transparent bonues terms, much more health and saftey warnings, and much more withdrawal options (including just driving to the casino and getting cash at the cage), people you can call 24/7 (on the actual phone, not a weird chat box), etc....
If its your only option where you currently live, Bovada is fine, and you probably won't have any issues (just read the fine print on the bonus terms, some can be a bit tricky), but withdrawals are a pain, and good luck talking to somebody. I can't speak to any of the other casinos currently listed....
