The Fellowship of the Ring slot launching in September
August 10, 2010
J.R.R Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is undeniably one of the most famous literary works ever written which has not only enjoyed success in their novel form but also cinematically and now it seems, this work is translating into some of the most exciting online slots the casino world has seen.
Last year a number of Microgaming powered casinos launched the first in the series of The Lord of the Rings slot game which experienced overwhelming success and this year, September will see the launch of the subsequent release, The Fellowship of the Ring slot at casinos like Roxy Palace.
In this version you’ll be reunited with Frodo, Aragon, Arwen, Legolas and Gimli as well as all of your other favourites in yet another epic adventure which takes place in the form of a 5 reel, 243 symbol combination slot which allows you to win in so many more ways and features not only High Definition clips from the movie but also Cinematic Free spins and that is just the beginning…
The Lord of the Rings symbol is Wild and stacked on the reels, increasing your chances to make more winning combinations and the formidable Eye of Sauron symbol landing anywhere on reel 3 will expand across the entire reel making it Wild and able to substitute for all symbols except the scatters.
Make sure you look out for “The Precious” (The Ring) scatter symbol on the reels as it will trigger the Free Spins feature wherein random reels are turned Wild and the Wild reel will then substitute for all symbols except the scatter Ring. Free Spins are re-triggered for even more action. And also make sure you bet max to stand in line to win the 8000 coin jackpot!
This slot is sure to be as popular as its predecessor so don’t miss out on its launch at Roxy Palace in the month to come. In the meantime though, click here to play the original The Lord of the Rings slot.
House approves U.S online gambling regulation bill
July 30, 2010
A bill to license and regulate online gambling in the United States received a 41-22-1 vote of approval by the Financial Services committee on Wednesday of this week.
This decision was largely influenced by Republican John Campbell and Democrat Brad Sherman who have both played a significant role in amending the bill and ensuring its passage.
According to the amendment authored by Campell, all online gambling facilities targeting United States would require licenses. The amendment also call for additional protections for players by requiring the game odds for each casino game to be posted visibly, and loss limits to be imposed in addition to age and location verification.
Sherman’s further amendments ensure that gambling companies requiring licenses would have to hold a majority of their business in the U.S, furthermore, managers and owners of online gambling companies who had deliberately evaded or violated U.S. law regarding online gambling will not be able to obtain licenses.
This bill however does have a few processes to clear before it becomes law. Firstly, the full House needs to vote on it which seems unlikely before the House’s August break on the 9th of August 2010 begins. This mean that the bill will have to pass a full floor vote between September 7th and October 8th 2010 before the November Congress sessions. So in order for a vote to even occur the Democratic leadership in the House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), will need to schedule it.
Should the House pass the bill, it will then be moved up to the Senate and if it is passed by the Senate it will need to be signed by President Obama. If all of this does not happen before this year’s legislative session, the process will have to begin from scratch in 2011 when the composition of both the House and Senate will be different.
So while this is a very positive step for US casino players, it is a tentative one that is not being celebrated too widely just yet.
Putting Game Design in Casinos hands
July 13, 2010
If I could design a casino game…
Just the thought of ever doing that makes any gambling enthusiast’s mind race and pulse quicken at the prospect. Now image running at a casino for years but having no control over the games you are able to offer and the prospect of having the design option is even more exciting. And while it may seem like a pipe dream, that prospect may soon become a reality for casino staff and any budding entrepeneur who wishes to give it a go if Meta Games Universal has anything to do with it.
While most brick and mortar and online casinos are dependant on software companies and game manufacturers for the design and production fo their game offerings, Mega Game Universal is proposing a “Create your own casino game” program and has alreday launched a platform in beta version and promises casino providers and operators the opportunity to create professional casino games without the need for experienced programming staff.
The UK based company does admit that the product may be controversial given that it would cut out mainstream software giants like Microgaming, RTG, Cryptologic and Playtech, but the benefits would be endless, for example lower licensing fees which would mean bigger profits for casinos, some of which would probably be spent on retaining players (more bonuses anyone?). Not to mention the fact that each casino would have a unique portfolio of games, giving it a unique selling point which just isn’t present within the generic portfolio of games offered to casinos by the various providers. And even when software providers or casinos have deals with other brands like Marvel or DC comics, not only are the themes similar but the game carry additional licensing expenses.
Full copyrights and protection are still pending however a company spokesperson recently stated that this kind of package would give users everything they’d need to produce their own games and the various tools and applications would be available for download from a website. The option to re-brand individually produced games will also be available which is another plus for casinos.
If all goes as it should, Cargo F, (Meta Game Universal will be known for the programming option) will revolutionise the casino industry as we know and will probably lead to more player benefits than ever before…so watch this space!
Finding Online Casinos with Google TV
June 5, 2010
Google has always been a gamblers best friend when it comes to finding online casinos and advice on every aspect of online gambling. Last week the internet search authority announced that it would be expanding into the world of television in partnership with Sony and Logitech with the launch of the Google TV feature, which means that finding the best online casinos on the internet will be that much easier and a whole lot more fun!
This application enabled via special devices will allow viewers to access the internet via their televisions through the Google Chrome web browser. This means that you’ll soon be able to play all of your favourite online casino games on your high definition television. TV accessible gambling is already available in a variety of countries across Europe and most popularly in the United Kingdom, where Netplay, an interactive television gaming company presents their product offering. It is safe to say that if Google TV is a success (and it is very likely to be given Google’s track record), the phenomenon of gambling online via TV sets will spread to millions across the globe.
According to Google, the Google Television devices will be on sale in the United States by this autumn, and will be compatible with both standard and high definition TV sets as well as Blu-ray players. We can’t wait for it to reach us but until then you can still find the best places to play right here at bettingcorp.com
Betstopper.ca puts Online Gambling at Bay for Minors
July 23, 2009
It’s old news that online gambling has been a source of concern for many parents, especially those that don’t gamble, because of the potential risk of access to websites that offer online gambling by their children. Though online sites try their best to prevent minors from registering gambling accounts by implementing their own fraud checks, children who are under the legal age to gamble still manage to infiltrate these fraud barriers. It is advertised that online gambling in Canada is illegal but yet still according to statistics, the number of online gamblers who are minors and online gamblers who are adults are quite staggering. A “2006 DeCode Research Study” shows that 2% of Nova Scotian adults gambled online that year versus 6% of Nova Scotian minors. According to a study called “Internet Gambling Among Youth”, 9% of high-school aged teens and 6% of University students, who are all under the legal age to gamble, do play online for money. Of these minors, 70% reported gambling online on a weekly basis. This includes playing for fun and playing for real.
Betstopper.ca is a content blocking software that parents can install on their home computers to prevent their underage children from accessing gambling websites. It was designed also for the purpose of preventing gambling addiction with the current generation. According to the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation (NSGC), Betstopper.ca was “vigorously tested”, however, they admit that it is still not 100% fool proof because “parents and caregivers are always encouraged to monitor their children’s online activity, regardless of whether they are using any additional tools such as BetStopper”. However, according to a study by “Young Canadians in a Wired World Phase II”, only 13% of children are supervised by a parent when they go online. With these facts in mind, the question still remains is Betstopper effective enough to prevent minors from accessing online gambling websites and preventing problem gambling.
The bottom line is that we want to keep our children safe. If we wouldn’t take our children into a land-based casino, then why would we want them visiting a casino online? Although we realistically cannot monitor our children’s every move, we can try our best to keep them from harm’s way. Betstopper does provide that extra bit of comfort and puts us more at ease when our children are online. So, in a nutshell, it is effective to a point because it does what it was created to do - helps to keep minors out of the way of problem gambling by blocking access to Internet gambling sites and content.
Download the Betstopper software now.
Read more useful information on the latest in the online casino industry.
France imposes new gambling regime
May 19, 2009
The Palais du Luxembourg hosted a conference, which was sponsord by the Government, to discuss the liberalization of France’s gambling market, a venture that is slated to take place starting January 1st 2010. The event was hosted at the Palais du Luxembourg and involved topics such as taxation, addressing problem gambling and problem-gambling-related issues, which was announced would be the responsibility of the state and not of the gambling Operators. Minister Eric Woerth, who is responsible for the liberalization, stated that regulations would be put in place to prevent money laundering and maintain transparency with the Operators’ business transactions. He said that prospective Operators would not be able to ‘influence neither the form nor the timetable for reform’. Disciplinary action will be taken against those Operators who operate without a license, including blocking their website access and access to their financial transactions.
Offshore companies, Unibet included, and local Operators were asked to discontinue their online gambling campaigns, which, Woerth warned, would lead to their demise and, quite possibly, prevent them from acquiring a license when the new regime is at the helm.
In closing he left this message with the attendees, “Restez Calme”, which means “Remain Calm”, as reform is on the way.
€6.3 Million Mega Moulah Progressive Jackpot Winner!!!
May 13, 2009
Coffee: €1. Burger and Fries: €3. A spin on Mega Moulah slot machine €5. Winning the largest online jackpot ever, PRICELESS!
It’s no joke, readers. Someone actually won the €6.3 Million Mega Moulah Progressive Jackpot at River Belle Casino! And with only a €5 bet! Greek Player Georgios M. was in shock when he saw the jackpot appear as a win on his PC screen. The father, husband, and business owner telephoned Riverbelle to confirm his winnings and were told by Staff that he was indeed a lucky winner. Not only that; he will get his payment in one lump sum from the Microgaming Progressive Network. Microgaming is the software provider for River Belle Casino. Said Tim Johnson, CEO of Belle Rock Entertainment, the parent company of River Belle, “It is an amazing accomplishment…enjoy your winnings, Giorgios.” Quite frankly, I don’t think Giorgios really needs anyone to tell him to enjoy that jackpot money. He’s probably made his Christmas list to Santa for the next 20 years.
However you decide on spending your winnings, Giorgios, the entire Team at Bettingcorp is extremely happy for you and wish you all the best.
Riverbelle’s Progressive Jackpot, despite the huge win by Giorgios, still stands at over €2.6 Million. See what else River Belle Casino has in store.
PartyGaming Pays $105 Million to US Government
April 15, 2009
Eight days ago, PartyGaming Plc announced that an amicable resolution was reached between themselves and the US Government regarding their court battle over the conducting of online gambling in the United States. PartyGaming agreed to pay $105 Million to the US in exchange for no prosecution. Jim Ryan, PartyGaming’s CEO, noted that the decision was made in the best interest of their shareholders. He went on to say, however, that he hopes that the new Obama administration will take the necessary steps to regulate online gambling. While some anti-gambling lobbyists feel that the US Government could have haggled for more money, in reality, the US hasn’t done too badly where court settlements are concerned with PartyGaming. Earlier this year, Anurag Dikshit, one of the founding members of PartyGaming, agreed to pay to the US a staggering $300 Million after he plead guilty to offering illegal gambling services in the US.
Ryan is not the only Operator who would like to see this hope come to fruition. Several other online gambling businesses had to pull out of the US when the UIGEA came into effect in 2006; however, they are still waiting in the wings should the legislation be overturned. Barney Frank, the House Finance Committee Chairman, has long been fighting the UIGEA and has announced introducing legislation to overturn the UIGEA. However, given the current economic situation in the US,the Bill has been put on the backburner.
PartyGaming has the option of paying the agreed $105 Million in 8 semi-annual installments. The potentially good news here is that if, and when, the US changes their online gambling laws, PartyGaming will be a candidate to receive licensing and re-enter the US market. So, despite all odds, there is a light at the end of this very expensive tunnel for PartyGaming after all.
Read about PartyGaming’s illegal activities that landed them lawsuits with the US Government.
Beware of Max Cashouts
April 1, 2009
When you play at a casino, have a lucky day and end up winning a bundle of cash you can cashout the entire amount and have it in your bank account in no time at all right? Well, not always and that is something you should be aware of to avoid disappointment.
The majority of Playtech and RTG (Real Time Gaming) powered properties have maximum cashout limits ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 per week. There are exceptions to every rule of course and casinos like Playtech powered Bet365 and RTG powered InetBet do not have cashout limits.
However, in spite of being excellent in every other way, casinos like Cherry Red and Rushmore do carry limits (up to $4,000 per week in their case), so this means that if you do hit the random jackpots or any significant wins at places like these, you will only be able to cash out according to their weekly allowances. This can translate into many weeks of waiting to receive your full funds on large amounts and jackpots, so please keep this in mind when playing there. For high rollers, it is advisable to rather stick to InetBet, Bet365 or Microgaming powered casinos who carry no cashout limits at all.
If you are not sure as to which casinos carry cashout limits and which don’t , read the terms and conditions available on their websites or contact customer support to ask if you can’t find the information there, a few minutes spent doing this can help you to avoid weeks of unexpected waiting.
Online Gambling Legal In the US?
February 20, 2009
Do my ears deceive me or is the US looking to legalize online gambling? Word on the street has it that Barney Frank’s office is currently drafting a bill that is presumed to be similar to HR 2046 and that will license and regulate online gambling in the US. Readers and Internet gambling fans should remember HR 2046. This bill was introduced in the US in 2007 and focussed on licensing and regulating online gambling at a federal level.
It was said that Barney Frank does have this bill as a priority as it was mentioned as part and parcel of his legislative priorities in a press conference on Tuesday. This goes hand in hand with Frank’s view that adults should be able to spend their money as they see fit, within reason.
While this may all sound promising to many starved Internet gambling allies in the US, it isn’t likely that, in these desperate economic times, the bill or the possibility of the reintroduction of Internet gambling will be a priority at the federal level any time soon. But it would be interesting to see how things progress this year.
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