transfer cash from their bank account or debit card into an online casino wallet, the transfer typically takes up to three days. Transferring funds to the Palms’ player loyalty card system, however, is immediate, with play using the card transferable between land-based and online gaming, with both environments accruing loyalty reward points for the customer.
It’s a popular system, especially as the loyalty system rewards players with Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels of bonus rewards depending on their status. Palms Bet Casino Manager, Nikolay Atanasov, explains that over 70 per cent of play within the location is carded. “Players transfer money to their loyalty card to play here in the casino and when they leave, they transfer the money online so that they can play at home,” says Mr. Atanasov. Online players are incentivised with increased bonus rewards for online play, though to spend the rewards they need to visit a land-based location to participate in raffles and promotions for prizes.
Again, EGT and Casino Technology machines dominate the new location, with the Palms Bet Casino just over 12 months old. Te décor is colourful, though subdued in comparison to the Merkur Palms Casino and is reflective of the
neighbourhood, which feels less welcoming and we’re advised against visiting the adjacent gaming halls and are whisked away instead to the Royale Palms Casino.
A modern build at just two years old, the Royale Palms Casino resides within the five star Hotel Anel on the outskirts of the old city and is the second largest casino in Sofia. Te casino houses 110 slots and 19 live gaming tables with a large poker room and VIP area on the first floor. Te casino offers 16 ETGs with the Casino Director, Rudi Bakov, explaining that the most popular games currently on the floor of the Royale Palms Casino are Ultimate Poker, Russian Poker and Nova Poker, describing the games as having a low percentage hold for the house, making them the most interesting for the players.
“We have been very successful with the latest ARCH gaming machines from Casino Technology,” states Mr. Bakov. “Many of the latest VIP slots from gaming manufacturers have left our players a little ‘overwhelmed,’ but the ARCH is a show-piece without the intimidation factor. Sofia is not a tourist market, so our location is much more a ‘neighbourhood’ casino, with regular customers who can easily switch from one casino to another if our service
falls below their expectations.”
Te Royale Palms Casino offers its VIP members a Privilege Club, including a 24hr VIP service for guests requiring reservations, accommodation, special requirements and tickets for shows etc. During our visit the casino was preparing for a Miss Royale Palms event that would feature a 30 metre catwalk through the centre of the casino to accommodate the local models. Te casino originally featured a stage for live entertainment and events, but ultimately this was removed to add more gaming machines.
Te Royale Palms was the first casino in Bulgaria to install the new EZ Module slot machine from Casino Technology, which is configurable by the casino and adjustable by the customer for added comfort during play. Te casino also features the latest products from IGT and Aristocrat, with Mr. Bakov reinforcing the fact that the Bulgarian slots market demands variety.
“Megajack is stil popular, with the latest jackpot systems extending the life of the game as players now contribute to the progressive jackpot that covers the whole casino,” describes Mr. Bakov. “Average slot game times have fallen
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