Ruby Fortune - Online Casino Review

Ruby Fortune Casino

July 5, 2005

Overview

Ruby Fortune has been online since 2002 and are licensed the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada and accredited by eCogra. They use Microgaming software and give their players the choice of browser or download casino. Their browser casino is done is flash. The download version is for PC users only. Customers can reach their support through email, toll-free phone (in North America and United Kingdom), and Live Chat. They are partnered with Pro-Cyber for fraud protection and encryption technologies and their games are audited monthly and posted by PriceWaterHouse Coopers.

Ruby Fortune's website is a host of conflicting information (check out the Promotional Terms and Conditions section of this report for another funny example). The homepage boasts over 130 different games to choose from. However in their FAQ's section they state: "The initial download contains 2 games. A further 56 free games can be downloaded from within the software." So is it 58 games total or 130? BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! Further down on the SAME FAQ's page they have the following: "2 games are included in your initial download. To download up to 40 more free games use any one of the following methods". So now it's 42 games? What happened to the 130??!!! Someone needs to update their FAQ's page.

Deposits

Minimum deposit is $20. I know they accept US Dollars (USD) and I think they accept Canadian Dollars (CD, UK Pounds (GBP), and Euros (EUR). I think they accept the other currencies because they have Euros mentioned on their Winners page. I want to be certain though, so I checked with their Live Chat.
" Sam> Welcome to our chat service, how may I assist you?
Casino Critic> what currencies do you accept?
Casino Critic> US dollar, Euro?
Casino Critic> UK Pounds sterling?
Casino Critic> hello?"

After 20 minutes I wasn't quite sure what to think of their customer service. I decided to log out and try again. As I went to close the Live Chat (thinking that it was stuck on my end) I got a response:

Sam> Hello?
Casino Critic> i asked you a question
Casino Critic> what currencies - i.e. what types of money do you accept?
Sam> We accept US, Euro, Canadian and Brittish Pound
Casino Critic> ok, thank you
Well, better late than never. So, now I know they definitely offer what I thought. However, I forgot to close the box, so as I went back I saw the following:

Sam> However we can pay you in any currency of your choice
Casino Critic> any currency?
Casino Critic> how does that work?
Sam> Yes
Casino Critic> could you elaborate further please?
Sam> When we pay you by check
Sam> You can choose the currency that you would like to be paid in
Casino Critic> and it can be in any currency?

Sam> We use the Euro dollar to pay our European customers
Casino Critic> so you can get your money back in any of the currencies that you accept in the casino is more accurate?

Sam> That's correct
Casino Critic> Thank you very much. You have been extremely helpful.

They offer a wide range of deposit methods:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Diners Club Card
• Neteller
• Click2Pay
• Firepay
• Instadebit
• Citadel
• PaySpark
• Moneybookers
• UseMyBank
• Delta
• Eco Card
• Wire Transfers

Withdrawals

The following important bit of information was hidden in the FAQ's section: "Ruby Fortune employs a variety of appropriate security and fraud controls to oversee every transaction. Customers may be required to supply proof of identity, copies of their credit cards, a signed deposit history of their transactions and / or other appropriate documentation particularly when attempting to withdraw credits. This ensures that e-cash deposits and redemptions are not fraudulently transacted." Normally information like this is in the Terms and Conditions of a website or the withdrawal area. There was an obscure mention of checking out a paragraph on fraud in the withdrawal area, but there was no reference as to where this information was. One more reason why you absolutely positively have to read every ounce of information on a website before you deposit. You never know where something important like that might be hidden.

As you can see in the Live Chat conversation above you can deposit in any currency that is fitting your deposit method and you can receive your money in the currency of your choice.

Minimum withdrawal is $20 for check, $50 for wire transfer.

The following are listed under their withdrawal options:

• Check
• Firepay
• Neteller
• Click2Pay
• PaySpark
• Moneybookers
• Eco Card
• ACH/Direct Bank Transfer
• Direct Bank Transfer

However, while these 9 options are listed, when you click on them you are brought to a page that states: "There are 5 options to withdraw a winning balance from your casino account." To make things even better while it states there are 5 options to choose from it only lists 3. Back to Live Chat.
Casino Critic> what is your minimum withdrawal allowed?
Gary> yes
Gary> 20 for checks and 50 for wire transfers
Casino Critic> ok, and what are the 5 withdrawal methods allowed
Casino Critic> your site isn't very clear
Casino Critic> it lists 9 options
Casino Critic> but then the page says 5
Casino Critic> and lists 3

Another extremely long wait and I am not surprised.

Gary> Kindly note that you have the following options
Gary> 1
Gary> you may use a web wallet such as Click2Pay, PaySpark and EcoCard as an option to have your withdrawal processed too
Gary> this is a very convenient method whereas processing time is between 2-24 hours
Gary> 2
Gary> you may choose a check to be delivered to you. A regular mail check takes 14-21 days and is free. A Speedmail Check costs €7 and takes 5-8 business days. Courier Check costs €35 and takes 3-5 business days.
Gary> 3
Gary> You may choose the Direct bank Transfer. Direct Bank Transfers take approximately 5 - 10 business days to appear in your bank account.
Gary> Direct Bank Transfers will incur fees unless your withdrawal is more than €1,000.
Gary> i hope this information is to your satisfaction
Gary> Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
Gary> Yes but as I have explained recently in our previous chat, it also depends as to what region you are allocated in
Casino Critic> what about FirePay and Neteller?
Casino Critic> and Moneybookers?
•

Another long pause…
Casino Critic> hello?
Gary> As i said before, since you are from europe those other options are unfortunately unavailable to you
Gary> eg FirePay is only for US players
Casino Critic> but Neteller is available
Casino Critic> and I'm writing an article about your options, so it's not just for my information
Gary> MoneyBookers you may use to deposit but unfiortunately it is not a withdrawal option
Casino Critic> Neteller?
Casino Critic> hello?
Gary> Unfortunately Neteller as well for europe players
Casino Critic> can someone withdrawal from Neteller
Casino Critic> so Europeans can't withdrawal to neteller?
Gary> Correct
Casino Critic> ok, thank you very much

OK, for those of you who couldn't totally follow our conversation your withdrawal choices are as follows:
• Americans: FirePay, Neteller, check, direct bank transfer, and Click2Pay, PaySpark and EcoCard

Gary> Kindly note that you have the following options
Gary> 1
Gary> you may use a web wallet such as Click2Pay, PaySpark and EcoCard as an option to have your withdrawal processed too
Gary> this is a very convenient method whereas processing time is between 2-24 hours
Gary> 2
Gary> you may choose a check to be delivered to you. A regular mail check takes 14-21 days and is free. A Speedmail Check costs €7 and takes 5-8 business days. Courier Check costs €35 and takes 3-5 business days.
Gary> 3
Gary> You may choose the Direct bank Transfer. Direct Bank Transfers take approximately 5 - 10 business days to appear in your bank account.
Gary> Direct Bank Transfers will incur fees unless your withdrawal is more than €1,000.
Gary> i hope this information is to your satisfaction
Gary> Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
Gary> Yes but as I have explained recently in our previous chat, it also depends as to what region you are allocated in
Casino Critic> what about FirePay and Neteller?
Casino Critic> and Moneybookers?

Another long pause…
Casino Critic> hello?
Gary> As i said before, since you are from europe those other options are unfortunately unavailable to you
Gary> eg FirePay is only for US players
Casino Critic> but Neteller is available
Casino Critic> and I'm writing an article about your options, so it's not just for my information
Gary> MoneyBookers you may use to deposit but unfiortunately it is not a withdrawal option
Casino Critic> Neteller?
Casino Critic> hello?
Gary> Unfortunately Neteller as well for europe players
Casino Critic> can someone withdrawal from Neteller
Casino Critic> so Europeans can't withdrawal to neteller?
Gary> Correct
Casino Critic> ok, thank you very much

OK, for those of you who couldn't totally follow our conversation your withdrawal choices are as follows:

• Americans: FirePay, Neteller, check, direct bank transfer, and Click2Pay, PaySpark and EcoCard

• Europeans and the rest of the world: check, direct bank transfer, and Click2Pay, PaySpark and EcoCard

I have to say I was shocked that only Americans can withdraw to Neteller, as I'm fairly positive there's no actual reason for that on Neteller's side of things. (Unless things have changed drastically since I was doing withdrawal requests).

Terms and Conditions

Be careful when depositing and playing. They can void your winnings and confiscate your balance if: the name on your credit card doesn't match the name on your account (say a maiden name?) you make a withdrawal request before meeting your wagering requirements (I'm assuming mistakes are allowed, this is probably for someone gets annoyingly persistent), or you reside in an area where participation in online gambling is illegal (this one is sketchy, think of US players). The rest of their conditions make sense, don't cheat don't let anyone else use your account etc.

No matter what currency you deposited in, if you win big in a progressive slot you will get your money in dollars: "Ruby Fortune Casino reserves the right to pay all Progressive Jackpot winnings in US dollars. The amount to be paid, will be determined by the US Dollar Progressive Jackpot amount on the Progressive Game played, at the time the jackpot was won."

Don't leave your account hanging. If you don't log in for 180 days your balance is gone. Ciao. Check the terms and conditions monthly because they withhold the right to change them without notice and I'm certain that they do.

Bonuses

Their bonuses change monthly, so what is listed below may not be on offer when you go to their site. However, I'm certain they will have something else to replace it. With that said I found their bonuses selection to be weak. There's no tell a friend bonus mentioned on the site, not even an alternative deposit method bonus. Basically they don't have bonuses other than the sign up, just competitions. Maybe it's just a crappy month?

• 125% bonus for initial sign up minimum $20 deposit, maximum $80.

The following bonuses are given according to a schedule (check the site for details):

• $1,500 & 25% match - video poker challenge! A poker competition.
• $1,500 & $20 free - 3-reel slot rally! A slots competition
• $1,500 - progressive weekend party! A progressive slots competition
• Brainteaser - win one of 4 x $25 or 1 x $50 prizes!

They have a decent enough Loyalty Program which works as most other loyalty programs do: For every $10 you wager at Ruby Fortune, players earn 1 Loyalty Club Point. For every 1,000 Loyalty Points, players receive $10 in free casino credits. New accounts receive 500 free points. In addition, different games are chosen every month to be worth double and triple the normal points value. Check the newsletter sent monthly to know which games are double and triple value. 

Example

Loyalty Club Points earned for the month: 18,000
Bonus Loyalty Club Points: 20% X 18,000 = 3,600
Total Points earned for the month: 21,600

Promotional Terms and Conditions

I'll get to the details in a minute, but I just have to point out something really funny in their promotional terms and conditions page. Ruby Fortune states the following: "Danish and Israeli players are most welcome at Ruby Fortune Casino. However, due to the ongoing severe abuse of promotions by players resident in Denmark and Israel, Danish and Israeli players are prohibited from claiming this sign-up bonus. Danish and Israeli players wishing to claim a bonus may." The "click here" that is in bold links you to the claim the sign-up bonus page. Didn't they just tell me I'm not eligible for this bonus??!! WHY WOULD THEY THEN TELL ME TO GO TO THAT PAGE?? Oh the logic. Sometimes it's frightening.

After I finished laughing at the marketing department's silliness I went back through their bonuses. They have some seriously high wagering requirements.

Easy enough, the 125% sign up bonus must be requested within 72 hours of the first deposit to receive. They say depending on how many requests they have, but I actually think it has more to do whether you request it on a weekend; it may take up to 48 hours to be credited to a players account. The wagering requirements on the initial deposit plus bonus is18 times before a player can withdraw, this is fair enough. Craps, all Roulette games, Sic Bo, all Jacks or Better Video Pokers and all baccarat games are not counted when calculating if the wagering requirement has been met. This is also fair enough. Keep in mind though, do not play any games listed when you have a bonus. Playing an excluded game can void and close your account and your game play and that would be bad. Blackjack, Power Poker and Video Poker games will only count 1/5 towards meeting the wagering requirements, in other words the wagering requirement on these games is 90 times the deposit plus bonus before a player can withdraw. 90X the deposit plus bonus is a ridiculous amount and the highest I think I've seen so far. I remember 40X before and thinking that the casino was nuts but 90X basically means don't bother taking the bonus if you like these games.

Are they xenophobic? While Israeli and Danish players are welcome to game, they aren't welcome to receive bonuses. People from the following countries are not allowed to deposit or play for real: Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kosova, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan, Ukraine and Yugoslavia. If somehow someone from one of these countries does get to deposit they will receive their money back, but no winnings.

Download version

What can I say? It's a Microgaming casino in all of its glory. I tried to log in as a Guest User and kept getting an error so I logged out and tried again, success this time, no reason to contact customer service. The casino is typical of all Microgaming casinos. You have Playcheck in the upper left corner that gives you your game history for the past 72 hours. Playcheck is updated every 45 minutes. Next to it is an option to view your banking history, see payout percentage reports, link to news, and loyalty program. They have the best game options of any casino software design company.

Browser version

Microgaming does a great Flash casino for the internet. Some of the slots games offer the same expert mode options as their download counterparts (autoplay, 5 times and, 10 times automatic spins).  This is probably the best browser version I have seen in terms of closeness to the download version. Typically they are worlds apart.

Overall

It's powered by Microgaming which is a great software company. All of the internet gaming casinos out there offer basically the same games as every other with the same software provider. You'll see Tombraider slots at every Microgaming powered casino, for example. As such once you've played at one Microgaming you've played at them all. The main difference between the various casinos is the terms and bonuses.

The terms for Ruby Palace are fair. They are upfront with who and what they allow and what is required of players. They have a fair deposit and withdrawal minimum of $20. I have issues with casinos that make their minimum withdrawal higher than the deposit. Their customer service people take a little while, but aren't so bad that you're fingers have dropped off before they answer. They are informative and helpful, once they finally understand the question. I'm not fond of their wagering requirements, and would only take a bonus if it had a lower requirement or I was playing for my love of slots and don't plan on cashing out. However, with that said they have a good selection of tournaments for those who want to make money and a great loyalty program. Overall I like the place