online casinos, online poker, online bingo, online gambling, sports betting, online sportsbooks, bet online

Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos or Online casinos, are online versions of traditional (“brick and mortar”) casinos. Online casinos enable gamblers to play and wager on casino games through the Internet.

Popular Online Casinos the following is a list of Online casinos that you might want to try at home. These Online casinos provide you with a different kind of comfort and a Vegas vibe even without having to go there. Each Online casino is also equipped with unique features and gaming systems that you might want to try at home. It is important to note that these Online casinos provide you with entertainment and that it relaxes you after a tired day from work.

Online casinos generally offer odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos claim higher payback percentages for slot machine games, and some publish payout percentage audits on their http://www.wheretobet.com. Assuming that the Online casinos is using an appropriately programmed random number generator, table games like blackjack have an established house edge. The payout percentage for these games is established by the rules of the game.

More than these, the VIP slots offer bonuses on a regular basis. Promotions and tournaments are also very much offered Online. Wheretobet.com Casino is one of the pioneering and the most established Online casinos. It is definitely one of the best Online casinos Online. It is equipped with the latest generation of real-time gaming software. This Online casino definitely treats everyone as a very important person. You definitely considered as a VIP here. Also powered by Real time gaming software is Cherry Red. This is the most original gaming casino present Online. It boasts of almost two hundred games that other Online casinos do not have at present. Having this in mind, craps, roulette, blackjack and slots and any other games can be enjoyed and played.

]]>

An Online Casino gives you complete liberty to choose what to play, when to play, how long to play and how much money to wager. Unlike traditional casinos, there is no pressure or pull from the spectators. There is no embarrassment of losing in front of the crowd. The best thing is the presence of free Online Casinos, which give you the opportunity to play, learn and understand the ins and outs of the game without paying anything at all. Newcomers can learn and experience the thrill of the game through free Online Casinos, while others can play just for the fun.

The popularity of the Online Casino has made it a very highly competitive business. Competitiveness means great offers and bonuses. Online Casinos strive to provide better services, great gaming facilities and more fun to draw and retain the customers to their site.

Online Casinos transact business with real money. So a safe and secured playing source is what every player looks for. Online Casinos are rated by marketing portals and independent authorities with respect to the gaming facilities and security provided to the players. Reputable Online Casinos use the latest encryption technologies to guard the privacy and secrecy of transactions between the player and the casinos.

Online gambling is hot and here to stay; this is supported by the great number of memberships that are already present on gambling sites (http://www.wheretobet.com), being renewed or freshly being applied for. Gaming website (http://www.wheretobet.com) that offers the punter the opportunity to gamble is popping up all over the internet. Online gambling why the popularity of gambling in this manner is because of safety and security, people are more comfortable with having the option which permits them to gamble in the comfort of their home. Online gambling big plus about the whole scenario of online gambling is the privacy deal where sole discretion of how and with who you operate is kept under wraps so as to speak.

online poker With the advent of the Internet, the world became a much smaller place and one can now join a game of online poker with players from around the world at nearly any time of day. If you can’t get to sleep at night, go online and you will easily find an open chair at an online poker table. Making some new friends and enjoying an hour or two of game play can be a great way to relax. Some sources report that there are as many as 300,000 online poker players at any given time of day around the clock so you will never have trouble finding people to play against. The game of poker is simple to learn, yet difficult enough to master, that people of all age groups can enjoy the activity without becoming bored quickly. Additionally, the world of online poker eliminates the need for tipping and cover charges associated with regular casino establishments and, generally, have faster game play and a smaller house edge thus encouraging the new player to try harder and hone their skills.

Online bingo over the few years has exploded on the internet. The numbers of websites that advertise free and real money bingo games are growing at an incredible rate. Online bingo has grown the popularity huge worldwide. Now, online bingo software technology has developed such rate today that, those players can have large variety of online games to choose and play with.

online sportsbooks when searching on where to bet it is easy to quickly become overwhelmed by all the different choices available. A quick search on any popular search engine, such as google, yahoo, etc… will give you many options to choose from, and if you aren’t smart you may not pick the online sportsbooks that is best suited for needs. Depending on whether you are a recreational gambler or a betting professional, different online sportsbooks specialize in different areas and to get the best out sports book you need to know what to look for when deciding where to bet online.

With so many online sportsbooks vying for business, as a consumer you have the advantage because you have the opportunity to shop around looking for the best promotions. The added competition between the online sportsbooks they are always offering bigger and better deals to try and earn your business. If you take the time to do the research, and look for the deals, you can really benefit.

Popular Online Casino Games – Keno, Bingo, Lotto

Keno, bingo, and lotto are three popular online casino games that rely on luck.

Keno is similar to state lottery games in that you choose numbers and find out if any of the numbers you chose match numbers drawn, with various payouts based on the number of matches you have. With keno, numbers are drawn all the time, so there are far more opportunities to win or lose. Web casino versions of keno are even more fast-paced than land casino versions of the games, but the odds with online keno are slightly better than with live keno.

To play, you pick up to 10 numbers between 1 and 80 that you think will be drawn. You place bets on each number, and await the outcome, which is near-instantaneous in online keno. Since keno is a game of pure chance, there’s not a real strategy that can help you win. However, smaller bets, like five number bets, though they don’t have the cachet of larger number bets, are often more profitable to online keno players over the long term because they tend to result in more payouts, and are cheaper to make, so your bankroll usually lasts longer.

Online bingo is very similar to land bingo. You should choose your cards based on the number of players and the total payout, as well as the regularity of big prize winnings. You should also play free bingo for a while to learn the ropes and see what online bingo is like before playing for money. Many online bingo games make it hard to win the top prizes, where you match all the numbers on your card. If fewer than 40 numbers are drawn, you’ll have virtually no chance of matching all your card numbers. If 60 or more numbers are drawn, then your odds improve significantly.

Some online bingo sites will do the “daubing” for you, and some will offer the option of calling bingo for you. If this is true, you basically don’t have to do anything except wait for the numbers to be called. But if you are not on one of these sites, keep an eye on your cards. If you wait too long to call bingo, your winnings may be split between more people, lowering your take.

Online lotto games are based on lottery games that have been around since ancient times. You can buy lottery tickets online for games based in other countries. In some cases you can buy multiple lottery tickets in bulk for a lower cost per ticket than if you bought each ticket individually. Plus, the more tickets you buy, the better your odds. In the US, some states allow the purchase of lottery tickets online, including Powerball tickets, which can have enormous payouts.

Keno, Bingo, and Lotto are all popular online games. Played in online casinos, they are games of chance that are extremely easy to learn and participate in.

Related Online Casino Betting Articles

Two extended clips from the national tour of “The Queen of BINGO”. In the tradition of the hilarious Harvey Korman and Tim Conway sketches from the old Carol Burnett Show, comes the stage comedy The Queen of Bingo! ‘Sis’ and ‘Babe,’ two sisters on the other side of 50, want to add a little fun and excitement to their lives…but where to find it? BINGO! Jeanne Michels and Phyllis Murphy’s The Queen of Bingo explores the worlds of Bingo, family ties, diet crazes, widowhood, hot flashes and winning! The audience joins in the fun during the “Middle Bird Special” – a real Bingo game where some lucky audience member wins a FREE 10 lb. frozen turkey at every performance! Theatregoers young and old will howl with laughter as two zany guys, playing two crazy gals, light up the stage in the comedy hit The Queen of Bingo! Find more info about the show at www.TheQueenofBingo.com

Online Casinos Versus Playing Bingo

Bingo is a very popular past time, especially with the older generation. Although bingo can be fun at times, most of the time its pretty boring, and the chances of winning are pretty small. Bingo is a game of luck because you have no say over the outcome of the results. You are given a sheet’s of paper with already assigned numbers, and all you can do is hope for the best. That doesn’t sound very good does it? What is a better alternative to hoping you are going to win playing bingo? Betting on online casinos! Here are three reasons why online casinos are more superior than the game of bingo.

Reason One – More Control Over The Outcome

Bingo is a game of luck. If you are not assigned the winning numbers when you buy your bingo sheet/s, you will not win. Online poker, for example, is the complete opposite. Online poker relies on skill, and some luck. If you are good enough, you will win a lot of the time playing online poker (just ask my friend Ben who won 00 last night).

Reason Two – A Massive Welcome Bonus

I love the idea of getting a free five hundred dollar welcome bonus just for signing up with an online casino. How often does that happen when you show up to play bingo?

Reason Three – A Large Variety Of Entertaining Games

Bingo is a very repetitive, and sometimes, boring game. Want to have some fun? Most online casinos offer more games than you can poke a stick at! Roulette, slots, poker, and various other flashing games with entertaining sounds and colors.

If you are happy to play bingo, then I encourage you to keep playing it. However, if you are looking for a change, and looking to potentially win a lot more money, then I recommend giving online casinos a try. They are convenient, fun, fast, and very easy to use. Not only that, but you also have a lot more control over the outcome of your bets!

While it is true that apparently gambling is considered to be not a quite respectful past time to indulge into, but there are certain forms of casino gambling that are extremely entertaining and are a source of fun and frolic and enjoyment and a great way of spending leisure time. One such well-known casino gambling game is Bingo. Apart from gambling, bingo has certain constructive uses as well. In fact in the United States , bingos are organized by charity firms and churches and are also used in educational institutions for imparting of knowledge among youngsters.

The basic requisites for a game of bingo include a set of Bingo cards and a Bingo board. The game is very similar to Housie. In case of Bingo, each player is handed over a ticket which is usually comprised of five horizontal and vertical grids made up of a series of numbers, with no repetitions, the largest number being 75. The central location within the bingo card or ticket is marked as ‘free’. Apart from the players, there is also present another individual who is known as the ‘caller’. The caller has a set of balls displaying the various names from 1 to 75 which he has to place on the board. First and foremost the caller calls out a number randomly and after each number is called out, the ball representing that number is set aside on the bingo board. For the players, the main activity is to listen to the numbers and if the number called out is present in his card, the player is required to mark out the corresponding number on his card. Valuation and chances of winning are determined by the completion of single lines, four corner and full house though there are various other variants too. The moment a player completes a winning pattern, he is required to shout ‘bingo!’ to alert the caller about his win. Then the caller is required to check the card thoroughly and then hand over the prize. In many cases players play with more than one card to ensure better chances of winning and multiple bingos are also prevalent where a player can continue playing for a full house after he has completed a single line. When bingo is played on a large scale in bingo halls, they are supplemented with ‘flashboards’ and ‘bingo blowers’.

With the emergence of online casino gambling, online bingo has also been popularized and in such cases random number generators are implemented for usage by the online bingo sites for displaying numbers.

Online bingo is rapidly becoming one of the most popular online games played today the world over! Gamers not only love to play bingo but are also attracted to the community aspect, huge jackpots, ease of play and the speed at which games can be played in. Online bingo is without a shadow of a doubt, the future of bingo and more and more players are discovering the benefits of playing bingo online every day.
Game variety
One of the main attributes of online bingo halls are their game variety. For the most part, online bingo halls provide players with a host of different games including all your favourite bingo variations in addition to a wide range of other games for instance casino games, strategy games, slots, flash games, mini games etc.. In fact, the best sites are constantly introducing new games, formats and versions of not only traditional bingo but all the other they provide as well. It’s a well known fact that online gaming is a highly competitive market and gamers are constantly looking for new options which is why online bingo sites have had to maintain a steady growth is the games they provide and develop to keep players entertained and to attract new players.
The majority of online bingo sites offer a wide variety of games other than bingo. So if you grow tired of playing bingo you can play an alternative game without having to leave the site. For example, you can usually play the likes of; slots, video poker, keno, pull tabs, plus many more. Some sites have gone as far as to add free bingo tot heir game option and players can even win cash prizes when playing them.
Bingo Community
Another reason why online bingo has become so popular is the community aspect of the game. Players who are new to the world of online bingo might not be aware to the fact that most sites include a live chat function where the community of bingo players can interact with one another. The social aspect of bingo is an incredibly important part of the overall experience which is why the online bingo communities often play a vital part in getting players to re-visit the site.
In the chat rooms, players can talk to peers about how to play bingo, ask questions about free bingo, get tips and ask about the other games featured as well as talk about what’s going on in the world at present.
However, perhaps the best thing about bingo communities is the ability to make build friendships overtime which some people find very hard. The experience of online bingo isn’t really that different from the traditional bingo experience except for the fact that you don’t need to be their in person and you can play from the comfort of your own home.
Life changing Jackpots
One of the best reasons to experience online bingo is the huge jackpots that can be won. As online bingo communities have grown, so has their revenue which means they can now offer larger jackpots and better prizes than ever before! Progressive jackpots are the ones that have the biggest impact as they rise continually until they are won which can mean the prize pool can rise to staggering amounts!
Convenience
Online bingo is unlike traditional bingo because players can have a game when ever they please, where ever they please without the need to visit a land based bingo hall. So in respect, online bingo is a 24 hour a day, 365 day a year industry.
In years gone by, bingo enthusiasts have had to wait for their local “bingo night” at the bingo hall, local pub or church, which was often a strain on time and resources and could sometimes even be considered a nuisance having to travel to get there. Online bingo halls simply never close, and since you can play from the comfort of your own home nothing could be more convenient. Your favourite past time at the click of a mouse, plus the added excitement of huge jackpots, a great community of players and all the other games you could ask for once you are all bingo-ed out!
Simplicity
The final reason behind bingos increase in popularity is down to its ease of use! Many avid bingo players love the fact that it’s so easy to play as well as win. Typically, bingo sites will have an extremely simple set up process that anybody who’s ever used a computer will be able to follow. Then you’re ready to go. Some sites even allow you to play free online bingo until you’re completely comfortable with the format and the procedure involved. In just a few clicks you’ll be ready to play and win an unbelievable jackpot.
So if you’ve ever needed a reason to play online bingo you’ve just read the top five! The only thing left to do now is choose an online bingo hall to play at. That’s were www.expertbingo.co.uk come in, as they provide a detailed guide to the UK online bingo market as well as proving comprehensive reviews of all the major UK bingo sites. That’s not all as they also provide a wealth of bingo related content including a free bingo/BOGOF bingo diary, a round up of all the free bingo cash available, side game reviews, bingo lingo, free bingo games plus much more.

Bingo actually originated long back in the mid 16th century, when the French with their passion for “Le Lotto”, adopted their version of the game, which strongly co-relates to today’s version of bingo.

Traditional Bingo has been a popular pastime for many years worldwide. It has become a meeting place for friends, family and new people in a much-relaxed atmosphere. Surprisingly, there are over 60 million bingo players across the globe, majority of them being women of North America.

Online Bingo – bingo on Internet – has been an evolution in the bingo generation. Online Bingo was a relatively minor industry as recently as the year 2000. However, there has been an explosion of popularity in the past six years. The world’s growing familiarity with Internet is one factor for the game’s online proliferation.

You may ask yourself, how can playing bingo online give the same level of satisfaction as playing bingo with family and friends in a traditional bingo hall? In a recent survey done by a popular online bingo portal, the number one reason for playing bingo online, was meeting new people.

Online Bingo’s increasing popularity..

Traditional bingo halls, brimming with smoke and crowd, make managing multiple bingo cards difficult at times. Some players struggle to get to the bingo halls or they simply do not have the time. Besides, there are several other factors leading more people every year to stay away from bingo halls and play the game from the comfort of their own homes: -

1. Socializing: Online bingo is a multi player, one game involving players from all over the world. You can socialize with your friends and befriend hundreds of new ones at the press of a button. Featuring hours of chatting and hours of fun, Online Bingo has gained tremendous popularity among males, females, young and old.

2. Convenience: It might be hard to get to the bingo parlor these days, due to job, family, weather or health considerations. Online bingo is convenient for those players who don’t have the night in the week for live bingo games. The people you meet playing Bingo online are the type you’ll meet in a live bingo parlor. They tend to be friendly and talkative and share a love of the laid-back bingo camaraderie. If the weather conditions are bad, you can enjoy the game on your computer in the convenience of your own home.

3. Technological Advancement: Online Bingo sites have colorful flashy graphics and entertaining sound effects to enhance your overall gaming experience. The new generation of online bingo site allows you to play bingo instantly without downloading anything. Just sit in front of the computer, visit your favorite online bingo portal, one mouse click and you are ready to play and travel to the amazing world of online bingo.

Due to improved technology, you can play as many cards as you want, thereby increasing your odds of winning with more cards. You never have to worry about completing your cards as your bingo cards are filled in automatically. Your account is automatically credited if you have the lucky card.

4. Always On: The best part – online Bingo is always open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just go and sit in front of the computer, visit you favorite online bingo portal, one mouse click and you are ready to play and travel to the amazing world of online bingo.

5. Bingo Chat: Yet another interesting feature – Bingo game panel enabling chat windows, allow players to chat among themselves. Each site has Multi-Chat feature accompanied by a Chat Host, also known as CM. Chat Host is responsible for recreating / supporting the online bingo hall atmosphere, and introduce special games amongst the players of that particular hall. Multi chat also allows you to meet new friends, share the excitement with real-time interaction. Though rare, chat rooms are monitored by employees of the online bingo sites. This ensures that bingo players adhere to the gaming ethics.

Current Online Bingo Experience..

Initially, online Bingo experience was no match to the conventional bingo hall. People preferred the sights and sounds of real world bingo hall, watching a bingo number popping up on the screen. Today, the online experience has dramatically changed. Online bingo games industry has really done a fantastic job on giving the online players a perfect bingo hall atmosphere.

Most sites have a voice actor to imitate the bingo callers found in live action settings. What makes contemporary online bingo so entertaining is the multi-level interaction with your fellow players and enjoying full control over your gaming preferences.

Online Bingo is a highly competitive business as hundreds of websites are competing for customers, and willing to give compensations, perks and cash prizes on a daily basis. While most bingo game sites may require you to pay game or membership fees through your credit card, some bingo sites offer free online bingo gaming. You may experience this kind of exhilarating game online without having to pay for anything.

Free online Bingo games don’t require any monetary deposits, and therefore no stake-money involved. The site is divided into a number of halls, assigning some peculiar character – zodiac signs or types of flowers etc. On registering yourself at the site, you can enter any one of these halls and start playing.

Playing free online bingo games is a good pass-time. If you are a Bingo enthusiast and do not have the time or opportunity to go to the nearest Bingo hall, then BingoBilly.com is the perfect place to play free bingo online.

Besides giving you the chance to exercise your speed, skill and number-recognition abilities, Bingo Billy gives you the opportunity to meet new people as well. At Bingo Billy, you’ll find the best deals in Bingo, which are unlikely to be found at your local Bingo hall. Start Playing Now!

Bingo Hall and Bingo Ballroom are two excellent Online Bingo sites that at located at BingosBingos.com which is a website portal that lists all the best and top online Bingo rooms. BingosBingos.com website has all the significant information and news about these bingo rooms like their online bingo games that are available, their deposits required, no deposit bonuses, frequency of bonuses, duration on deposit bonuses, type of chat rooms, loyalty programs, withdrawal methods and details, plus much more are all located at this amazing bingo website. The Bingo rooms listed on the website are many, Bingo Ballroom, Bingo Hall, Ruby Bingo, Jackpotjoy Bingo, Bingo Chicks, Uk Bingo, Online Bingo, Bingo4her, over 250 Online Bingos. BingosBingos.com allows comparative analysis of the Best and Top Online Bingo rooms on the World Wide Web.

Bingo Hall with over 300 unique bingo games and patterns offers a 100% signup bonus up to $200. They also have an additional $5 free signup bonus, with no deposit required! Any additional deposits that you make will be 100% matched by this online bingo. Bingo Hall have $10,000 jackpot games, $1,000 jackpot games per hour, Bingo Buddies Bonuses, Cash Giveaways, Video Poker Contests. Online Slots are also available at this online bingo site, Java and downloadable games Plus much more, a great bingo site to check out.

Bingo ballroom offers excellent online bingo graphics and incredibly large bingo jackpots. Bingo ballroom website has a unique rewards system that provides the opportunity to the bingo players to win loyalty points. Bingo ballroom offers 100% matching bonus on the first deposit and 50% matching bonus on all online bingo deposits in the future. Everyone wins at Bingo Ballroom!

Jackpotjoy Bingo has just got a whole lot better! Bingo Gold has changed! Everything’s improved, from the layout, mini games, music and callers to Jackpots of up to $30,000! You can even purchase up to 100 cards per game, 24 hours in advance. Try their new Bingo Gold today and you will be automatically entered into a $500 CASH prize draw, and start enjoying all the improvements they have made for your Bingo pleasure. When you purchase 100 Bingo Cards, you will be placed into a prize draw and could win a Bingo crazy $500! Register for cash today and they will match your first deposit with a bonus of up to $100. All the fun you have already been having is about to get so much better! What are you waiting for? See for yourself now!

Online Bingo is a great way to enjoy the excitement of your local bingo hall in the comfort of your home. This Bingo hall is one of the oldest and is the real deal that always pays. Online Bingo offers a 100% bonus on your first deposit, up to $500, plus up to 100% bonuses on ALL other deposits in the future. You will get a VIP deposit bonus automatically when you signup and deposit, plus an additional 50% bonus, what a deal! In addition, Online Bingo offers $1000 and $10,000 Coverall/Blackout Jackpots, $500 Slots Tournaments, $300 Video Poker Tournaments, $1000 four Pack Tournaments, Speed Bingo, Chat Specials, Earlybird Bingo is Worth Wakin’ up For, and much more. This is an online bingo that is a required visit if you are a serious bingo player.

UK Bingo, online bingo hall are aiming to create a fun, and most importantly a UK orientated bingo room, here you have simply the most realistic bingo experience, with a real bingo caller and many real people playing. UK Bingo have massive bingo jackpots, £1,000 – £5,000 coverall jackpots. UK Bingo have special jackpots too with prizes up to £1 million! Wow! They offer a 100% matching bonus on your first deposit for amounts of at least £20. UK Bingo have a 50% matching bonus on all other deposits in your future play at this online bingo site. So try this online bingo because everybody is a winner at UK Bingo!

Bingo4Her online bingo hall is one of the United Kingdom’s (UK) fastest growing online bingo web sites. Exclusively for ladies, Bingo4Her offers you the sexiest bingo game online. With a combination of tantalizing and evocative visuals, superb internet bingo and other games, a hugely popular internet chat facility, great incentives, and some of the best bingo online winnings out there, there is no wonder why more and more ladies are signing up (for free) with Bingo4Her each day. After a bit of fun and excitement at the end of a hard day? If you sign up now, you will receive 1000 free points. Yes that is right. By registering today, you are not expected to deposit any money, but you are still given the opportunity to play a bingo game online for free and even win cash. To ensure that you are off to a good start, Bingo4Her will even double up your first deposit with 100% matching bonus. In other words, whatever you put in you get twice the amount to play UK bingo with. From then on, Bingo4Her online bingo will give you a 50% matching bonus for each of your deposits, giving you more points to play with for your cash. Sign up now for one of the best bingo online sites in the UK, experience these great rewards and much more. An internet bingo game is just about to begin. Experience the fun of bingo with a quick game online.

BingosBingos.com offers you comparative analysis of online bingo room information, news, events, promotions, specials, bonuses, so that you can make a choice for the best online bingo room that appeals to your tastes so you can have an enjoyable, fun and exciting online bingo experience. Online Bingo Players can enjoy many contests, tournaments and bonuses BingosBingos.com’s website offers. BingosBingos.com is the one of the best and largest websites on the Internet to get information about the best Online Bingo Jackpots available on the World Wide Web. And do not forget to check out www.CasinosPokerrooms.com with over 1000 Casinos and Poker Rooms!

How many of you remember the famous movie Casablanca? There is a scene in which Louis (the police chief) has just told Rick (Humphrey Bogart that he is shutting down his cafe. When Rick inquires why, the police chief, as he is being handed gambling winnings from the cafe’s cashier, says “I am shocked, shocked to find out that gambling is going on here.” Hypocrisy right? But thats the same kind of logic used in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed in 2006.

A brief inquiry into the history of this bill and the means by which it was passed reveals the hypocrisy of so many that it is truly shocking. The bill was tacked on to the Port Security Act by Republican Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) shortly before the bill was presented in the middle of the night with no time for debate. In fact many in congress were totally unaware of this ridiculous addition to a much needed bill to ensure port safety and security.

As it turns out Senator Frist has some serious ethical problems of his own including, campaign finance law violations, and insider trading. Frist said that he was concerned about minors gambling online which would be a good point if it were true. A recent 60 Minutes episode had a minor trying to access various gaming sites without success. Another argument given was to “protect public safety and morals”. Given the wide variety of pornography, bomb making, and drug manufacturing available on the internet to users of any age the argument seems absurd.

Another argument frequently used by conservatives is that gambling possibly could support terrorism. Terrorism seems to be invoked whenever the current administration needs to find a justification for bills that would restrict or limit rights enumerated in the US constitution. To date there has not been one documented event or incident linking online gambling to terrorism or money laundering. Terrorism is a serious business but when it is used as a smokescreen to justify the current administration’s agenda the public may tend to ignore credible threats.

When gaming industry tried to reach Frist there was no response but a referral to a statement issued to a special interest religious group. Essentially Frist said that brick and mortar casinos were ok but somehow online gaming is somehow more objectionable. With new software that blocks minors from playing on online sites Mr. Frist’s arguments become moot. Essentially Mr. Frist is pandering to a tiny minority that welcomes government intrusion into their lives.

A vast majority of Americans resent government intrusion into their private lives but somehow government never seems to get the message. Most reasonable people would agree that what a person does in the privacy of their own home or how they choose to dispose of their money is their own business and those adults are fully capable of making informed decisions about the way they choose to conduct their lives.

Take the example of online bingo, a traditionally socially acceptable form of gambling. Charitable organizations and churches have been using bingo as a fundraising tool for decades. Not everyone, especially those in remote and rural areas has access to these games but still desire to play bingo. The internet is the obvious solution for these citizens and to deny them access to online bingo would essentially make them unequal merely because of their location. These players are making a choice to play from the privacy of their own homes and spending their own hard earned dollars and what government entity has the right to say they can’t?

A new bill submitted for consideration in congress by Barney Frank (D-Mass) would essentially repeal the bad piece of legislation that is the Uniform Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. It would regulate and possibly tax internet gaming and the revenues generated would help several government programs. Frank is joined by Ron Paul (R-Texas) a Republican who believes that citizens are capable of making their own decisions making him one of the few to adhere to the founding principles of his party. A companion bill to Frank’s was introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) which essentially allow gaming revenues to be taxed.

Another ray of hope is a lawsuit filed by the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve. The lawsuit seeks to halt enforcement of the UIGEA on the grounds that it is an infringement on the rights of free speech, freedom of association, and equal protection under the law. The lawsuit has asked the court for a temporary restraining order. Unfortunately as it is, occasionally a lawsuit is the only way to void a bad piece of legislation.

Our constitution allows citizens to petition the government for redress of grievances and time and time again this has been the most effective way for citizens to make their views and feelings known to their representatives. There have been several cases in which a few letters, e mails, and phone calls have influenced the way a legislator may vote on a particular issue. Obviously bingo players and other gamers are not criminals, capable of making their own decisions, and should start to stand up for their rights. Believe it or not, contacting your respective representatives can actually have an effect. A civil, well reasoned letter, phone call, or e mail is one sure way for a legislator to know how their constituents feel about an issue or piece of legislation.

Two quotes, the first by Abraham Lincoln, and the second by the renowned author Ayn Rand are extremely applicable when discussing the topic of individual freedom; “Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation and makes crimes out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.”

Abraham Lincoln

To quote Ayn Rand; “The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted and you create a nation of law-breakers and then you cash in on guilt.”

How many of you remember the famous movie “Casablanca”? There is a scene in which Louis (the police chief) has just told Rick (Humphrey Bogart that he is shutting down his café’. When Rick inquires why, the police chief, as he is being handed gambling winnings from the café’s cashier, says “I am shocked, shocked to find out that gambling is going on here.” Hypocrisy right? But that’s the same kind of logic used in the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act passed in 2006.

A brief inquiry into the history of this bill and the means by which it was passed reveals the hypocrisy of so many that it is truly shocking. The bill was tacked on to the Port Security Act by Republican Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) shortly before the bill was presented in the middle of the night with no time for debate. In fact many in congress were totally unaware of this ridiculous addition to a much needed bill to ensure port safety and security.

As it turns out Senator Frist has some serious ethical problems of his own including, campaign finance law violations, and insider trading. Frist said that he was concerned about minors gambling online which would be a good point if it were true. A recent 60 Minutes episode had a minor trying to access various gaming sites without success. Another argument given was to “protect public safety and morals”. Given the wide variety of pornography, bomb making, hate groups, and drug manufacturing information available on the internet to users of any age the argument seems absurd.

Another argument frequently used by conservatives is that gambling possibly could support terrorism. Terrorism seems to be invoked whenever the current administration needs to find a justification for bills that would restrict or limit rights enumerated in the US constitution. To date there has not been one documented event or incident linking online gambling to terrorism or money laundering. Terrorism is a serious business but when it is used as a smokescreen to justify the current administration’s agenda the public may tend to ignore credible threats.

When gaming industry tried to reach Frist there was no response but a referral to a statement issued to a special interest religious group. Essentially Frist said that brick and mortar casinos were ok but somehow online gaming is somehow more objectionable. With new software that blocks minors from playing on online sites Mr. Frist’s arguments become moot. Essentially Mr. Frist is pandering to a tiny minority that welcomes government intrusion into their lives.

A vast majority of Americans resent government intrusion into their private lives but somehow government never seems to get the message. Most reasonable people would agree that what a person does in the privacy of their own home or how they choose to dispose of their money is their own business and those adults are fully capable of making informed decisions about the way they choose to conduct their lives.

Take the example of online bingo, a traditionally socially acceptable form of gambling. Charitable organizations and churches have been using bingo as a fundraising tool for decades. Not everyone, especially those in remote and rural areas has access to these games but still desire to play bingo. The internet is the obvious solution for these citizens and to deny them access to online bingo would essentially make them unequal merely because of their location. These players are making a choice to play from the privacy of their own homes and spending their own hard earned dollars and what government entity has the right to say they can’t?

A new bill submitted for consideration in congress by Barney Frank (D-Mass) would essentially repeal the bad piece of legislation that is the Uniform Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. It would regulate and possibly tax internet gaming and the revenues generated would help several government programs. Frank is joined by Ron Paul (R-Texas) a Republican who believes that citizens are capable of making their own decisions making him one of the few to adhere to the founding principles of his party. A companion bill to Frank’s was introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) which essentially allow gaming revenues to be taxed.

Another ray of hope is a lawsuit filed by the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association against Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve. The lawsuit seeks to halt enforcement of the UIGEA on the grounds that it is an infringement on the rights of free speech, freedom of association, and equal protection under the law. The lawsuit has asked the court for a temporary restraining order. Unfortunately as it is, occasionally a lawsuit is the only way to void a bad piece of legislation.

Our constitution allows citizens to “petition the government for redress of grievances” and time and time again this has been the most effective way for citizens to make their views and feelings known to their representatives. There have been several cases in which a few letters, e mails, and phone calls have influenced the way a legislator may vote on a particular issue. Obviously bingo players and other gamers are not criminals, capable of making their own decisions, and should start to stand up for their rights. Believe it or not, contacting your respective representatives can actually have an effect. A civil, well reasoned letter, phone call, or e mail is one sure way for a legislator to know how their constituents feel about an issue or piece of legislation.

Two quotes, the first by Abraham Lincoln, and the second by the renowned author Ayn Rand are extremely applicable when discussing the topic of individual freedom;

“Prohibition goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation and makes crimes out of things that are not crimes. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.”

Abraham Lincoln

“The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced or objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of law-breakers – and then you cash in on guilt”.

Ayn Rand, (‘Atlas Shrugged’) 1957