Online Casino Project - UK Online Casinos - Club on the Park Casino Review

The owners of Club on the Park Casino have a diverse management record, albeit operations have always been in good hands. At the time of this review, the current owners of Club on the Park Casino, 365 Media (formerly known as UK Betting Plc), are finalizing acquisition negotiations with the well known capital group, Sky Capital UK Ltd - the wholly owned subsidiary of Wall Street based Sky Capital Holdings. Sky Capital UK is traded on the London Stock Exchange, and will certainly server as a strong backer for Club on the Park Casino. Regarding the 365 Media Group, they have done a superb job operating Club on the Park amidst their multi-discipline operations consisting of sports broadcasting, web publishing and video streams. Some recognizable sites owned by 365 Media (soon to be Sky Capital UK) are Sportinglife.com, Sportal.com, PGAPro.tv, Combat.tv, ConferenceFootball.tv and video channeled Football365 and TEAMtalk.com. Club on the Park Casino is licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, which insures all online casino licensees operate according to the highest regulatory standards consistent with those of the UK. Club on the Park is the trading name of RIL Limited, which is registered at Millenium House, Ollivier Street, St. Anne, Alderney, GY9 3TD.

Casino Software

The software platform at Club on the Park, which is only offered in downloadable form only, is powered by the global leader, Playtech. Backed by the Alderney Gambling Commission, Playtech has been powering respectable online casinos since the nineties. Playtech is widely recognized for their vibrant and realistically animated graphics, fast playing speeds, betting interface, navigation features and security protocols. In terms of customized features at Club on the Park, the lobby is designed in true form, representing a ritzy and classy land-based casino populated with real people. Customizable playing features include a Full Screen Mode, larger playing cards, close up play on slot machines, auto play, variable game play speed, sound effects, fast play (without animation), warning message disablement, hiding double up windows while playing video poker games, and enabling multiple game windows to be opened and played simultaneously. The latter of these is an intelligent feature that will prompt the player when it is time to act anew on any game being played simultaneously with others. Playtech also offers single, multi-hand, multi-player and private table games. All betting results and transactions are logged in real time, and are available for viewing while logged into one's personal account.

Downloads are available directly at ClubonthePark.com or via CD, which can be freely ordered from their website. The download itself is exceptionally fast, which is probably one reason why Club on the Park does not bother offering a Flash platform. Once the software has been downloaded in just a few seconds (simply click "Run" when the download box opens), a wizard-guided installation will begin (also only taking seconds to complete). After registering to open a Fun or Real Money account, it is time to login and begin playing. Keep in mind that when registering for a Fun account, the only information requested is one's name and email, while a real money account requires more personal registration details. Also, real money players are urged to choose an easily memorized, unique username and password, while those using Fun accounts are automatically issued computer generated username's and passwords. It is also worth mentioning that the software platform for Fun accounts uses the Window's Random Number (RNG) Generator built into one's personal computer, while Real Money Accounts use the RNG built into Club on the Park's Unix gaming server.

Bonuses & Promotions

In addition to a welcome bonus, Club on the Park automatically enrolls all real money account holders in their Club VIP Rewards Programme and also offers a weekly surprise bonus and monthly reload bonuses with modest terms and conditions. The VIP Programme has been running since 1997, during which time, it has been tweaked to best cater to players who consistently gamble online with real funds. Using a variable comp point rating system, players are awarded points for every bet made, except for bets at games of Roulette, Craps, SicBo and Baccarat. Not the best terms in the world, but at least points are not excluded for games of blackjack and video poker.

Depending on how much money one turns over each month, a corresponding VIP level will be granted, which ultimately increases the redemption rate for points. All comp points can be redeemed through the online casino cashier. In conjunction with the Player Rewards programme, Club on the Park hands out weekly surprise bonuses. The more one gambles, the better their chances are of being given a bonus. For instance, at the time of this review, Club on the Park was gearing up for a special Valentine's Live Cash Giveaway, which included bonuses ranging from 25 to 1,000. Again, the more money and time one spends online, the better one's chances of getting the 1,000 bonus. Other regular promotions include free prize draw competitions and free tickets to live football and sporting events.

The Welcome Bonus at Club on the Park is a 100% Match Bonus up to 150 Free. Upon making a first deposit, the bonus money will appear as "pending" in one's account. After the amount of the bonus itself is wagered forty times over at games other than Baccarat, Roulette, Craps, Blackjack Switch and Sic Bo, the bonus money will be available for cashing out. If the 40x wager requirement is satisfied before the end of the month, a 100% Match Bonus will be available for the following month. In other words, the Welcome Bonus turns into a Monthly Reload Bonus.

Games & Payouts

As mentioned in the Software section of this online casino review, Club on the Park casino games are powered by Playtech. The downloadable suite of games include all standard card games such as Blackjack, Blackjack Surrender, Pontoon (all of which can be played at three-hand, five-hand, single player, multi-player and private group tables) Single-Deck Blackjack, Blackjack Switch, Progressive Blackjack, Baccarat, Casino War and Red Dog (all of which can be played at single, multi-player or private group tables). Joining a group table is simple. Simply select the corresponding game under the games menu, select Private Group and enter the name of the Group when prompted to do so. Other card games include Progressive Casino Stud Poker, Pai Gow, 3-Card Poker, Let Them Ride, Casino Hold'em and Tequila Poker.

Table games include Craps, Club Roulette, European Roulette, American Roulette and Sic Bo (all of which can be played at single, multi-player or private group tables except craps). Slot machines include classic single line, classic multi-line, multi-spin video and 5,8,9 and 20-line video slots. There is a large selection of video pokers including Aces and Faces, Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild (all of which are available as 4-line machines), Joker Poker, Mega Jacks, 10's or Better, 2 Ways Royal, 10-line Progressive Jacks or Better, 25-line Aces and Faces and 50-line Jacks or Better. There are also several arcade games to choose from (Playtech's lineup of arcade games is one of the best online), and sixteen progressive jackpot games, whose cumulating jackpots can be viewed in real-time while logged into the software platform.

As for payout percentages, Club on the Park is audited on a monthly basis by Technical Systems Testing, whose reports show average game payouts to be above 96%. It is understood that Club on the Park Casino payouts meet the minimum standards imposed by the Alderney Gambling Commission, and correspond to payouts equaling or better than regulated land-based casinos. Besides being done so in a random and unpredictable manner, overall and individual payouts meet monthly minimums. The Random Number Generator (RNG) imbedded in the software is what governs how winning hands and payouts are divulged. The RNG has been tested by Global Gaming Services (GGS) and deemed to be in proper functioning order. It is also consistently tested by Club on the Park management operations.

Online Cashier

Club on the Park uses the 800Pay System to conduct and process all financial transactions made through their online cashier. 800Pay is widely respected for their security protocols and proprietary software used to encode and protect all personal financial details. All financial processing is done in accordance with jurisdictional laws, which happens to be the highest standard used by international banking institutions. All deposits and winnings are backed in cash and are available for immediate withdrawal, pending identity verification measures and eWallet processing times.

Speaking of eWallets, Club on the Park accepts Neteller, FirePay, and Citadel for making deposits and receiving withdrawals. Also accepted are direct bank wire transfers, personal cheques and credit/debit cards. Initial registration of a payment method only takes a few minutes and consists of supplying all necessary eWallet/bank/card account information. Deposit minimums are 25 and deposit limits are 7,500 per day and 35,000 per week (higher VIP levels have higher limits). Making deposits and withdrawals is a simple process consisting of logging into the software platform, clicking on the Cashier button, choosing Deposit or Withdrawal, and entering a valid amount. Withdrawal amounts exceeding one's initial deposit will be received by cheque, while all others will take from one to five days to receive, depending on the payment method used. Neteller is one of the fastest and most widely used. As for the Club on the Park cashier, they certainly do their part to ensure payouts are speedily received.

Gaming Policies

Before the software download commences, all players must agree to a legally binding agreement with RIL Ltd. By clicking the "I Agree" button, players are agreeing to abide by the gaming policies, terms and conditions, casino house rules and private policy. While these terms and conditions have been verified by gaming authorities to be in accordance with regulatory standards, players are still advised to read them over for their own verification purposes. In terms of security policies, it should be known that RIL Ltd. is incorporated under the corporate laws of the United Kingdom and is fully licensed by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. In terms of legalities and warranties, all players must be no less than eighteen years of age, must not reside in a forbidden jurisdiction where online gambling is deemed illegal, must be using the software on their own behalf and not on the behalf of any professional engagement, and must not be diagnosed to be a compulsive gambler.

Casino Customer Service

An Instant Support Policy is in effect at Club on the Park Casino. We are pleased to report that after test-emailing Club on the Park Customer Support, our query was suitably and cheerfully answered in less than five hours. For questions regarding payouts and game fairness, players are encouraged to contact the Compliance Director at compliance@clubonthepark.com. All other queries can be sent to support@clubonthepark.com or telephoned at 0800 389 2768, which are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Awards

Club on the Park Casino uses award winning software powered by Playtech, which recently won a Bronze Award for GOM's Best Casino Software of 2006.

Visit Club on the Park Casino for more information.

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