Belle Rock Entertainment Sites...
Lucky Nugget
Online Casino
About |
Software
| Bonuses |
Games & Payouts |
Online Cashier
Gaming Policies |
Casino Customer Service |
Awards
About
Established in August of 1998,
Lucky Nugget
Casino is a member of Bell Rock Entertainment, which is owned and managed by the
Carmen Media Group and Stanworth Development Ltd. Formed in 2002 out of the UK
betting shop operator, The Demmy Group, Carmen Media has four generations of
experience (70 years) in the government regulated gambling industry. Since that
time, Gibraltar-based Carmen Media has acquired up several Microgaming online
gaming sites, which now includes a repertory of five online casinos, three poker
rooms and two sportsbooks all under the Belle Rock Entertainment brand.
Lucky
Nugget Casino legally operates online with a gaming license granted by the
Government of Gibraltar (one of the strictest licenses obtainable). In terms of
regulation standards, Lucky Nugget meets those of United Kingdom and European
Union standards. Monthly payout reviews are performed on the software platform
by world-renowned, third-party financial auditor and gaming systems specialist,
Price Waterhouse Coopers, and are published on Lucky Nugget's website for player
perusal.
Back to Top
Casino Software
The software platform at Lucky Nugget was developed by
Microgaming, and is the latest version of their VIPER series of realistic casino
games that can be played with real or unlimited practice money. Lucky Nugget
currently offers one-hundred-thirty games on this multilingual software platform
(English, Spanish, German or French), which can be played using Dollars, Pounds
or Euros. On the Lucky Nugget Website, players will find links to a full
download, as well as a Lite Casino Download only taking up 5.04 Megabytes of
computer space (this version is highly efficient with a 56K modem). Players can
also instantly access Microgaming games through the no-download Flash version
offering a wide selection of games and the same navigation features as the
downloadable version.
In terms of navigation features, the Microgaming platform
is quite user-friendly and efficient. In the main casino lobby, players have
access to the online cashier and banking options, published payout percentage
reports, customer service, game rules, bonus money account, auction points, comp
points account, transaction history (Cash Check), and game results history (Play
Check). There are several customizable controls which allow user's to mute
background music and sounds, increase playing speed, and open multiple gambling
windows. Overall, the interface for placing bets is simple to follow, and the
graphics are some of the best online.
Back to Top
Bonuses & Promotions
New account holders can start off with a
400% Bonus up to $200, which can be
claimed by filling out a short form of the Lucky Nugget Casino website within 72
hours of opening a real-money account and making a first-time minimum deposit of
$50. Players are advised to immediately open an Auction Points account after
making their first deposit, and claiming 500 free auction points. Auction points
are unique to Belle Rock Entertainment, and work in a similar way to cash back
points, which are also available at Lucky Nugget. For every ten credits of
real-money wagered, players will automatically earn cash back points and auction
points scaled to individual casino games. Ten credits at Poker, Sicbo, Slots,
Red Dog Poker, certain progressive games and scratch-off games will earn three
cash back credits and three auction points. Ten credits at Roulette, progressive
Roulette Royal, video slots, Casino War and Pai Gow Poker games will earn two
cash back credits and two auction points. Ten credits wagered at progressive
Jackpot Deuces Video Poker, progressive Triple 7's Blackjack, Video Poker,
Craps, Baccarat and Blackjack will earn one cash back point and one auction
point. 200 cash back points equate to a free casino credit, which are paid into
player accounts once every month.
As for the auction points, these also have a cash value, and can be used to
bid on a variety of items in online auctions similar to the setup of eBay. For
players who hold multiple accounts at Belle Rock casinos, be sure to link your
accounts together when logged into your auctions account, in order to maximize
your point earnings. Under the Auctions menu, simply click on the "Categories"
link to view the various items available for auction (DVD players, sporting
equipment, televisions etc.) and enter an amount of points you would like to
auction on a particular item. Each bidder has their own "Watchlist", which will
show all bidding activity on an item and when the auction for that item closes.
Auction points are updated in player accounts in real-time as one wagers, and
are available for bidding activity within 24 hours. The auctions at Lucky Nugget
are truly a unique promotion and a standout highlight at this Belle Rock
Entertainment online casino.
Back to Top
Games & Payouts
There are over 130 casino games available for download at
Lucky Nugget Casino. The progressive jackpots - being part of the Microgaming
network - are arguably the largest on the Web. At the time of this review, they
were nearing a combined total of $2.5 million, with King Cashalot slots up to
over a $1.25 million grand jackpot. Players can selectively choose from the main
lobby which games to specifically load after the software has been installed, as
well as all future games and upgrades. All card games are governed by randomized
card shuffling techniques, resulting in unbiased results and fair play. Since
there are no game previews at Lucky Nugget Casino, we recommend players to visit
River Belle Casino, where there are sharp screen shots on their homepage, as
well as small selection of instant, free games (roulette, blackjack, video poker
and slots) under the "Getting Started" menu. For players who are seriously
interested in opening an account, we recommend clicking on the "Get Started"
link and "Casino Options" from the dropdown menu, providing a few registration
details and accessing the instant Flash version (which practically offers the
entire suite of games).
Regarding payouts, they are above the minimum standards of UK
gambling regulations and the strict standards of the Gibraltar government. Lucky
Nugget advertises a 97.4% payout on their website, which means that 97.4% of all
wagers go back to players in the form of winnings. Upon inspecting average
payouts for all games during 2006, this number seems reasonable, although the
overall average for all games is more in the 96-97% range. Depending on the game
- slots, poker, table games - payouts will vary, resulting in an overall average
above 96%. This is better than most casinos online.
Back to Top
Online Cashier
All financial transactions
at Lucky Nugget Casino are handled by Proc-Cyber
Services, who is one of the internet's leading providers
of eCash merchant services. Using strict fraud
prevention and detection protocols, as well as 128-bit
data encryption, Proc-Cyber offers the safest possible
environment for making deposits and requesting
withdrawals at online casinos. Lucky Nugget's software
platform provides a direct link to Banking options and
first-hand help through the online cashier. New players
will be guided through the process of purchasing casino
credits, withdrawing winnings and checking transaction
histories.
Several trusted third party
accounting systems and eWallets are accepted by
Lucky
Nugget Casino and Proc-Cyber, including Money Bookers, Citadel, InstaCash, Neteller and Money Transfers for making
deposits, and PaySpark ATM/Internet, InstaDebit,
Automatic Clearing House (ACH), Click2Pay, FirePay,
eChecks and Neteller for making withdrawals, which are
usually processed within 24 hours of making requests and
received within 48 hours, depending on the exact
withdrawal method used. Lucky Nugget uses advanced fraud
detection and management software by Risk Sentinel,
which offers yet another protective means for the
players.
Back to Top
Gaming Policies
The Gaming Policies of Belle Rock Entertainment,
Carmen Media and Lucky Nugget Casino cover a broad range of issues concerning
player accounts and participation at Lucky Nugget Casino. Part of these policies
include responsible gaming guidelines as set forth by Carmen Media
(self-assessment tests are available), as well underage gaming guidelines, which
include the use of "VerifyMe" software that uses government-issued identity
checks and web-based signatures to verify age, which is a minimum of eighteen
years of age or the legal gambling age set forth by legalities in the player's
jurisdiction, whichever is greater.
The Terms and Conditions at Lucky Nugget Casino are
verified to be fair and in compliance with accepted gaming regulations imposed
by the government of Gibraltar. All conditions are posted on the
Lucky Nugget Casino Website, which in addition
to being posted on Belle Rock Entertainment's website, are the only binding
terms and conditions between the player and casino. All terms are grouped
amongst eight classifications. "Player Participation in the Casino" covers
participation, player warranties, account registration/exclusion/suspension and
consequences thereof, dormant accounts, money laundering, and publicity
conditions. Other terms and conditions fall under the "Service Agreement",
"Shared Environments", "Indemnity and Limitation of Liability", "Promotions and
Competitions", "Rules of Play", "Intellectual Property" and "General Terms",
which specifically address amendments to the T&C's, eligibility, severability,
non-waivers, third parties, assignment, whole agreement, interpretation, the
Gibraltar government, applicable law and jurisdiction, and limitation of player
actions.
Back to Top
Casino Customer Service
Belle Rock Gaming is well-known for
their friendly and responsive customer relations. As such, players should expect
nothing less than personal and cordial treatment at Lucky Nugget Casino. We have
yet to hear of foul treatment stemming from Lucky Nugget Casino. The support
center is operated by Forward Slash, who is a leading provider of outsourced
online customer services. Unlike many other outsourced customer service centers,
where employees often speak broken English and read words off of a computer
screen in robotic fashion, Forward Slash employs highly trained, intelligible
and experienced representatives. Technical and general support is available
through email, toll-free telephone and live chat 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Players also have access to a comprehensive "Getting Started" tutorial,
which provides information on Sign-up bonuses, software installation,
downloading new casino games, security features, account registration, logging
into the software platform, customer support, fair gaming and legalities.
Back to Top
Awards
Both Belle Rock Entertainment and
Microgaming Software have been given widespread recognition and praise by the
vast majority of the online gambling industry. Although not directly awarded
official honors, Lucky Nugget - being branded since 1998 - has assuredly
contributed to the reputations of Belle Rock and Microgaming.
Back to Top
Visit
Lucky Nugget
Casino for more information.
