Archive for February, 2010

The Advantages Of Online Gambling Casinos

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Online gambling sites have been around for the past eleven years, but have only recently become one of the more favorable forms of online pastimes. Online gambling sites are operated by both public and private corporations, and it can be clearly stated that the industry has flourished and will continue to do so. Due to the ever increasing technology individuals are receiving better and better graphics over time which gives them the feeling as though they are actually present in a casino. However, as with everything else there are advantages and disadvantages for online gambling sites however I am going to highlight the advantages, since when we hear the word gambling all we think about is negative things.

The number one advantage of online gambling sites is it is convenient. For those individuals who enjoy gambling, online casinos have given them easier and quicker access to their favourite pastime. These online casinos have just about anything a normal casino would have; therefore you could cut back on cost on not having to spend a lot of money traveling just to enjoy gambling. The second greatest advantage of online gambling websites is they provide great customer support teams. You should be able to get 24 hour assistance, and in addition to which you would be able to conduct a live chat, email or make a phone call, all of these options should be free of charge. There is also a section present at the site called the ‘FAQ’ or Frequently Asked Questions list that allows you to get instant answers to most of your questions.

A third advantage of online gambling sites is the wide variety of games which are made available to you. Any single casino game you can think about you would be able to find at these online casinos, therefore all you need to do is choose which ones you like best. A fourth advantage of online gambling sites is the bonuses which they offer. Bonuses are a way in which these online casinos attract and keep their customers therefore there are many different types of bonuses such as welcome bonuses, bonuses for making deposits into your account or even bonuses for playing often. Keep in mind though that some of these programs may work automatic, whereas others might need a specific coupon code or referral to activate them.

The fifth greatest advantage of online gambling sites is probably the most favorite among players; you have access to practice play. This option is really great for novice players as they would not lose any money by trying to learn how to play the game. Some online gambling sites have their own tutorials and even classes which you can access to learn how o play the game as well as perfect your skills. A sixth advantage of online gambling sites is global access. You can be just about anywhere in the world and once you have access to a computer with a high speed internet connection you are well on your way to enjoying online gambling at your favorite online casino. Remember online casinos were provided with the intention of providing players with a way faster and easy way to get to their favorite pastime why not check out one today, you won’t know what you are missing out on until you have tried it.

Sarah Harrigan is a professional casino player and reviewer. For straight talking honest advice on playing casino games online be sure to visit her website for comprehensive reviews on the best UK online casinos and winning casino strategies.

US Prohibition Serving Online Gambling’s Best Interests

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

In case you’re wondering just how fair online casinos are, consider for a moment how much web-based gaming operators invest in keeping their games legit. While independent auditing firms are one way of determining the level of an operation’s “fair-gaming practices” such as random number generators, another telltale is an online casino’s customer support department. Simply put; the larger and more efficient a customer service department is, the more an organization has invested in keeping their players satisfied and coming back for more. Player retention in the online casino game is key.

Dr. Dice’s advice? Self-regulate

In the absence of any national or international regulations policing online gaming, it is in the vital interest of online gaming operators to regulate themselves, and universally. Indeed this is currently being done as more and more sites purport to act as independent watchdogs, albeit often misleadingly. Though in fact most are just casino affiliates posing as policemen, this trend will ultimately result in more independent and reliable regulatory websites.

Number ones and total zeros

Our new and fantastic age of digital technology presents infinite possibilities never before imagined, and in all spheres of life including gambling over the Internet. And while it’s perfectly natural that online gambling websites are, for the most part, modeled after their predecessors – brick and mortar casinos – with such high stakes up for grabs and unyielding growth in competition, good old mommy of invention will naturally find her way into the laptops of those more original-thinking online gaming developers out there. What’s missing at this juncture, however, is initiative and innovative thinking. At some point in time online casinos will have to brand themselves not as virtual Vegas’ or Monte Carlos, but by sporting themes similar to those in perhaps online video games, which is already starting to take root. The sky, virtual or real, has no limits

UIGEA is good for business

What the US anti-online gambling law is doing in effect is forcing greater global competition among those gaming companies vying for new and larger market shares. In order to prevail in these new markets, casino site operators are scrambling for alternate means of winning the public’s confidence, and in this digital age, there’s no doubt democratic methods can be laid down and enforced far better than any government, especially those staffed by professional politicians. Those ubiquitous gambling blogs and forums are already forcing online casino operators to either get their houses in order or make way for the new kids on the cyber gaming block. Public opinion, in more than just the gambling biz, is fast shaping our future ways of life.

The bottom line is…

Instilling and maintaining higher-than-average player confidence remains a paramount concern for any online gambling venue betting on becoming a leader, let alone merely succeeding. Aside from absolute greed and shortsighted business sense, there’s absolutely no excuse for gaming firms to fail to play by the rules already accepted as industry standards. For instance, plenty of online casino sites provide visitors with access to their payout rates, that is, how much the establishment pays out in winnings. These rates typically range, depending on the games of course, between 93% and upwards. It’s no secret that online casinos promise better payout rates than land-casinos. After all, web-based companies enjoy significantly lower operating expenses.

Roger is an award-winning online casino games reporter and avid player credited with identifying the best online casinos.

The Birth of Online Gambling

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

 

The Birth of Online Gambling

Part 1.

By Calida Gaming.com

September 2008

 

Online Casino’s have been around since 1994, in the early days it would be fair to say it was a bit like the wild west.

Whilst there were certainly many good operators out there, there were almost as many bad ones. Many people in these pioneer days saw it as an opportunity to take peoples money and simply close up shop and run away.

This presented problems for all those in the industry that were trying to drag it towards credibility.

Being one of those original Pioneers we had to find a way to convince the public that we were of substance and were trustworthy, simply stating this in the “about us” section is not really good enough. Our approach was to use our history as our bond, having operated bricks and mortar Betting shops in the UK for many years and myself being a fourth generation Bookmaker.

This approach was also used by all the main high street Betting shop operators and proved a very solid foundation to build credibility.

This was however just the start, it was fine to be able to prove that you were from a trustworthy and credible background but we knew that everything we did from that day on would be how people judged us.

Of the big hurdles to get over, one of the biggest was the matter of software. Now it may seem simple 14 years later but in the early days, even up to 2000 it was not. Could we walk into PC World and ask for the Online Gaming Software section? No obviously we could not. So the next choice is to buy a custom built package or build one yourself.

The existing custom built packages at the time were very basic and as the industry was still so new, they were biased very much towards the designers opinion of what the online gaming public would want. This ranged from software designed by professional punters that was so complicated it was unusable to the general public, to software that had been designed solely by computer developers that required a Degree in computer science to place a single bet.

 

So many of us took the path of building our own, sounds simple right? Wrong.

In a planning session with gaming staff and IT developers it does sound easy and we all fell into the trap of believing what was said when developers promised the world. The simple truth however is that with the best intentions the technology simply was not ready for the revolution we were attempting to make. It seems so obvious now in hindsight but that’s the way it always is.

So, we have a credible name, good solid plans of what we want and software that almost does it all. This in itself was quite an achievement in those days, add to this the fact that we were also taking the company public with an IPO on the London AIM market and that we made it through with our sanity mostly in tact is a miracle.

The IPO was scrapped as the Dot Com bubble burst right above our heads. Although we were frustrated by all the work that had gone into the IPO, the endless projections, the road shows with institutional investors, what it did for us was force us to have a very clear well planned out strategy.

Once the development is done and the software live (this was the first time I had heard the term “software version release 1”) we thought the hard work was over and it would be plain sailing from now on. Software is a funny creature that has a life all of its own, happily working 100% and then simply deciding it does not like Tuesdays so wont play today. Sitting here writing this and indeed chatting with other people from this time period it seems such an innocent problem, we are reputable people, our intentions are good and pure, we made our own software so we could give our customer the things we think he would want but its not quite working today…..

This was in fact a MONUMENTAL problem. You see Mr Joe Public who has somehow managed to find our site, in itself an achievement in the days of slow dial up Internet accounts and walled gardens such as AOL may have managed to sign up for an account, may have managed to get as far as making a deposit and now his tip of the week is about to run at Ascot and guess what?? He cannot log in.

Had this been in a UK Betting shop, we would at the very least be able to have a face to face conversation, our staff in the shops would always have a very good working relationship with all our customers. They would get an explanation about whatever technical fault had caused their problem and because they knew our staff and us, had a physical connection with us that would be that.

Online operations are somewhat different, how many people have been frustrated that they have an issue and all they can find is an email submission form??

How did we solve this??

This article is part of a series written to show today’s players where the industry came from and what day to day issues today’s online Casino, Bingo and Poker operators face.

For further parts of this story by the Author please visit  Calida Gaming

 

Tim has inherited a savoir faire from his grandfather in the bookmaking and gambling industry. Having a wealth of knowledge of four generations who worked in the industry he was determined to make his mark. During the last 15 years Tim has been responsible for the operation and running of several large UK gambling businesses. As Chairman of the Carmen Media Group Tim was also responsible for the setup and launch of the Carmen Media Group in Gibraltar, having first applied for the Gibraltar Gaming Licence in 1999. He continues to lead the Group in its mission to be the industry leader.

Online Casino Gambling Has Become Very Popular

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The biggest advantage of these online casino gambling sites is that is that you need travel a long distance to entertain yourself. Now, you can play the casino games by sitting in your home using your own personal computer.

If you are intending to try your luck in these online casinos gambling websites then it is necessary that you should visit the best online casino site available on the internet. There are thousands of online casino gambling websites and one should do proper research before deciding to play at a particular casino website

While on the look out of a good casino site, look at the Casino Payout Percentages offered by the site to check whether they are independently audited. The payout reports of the casino website will help you understand the casinos long term payouts. The best online casinos also offer a variety of payment deposit and withdrawal options. It is very important, that you read the bonus and promotion terms and conditions before playing at a particular online casino

Casino Titan is the perfect place if you’re looking for some great fun from the comforts of your home. It is a great online casino site offering many exciting games to you. Casino Titan has quickly proven to be the place where dedicated players go to play for the big bucks.

Casino Titan affiliates earn up to 35% revenue share and also get the highest converting gaming sites within the online casino e-gaming industry. Our affiliate program will have you earning maximum commissions while providing quick, accurate and automated payouts. So Sign Up and Start Earning now.

Casino Titan has a good selection of convenient deposit and withdrawal options. A few of the options include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, UseMyWallet/QuickTender, eWalletXpress, EcoCard, NETeller, Moneybookers, and Click2Pay.

 

Casino Titan is owned by Sonsorol N.V. A group of casino experts in the online casino industry. We are fully licensed online casino, regulated by the country of Netherlands Antilles. We adhere to strict code of conduct and our high level of integrity has earned us the trust and loyalty of our numerous clients.

Advantages of Playing Video Slots

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Video slots are becoming highly popular in the present times, with the old types of conventional slot machines being upgraded as online video slots. The advantage is that these video slots could be played from anywhere and at any time. Even though the online slots are somewhat similar in operation to the traditional slots where the handle is pulled to make three in a row, the video slots are much easier to play and provide lot of fun.

Previously the slot games were limited only to casinos and luxury yacht cruises. However, the Internet had made it possible for people to play this popular game from the comforts of their homes, in whichever corner of the world the live. The online video slots had been designed with stunning graphics and several winning combinations that create a terrific impression on the player. Since the video slots come in several types, you would be able to choose the video slot that suits your taste and talent. All these technical improvements help people play the online video slots with the least discomfort and have an enjoyable time whenever they are free of career or household work.

Another advantage with video slots is that many providers of such video slots offer lucrative and generous bonuses, along with additional cash awards for more time spent on playing these video slots. As such, the chances of earning more money are higher in the case of video slots, compared to the conventional slots. For most of the online video slots on the Internet, registration is free and a new player sign up bonus is offered. Moreover, you could even play some of the video slot games free of cost in several sites.

The video slots vary widely and you would be able to win anything like a few cents or even millions of dollars. The biggest money making opportunities exist in progressive jackpot slots. In these video slots, the jackpot amount increases progressively. The competition would be higher and the opponents would be tough persons but you could win large amounts if you have luck combined with your talent. Even if you had not tried the online video slots until now, it is time you tried your hand in them and check up your luck. The more time you spend on the video slots, the more are the chances of your winning higher amounts. Go ahead and have an enjoyable and relaxing period that could also be monetarily beneficial.

Html Resource box
For more information on online casino and online casino slots, Visit Freeplay-slots.com

Online Bingo. Funding Options for US Players

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Since the passage of the unpopular Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA) many US online bingo players have been confused as to the legality of online bingo and the funding methods left available to them.


Several of the major players in this business such as Neteller have been prosecuted for activities that are perfectly legal in their own countries resulting in heavy fines and settlements with the US government. To avoid similar prosecutions several companies have swiftly pulled out of the US market suffering substantial monetary losses.

These companies include, Neteller, Citadel, My Citadel, InstaDebit, FirePay, Central Coin, and Pre Paid ATM.


Already several startup payment processors have started to appear but they lack the longevity and credibility of the older established firms. Put quite simply these new companies do not have a history to substantiate their claims of services provided. One of the unintended consequences of UIGEA is the appearance of payment processors who may or may not be honest and above board.


We have done some research and found several reliable payment processors that are still available to US online bingo players.


Of course one of the simplest methods to fund deposits and withdrawals from online bingo sites is an offshore bank account. This is not a popular method due to the amount of paperwork involved and balance requirements. What follows is a list of companies that still have the courage to serve US players.


Click2Pay- If you already have an account the will process your deposits and withdrawals but they are not accepting new accounts from the US.


ePassporte-They are accepting US players and accounts can be funded with, A valid bank account, credit or debit cards.


eWalletExpress- They are accepting US players. Accounts may be funded by, basic checking, Xpressfunds, 900pay, bank wire and money order.


900pay-Currently accepting US players this service is one of the more unusual funding methods. This service allows deposits to online bingo sites and the transaction appears on the client’s phone bill. Ju


UseMyBank-This unique service allows players to use their banks existing online bill payment service. All that is needed is a valid e mail address and telephone number.


Immediate Deposit-This service allows the player to use their visa or Master Card to purchase a calling card which can then be used for casino credits. This method is good for deposits only. Another method must be used for withdrawals.


Western Union-One of the oldest methods. There is some confusion with the status of gambling transactions. Check for current information.


MyWebATM-This is a brand new company providing funding for online bingo and accounts are accessible at most ATMs. Since this is a new service many bingo sites and casinos do not offer this funding option yet.


Wire Transfer-One of the oldest and least known deposit methods. The only drawback is the length of time it takes, typically 2 to 5 days.


Add-Funds-A new service that allows US players to fund their online bingo accounts with their credit cards. It is essentially another service where clients buy phone time to be exchanged for credits at the site they choose to play at.


FedEX-Players may fund accounts via FedEX. This involves sending cashiers checks or bank drafts to the site operators.


PIN Debit- This new service allows players to link their PIN Debit to their personal bank accounts both checking and savings. Winnings can be transferred to bank accounts using this service.


Some of the companies providing these services are new and their reliability has not been established. Players need to do careful research when looking for an account funding solution.


Unfortunately US players are finding it increasingly hared to fund accounts directly using their credit cards. Most CC companies and banks have a code that denotes a gambling transaction and given the current atmosphere in the US that transaction is likely to be declined leaving the player in limbo. For the time being third party services seem to be the best solution. Keep right on playing and good luck!

Anthony Wayne works in the marketing department of online bingo site BingoHouse in Costa Rica. He is also editor of the Internet Bingo Blog a great source of internet bingo information.

Is Online Gambling Legal?

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Internet casinos and sportsbooks have become hugely popular over the past several years. The number of people wagering their money online continues to increase exponentially every year. But is it legal?

The answer is, I don’t really know. Seriously, I’m not really sure. Allow me to explain. I’m not a lawyer, but I think that even most lawyers would find it difficult to defend or prosecute an online gambling service given the current legal climate in the world of cyberbetting. Let’s lay out the facts and see if we can come to a conclusion.

First, what are the types of gambling that you can engage in online? Well, you can play poker and other card games, you can bet on sports, or you can play games of chance, such as roulette, craps, etc. Poker and cards in general seem like a perfectly fair game to play over the internet, as it would be impossible for a computer to deal more favorable cards to one player over another. Also, card games are, generally speaking, games of skill and strategy with an element of chance, where each player controls their own destiny. Betting on sports also seems like a perfectly legitimate form of online betting – the computer doesn’t control who wins the weekend’s football games. Games of chance probably should be outlawed, as a computerized roulette wheel can easily be programmed to stop far away from the player’s chosen number, allowing just enough winning bets to make the game seem credible, while insuring that the house still profits big in the end.

But, are any of the aforementioned gambling activities legal if hosted by an internet based company? According to the Wire Wager Act, betting on sports is the only form of online wagering that is illegal. The Wire Wager Act reads as follows:

“Whoever being engaged in the business of betting or wagering knowingly uses a wire communication facility for the transmission in interstate or foreign commerce of bets or wagers, or information assisting in the placement of bets or wagers on any sporting event or contest, or for the transmission of a wire communication which entitles the recipient to receive money or credit as a result of bets or wagers, or for information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years or both.”

Simply put, this means that it’s illegal for companies based in the U.S. and/or taking bets from Americans to use the internet to accept bets on sports or other “contests.” However, most online gambling enterprises have moved their operations offshore to countries in Central America and other countries around the world. It’s common for most of these companies to be incorporated in places like Antigua or the Caribbean islands. PartyPoker, the most popular website for playing poker for money online, is licensed and regulated by the Government of Gibraltar.

Online sportsbooks, often run by Americans offshore, still accept bets from Americans, and this is where the problem arises. Americans are the biggest betters, and most of the income stream for online sports betting comes from American wagers. These companies usually provide wire instructions to the gamblers so that the player can wire money into a pre-funded betting account before they can begin wagering.

So, the question is, is it legal for an offshore company to run their business offshore but still accept bets from the United States, where online sports betting is technically illegal? Yes and no. Theoretically it is illegal, but it’s very difficult to compel an online sports betting service to shut itself down if they operate under the laws of a foreign government where it is legal. After all, if these Americans took a plane to these foreign countries for a nice vacation, they’d be allowed to go to those casinos and gamble, so why can’t they do the same thing while sitting in front of their computer? It’s been very difficult for the Department of Justice to enforce the Wire Wager Act when it comes to offshore companies, and the offshore betting business continues to get bigger and bigger. In 1998, the sum total of all internet wagers was estimated at $600 million, and has grown by 10 or more times that between then and the year 2006.

The Wire Wager Act was upheld when the U.S. Supreme Court, during 2001 and 2002, refused to review the conviction of Jay Cohen, who had been running an internet sportsbook based in Antigua. And, even though the Department of Justice has said in recent years that that the Wire Wager Act also declares online casino games, not just sports betting, to be illegal, the Federal Appeals Court has ruled that that interpretation is not correct. Therefore, online casino games might be considered legal in the United States, but it’s hard to officially state whether it is or isn’t.

So, what have we learned? We’ve learned that it’s illegal to run an online sportsbook if that book is based in the United States and/or accepts bets from Americans, but it’s difficult to prosecute offshore betting services. It’s possibly legal to host online casino and card games, though the Department of Justice would like to change that. And, it’s hard to tell whether online casino and card games are truly legal in the U.S., despite the fact that the Federal Appeals Court says it is legal, considering that so many online poker companies have decided to run their operations in Latin America and overseas. The U.S. Government is just trying to protect betters from getting screwed by unscrupulous, offshore criminals, but ultimately, online casinos and sports betting should be allowed. The United States simply needs to implement a system whereby the online casino industry is regulated, making it mandatory for the companies to disclose the details of their operations and apply for a casino or sportsbook license.

Jim Pretin is the owner of http://www.forms4free.com, a service that helps programmers make email forms.

Best Online Casino Gambling

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Online casino gambling has making people crazy like never before. It gives the total satisfaction within a very short span of time. If you are a true game lover, you can take true pleasures of free online gambling.

Nowadays, you do not have to visit traditional gambling centers to play your moves but in modern world playing a trick or bet have become so easy and enjoyable. Just search for different gambling websites to locate different online casino games to have real fun. Once you decided to go for a particular game, playing your trick or trying your luck can be done easily.

You can see different online games provided by different service providers in order to attract gamers. Some websites do not require registration to play your games. In order to enjoy your online games to the fullest, you can transit thousands of money just in few minutes. To have a real fun online gambling UK websites would be a simply great to explore. These websites follow a safer policy for novice players. You can search a brief detail about different games and provide a facility to increase your knowledge on the same. To grasp some real tricks and advices, do not forgot to watch your seniors in the game and see their expertise in the game. For maintaining safety in games, UK gambling website sites are the right place for you. These websites follow a strict safety method to protect the interests of online gamblers to bring trust and confidence. UK online gambling websites use some upgraded software to give its gamers a full satisfaction and enjoyment.

In this fast growing world, online casino gambling is gaining a huge market and gaining popularity as it never had. The recent data shows that online gambling market is carrying out millions of dollar in its each day’s transaction. One of the important reasons for the huge popularity of the online gambling games is the convenience and safety attached with it. You can easily satisfy your gambling desires, visiting free casino games would be fun.

Myself webmaster of http://www.onlinegambling.co.uk , a free online casino gambling site to play casino games. Enjoy free poker, roulette, blackjack & slot machine games.

BingoPort.co.uks 2010 Players Choice Award Winners for Online Bingo Excellence

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Online Gambling for Beginners: Tips and Advice for Roulette, Poker & Blackjack

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Many people are understandably quite excited about their first casino experience, but before you make a trip to that first casino, you need to be aware of several things. A simple lack of knowledge might not sound like that big of a deal, but it can result in a strain on the beginner’s finances. If you are just starting out in gambling, here are some tips for you.

If you are a brand new beginner in gambling, take the time to read up on the game you want to play is absolutely essential. The more you know about a specific game, the type of bets that are good and the bets that you should stay away from, the better your chances at winning are. The ways to learn about this subject include going to a bookstore, reading about your game online, or playing the actual game in simulation.

All beginners should also take heed of the concept of bankroll management as they enter the world of gambling. Bankroll management is possibly the most important tool you will have. This is a type of money management that allows you to place limits on how much money you spend on wagers while you play and how much you agree to win and lose before quitting the game. If you are looking forward to a great time, make sure you keep the above tips in mind when wagering in the casino.

In recent years, online gambling is something that has developed a burst of popularity. Today millions of people have ditched land based casinos to go online and play their favorite casino games which include craps, blackjack, roulette and poker. For many, they take comfort in the ease and security of these online sites.

Online gambling does encompass a lot of different games, but the bulk of people who play choose poker as their game of choice. Playing poker together can be difficult because of the lack of people available to play. When you are online you can easily join dozens of different poker games, based on game, region and wager limits. Online, you will be able to find a number of specific poker games; if you have a favorite, it should be available. Additional benefits of online game sites include social gatherings through chats and message boards.

Another benefit of online gaming sites are the fact that they are a great place to learn how to gamble if you are new; usually this can be done for free. For these sites, simulation plays are a frequent part of the package that allow you to play or test out a system for free. Simulation games are almost the same as playing the real game with one important difference- no money is wagered.

Simulation games are actually legal in more localities in the United States than online wagering of money is. You should always double check your locality’s laws concerning wagers before going online to gamble. If you want to gamble within the comforts of your home and be free to do so at any time of the day, you should look into online gambling.

I am Brian and I love online gambling. I have been playing it for 4 years. I have been using many different types of roulette software to automate my online winnings over the years. If you want to see how you can start making money at the online roulette tables within 15 minutes, click here.

Copyright TheGamblersEdge.com Online GamblingGuide © 1998-2010 - All Rights Reserved | Legal Disclaimer