A
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Any casinos in Sosua
V
Victim
Guest
I don't know about Sosua, but please read by messages on this websit 9/24/00 & 9/27/00. The best advice I can give you is PLEASE don't gamble in the Dominican Republic and especially at the CATALONIA HOTEL CASINO, where I lost a great deal of money, never realizing what was happening to me. These con-men travel around - they can't stay in any location too long or they would be arrested - they may be at the next casino you walk in to. Remember, the casino management is aware of these illegal rip-offs being conducted in their establishments and they receive a portion of the money brought in. It also stands to reason that the other "permanent" game tables are probably rigged against you, as well. Best advice - if you want to gamble - wait until you are out of the Dominican Republic.
T
Tom
Guest
I can't remember the name of the Casino just North of Downtown Sosua, but it is OK and has all the games. there is also Puerto Plata Beach Resort which is only 15 mins or so away. I would heed "Victims" advice and stay away from any promotional games
E
Eddy
Guest
Re: NO CRAPS
The Casino in Sosua is very "Mickey Mouse" No it has no Craps tables. I haven't been there for 2 years now. No craps no Eddy. Playa Dorada has several Casinos and I beleive all have tables. Lucky 7's to you.
Eddy
The Casino in Sosua is very "Mickey Mouse" No it has no Craps tables. I haven't been there for 2 years now. No craps no Eddy. Playa Dorada has several Casinos and I beleive all have tables. Lucky 7's to you.
Eddy
R
Roberto
Guest
Re: Any casinos in Sosua-To Victim
you wrote
I don't know about Sosua, but please read by messages on this websit 9/24/00 & 9/27/00. The best advice I can give you is PLEASE don't gamble in the Dominican Republic and especially at the CATALONIA HOTEL CASINO, where I lost a great deal of money, never realizing what was happening to me. These con-men travel around - they can't stay in any location too long or they would be arrested - they may be at the next casino you walk in to. Remember, the casino management is aware of these illegal rip-offs being conducted in their establishments and they receive a portion of the money brought in. It also stands to reason that the other "permanent" game tables are probably rigged against you, as well. Best advice - if you want to gamble - wait until you are out of the Dominican Republic.
I answer
if you have proof of what you are saying how come instant of start playing the Victim in this board you don't go to the Competent authorities to talk about this issue in A serious level ?
ore is it perhaps because there are some missing point that you are not sharing with us from you traumatic
Experience?
why don't you start in the begening
and how come you are allowing you self to generalezy don't you know that you could get in serious legal trouble for you accusations?
I will think about it if I would be you and if I have proof I will use them
Regards
Roberto
you wrote
I don't know about Sosua, but please read by messages on this websit 9/24/00 & 9/27/00. The best advice I can give you is PLEASE don't gamble in the Dominican Republic and especially at the CATALONIA HOTEL CASINO, where I lost a great deal of money, never realizing what was happening to me. These con-men travel around - they can't stay in any location too long or they would be arrested - they may be at the next casino you walk in to. Remember, the casino management is aware of these illegal rip-offs being conducted in their establishments and they receive a portion of the money brought in. It also stands to reason that the other "permanent" game tables are probably rigged against you, as well. Best advice - if you want to gamble - wait until you are out of the Dominican Republic.
I answer
if you have proof of what you are saying how come instant of start playing the Victim in this board you don't go to the Competent authorities to talk about this issue in A serious level ?
ore is it perhaps because there are some missing point that you are not sharing with us from you traumatic
Experience?
why don't you start in the begening
and how come you are allowing you self to generalezy don't you know that you could get in serious legal trouble for you accusations?
I will think about it if I would be you and if I have proof I will use them
Regards
Roberto
T
tgf
Guest
Re: On the light side.
An old friend of mine who has worked in the Gaming industry now for twenty years (dealer, box man, floor manager, etc.) has a standard joke. When asked, "what's the best bet in the house?," his reply is always "the exit sign." Another pearl of wisdom - never bet more than you can afford to lose. Obviously, they call it "gambling," not "winning," for a reason. He can quote the exact odds for every game and every play off the top of his head. The odds can be minimized, but they're always in the house's favor. If you can't afford it, don't do it! If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. These trite lines need to be remembered or "a fool and his money will soon be parted."
An old friend of mine who has worked in the Gaming industry now for twenty years (dealer, box man, floor manager, etc.) has a standard joke. When asked, "what's the best bet in the house?," his reply is always "the exit sign." Another pearl of wisdom - never bet more than you can afford to lose. Obviously, they call it "gambling," not "winning," for a reason. He can quote the exact odds for every game and every play off the top of his head. The odds can be minimized, but they're always in the house's favor. If you can't afford it, don't do it! If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. These trite lines need to be remembered or "a fool and his money will soon be parted."
S
Sarah
Guest
Re: Any casinos in Sosua-To Victim
Please check here: <A HREF="http://dominican-republic-news.com/board/index.cgi?read=37977">http://dominican-republic-news.com/board/index.cgi?read=37977</A>
Victim did give us a full account of what happened. What advise do you have for him?
Please check here: <A HREF="http://dominican-republic-news.com/board/index.cgi?read=37977">http://dominican-republic-news.com/board/index.cgi?read=37977</A>
Victim did give us a full account of what happened. What advise do you have for him?
T
Tom
Guest
Re: On the light side.
I have always done "well" gambling in the DR. Each casino "visit" is with the intent of winning only 3000 pesos to cover nightly activities. Playing blackjack I have yet to miss my "goal" The whole "secret" is to be able to quit when you are up a small amount, as time will eventually get you
I have always done "well" gambling in the DR. Each casino "visit" is with the intent of winning only 3000 pesos to cover nightly activities. Playing blackjack I have yet to miss my "goal" The whole "secret" is to be able to quit when you are up a small amount, as time will eventually get you
T
Tom
Guest
Roberto, these are true frauds
I ceratinly concur with "victim" about these isolated "con games" Super Keno, progressive roulette, they are all sucker games. If you stick to the basics, the gambling in the DR is basically equal to any other tourist destination, wit the exception of much lower limits.
Having a friend get suckered into "super keno" at Coral Hamaca, then to add insult to injury; being defrauded on his charge card, I echo that the se places are fraudulent and if there were any "proper authoritiesd" (Such as a gaming commission, Attorney general etc) compalinst would be lodged
I ceratinly concur with "victim" about these isolated "con games" Super Keno, progressive roulette, they are all sucker games. If you stick to the basics, the gambling in the DR is basically equal to any other tourist destination, wit the exception of much lower limits.
Having a friend get suckered into "super keno" at Coral Hamaca, then to add insult to injury; being defrauded on his charge card, I echo that the se places are fraudulent and if there were any "proper authoritiesd" (Such as a gaming commission, Attorney general etc) compalinst would be lodged
T
Tom
Guest
There's a nice little casino near playa chiquita just outside of town. I think it might be owned by the casa marina now. It has blackjack, caribbean poker, roulette, bingo and machines - no craps. I've been there many many times - won and lost. Just ask any motoconcho to take you to the casino and you'll get there in a few minutes.
As far as people saying don't gamble in the DR - they trippin. Go, gamble, have fun and don't be a sucka. Don't gamble what you can't afford to lose.
As far as people saying don't gamble in the DR - they trippin. Go, gamble, have fun and don't be a sucka. Don't gamble what you can't afford to lose.
V
Victim
Guest
Re: Any casinos in Sosua-To Victim
Answer to Roberto, from Victim. The reason I have not gone to any "competent authorities" in the DR is that I cannot find any. I have asked for the address to mail or email several times on this website and have not received any Dominican authority's addresses; therefore as of today, I have written to the President of the USA in a plea for help. This was definitely a traumatic experience - how else would you define it? I am a mother and grandmother (guess I was hiding this fact before), who was defrauded out of 1/2 of my annual income in the Catalonia Hotel's casino. Is that not traumatic enough for you? Read everything I wrote and all of the responses received before making judgements. Am I afraid of being sued because of the accusations I have made? I welcome the opportunity to defend these accusations. It would probably be the only way to contact or receive any type of reply from: Moments Notice.com (my web travel service), Apple Tours (the tour co. used by moments notice), The Catalonia Bavaro Resort Hotel in Punta Cana and last but not least - The Casino at the Catalonia Hotel.
Answer to Roberto, from Victim. The reason I have not gone to any "competent authorities" in the DR is that I cannot find any. I have asked for the address to mail or email several times on this website and have not received any Dominican authority's addresses; therefore as of today, I have written to the President of the USA in a plea for help. This was definitely a traumatic experience - how else would you define it? I am a mother and grandmother (guess I was hiding this fact before), who was defrauded out of 1/2 of my annual income in the Catalonia Hotel's casino. Is that not traumatic enough for you? Read everything I wrote and all of the responses received before making judgements. Am I afraid of being sued because of the accusations I have made? I welcome the opportunity to defend these accusations. It would probably be the only way to contact or receive any type of reply from: Moments Notice.com (my web travel service), Apple Tours (the tour co. used by moments notice), The Catalonia Bavaro Resort Hotel in Punta Cana and last but not least - The Casino at the Catalonia Hotel.
V
Victim
Guest
Roberto - What "competent authorities" do you recommend I contact? I have tried to find the addresses through this board and others, but there doesn't seem to be any. I have proof of my accusations, also through the replies I have received describing the identical con-men and game they use. Have I not been sharing the entire story? I failed to say that I am a mother and a grandmother who in two hours was defrauded of 1/2 my annual income in the Catalonia casino. Am I worried about being sued? I welcome the opportunity to finally be contacted by my travel service-Moments Notice.com, the tour co. they used-Apple Tours, The Catalonia Bavaro Resort Hotel, which houses this casino but denies any connection with it,although this hotel's guests are give "free money" to use at the casino and last-but-not least- The Catalonia Casino, who's manager, allows fraudulent games to be run under his nose and, I am sure, with his knowledge. Also, as of today, I have written to Bill Clinton, The President of the USA in the hope that my government will investigate this horror.Does this answer your questions?
W
William Leslie
Guest
I am sorry but any Mother & Grandmother who would venture to wager 1/2 HER ANNUAL INCOME on any casino or betting game must be completely and totally out of her mind. Were you suffering from Alzhiemers or something? If you do not know by now there is no guarantee to win anything when you gamble its a wonder you were not defrauded years ago for everything you own. PERSONS LIKE YOU ARE THE REASON CON MEN EXIST. FOR SHAME! Have your kids not told you not to bet more than you can afford to lose?
By the way do I have a deal for you...you can't lose..and if you put down 1/4 of your annual income you will be able to retire high on the hog within 10 days...guaranteed...but don't tell anybody else ok lets be greedy and keep it to ourselves. (By the way if you put down more you can really clean up)
By the way do I have a deal for you...you can't lose..and if you put down 1/4 of your annual income you will be able to retire high on the hog within 10 days...guaranteed...but don't tell anybody else ok lets be greedy and keep it to ourselves. (By the way if you put down more you can really clean up)
V
Victim
Guest
Mr. Leslie- All I can say to you is this. "Some day, somehow, when someone you care for has a terrible experience, I hope there are others around, other than you, that they can go to for help. You are a bastard.
J
Jim Hinsch
Guest
Re: Gambling victim
I feel bad for you. A similar thing happened to a friend of mine at the Hamaca Hotel. He lost US$8000 off his credit card in about 30 minutes. I was floored when I heard this. How could he lose so much so fast? Then he explained the game, and how he was led to believe he was almost a winner and coaxed to continue to hit it big. He did, and when he got in too deep, he felt and he had too much invested to quit and got in deeper. Then he hit the credit limit, and he was done. I don't wish this even on my enemies, but I don't call it fraud either. I really feel bad for you.
I've read all the messages. From what I can tell, you lost money gambling. The fact that the odds were not in your favor, or that somebody there explained it so that it seemed like your chances of winning big were good does not constitute fraud. The lottery does it all the time on the radio.
I understand that this game is progressive, in that you have to keep committing more and more money to stay in the game, else you lose everything you've bet so far and have to start over, kind of like a double or nothing bet, over and over again, hoping that you'll get to nothing before the debt doubles too high. Had you won, and they told you to just forget the whole game and call it even, would you have agreed?
Please explain the fraud that was committed so we can all understand how this was not a simple case of a person that lost a lot of money gambling. Perhaps it is not very "nice" for a resort to allow people to gamble since most will lose and it is not very "nice" for a resort to allow gambling where the odds are so poor and where the stakes can rise so fast.
Then again, perhaps resorts should not sell timeshares, charge walk-ups rack rates at triple what the tour-package guy paid, charge extra for the in-room safe when you are paying US$300 per night for the room, charge overly high fees for telephone calls, or make commissions off the tour packages sold at jacked-up rates.
They are after all a business and they are in business to make money. It is the old trade-off and never ending battle of freedom of choice vs. government controls and protection.
Were you lied to? Were you forced to continue the game? Did you agree to each bet? Please explain your position.
Jim Hinsch
JimHinsch@CSI.COM
I feel bad for you. A similar thing happened to a friend of mine at the Hamaca Hotel. He lost US$8000 off his credit card in about 30 minutes. I was floored when I heard this. How could he lose so much so fast? Then he explained the game, and how he was led to believe he was almost a winner and coaxed to continue to hit it big. He did, and when he got in too deep, he felt and he had too much invested to quit and got in deeper. Then he hit the credit limit, and he was done. I don't wish this even on my enemies, but I don't call it fraud either. I really feel bad for you.
I've read all the messages. From what I can tell, you lost money gambling. The fact that the odds were not in your favor, or that somebody there explained it so that it seemed like your chances of winning big were good does not constitute fraud. The lottery does it all the time on the radio.
I understand that this game is progressive, in that you have to keep committing more and more money to stay in the game, else you lose everything you've bet so far and have to start over, kind of like a double or nothing bet, over and over again, hoping that you'll get to nothing before the debt doubles too high. Had you won, and they told you to just forget the whole game and call it even, would you have agreed?
Please explain the fraud that was committed so we can all understand how this was not a simple case of a person that lost a lot of money gambling. Perhaps it is not very "nice" for a resort to allow people to gamble since most will lose and it is not very "nice" for a resort to allow gambling where the odds are so poor and where the stakes can rise so fast.
Then again, perhaps resorts should not sell timeshares, charge walk-ups rack rates at triple what the tour-package guy paid, charge extra for the in-room safe when you are paying US$300 per night for the room, charge overly high fees for telephone calls, or make commissions off the tour packages sold at jacked-up rates.
They are after all a business and they are in business to make money. It is the old trade-off and never ending battle of freedom of choice vs. government controls and protection.
Were you lied to? Were you forced to continue the game? Did you agree to each bet? Please explain your position.
Jim Hinsch
JimHinsch@CSI.COM
W
William Leslie
Guest
Thank you and good day to you too. I do feel sorry you lost your money but you totally lost it too. 10 years ago I lost my 25 years life savings and retirement pension in business which also is a gamble of coarse but at least it took a year to lose it to a cheating partner not the roll of a dice or throw of a few cards in a casino. I never did recover (mentally or financially) after putting such a lot of hard work and effort into the business & losing it ALL to someone I worked with. Maybe your way is better, it is easier to get it over with quickly at the casino without the sentimental feelings, attachments and hard work of a business. DOn't cry on our shoulders for losing 1/2 years wages YOU GOT GREEDY and thought you could take somebody elses money.
How can you possibly blame the casino for you losing on betting. They were doing their normal business...removing as much money as possible fromm the bettor. At your age you surely have heard about "if it sounds too good to be true etc" DO you know what the word betting means: to risk money that you have a HIGH chance of losing. You do not go to a casino to win money, you go to have fun and lose money you can afford to unless CHANCE happens to smile in your favor and you win a little which of coarse makes you want to do it again..GREED.
And if you did win..who were the poor shmucks that lost so you could win..the casino...NO WAY.. another bettor betting on a sure thing.
How can you possibly blame the casino for you losing on betting. They were doing their normal business...removing as much money as possible fromm the bettor. At your age you surely have heard about "if it sounds too good to be true etc" DO you know what the word betting means: to risk money that you have a HIGH chance of losing. You do not go to a casino to win money, you go to have fun and lose money you can afford to unless CHANCE happens to smile in your favor and you win a little which of coarse makes you want to do it again..GREED.
And if you did win..who were the poor shmucks that lost so you could win..the casino...NO WAY.. another bettor betting on a sure thing.
T
Tom
Guest
"Cheating in Casino"
In all fairness to those involved, there is no "gambling" in the Super Keno, progressive Roulette etc, they are scams.
You walk into a casino and are given a complimentary chip to (In the case of Super Keno) bet on drawing a ping pong ball from a hopper that supports the balls with a stream of air, much like a beano caller. After you start trying to fill your card (Either with a particular color or set of numbers) you must geometrically increase your bets as seemingly endless "double bet" balls are drawn. Amazingly enough, no matter how long you stay at the game, the ONE number or color you need can not be drawn ( I have watched it multiple times, to the point where Hamaca prohibited me form "Observing")
There are two Americans in tuxedos running the game, one seemingly doing little while the other is the pitch man. Once your established game is evident, the croupier that seems not to be involved, saunters over to your card and then to the back of the machine> Not knowing exactly what he does, I can't say without any doubt exactly what he does, but you draw your own conclusions from this: I watched 4 different players start out by drawing a "purple" ball, then they needed 4 more Purple to win. The next 2 draws were other colors, then 2 purple in a row. A few more odd colors, then another purple. Bear in mind there are only 6 colors available. Each time the player draws a ball that says (double)you must double your bet (Start out at $50, soon each bet is a $1000.00 or more and you "must" continue if you wish to win.)
The ODD fact is that fifth ball is unattainable even though it came up in disproportionate numbers earlier.
My opinion and observation: a weighted ball is used, the "odd" croupier ever so slightly slows the airflow and no ball bearing the purple marking ever raises high enough out of the hopper to be scooped.
I don't know how the Roulette works, but would assume there is a similar method.
When you run out of money, they happily take a credit card, ask if you want approximately 10 times your current bet, explaining you will only be charged as you bet, knowing full well that every player will exhaust their card in a futile attempt to recoup your losses as they cheat, yes cheat you.
I have gambled for over 25 years with moderate success, the casino will win in the long run but there is no need nor place for these "scams"
Don't you "non -believers think these games would be played in The US, England, Monaco, on Cruise Ships etc if they were honest? The Dominican casinos have all the other games with the same basic rules as the World over, with the exception of these "too good to be true" scams
Tom
In all fairness to those involved, there is no "gambling" in the Super Keno, progressive Roulette etc, they are scams.
You walk into a casino and are given a complimentary chip to (In the case of Super Keno) bet on drawing a ping pong ball from a hopper that supports the balls with a stream of air, much like a beano caller. After you start trying to fill your card (Either with a particular color or set of numbers) you must geometrically increase your bets as seemingly endless "double bet" balls are drawn. Amazingly enough, no matter how long you stay at the game, the ONE number or color you need can not be drawn ( I have watched it multiple times, to the point where Hamaca prohibited me form "Observing")
There are two Americans in tuxedos running the game, one seemingly doing little while the other is the pitch man. Once your established game is evident, the croupier that seems not to be involved, saunters over to your card and then to the back of the machine> Not knowing exactly what he does, I can't say without any doubt exactly what he does, but you draw your own conclusions from this: I watched 4 different players start out by drawing a "purple" ball, then they needed 4 more Purple to win. The next 2 draws were other colors, then 2 purple in a row. A few more odd colors, then another purple. Bear in mind there are only 6 colors available. Each time the player draws a ball that says (double)you must double your bet (Start out at $50, soon each bet is a $1000.00 or more and you "must" continue if you wish to win.)
The ODD fact is that fifth ball is unattainable even though it came up in disproportionate numbers earlier.
My opinion and observation: a weighted ball is used, the "odd" croupier ever so slightly slows the airflow and no ball bearing the purple marking ever raises high enough out of the hopper to be scooped.
I don't know how the Roulette works, but would assume there is a similar method.
When you run out of money, they happily take a credit card, ask if you want approximately 10 times your current bet, explaining you will only be charged as you bet, knowing full well that every player will exhaust their card in a futile attempt to recoup your losses as they cheat, yes cheat you.
I have gambled for over 25 years with moderate success, the casino will win in the long run but there is no need nor place for these "scams"
Don't you "non -believers think these games would be played in The US, England, Monaco, on Cruise Ships etc if they were honest? The Dominican casinos have all the other games with the same basic rules as the World over, with the exception of these "too good to be true" scams
Tom
J
Jim Hinsch
Guest
S
Sarah
Guest
OK Grandma, that wasn't very nice. And WL, let's all get on the same page. This woman has been victimized, even if she was naive in some respect, she didn't deserve to loose her money in the illegal manner that she did.
I'd like to know what the credit card company had to say?
I'd like to know what the credit card company had to say?
T
Tom
Guest
Re: "Cheating in Casino"
Jim
Fraud, cheating= both methods to make it impossible to acheive a stated goal. It happens, I have watched it happen, but don't know of any gaming commission to complain to
Tom
Jim
Fraud, cheating= both methods to make it impossible to acheive a stated goal. It happens, I have watched it happen, but don't know of any gaming commission to complain to
Tom