Java games have come a long way in the past year and CasinoDomain is a good example of what today's player can expect. Fast-loading, colorful games with good multi-media effects make this game package a great way to enjoy the pleasure of online play, without the pain of a lengthy download.

First thing you'll notice when you drop by CasinoDomain is that it looks different from other online casinos. It's a Java-based website from the beginning, filling your screen with black and placing their home page at the center. Credit the unique look and feel to Swedish software developer, Net Entertainment. CasinoDomain is the first online casino to license Net Entertainment's games and it's a nice break from the deja-vu that tends to dominate online casinos (see my article Haven't I seen these games before?).

From the intro screen you can choose from Video Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, Keno, Slots (Super Seven, US Slots, Gold Rush) and a couple of games I've never seen before, Two Dice and Horse Race. As I played through the games I was pleasantly surprised to see that the software developers had taken the time to make each game distinct, not just a rehash of what's already out there. For example, the US Slots have nice big wheels, occupying almost half the screen width. In Roulette, the table is nice and big and offers some unique options for managing your bets, including a display of each bet's payoff as you hover the mouse over it.

The one-of-a-kind approach is especially evident in Two Dice and Horse Race. In Two Dice, you place your bet each round and are paid off if the dice come up pairs: a pair of 6's pays 21:1, 3's pay 8:1, and anything else pays 2:1. It's a fast little game with unusual animations to keep it visually interesting. Horse Race is probably my favorite: 6 tracks, the odds are posted for each, bet on any or all and off they go! Little animated horses run across your screen heading for the finish line. It's a fun game, and addictive. According to CasinoDomain, the pay-back on Two Dice and Horse Race is about 92%.

Net Entertainment's involvement brings a measure of credibility to CasinoDomain, so I wasn't afraid to pull out my credit card and make a deposit. Net Entertainment is a joint venture between one of Northern Europe's largest media groups, Kinnevik, and Cherryföretagen, one of Scandinavia's leading gaming enterprises. Cherryföretagen has 220 land-based casino licenses. Both Kinnevik and Cherryföretagen are quoted on the stock exchanges in Sweden.

You can read more about Net Entertainment in our article Gambling Goes Wireless.

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