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On May 19th my wife and I flew from Philadelphia to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. We were going to a friend’s wedding. The resort was the RIU Palace Punta Cana. This is advertised as a 5 star, all-inclusive resort. I booked the trip through Liberty Travel. After dinner on Wednesday night a group of guests decided to go over to the casino. The Casino was located within the hotel connected to our resort. It was inside the RIU Palace Macao. The casino is listed on the RIU website and on all the resort pamphlets. There are no disclaimers that the hotel does not own the casino.
When we entered the Casino a young woman greeted us at the door and said that they had a new game in the casino and gave us each a $5 chip to play the game. The dealer explained that the game was easy and if we began to play he would show us how to play. I played the game by throwing a cup full of seven red balls into a wooden wheel similar to roulette. As the balls dropped in to the various numbered holes the dealer would spin the wheel towards himself so that he could quickly count the total. I did not question this since in the beginning of the game I was winning a large amount of the time. As I later found out this is a key part of the scam. Why would anyone question a winning spin?
The goal of the game is to accumulate 100 points to win the jackpot. I quickly accumulated 99 points. Now that I was only 1 point away, the only number totals I got were the ones that doubled the amount of the next bet and jackpot. At this time the dealer slows down and shows you how the balls fell into holes that total the number that does not win any points but doubles the bet and jackpot. Since I’ve already gotten 99 points so quickly the thinking is that it would be easy to get just one more point. The dealer is cheering for you saying that someone just won a huge jackpot last week and he hopes that you will tip him when you win. He says that the only way the house wins is if you can’t make the next bet. Since the bet and the jackpot have been doubled many times at this point it was a 10, 000 bet to win 400, 000. The scam is that I was never getting any of the red balls into numbered holes that would total a number that gave points to me.
As I checked online I found many similar stories of people being scammed. I felt comfortable using the Hotel casino where I was staying. It is a International corporation and it was a five star resort. As it turns out there is no casino oversight and enforcement in the Dominican Republic.
The casino manager never explained that the credit card was being used as a cash advance. They also never explained that they were charging larges fees on top of the cash advance. They charged two different credit cards for a total of $33, 000.
Once went online and discovered how many people had experienced the same scam I tried to contact the hotel manger of both the RIU Palace Punta Cana and RIU Palace Macao. I left several messages and neither returned my calls or answered the phone when I called. The casino manger never returned my call either.
I contacted a customer service number for RIU Resorts. The person who answered the phone was in Mexico. They said they had no names or phone numbers of anyone I could speak to in regards to this problem. They offered me an email address. I sent an email and after a week of not getting a response I called the customer service number again. I explained that I needed a response and was given more email addresses. I got a response that told me it would be four weeks to hear back after they investigate my issue.
I called my Bank of America mastercard the next day to tell them to dispute the charges. they said that since I willingly gave the card that there was nothing they could do. I asked them to send me a dispute form anyway, which I have never received.
Riu resorts is a filthy rip off. the casino is a scam!
Riu Palace is the worst. They are dirty and will rip you off.
lost $12000 on the exact same scam at the dreams casino. No answer from the hotel manager at rio. The dealer will not let you see the numbers because he is inflating them in the begining. He makes you feel at ease because points come so easy.
As he takes you to within a point of your total, he suddenly slows down and lets you count with him. At this point you are unable to even get a point.
I am surprised sunwing and rio bamboo would allow their client to be robbed so easy.
I know of this game te scam is not about what you think, i had the same thing happen to me, I was given promo chips and brought to some table, the trick is you will end up either spending more than the jackpot or not having access to enough money to win. I was down 16, 000 and they wanted to collect before I could continue. Well they collected the 16k and I was out of money! And they where going to close my game out after I had lost everything, however my wife put out her MasterCard with a 60k limit, we rolled maybe 10 more times an won a jackpot of 51000.00 dollars! The game isn't the trick here it's the money. If you play you. Best be prepaid, I it wasn't for the MasterCard we would have lost 16, 000.00 ! Beware
I just fell victim to the exact same scam at the Riu Macao Casino in Punta Cana and lost $5500. Be very aware and do not accept the free chips as they will suck you in.
We just got back and fell victim as well. We lost $1200.00 in 15 minutes..what a scam..They should be ashamed of themselves...I did not expect this from Riu.. There are enough victims that we should be able to sue them as a whole...I will try to dispute whatever I charged.
Has anyone here been scammed at the Riu Palace Punta Cana
Casino?
You guys have willingly given money to casinos...thousands of dollars. wouldn't you rather invest in a startup? At Devinx, we have several startups in need of funding...since you like gambling, wqhy not gamble and maybe the startup goes ahead and not only makes you your money back, but it may actually make you a decent profit.
Email emanuel@devinx.com to find out more.
Cheers.
There is one big winner here and no complaint. Greed drove the rest of the players. They play a high risk game and lose. What, s the complaint?
I have been reading about this casino scam on the internet for about 3 months prior to my vacation. They lure you in through a casino 'promotion' with $20 in free play. Once you get lured in they have you throw 8 balls into a roulette and the dealer acts so surprised and tells you that you are so close to the jackpot. They then ask for a credit card so you can continue rolling but your bets keep doubling. The game is nearly impossible to win and there are stories of people loosing up to $40, 000! The casino says that they aren't involved with the game and that it is a private table that rents out space. This is a true scam by real con artists. I have attached a picture of the game, read the rules carefully. The game is very attractive by instinct but it is a scam. If you try to watch players play in the casino security will approach you and say this is a private table so you cant see the people loosing their life savings.
All these stories sound like mine coincidence think not my wife and I got to 49 pretty quick and our jack pot also grew as did our bet . Jack pot is at 100, 000 and each bet is 2500 amazing how a 20$ bet grew to 2500$ the house was honest about them saying that most don't have the funds to continue to play and want you to cash out or should I say DEBT OUT .YOU can win if you have deep pockets and that last point you need to make 50 to win well lets just say it won't happen here what was supposed to be a nice vacation will be thanks to our friends and a very understanding wife . We work hard for our money and I've got no one to blame but myself . Was looking to have some fun and maybe win a little or loose a little won't say how much because I'm embarrassed that I was that naive. Talk about a mood killer between me and the wife I feel like Woody Harelson in Indecent Proposal hopefully you'll read this before you get reeled in this scam lile a fish BEWARE of this you've been warned at the expense of my self and others I think I'll try BINGO if I want to loose money at a slower pace
The scam part of it all is, the dealer is making numbers up in the beginning. While you roll he pretends to count the numbers really fast. But he knows what he wants you to hit to suck you in. By the time you catch up and your close to winning the jackpot he counts the real numbers. Over whelming majority fall between 26-40, with really only 3 chances to score between those numbers with the three highest being double jackpot/bets. By the time you catch on to what's happening you're already in for a few thousand. I lost 100 but quickly caught on to the dealer counting and made him count with me.
My Husband got influenced by those two actors who made him feel that he is exceptionally winning . After losing all cash, he was on 97points so he continue wining, He lost 26.000$ in the game, 6.5000$ was by wire transfer which were canceled the next day but the rest was not. The guy was counting wrong from the beginning, my husband was getting all the points so he didn't suspect he could lose. Please help, We are looking for any information of how get our money back. [email removed]
Wow I wish I would have read these comments way before I played this stupid game. They sucked me & mom in after we were playing blackjack. We lost $2, 000 on this game and that was a lot to us because that's all we took to enjoy ourselves and didn't have enough money to go shopping and we call ourselves professional gamblers. We got got! STAY AWAY FROM THIS GAME THEY CALL NEW! THEY WILL SAY SOMEONE JUST WON 10K LAST NIGHT IT'S A LIE!
To all who also lost thousands, I plan to pursue some remedies that will force them to return the money they scammed people out of plus permanently remove this “game” from their casinos!
If interested in joining me, please reply to this and give me a way to contact you.
T
I’ll join in
Hello, I'm Mike in Dallas and I fell for the same scam just last week.
My story's about the same as the rest; I was at 99 points in no time and sooo close to winning $200, 000+.
I lost over $6, 000 and felt like the biggest fool on the island after reading the reviews.
How the heck did Funjet not warn me?
How does Riu allow this under their roof?
My bank, Chase, swatted away the charge dispute once I told them I knowingly handed the "casino" my card.
My beef isn't with Chase but with this casino, its operators, Riu, and Funjet to a lesser extent for the lack of heads-up.
I doubt I'll ever see a nickel of that money back, but if there's a way to shut down that operation I'd be glad to help if I could.
My email is m_snuffer@yahoo.com
Thank you!
We are here right now and had the EXACT same experience! I mean play by play. Has anything come of your actions? I’m to interested in pursuing, if possible.
We were scammed just last night at Riu Palace. Wish I had read these posts prior. We experienced all the same issues with this game. I am happy to join your crusade
email: dbsister7@comcast.net
Any luck with this? I was a victim last night of this scam and just noticed this morning these articles.
My email is atltripleo@yahoo.com
I'm interested.
atltripleo@yahoo.com
I am at the hotel right now and I fell for the exact same scam as you all explain it. I lost $13, 000.
My whole trip was ruined. I went to the hotel managers office and forced him to set up an appointment for me to meet with the owner of the casino. He set it up but of course the thief never showed up.
I was losing nearly $100, 000, but wanted to keep going because I was so close to the jackpot. When I finally figured out what was happening, I faked a heart attack. they quickly returned my credit cards, returned every paper i signed and the $200 in cash that I began with,
Hello everyone I never say what I win but I played that game and won a lot of money, and two of my friends too, excellent attention from the new management.
We too were scammed from this Casino in the exact same manner as you all have described. Please if anyone can help us get pur money back or hold the Casino accountable please contact us.
Mjkotek@yahoo.com
Hi. Iwas in the casino Last month. Began bad wey at roulet table. And went to the sicbo table and hit the Jackpot. My vacation were free.
Thanks to the casino!
Hi, i was there 2 mouth ago and I loved the casino for having a wide variety of games like sicbo, it's entertaining and easy to win, also blackjack and roulette, it's quite nice and the casino crew is quite attentive
I loved the hotel and casino, it was great, it has a lot of fun games like black jack, roulette, sicbo and above all, the attention of Julio, the casino pitboss, I would come back again, very happy
I loved the hotel and the casino and even more the treatment of the employees, I had a wonderful time I was very lucky with the blackjack, and I wanted to return
Hello everyone, my name is Myke evans, and I feel the need to write about my experience during my vacation in December at the Palace Bavaro hotel with my family.
I can see that only those who lose comment, because I won a lot, obviously I will not say the amount, I made my 100 point and I was paid all my money, I have photos and video of that great day.
In summary, excellent hotel, excellent casino service and more than ever I play but it was my lucky day
I entered the hotel and I had no complaints, I stayed at the riu bambu, I find that it is a bit far from the casino, but they have transportation and they took you free and fast.
inside they have a wide variety of games such as blackjack, sicbo and various poker tables
I am a faithful lover of the Riu hotel chains and especially in Punta Cana, and I want to highlight the management of the Diamond Casino, which is very gratifying to see and meet the dealers and supervisors by name, and that speaks of the good service they provide. and one of my relatives who played sicbo for the first time, and won a lot of money that paid us all vacations
Riu punta cana see you next year.
My name is Lewis Phillips, I want to congratulate the good service of the Riu casino, which made my vacation well enjoyed, especially the very friendly hostess who greeted me at the door and through her I was able to play where at first because I didn't know the I was incredulous in the game but the result of making 100 points and winning a lot of money was spectacular
When I return to Riu, my first visit will definitely be in the casino
I was scammed the exact same why.
I posted their names on this site and they reached out. the one guy was from Vegas.
I have been staying at the Riu Macao hotel since last week, and I loved the casino, it is very beautiful and above all it is very fun, time flies and without realizing it, playing Sicbo I even reached 100 points.
but the only thing I didn't like is that inside the casino there is almost no signal
Punta Cana has become my favorite destination because of the wonderful Riu Palace Bavaro hotel, and even more so with the incredible casino where they took me from the hotel.
even the first time I went I reached the maximum score of 100 points in an interesting game called sicbo
I loved the casino, it has a very interesting game called sicbo where I win more than 5,000us, but one of the things I didn't like is that it closes TOO EARLY AT 2AM. No casino closes that early, I lost 2,000us on roulette and I wanted to continue playing and I couldn't because they were already closing.
they should change that
I arrived at the hotel after it reopened, I am a frequent guest of Riu hotels, I come every year with my husband, I loved how the casino turned out, it is beautiful and above all we like to play sicbo, we reached 100 points and we We have almost 4,000us. WE WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR!
beaty , pretty and cozy,is one of my favorite casinos in DR!
I love spending my Christmas in the Dominican Republic and one of my favorite places is at the Riu hotels. And above all I spend the nights at the casino playing sicbo, the only problem for me is they are closing too early
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hotel. Despite its size, the RIU casino proved to be a hidden gem of entertainment. The poker tables and roulette added a thrilling atmosphere, making it a night to remember. The drinks and the hotel buffet were also excellent.
Incredible night of gaming at the RIU casino in the Dominican Republic. Despite their size, roulette and blackjack offer high-quality fun. An experience that I will repeat!
Unforgettable nights of gaming at the RIU casino. Although compact, options like Sicbo and blackjack offer a unique experience. I made money and had a lot of fun!
I didn't expect to win so much money playing Sicbo! The casino at RIU pleasantly surprised me. An experience that I will definitely repeat!
but I didn't like the hotel very much due to the poor cleaning service
The casino at RIU is small but full of surprises. The blackjack and roulette tables made my night unforgettable. I won more than I imagined!
And I loved the hotel, the attention of the staff.
something I didn't like was THAT IT WAS VERY COLD the AC in the place was at max power all the night, it's unnecessary but completely loved the atmosphere of the casino at RIU, although I admit I was hoping for a slightly larger place. Still, fun is guaranteed. But I lost 350 dollars in blackjack and then I went to Sicbo and completed the 100 points and won 1,600 dollars.
The RIU casino may be small in size, but it's packed with surprises. The thrill of the blackjack and roulette tables made my evening unforgettable, exceeding my expectations with the winnings! The hotel itself was fantastic, with attentive staff adding to the experience.
One drawback was the excessive cold; the AC blasted at full power throughout the night, which felt unnecessary. However, despite this, I thoroughly enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere of the RIU casino. While I had hoped for a slightly larger space, the guarantee of fun remained intact. Despite losing $450 at blackjack, a stroke of luck at Sicbo turned things around as I hit 100 points and walked away with a whopping $2,000
Although the RIU casino provided an unforgettable evening with thrilling blackjack and roulette tables, the excessive cold due to the AC at max power all night was a notable downside. Nonetheless, the vibrant atmosphere compensated for this inconvenience. While I wished for a larger space, the guarantee of fun remained. Despite losing $350 at blackjack, luck turned in my favor at Sicbo as I hit 100 points, The attentive staff at the hotel added to the fantastic experience, making my stay enjoyable despite the minor discomfort