Archive for the ‘Casino News’ Category

Spain’s Online Poker Industry Grows after Regulation

Friday, November 30th, 2012

A number of online gaming sites thrived in Spain when the industry was unregulated. The Spanish government was concerned about keeping these companies in check and passed the Spanish Gambling Act on May 29. Government officials considered passing a law that would force all gaming sites to be shut down indefinitely.

The new law raised a number of concerns for the industry. Sites were still allowed to offer their services to Spanish citizens while waiting for the first licenses to be issued. They were concerned about a number of new regulations that would be passed. However, the last industry has thrived over the past four months.

Online gaming sites have generated a substantial amount of revenue from Spanish players. This has been encouraging to the Spanish government, which has imposed a 25% tax rate on all gross gaming revenue. The government has accumulated nearly 80 million euros from taxes since June.

Approximately 700,000 Spanish citizens are playing real money gambling. The market has been growing by approximately 100,000 players a month and is expected to continue to grow exponentially in the near future.

Industry experts and advocates are encouraged by the state of the online gaming market in Spain. They are still concerned about some of the regulations that are expected to be implemented in the future. They are particularly concerned about what restrictions authorities will place on advertising. However, a report from OnlinePoker.net found that the industry appears to have benefited considerably from online gaming regulation.

While the outlook for online gaming in Spain is unclear, gaming firms are expected to invest more resources expanding in the region.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Spain’s Online Poker Industry Grows after Regulation

National Association of Convenience Stores Supports Reid Poker Bill

Monday, November 26th, 2012

The National Association of Convenience Stores is calling on all of its members to show support for the online poker bill authored by Senators Reid and Kyl. Most other organizations are supporting the bill because it would create a framework that would legalize online poker in the United States. However, the NACS has a different motivation.

The organization is asking its members to support the bill because it would make it illegal to sell lottery tickets over the Internet. They feel that this bill could be essential for protecting the profitability of convenience stores throughout the country.

The Department of Justice’s new interpretation of the Wire Act allows states to create laws that allow lottery tickets to be sold over the Internet. The NACS said that convenience stores count on lottery tickets to drive customers to their stores. A high percentage of sales on other products come from customers who originally visited the store with the intention of purchasing lottery tickets.

The NACS acknowledges that federal regulation of Internet gambling is essential to protecting Americans from unscrupulous gaming sites that have been setup overseas. However, they also believe that some prohibitions on online gambling are necessary to protect consumers as well. Representatives from the NACS said that allowing customers to purchase lottery tickets over the Internet places minors at risk.

They said that they can prevent minors from participating in the lottery by asking for identification in their stores. Online gaming sites will also be required to authenticate the age and identity of their players, but the NACS questions the effectiveness of those verification systems.

The organization hopes that it can encourage lawmakers to support Reid and Kyl’s bill. However, many state lawmakers are opposed to the idea, because they feel that online lottery sales can help them generate enough revenue to shrink their deficits and expand education and other state-run programs.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on National Association of Convenience Stores Supports Reid Poker Bill

3G Studios Plans to Offer Online Gaming in Nevada Next Spring

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Gaming developer 3G Studios has stated that they are applying for an online gaming license in Nevada. James Kosta, CEO of 3G Studios, said that the firm hopes to be able to begin providing online poker within the next six months.

Kosta said that they hope federal lawmakers will legalize online poker within the next couple of years. 3G’s long-term goal is to offer players the opportunity to play against their friends throughout the country. He feels that online gaming will be one of the biggest changes for the online gaming industry.

3G intends to develop a number of new applications that can revolutionize the gaming industry. Kosta has also proposed an idea for a sports betting application for iPhones. However, the federal government will need to change the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, which prohibits online sports betting.

Some skeptics have questioned Kosta’s support of online gaming. Kosta said that he doesn’t feel it is irresponsible to encourage online gaming, provided players treat it solely as a form of entertainment. He said that there is no reason to discourage players from gambling if they understand their budget limitations and don’t spend beyond them.

Members of the gaming community are supportive of Kosta’s proposals. However, 3G can’t implement many of them until the federal government passes a bill that will regulate online gaming. The gaming community has been pessimistic about the timeframe where online gaming will be legalized.

Despite a number of setbacks, Kosta believes regulation will be passed in the near future. Nevada Senator Dean Heller expects a bill will be passed before New Years.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on 3G Studios Plans to Offer Online Gaming in Nevada Next Spring

Gaming Expo Shows Most Popular Games Are Poker And Blackjack

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012

There are many types of casino games, but it would seem that poker and blackjack are dominating the industry scene. The Global Gaming Expo which is a platform for inventors and gaming software companies, casinos and other gambling enterprises to showcase new casino games, mostly featured poker game variations and blackjack variations.

Gaming analysts are of the opinion that the public is much in favor of these two games and are likely to accept variations on them rather than new games.

According to Gaming Analyst Elliot Frome from Gaming Today, “If you look at all the proprietary games that have had any success, you have to conclude the answer would be NO. Look at the most successful titles in the industry – Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Crazy 4 Poker, Four Card Poker and Spanish 21. These are all based on poker or blackjack.

If you’re out to invent a game, are you going to base it on poker and blackjack or start using a combination of dice, cards and flashing lights? I’m all for thinking out of the box, but at the end of the day you also have to give the customers what they want.”

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Gaming Expo Shows Most Popular Games Are Poker And Blackjack

Bodog Withdraws Gambling Services from Europe

Tuesday, October 30th, 2012

Bodog has withdrawn from the European online gambling market, as a result of which UK and European players will no longer be able to play at www.bodog.co.uk. Besides, Bodog has temporarily closed its online casino in UK and is no longer permitting new players to sign up.

Bodog recently announced that it will no longer be offering sportsbook, poker, and racebook services to customers in the UK and Europe. However, Bovada will continue to accept US players and Bodog.ca will continue accepting Canadian players. Bodog88.com, which is meant exclusively for Asian customers, has been left intact.

Online gamblers are surprised because Bodog.eu had shut down recently and had redirected its players to bodog.co.uk. The online gambling company also withdrew its services from 20 countries. Players who visit Bodog.co.uk at present will get the message “improvements are coming soon.” Bodog UK has announced that it will not offer poker after re-launching, but will offer live dealer baccarat and traditional casino games.

Those who wish to play poker on Bodog can try signing up at Bodog’s Asian site. Bodog UK announced last week that it will focus on the Asian market in the future and will offer games that are more popular in Asia.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Bodog Withdraws Gambling Services from Europe

Blackjack Player Uses Baggage Claim Belt Tip to Win €10k

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Peggy S. of Colorado won €10,000 after using a tip she got from the baggage claim belt at the Venice Airport.

The baggage claim belt at the Venice Airport promotes Casino Di Venezia, the local casino. Peggy S. told local reporters that she had told her husband John that she would play the very numbers her suitcases would land on, adding that her husband guessed that the suitcases would land on numbers 14 and 27 and they did land on the same numbers.

Since the couple felt that the numbers 14 and 27 were lucky for them, they decided to place a €100 bet on 27 at Casino Di Venezia and, surprisingly, the ball landed on the same number.

Admitting that none of them was a great gambler, Peggy said that she had played a bit of blackjack and charity bingo. She said that she wanted to bet all her chips on 14, but her husband warned her to stake only €200. Surprisingly, the ball landed on the same number and she was mad at her husband for not allowing her to place all her chips on 14.

The winner says that her winnings almost covered their vacation cost.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Blackjack Player Uses Baggage Claim Belt Tip to Win €10k

Draft of Reid’s Bill is Finally in Circulation

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

Senator Reid has spent several months discussing the bill he coauthored with Jon Kyl. The draft of the bill has finally started to circulate. Members of the gaming community are eager to view the draft of the bill. However, experts feel that it is still too early to predict how much support Reid and Kyl will gain from the gaming community or other politicians.

According to some of the first critics of the bill, it offers a few optimistic signs for online poker regulation. However, some critics feel the bill may not receive much support from the online gaming community.

One of the stipulations of the bill is that it intends to strengthen laws that limit online gaming other than poker.. Reid and Kyl are calling to overturn the Justice Department’s decision in December when it decided that sports betting is the only form of gambling deemed to be illegal online.

Some critics are disappointed with the terms of the bill. They believe it is in the best interest of the United States to offer other forms of online gaming as well. Millions of Americans continue to play online slot machines and other forms of online gambling. Many advocates of online gaming feel that those provisions would be detrimental to the nation.

Under the new bill, any organization that offered online gaming other than horse racing or poker could be sentenced to 10 years in prison and considerable fines.

Another concern with the bill is that it would take more than a year before they could launch an online poker market. Many people have been opposed to this waiting period. Reid and Kyl said their intention was to create a level playing field for all companies offering online gaming services.

Although many people are disappointed by some of the terms in the bill, they may still want to support the bill as a whole. Reid and Kyl’s bill is the most promising prospect for online poker legislation. However, supporters are also concerned that lawmakers will continue to postpone putting the bill to a vote.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Draft of Reid’s Bill is Finally in Circulation

McKenna Opposes Online Gaming Gains and Support of Tribes

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Rob McKenna has become one of the frontrunners in the race for governor of Washington State. McKenna has pledged to protect Native American tribal casinos, which has earned him the respect and support of various tribes throughout the state.
Washington has some of the strictest laws regarding online poker in the country. Some advocates call for removing the ban on online gaming. McKenna has said that he will keep the ban in place, which will protect tribal revenues. His contender, Jay Islee, hasn’t taken a position on online gaming. Tribal spokespersons have said they will continue to support McKenna as he promises to protect their main source of income.

Many Washington Republicans have started looking to nontribal casinos as a means of generating new revenue for the state. Tribes are concerned that other Republican lawmakers might be tempted to loosen the laws opposing online gaming.

Most tribes feel online gaming laws would be passed at their expense. They are unlikely to support any bill that would legalize online poker unless the law was clearly written in their favor. Even if McKenna changes his mind regarding online gaming legislation, the tribes are satisfied by his commitment to protect their revenues. Washington tribes have pledged five times more money towards McKenna’s campaign than towards Islee’s.

However, not all tribes support McKenna in his big. Some tribes have started to open up to the idea that online gaming might yield some benefits for the state. The Tulalip tribe has recently become one of the stronger supporters of online gaming legislation.

The probability of the online gaming ban being lifted in Washington appears to be low. However, the tribes that oppose online gaming are confident that it won’t be lifted if McKenna wins the election.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on McKenna Opposes Online Gaming Gains and Support of Tribes

Harry Reid Struggles to Keep Gaming Coalition Together

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

The Justice Department’s new interpretation of the Wire Act may be a double edged sword for Harry Reid and supporters of his bill. The new stance on the legality of online gaming has given states the right to pass their own bills to regulate the industry. This has made lawmakers in Washington feel the need to take immediate action on passing a bill.

At the same time, the DOJ’s new view on the Wire Act has made it difficult for Reid to create a unified coalition to legalize online gaming. Senators from a number of states are looking to legalize online gaming as a means of generating revenue and creating new jobs. These senators are likely to be supporters of a federal bill that would set consistent standards across the country. Lawmakers in Nevada, California and Delaware are all looking for a bill that would legalize online gaming at the national level.

Reid realizes he needs to approach the bill carefully. He can’t threaten the prosperity any of those states stand to gain from online gaming without losing the support of those senators.

Additionally, Reid needs to safeguard the interests of Native American tribes. Many tribes have finally started to show support for online gaming and Reid can’t afford to lose that. Most of these same tribes were adamantly opposed to legalizing online gaming last year. They have since become staunch advocates for a bill that would benefit them. However, Reid could easily lose their support if he fails to fulfill their wishes.

According to many experts, Reid’s bill would clarify the principles of the Wire Act and make all forms of online gaming other than online poker illegal. This could alienate many states that are looking to launch online lotteries and other forms of online gaming.

According to some experts, these changes would not apply to any state that passes these laws before Reid’s bill would. They are encouraging lawmakers from these states to make haste in their efforts to legalize other forms of online gaming. They may only have a short window before the opportunity disappears forever.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Harry Reid Struggles to Keep Gaming Coalition Together

Rushmore Casino Player Wins $24k Jackpot

Sunday, August 5th, 2012

Rushmore Casino is a great online gambling site to be playing at these days, and it would certainly be the case for Carmel H, a lucky lady from the US who won over $10 k playing the slots games at the casino. Carmel H won a total of $24,606.50 while playing the slot game titled Derby Dollars featured at Rushmore Casino.

It would appear that horse racing themed slots were particularly popular with players since the Triple Crown horse racing events were taking place. The slot game titled Derby Dollars is based on a horse racing theme as its name suggests. The lucky player won twice in a span of two months and while playing the same game. If this does not say how lucky the Rushmore Casino and the Derby Dollars game is, nothing will. The first win for the player occurred in June when she won a jackpot of around $10 K. notably please with her win, the player must have realized that she was riding a lucky streak and continued playing the same game. Eventually she struck gold yet again and this time took in $24,673.50 for her win. After her win, the game and casino had apparently attracted a lot of player traffic and this made it possible for a win to be triggered.

Posted in Casino News | Comments Off on Rushmore Casino Player Wins $24k Jackpot