A Gift from the DOJ

You gotta love the US government. They’ve given the American gamblers the best piece of gambling news as of Christmas Eve. Here’s all the details as reported from CasinoCityTimes.com. Are you an American Gambler? What are your thoughts?

U.S. DOJ reverses course, says intrastate online gambling is legal

"The Department of Justice gave American online gamblers a Christmas present Friday when it said individual states had the authority to license and regulate non-sports related intrastate online gambling.

The legal opinion issued by the DOJ came in response to inquiries from New York and Illinois about online lottery sales and a letter written by Senate Majority Lead Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Jon Kyl, (R-Ariz.) asking for clarification on the legality of online gaming.

For years, the DOJ had maintained the Wire Act prohibited all forms of online gambling. But in a letter written to Reid and Kyl, the DOJ announced it was adjusting its position after its Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) reviewed the law.

"The Wire Act only applies to the transmission of bets or information assisting in the placing of bets or wagers relating to sporting events or contests," wrote Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich.

"Since state lotteries conducted by New York and Illinois do not relate to sporting events, OLC concluded that the operation of these lotteries would not violate (the law)," Weich added.

After addressing the lotteries issue, Weich turned his attention to other forms of online gaming, including online poker.

"Although the OLC conclusion differs from the Department's previous interpretation of the Wire Act, it reflects the Department's position in Congressional testimony at the time the Wire Act was passed in 1961. It also provides much needed clarity to those state governments that would like to permit wholly in-state, non-sports Internet gambling, including Internet lotteries." (emphasis added)

Weich went on to say that in places where online gaming is clearly illegal, the DOJ would prosecute violators.

"Furthermore, in states that ban various forms of gambling -- including Internet poker -- the Department will be able to investigate and prosecute those gambling businesses under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and other sections of the criminal code," Weich wrote.

"Of course, if Congress wishes to give the federal government greater enforcement authority over non-sports related Internet gambling, it could do so by amending the Wire Act."

The OLC memo on the Wire Act, written by Assistant Attorney General Virginia Seitz, was dated September 20, 2011. No explanation has been offered as to why it was just released today.

Reaction from the online gaming industry poured in swiftly as the letter to Reid and Kyl and the accompanying legal opinion entered the public realm.

“This is a much needed clarification of an antiquated and often confusing law," said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Alliance. "For years, legal scholars and even the courts have debated whether the Wire Act applies to non-sporting activity. Today’s announcement validates the fact that Internet poker does not violate this law.”

"This will provide policy makers at both the state and federal level with the legal confidence to move forward with licensing and regulation of online poker and other non-sporting activity within their respective jurisdictions," added Pappas. "However, it is our hope that our federal policy makers see this as an incentive to move quickly to enact federal licensing and regulation before various states produce a mix of individual state schemes that may not be the best model to serve consumers."

The American Gaming Association seconded Pappas' call for a federal solution to regulating online gaming.

"The Department of Justice’s interpretation regarding the scope of the federal Wire Act validates the urgent need for federal legislation to curb what will now be a proliferation of domestic and foreign, unlicensed and unregulated gaming websites without consistent regulatory standards and safeguards against fraud, underage gambling and money laundering," the AGA said in a statement.

Nevada is in position to become the first state to offer intrastate online gaming to its residents.

Earlier today, the Nevada Gaming Commission approved regulation for online poker. It is the first time an American state has adopted regulations that would govern online poker.

Intrastate online gambling means the gambling has to be confined within an individual state's borders. So poker players living in Nevada could only play with other poker players living in Nevada. Or people in New York can only buy New York lottery tickets online. They can't buy Illinois lottery tickets as well.”

Playtech Acquires Ash Gaming

Recently in gambling news, Playtech acquired Mobenga but the future was a bit hazy. There were no plans for additional acquisitions at that time. Playtech seeks fresh and new platforms and innovation to supplement their gaming package and improve the technological aspect of their brand. Playtech has announced the acquisition of Ash Gaming.

Ash Gaming was established in 2002. Players may be familiar with many of their slot games such as Leprechaun’s Luck, Amazon Wild, Wild Gambler and Hawaiian Treasure. Here’s a bit about them as posted on the official Ash Gaming website.

“Ash Gaming is a leader in its field, focusing solely on providing innovative, best-of-breed games to the betting and gambling sector. Our customers are large operators, bookmakers and platform providers.

The company began life in 2002 delivering specific custom projects for customers in the early online gaming market. It has rapidly evolved delivering an extensive portfolio of products across the industry sectors in multiple languages.

Ash Gaming’s fundamental approach is to deliver the highest quality gaming experience for the player whilst delivering a profitable game for our customers. Our teams achieve this using tried and tested approaches balanced with creativity and innovation, adding the magic that keeps players returning time and time again.

Quality is key and the company is structured around a strict level of quality assurance. We hold a Gambling Software License issued by the UK Gambling Commission.

Employees are our most important asset; we nurture our staff and provide a workplace that encourages ideas and innovation. As a result we enjoy an incredibly low staff turnover rate and hold the Investors in People award. Based at Southwark, London, our team of over 30 people pride themselves on delivering world-class games.”

₤15.5 million will immediately go from Playtech to Ash Gaming followed by a deferred payment of ₤7.5 million over the next three years. This is the fourth acquisition for Playtech since 2011 and the tenth total.

Playtech has said that Ash, “Enhances Playtech’s wholly-owned content library and value chain economics; complements Playtech’s technology leadership with additional premier content capability.”

Playtech CEO Mor Weizer said, “We see this as complementing our strategic actions by ensuring class leading content alongside our leadership in technology. Together this makes a powerful combination and by owning significant games content we will maximize both revenue and earnings across the value chain. In newly regulated markets both in Europe and other territories such as Canada, Ash Gaming’s content is set to gain considerable traction.”

Are you a fan of Playtech? Do you think this recent acquisition will improve the brand?

Michael Jackson's Hair Auctioned Off

He’s passed on but there are still people that want a piece of Michael Jackson. The latest in gambling news is the story of an auction for a clump of Jackson’s hair. An casino portal was the highest bidder and they have big plans. Read the full story from LATimes.com.

“Just when you thought there were no more ways to immortalize (or, some would say, exploit) the late Michael Jackson, an online gambling site has added its name to the long list of companies finding inventive ways of celebrating the king of pop's legacy.

At an auction this weekend of Jackson memorabilia, casino portal OnlineGamblingPal.com purchased a clump of the singer's hair.

"Since we're big Michael Jackson fans, we are very pleased that we won the auction," Jack Mason, spokesperson for OnlineGamblingPal.com, said in a statement. "We had been looking for a fitting way in which to celebrate this entertainment colossus' life since his tragic death in 2009."

OnlineGamblingPal.com was one of 15 bidders and dropped a whopping $10,871 for the hair, which was reportedly fished out of a shower drain at New York's Carlyle Hotel after Jackson stayed there for a charity event during the 1980s.

Jackson’s tresses -- though for obvious reasons there are questions about the authenticity of the hair -- were auctioned by online memorabilia merchant Gotta Have Rock and Roll.

And there are already big plans: The site is planning to use the hair in the creation of a roulette ball. And it “encourages any casino interested in using this unique ball at its tables” to contact it.

Gotta Have Rock and Roll also auctioned two fedoras worn by Jackson, a call sheet for the "Thriller" video shoot, signed “Billie Jean” sheet music and an autographed T-shirt. There were no takers for a handwritten note he used to remind himself to "Call Adam West,” or a map of Neverland.”

Is this the behavior of a super fan or exploitation? Would you play roulette at a Live online casino or land based casino featuring this new ball?

Projected 2015 World Gambling Revenue

The revenue to be gained from online casinos is astronomical. When will the USA catch on to this little tidbit? This amazing gambling news article was found at OnlinePoker.net.

“In 2010, the global gaming revenue derived from casino and online gaming totalled $117.6 billion. However, that figure is set to dramatically increase over the next few years reaching $182.8 billion in 2015.

The predictions made by the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report envisions a 9.2% increase in compound annual revenue over the next five years, with the biggest increases being seen in the Asia Pacific region.

Consequently, by 2015 the Asia Pacific region will have experienced an 18.3% growth in compounded annual revenue to $79.3bn, whereas the US at 5% predicted growth will reach $73.3bn. As a result, Asia Pacific will then account for 43.4% of world spending on casino and online gaming, while the US on 40.1% will find itself in second spot. As PwC’s lead gaming partner, David Trunkfield explains:

“Singapore’s dramatic emergence as a casino gaming centre is a prime example of new territories entering the market. Revenues have surged from zero in 2009, to $4bn in 2011 and a predicted $7bn by 2015. The improvement in transport links to key casino gaming markets, such as Macau, and the easing of regulations is also contributing to the increase in revenues.”

By contrast, growth within the EMEA countries (Europe, Middle East and Africa) are expected to be far weaker at an average annual increase of 2.4% and should hit $18.3bn in 2015. Elaborating further, David Trunkfield stated:

“The casino gaming market in EMEA has been the hardest hit of any region by the economic downturn, with revenues slumping by 12 per cent in 2009, followed by a further 7.2 per cent in 2010, the third consecutive annual decline. The weak economic conditions and the impact of adverse regulatory developments in some countries will curtail growth.”

Finally, the Canadian gaming market is expected to increase by a 1.8% compound annual rate from $5.7bn in 2010 to $6.2bn in 2015, while the Latin American market will experience growth of 8.1% annually from $3.8bn in 2010 to $5.6bn in 2015.

The pervasive changes envisioned taking place over the next five years in the casino gaming industry should thus act as a cue for countries to “stake out the right positioning in the new landscape of 2015,” according to PriceWaterhouseCoopers.ssive gambling.”

Is the USA Getting Close to Legalization?

Two bills are currently before congress. One proposes legalization of online poker and the other to legalize online gambling as a whole.

The big argument is whether gambling should be regulated at the state or federal level. The big problem is the UIGEA because it prohibits financial institutions from allowing transactions related to online casinos and internet gambling.

Lobbyists are spending millions to get gambling approved. These are all groups that stand to gain a piece of the pie and gain profits from it. The true lobbyists are the players. Here’s an excerpt from an article found on PokerNewsReport.com

“In the lobbying battle between federal and state regulation lobbyists, one of the biggest spenders in the game revealed which side of the fence they were on. “We prefer federal legislation,” said Poker Players Alliance (PPA) Executive Director John Pappas. Since the beginning of the year, the PPA has doled out over $1 million to send 20 lobbyists to Washington in an effort to garner support for federal regulations to legalize internet poker.

Although admitting that lobbyists can be a powerful force in getting a group’s message across, Pappas also feels that the efforts made by online poker players themselves who are PPA members also has considerable value that can sometimes be as effective as traditional lobbying efforts to persuade and influence lawmakers.”

“We’ve had tens of thousands of letters sent to Capitol Hill, hundreds of personal visits by individual poker players who care about this issue,” Pappas said. “Lobbyists are just a bunch of suits. Our 1.2 million members are really the heart and soul of our organization.”

It’s obviously all about the government getting their hand in the pot. Until they determine how they will get their hands on your gambling money, this won’t be resolved. Do you have faith that freedom is near?

The Launch of CTXM's XCasino at Bodog88.com

When it’s not the flamboyant Calvin Ayre himself, it’s Bodog making gambling news. In a recent press release I found posted on CasinoCityTimes.com, the latest goings on of this giant group is available for viewing….misspellings and all.

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Bodog88 Casino is the Asian licencee of the Bodog brand, offering Bodog88 Sportsbook and Racebook, Live Dealer Casino and Poker. Bodog88 is currently looking to overhaul the whole online casino space stage by stage by introduing state of the art technology and user-friendly interfaces. The first stage was the new lobby introduced in June, followed recently by the introduction of their own live dealer studio and now CTXM’s Xcasino.

CTXM’s XCasino’s end-to-end online casino software package aims to imitate the thrill and excitement of real casinos by providing unique features to enhance the casino experience including a community tool that facilitates meetings, chatting and multiplayer support.

UdyYosha, CEO of CTXM, stated:“We are honored that our games are now available from one of the world’s most respected online casino brands. The Asian market is significant for CTXM’s future development, and we are glad to be a part of Bodog88.com’s continued success.”

Robert Gustafsson, Managing Director of Bodog88, added: “For any online operator, casino is the most important component but has not been given the same attention and investment as poker and sportsbook over recent years. We are changing that by investing both time, technology and marketing in our online casino and the addition of CTXM’s XCasino is another step in that ever evolving process.”

I wonder what the “unique features” are. Will there be a hostess going house to house serving drinks as we play? I like the idea of the community too. If Bodog is involved, they are sure to have promising results.

Are you familiar with the suite of CTXM games? A few of my favorites slot games are Vampire Slayers, Gems and the City and New York Gangs.

11.11.11 was a Lucky Day at Mummy’s Gold Casino

The day that occurs only every 100 years has made gambling news with a major lucky player. One lucky guy had no idea what was ahead of him when he got out of bed that day. I found the story hot off the presses at CasinoAdvisor.com.

“It can only be called a coincidence that a player wagering at an Egyptian themed online casino took home a huge amount playing on two Egyptian themes video slots. The online casino is Mummy's Gold, which is a brand of the Palace Group. The day 11.11.11 proved lucky for a player from Australasia when he won $57,485 on the Microgaming slot games Mega Moolah Isis and Throne of Egypt.

Mega Moolah Isis is one of the four online slots linked to the Mega Moolah four tier progressive jackpot network. The player must have been trying for the largest of the progressive jackpots named Mega Moolah, which is currently ticking away at over $1.2 million. Though the big fish got away, the player will be quite happy with what he caught. Throne of Egypt has been drawing a lot of traffic at Mummy's Gold online casino since its launch earlier in November. Players are eagerly trying to reach the third level of the Bonus Chamber where they will meet three Egyptian princesses and will try to pick the one that offers the largest multiplier. But before that they have to find the golden key in the other two bonus chambers. One key is hidden amid golden scarabs and the other amid golden hawks. It is not known whether this Australasian player met the princesses or not, but with over $50,000 for one day's work he will not be complaining.

Mummy's Gold online casino offers other Egyptian themed video slots as well. One of them is titled Ruby of the Nile and it was released in February this year. Two Egyptian themed slots released in the same year says a lot about the popularity of such games. Ruby of the Nile offers two wild symbols, Ankh and Eye of the Horus. The Ankh is a x2 multiplier and the Eye of the Horus is a x3 multiplier. Ruby of the Nile Logo, Queen, Bennu and Anubis symbols offer scatter payouts. Players can win up to 20 free spins with doubled payouts. Treasure Nile is a long standing progressive jackpot online slot at Mummy's Gold online casino. The progressive jackpot is hit by getting five King Tut symbols on the ninth payline. Treasure Nile pays out on an average $120,000 every 12 days. It was last hit 25 days ago but has only reached $74,000. Obviously the new Egypt theme slot game Throne of Egypt has cornered some of the traffic.

There are many familiar names in the big winners list at Mummy's Gold online casino in November. These include Thunderstruck II, Irish Eyes, Riviera Riches and Break da Bank Again. Mummy's Gold online casino is licensed by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority of Malta and carries the eCOGRA seal of approval.”

What would you do with all that cash? When you ear of major wins, does it make you want to play at that casino or avoid it for a while? I tend to stay away since a major win was very recent.

New BetSoft Slot

Betsoft is in gambling news this week with the release of the new slot game, Ned and his Friends. It’s the latest to hit the online casino world. I found a great slot review from LatestCasinoBonuses.com. You’ve got to give it a try.

"About Ned and his Friends

Whether you’re looking for a nice game to cut your time between Halloween and Christmas holidays, or you’re just in search for a graphically superb slot, you simply have to drop by one of the Betsoft casinos and give their latest title a try – we promise you won’t regret it!

“Ned and His Friends” is a brand new addition to the software house’s Slots3 series, which is known for its state of the art graphics and sound effects. This is one of the most adorable games you will ever cross path with – with its cute, singing rats who hang out in an ordinary guy Ned’s house and scare to death his girlfriend, and sounds that include a song sung by the rats’ little voices whenever you spin the reels. All of this combined creates an atmosphere that is very hard to resist. And when you take into account this five-reel, 30-payline slot’s special features that bring you some very generous prizes and include scatters, free spins, click-me feature and a bonus round, you won’t be able to say no to “Ned and His Friends.”

And to make the game available to all types of punters, Betsoft designers introduced a great variety of bet amounts to choose from. There are coin denominations going from as little as $0.02 to $1, and the possibility to place up to five coins per line. Also, you can choose the number of lines to play on, but it’s highly recommendable to keep this number on the maximum 30 lines, as that will boost your chances to win nice prizes.

Special Features:

This is an area of the slot that is a bit out of the ordinary. Namely, it’s very common for slots to contain a wild symbol, which “Ned and His Friends” does not have. However, this does not diminish the number and amount of prizes, as there are plenty of other special features to cover for the lack of a wild symbol.

Those features include free spins, which are triggered by three or more white rats anywhere on the reels. During the free spins mode, rats will sing and dance to entertain you while you’re winning, and you can also get additional free spins if you land more of the white rat symbols. Apart from the free spins, there’s the Click-Me feature, activated when three or more rat tail symbols appear anywhere. Once this happens, you will get to choose one of the symbols in order to reveal an instant prize. This feature could appear more often, though. Finally, three or more Ned’s girlfriend symbols will start the fantastic bonus round, in which the girlfriend faints when she sees the rats and you need to choose a main soloist among them to lead the choir while they sing to her until she wakes up. Apart from being very sweet, this feature involves some good prizes, so it’s worth the wait.

“Ned and His Friends” is one of the truly amazing releases, in which Betsoft has outdid itself. Complex graphics representing simple things, various features giving away nice prizes, great generosity in regular spins – all this will keep you tied to this fabulous game for a long, long time!"

November 2011 Microgaming Slot Releases

The moment that online casino lovers wait for is news of brand new games. There are several new releases from Microgaming that went live over the last few days. Enjoy!

Press Release:

MICROGAMING ANNOUNCES NEW GAMES FOR NOVEMBER

ISLE OF MAN – Microgaming (www.microgaming.com), the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, announces a raft of exhilarating new games for release in November.

Throne of Egypt is a five reel, twenty-five payline video slot, which builds magnificently on Microgaming’s portfolio of popular Egyptian themed games. The intricate design amplifies the experience as players are taken through different chambers when they trigger the bonus. Following this, players have access to many riches, such as jewelled scarabs and free spins. In addition, players can enter a final Bonus level that takes them through to the King’s Chambers, where they will find a number of beautiful princesses bearing fantastic prizes.

Throne of Egypt will be available on Microgaming’s Flash and Viper platforms.

Dr Love is a fantastic addition to Microgaming’s established collection of quirky games. This five reel, twenty line video slot has a comical hospital theme with bright animation and whimsical sounds. The game prescribes fun and excellent prizes as players are able to win up to twenty free spins with all prizes trebled – the free spin feature can even be re-triggered.

Dr Love will be available on Microgaming’s Flash and Viper platforms.

King of Cash is a royally good way of striking it rich. Players can win free spins or match three kings to be awarded a second screen bonus round. The game’s superior graphics, coupled with the high quality animation and sounds, make playing a very regal affair. King of Cash offers frequent base game wins and huge rewards on the free spin and second screen bonus rounds, which ensure that players will keep coming back for more.

King of Cash will be available on Microgaming’s Flash platform.

Crocodopolis is a feisty twenty-five line, five reel video slot with a surprising and unique feature. Not only does this game have free spins, but it also has a Slide It Wild patented game feature, which allows players to have manual control over the place and behaviour of wildcard symbols. This intense game is extremely gratifying to players who can effectively set their own game volatility and play in their preferred personal style by sliding the power of the wild. The strong character married with rich graphics and sounds make Crocodopolis a game that is sure to be snapped up by many.

Crocodopolis will be available on Microgaming’s Flash and Viper platforms.

Alaskan Fishing is a five reel Video Slot with 243 Ways, stacked Wilds, a second screen bonus game and recurring Free Spins Feature. Players can enjoy the serenity of a fishing trip without leaving the house, catching salmon in the Fly Fishing bonus to win up to seventy five times their total bet. Furthermore, if players secure three or more tackle boxes to receive free spins, they can potentially double their wins.

Alaskan Fishing will be available on Microgaming’s Flash platform.

Elio Fox Wins WSOP Europe Main Event

American poker professional Elio Fox went to Cannes, France, to win his first ever World Series of Poker championship bracelet and made gambling news.

Fox, 25, from New York City, bagged the Main Event in the World Series of Poker Europe on October 20, 2001, coming out on top among 593 players in the no-limit Hold’em tournament. This was the largest player pool in World Series of Poker Europe history. The win earned him a whopping $1.9 million!

Fox’s greatest victory aside from this was at the Bellagio Cup in July when he raked in $680,000.Fox played in 17 events during World Series of Poker at the Rio last year, but he did not cash once.

“I think the most important thing to me is knowing whether I played well,” Fox said after the victory. “I get really hard on myself when I play poorly. Obviously, winning a lot of money is a great feeling.”

Fox started to playing poker at online casinos during his first year of college and decided to pursue the game after graduation. He built up a considerable bankroll and luckily hadn’t accumulated any college loan debt.

“I like living a lifestyle that involves a lot of freedom,” Fox said. “I don’t like being on a set routine. The idea of going to the same job every day over and over for 10 hours a day sounds horrible to me. Poker is just the opposite of that.”

Chris Moorman, a 26-year-old professional poker player who lives in Cyprus, was the runner up. He pocketed $1.1 million for his role.

The World Series of Poker Europe was hosted at the Hotel Majestic Barriére, the location of the international film festival. Fox was among four Americans to win these events.

The Main Event buy-in was 10,000 Euros, which converted to $13,765. I better start practicing online. We could all make a nice living.

London Party Poker Tournament

Party Poker is collaborating with promoter Matchroom Sport to hold the Premier League Poker Mixed Game Championship at London’s Playboy Club. The championship takes place from November 13th to November 17th.

PartyPoker.com, licensed in Gibraltar, has made gambling news by revealing that the upcoming $25,000 buy-in tournament will see some top professionals in pot-limit hold’em and Omaha alongside no-limit hold’em such as Tony G, Mike Sexton and Sam Trickett and Luke Schwartz.

“I cannot wait,” said Tony G. “I am going to take everything they have. I am going to mix the mixed game up and put on a show.”

Sky Sports has committed to broadcast coverage of the tournament exclusively in the UK before the programming goes international.

“I think it’s fantastic that games other than no-limit hold’em are going to get television exposure,” said Sexton. “Poker is more than one game. This is a bold move but a good one.”

PartyPoker.com stated that the Premier League Poker Mixed Game Championship will have two groups of six players competing against each other in three heats of every one of the disciplines. Each competitor will receive a ‘double-up’ card to be used in any of the three heats good for double points. Those that place the top threeof each game will land a spot in the mixed-game final with guaranteed prize money while the ultimate winner will win a seat into the main event of the PartyPoker.com Premier League.

“In 2010, we won the Poker Innovation Award and we remain committed to producing poker programming and events that excite both players and audiences alike,” said Eddie Hearn, Managing Director for Matchroom Sport.

“With the Premier League Poker Mixed Game Championship the format offers the viewer games that they rarely see on television. It is also a great test for the players and taking them out of their comfort-zone and watching them compete in three different disciplines will be compelling viewing.”

Microgaming Launches Lucky Witch

The newest Microgaming slot game to hit the gambling news is Lucky Witch. It’s absolutely perfect for the Halloween season. I played it at the King Neptune’s online casino. I love the colors and the witchy theme.

All the Halloween symbols are there such as a black cat, potions, a witch, pumpkins, gargoyles and more!  I set my wager at £2.25 per spin. Lucky Witch is a 15 line slot video slot game with two features. I always try to play a while to see what they are before I look at the pay table. Why? I don’t know, it’s just a thing I have.

I triggered the Mystery Bonus almost immediately. Three Mystery Bonus symbols launch a new screen. I was prompted to choose from three spell books. Each reveals a prize. I chose the green eerie looking spell book and won 35x my bet. That was a total win of £78.75! So far I was loving the Lucky Witch. Within 5 spins I hit it again. Only this time I chose from a few pumpkins. The first choice revealed 9,000 credits. You have the option to keep it or pick again. Greed got the better of me and I chose again. You can do this three times, which I did, and I ended up with £67.50. I should have gone with my first choice. There are more bonus games within the Mystery Bonus in addition to the two I had seen. Among them are them Magic Potion Bonus and the Secret Vault Bonus.   

The Lucky Witch symbols are multipliers. I had some nice winning combinations with those. I was assuming that the Scatter symbols awarded free spins as with many Microgaming slot games. I never did get them so I checked the pay table and sure enough, 13 free spins are awarded.

Have you tried Lucky Witch yet?

Promotions within the American Gaming Association

The following bit of gambling news has just been released. As an American, no news is good news unless the online casino ban has been lifted.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Today the American Gaming Association (AGA) announced the promotions of Keli Elkins to vice president of industry relations and Holly Wetzel to vice president of communications.

“Keli and Holly’s talents have been invaluable assets to the AGA for a number of years now,” said AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr. “They are natural leaders with a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of our industry, and I can’t wait to see where they take us next in their new roles.”

Elkins has been with the AGA since 2002, serving as director of special projects and playing critical roles in organizing Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and G2E Asia, the industry’s premier trade show and conference events in North America and Asia respectively. She also directs other AGA events including the Gaming Hall of Fame Charity Dinner and Induction Ceremony, the AGA/AGEM Golf Classic and the National Center for Responsible Gaming’s (NCRG) annual conference and webinar series. As vice president of industry relations, Elkins will continue to build relationships with the industry and its stakeholders through partnerships with state gaming associations and industry events such as G2E, G2E Asia, and the Global Gaming Women initiative.

“With her extensive network of gaming industry relationships, fundraising expertise and event planning talents, Keli has been a key contributor to the AGA’s success,” Fahrenkopf said. “She knows our industry inside and out, and has continually developed top-notch programming that is invaluable to our members.”

Wetzel joined the AGA in 2005 as the as communications director. In this role, she developed and managed integrated communications programs for the association and its affiliated 501(c)3 charity, the NCRG. As vice president of communications, Wetzel will lead communications initiatives for the AGA and the NCRG, working closely with senior leadership and member companies to tackle emerging gaming issues and raise public awareness of the industry.

“Holly has been instrumental in developing and keeping us focused on our strategic communications vision. She oversees multiple, complex campaigns and always manages to keep our short-term and long-term goals in constant view,” explains Fahrenkopf. “This new role is a natural fit, and we’re excited that she will be expanding her portfolio at the AGA.”

Real Time Gaming Releases Monster Mayhem

The latest to hit the RTG online casinos is Monster Mayhem. It’s at the top of the list in much of the recent gambling news. I’m going to be honest and say that I’m not too excited about this slot game. I don't want to say it sucks because that would be a little harsh (but it does!). I played it as soon as I saw it available at Rushmore Casino.

Judging by the name, I was under the impression that it was going to be somewhat scary like Blood Suckers or Scary Rich. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The theme is based on a couple of monsters, Smash and Crash, who terrorize a city. The slot game has 50 paylines, and the two monsters on the reels launch a re-spin feature. At $1 per spin the most I earned was $20 during the bonus. I’m not complaining but I’ve seen much more from other RTG slots at the same wager or even less. Monster mayhem is part of the RTG Real Series slots and has those famous random jackpots.

Now that the description is out of the way I must share a comment that I found at LatestCasinoBonuses.com. This was a player’s feedback.

“Monster Mayhem appeared at my rogue site this afternoon. As I write this I am up $120 playing $1 a spin in my 1st half hour. Here is my opinion on it.

This slot is for you if u like the following:

1. 50 line slots
2. One wild in line 1 and line 5
3. Low line pays
4. Up to 10 retrigger spins but u usually get 3 or 4
5. If u don’t hit the spin button after each bonus retrigger spin it will take until 2012 to get thru 4 re-trigger spins
6. You enjoy boring slots”

I couldn’t have said it better myself. Have you tried Monster Mayhem?

New Horoscope Scratch Card Released

The horoscopes are a fun and interesting hobby that predicts the future and at the same time tells a person there specific traits. Your lucky numbers as well as lucky days to gamble are the guide to great fortune for those who believe. Now there is more fun than ever before with horoscopes for the gambler with a brand new game that have your astrological sign jumping for joy. 

NeoGames International Limited has made gambling news by announcing the release of a new addition of the next-generation Horoscope scratch card to its casino suite of over 120 interactive games created for online casinos.

The Horoscope scratch card features all 12 zodiac signs with a colorful designed display with the top cash prize award valued at a whopping 200,000 credits to a single player lucky enough to win. The new scratch card is played like a typical scratch card sold in local markets.

The card features three-dimensional animation and is available on a global level of multi-currency options. Horoscope is available to all NeoGames partners and with players adding their their own personal touch by choosing their sign while they play up to four cards at once. The object of the game is to match a trio of astrological symbols to win. The scratch card also has a special feature where players can read their daily horoscopes adding even a deeper level of playing with a day by day astrological guide and doubling the pleasure of playing.

“We are very pleased to announce the release of Horoscope that, for the first time, combines an utmost gaming experience with additional entertainment as we offer our players personalised content by delivering the daily horoscope for each sign,” said Shay Bar-Josef, Managing Director for NeoGames.

“Through advanced three-dimensional graphical animations, the game allows increased player interactivity.”

Jackpot Party Online Casino Releases New Slot

Finally the moment players have been waiting for has arrived with a slot that is named after the online casino, Super Jackpot Party. It is certain to be one of the hottest slots in a collection of favorites and is at the top of gambling news.

Jackpot Party Slot is the same machine found in the land based casinos in Las Vegas and throughout the United States.

The theme is all about having a party complete with party favors, balloons, presents, punch bowls and party cups. The bonus round is one of the most thrilling themed bonuses players will ever experience. When there is three of the party horns appear on reels 1, 3 and 5 it will launch the player to a new screen where there are rows and rows of presents waiting. There is no limit to the number of presents a player can click with cash prizes in each.

The bonus round ends when clicking on a present that says “pooper”. But there is still a second chance to go back to the game when a screen appears with 5 party favors. Click on the party favor for a second chance and players find themselves right back at the bonus game.

Players can rack up lots of cash in this bonus feature with cash amounts that vary depending on the amount of the wager. Coin values start at .01 for a total of .30 to play all lines.

Jackpot Party Casino offers other slots that are also very popular in land based casinos and promises to be a successful online site. At the moment the slots are limited with the recent launch of the casino this past spring but new ones are continually being added.

In addition to the slots there are several levels of Progressive Jackpots that are randomly awarded to gamblers as they are playing.

Da Vinci Would Be Proud of the New Slot Release

Da Vinci is back better than ever in the online casino market with a new version developed by IGT Interactive. The new slot is making gambling news and is as impressive as the artist himself.

The new slot titled Davinci Diamonds Dual Play promises to be the hot new online casino slot is the creative masterpiece that IGT Interactive is certain will take off.

The slot is a 40 payline game that six reels and a split screen. The bonus round is captivating and quite unique from other slots. When the bonus round feature is triggered twenty additional paylines are added for a whopping 60 payline advantage.

This feature is what will be the delight of players with the line increase will drastically increase the odds of capturing a winning opportunity.

Davinci Diamonds Dual Play slot is so graphically amazing that some may think that Da Vinci had a hand in it.

The reels are a pallet of bright colorful symbols that are tantalizing as they are splashed across the screen. The gems are exquisite with some of the most precious stones around with rubies, emeralds, yellow topaz and diamonds.

No Da Vinci slot would be complete without featuring one of the most famous paintings in history. Mona Lisa will mesmerize the player with that mysterious smile as your thoughts drift and wonder all over again who was the beauty of a woman. Other portraits are displayed creating a canvas of paintings most fitting for an art gallery.

The reels are on this slot machine does not spin in the traditional way that most slots do. Instead the reels drop the symbols in a vertical fashion.

The slot is due to be out soon and for all those interested in playing should look for IGT Interactive online casinos that will offer this classic remake.

New Playtech Online Casino Launched

The launch of a brand new Playtech online casino has made gambling news. Vernons Casino has gone live!

Vernons Casino offers a two stage deposit bonus promotion to new players. High rollers are not left out with a special first deposit bonus. As a new casino on the scene,  Vernons Casino has a truly amazing Refer a Friend program rewarding players with £40 when they introduce a friend to Vernons Casino. As if that’s not great enough, each friend referred will also receive a £25 bonus. There’s a great 4 tier VIP program where players accumulate loyalty points. The higher the tier, the better the value of points. Vernons also has a weekly mystery game that offers double loyalty points.

Vernons offers a wide range of over 150 Playtech games. Games available include various card games, table games, video poker, arcade games and slots. The slot games include progressive jackpot favorites such as Beach Life and Gold Rally alongside Playtech’s Marvel slots such as X-Men and Blade. Players have the option to download the casino or opt for the flash version.

This is a statement from the Vernons Casino website, "Partnering with software giant Playtech means that Vernons.com not only provides customers the most interactive game play that can be experienced online but also an unbeatable range of games along with the fact that they are the first in line when it comes to new software releases."

Customer service is available 24 hours a day and includes a Live Chat option. Players from the UK may contact them directly via a toll free number. Players can check out the FAQ’s and scroll through the section of various Game Rules.  A very respectable aspect of Vernons Casino is that they regularly donate to registered charities.

Have you tried Vernons Casino yet? What’s your assessment of the online casino?

Paddy Power Needs More Than Censoring

The Irish bookmaker, Paddy Power, has made gambling news by becoming the most recent gambling operator to be hunted and censored by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Paddy Power has stated that it was absolutely not their intention to be misleading customers but the ASA has told the operator to pull their TV and radio adverts off the air.

A series of complaints were made against the Paddy Power TV advert claiming it was misleading. Why? It was all down to the fine print and it contradiction to the offer advertised. Similar complaints are also swirling around the radio adverts. The advertising campaigns revolved around bets on the Champion League final match between Manchester United and Barcelona. Paddy Power had offered to refund player losing bets if Barcelona won in normal time with a maximum refund of £100.

Paddy Power reaffirms that it was not their intention to mislead customers. They also claim that the fine print simply clarified the advertisement. They agreed to refund some and certainly not all losses. Paddy Power has also argued that adverts were broadcasted on sports related television and radio stations where the average viewer / listener would be familiar with the basic terms and conditions associated with such offers. In other words, if you’re a bettor you should know better? I don’t think so.

The ASA supported the complaints related to both the television and the radio adverts. There will always be gaming companies that will walk a fine line with their fine print and the ASA will have to continue to investigate claims against advertising campaigns. The ASA review is a process and by the time it is finalized the offers advertised by online casinos or sportsbooks have run their course. It would seem that the operators also get extra exposure as a result.

Do you think that some stiffer punishment should be in place as a means of prevention? Maybe if there were bans or significant fines, operators would be a bit more reluctant to mislead us.

Mobile Casinos Hit the Italian Market

Mobile casinos have dominated gambling news lately. Many online casinos are jumping in on the band wagon. I personally am undecided about the mobile casinos but many people see the convenience. When I gamble I want to enjoy the experience. A tiny screen just seems like it would make things difficult.

An article from CasinoAdvisor.com describes a new deal for the Italian market.

“Mobile gaming has widely been recognized as the fastest growing segment of online casino gambling. It has really taken off in the newly formed regulated online casino market in Italy. The first of the news items concerns a new mobile gaming casino in this market. The second news item concerns an online gambling research company's foray into mobile gaming research.

Spin3 is recognized as a leading provider of mobile gaming services. It is a subsidiary of Spiral Solutions and is a partner of Microgaming. Spin3 has announced a tie-up with Neomobile to launch Casino Planet, a new mobile gaming operation for the Italian market. Casino Planet will offer to its customers popular table games from the portfolio of Microgaming, such as roulette and blackjack. These games will be optimized to offer a smooth and immersive mobile experience across a range of advanced smart phones such as iOS and Android devices. Spiral Solutions will provide the complete administrative services specifically tailored to support Neomobile and to increase its brand equity in Italy. Neomobile is one of the first AAMS licensed providers in the regulated Italian market.

H2 Gambling Capital had recently released a comprehensively researched report on the mobile gaming market titled Gambling Goes Mobile. It has now announced the launch of its new mobile data consultancy and market intelligence business H2 Mobile. Charles Palmer, the former head of the mobile gaming operations of Betfair, will join the H2 Mobile team. According to a statement issued by H2 Gambling Capital, Palmer will be available to "advise clients on opportunities presented by new technologies and assist in developing strategies to allow businesses to benefit from disruptive trends". Elaborating on the H2 mobile venture, Joel Keeble, the head of mobile, poker and special projects, said that it is designed to give online gambling operators the edge that is needed in a new market. It will help them prevent a loss of market share in their existing operations due to the emergence of new technologies. He compared the situation to what land based operators had faced during the initial years of rapid growth in online casino gambling.”

I understand that mobile casinos are the new wave and the next big thing in gambling. What attracts you to mobile casinos? Is it simply the convenience factor?

New Neteller Product

I recently came across the latest in gambling news, Neosurf. An article described the new product offered by Neteller. Casino Adviser said it best so here’s the low down on Neosurf.

“Neteller is a leading payment solutions option that is accepted at practically all online casinos. Neteller not only regularly keeps improving its services but also keeps its members informed of the improvements through e-mails. The latest e-mail from Neteller concerns a new product Neosurf.

Neosurf is a prepaid card that can be used to deposit funds instantly into Neteller electronic wallet accounts. Then players can transfer the funds to their favorite online casinos or use them for making other online payments. At the moment Neosurf is available only to Neteller users from France, Italy, Spain and Belgium, but the domain will be extended in the future.

The e-mail explains in detail the process of loading Neteller electronic wallets using Neosurf. Neosurf cards can be purchased from any authorized Neteller retailer in the four countries. Then the Neteller user has to sign into his Neteller account and select the Deposit or Money In option from the main menu. From the options then displayed on the screen players should select the Neosurf deposit option. The status column states that players can make a deposit between €22.50 ($30) and €4,372.50. Further details about the Neosurf option can be obtained by clicking the "Learn More" link. Online casino players who want to load their Neteller electronic wallet should click "Make a deposit" link.

Step by step instructions are provided to help Neteller users. In Step 1 the amount of the deposit has to be entered. The allowable range is again displayed for the convenience of the online casino players. Players are informed that a processing fee of 1.50% will apply. Players can abort the process by clicking "Cancel" or can go to the next step by clicking "Continue". The screen in Step 2 displays the amount being deposited and the processing fee amount. The Neosurf users can confirm the deposit by clicking "Continue", abort the process by clicking "Cancel" or alter the deposit amount by clicking "Change Details". Confirming the payment will take the users to the payment page where the process will be completed. In the payment page players will be required to confirm the deposit details again. In this page a link is provided to the Neosurf support team, so that players can get assistance if they face difficulties in making the deposit.

Each Neosurf card has a 10 digit PIN number printed on the back of the card. In the final step players will have to enter that number on the screen and click "OK". The funds will automatically be deposited into the online casino player's Neteller account and he will be connected back to the eWallet. He can then transfer funds to online casinos using the normal procedure.”

This should prove to be very useful for online gamblers. Are you interested in Neosurf? Do you think it will be useful in to you personally?

Gollum Now Featured on the LOTR Slot Game

Gollum is making gambling news headlines. The Lord of the Rings slot game has been improved. My favorite character Gollum is now part of the actions. I’ve played it and I’m already hooked. Here are the details from Royal Vegas Online Casino. They were among the first to release it.

“(PRESS RELEASE) -- Royal Vegas Online Casino is the flagship casino of the Fortune Lounge and new games are regularly added to the already extensive gaming portfolio. The latest game released in September 2011, is the revamped edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring video slot.

This updated addition to the Microgaming video slot portfolio builds on the success of the original game. The game has additional features such as a progressive jackpots and new imagery to enhance game play. The addition of the character Gollum is also an addition that will capture players’ imaginations.

The game boasts 243 Ways to win and provides an entertaining and rewarding experience to players. The game also has Cinematic Spins™ where cinematic scenes from the movie are incorporated into the slot game.

The game has four progressive jackpots. There is a chance to win one of four jackpots within the randomly triggered Bonus Wheel feature. The higher the bet, the better the chances are of winning the progressive jackpot.

The addition of the character Gollum is an exciting new feature. The Gollum character can appear anywhere and award players with features and prizes.

Royal Vegas is dedicated to providing quality online entertainment to their players by making sure that their gaming portfolio is the very best. All the games at Royal Vegas are powered by Microgaming, which has a reputation for developing games of an exceptional quality.”

Yet Another Monopoly Slot Game

One game that I’m never too old to play is Monopoly. It actually made more sense as I got older. I don’t like this digital banker though. It has to be old fashioned Monopoly. When the Monopoly slot game was released I was ecstatic. Then there was a second, third and a fourth. Is WagerWorks over doing it with a fifth release? “You're in the Money” is the latest to hit the market.

Here’s a snippet from an article on CasinoAdvisor.com:

“Monopoly fans will love the Board Bonus because it enables them to relive the experience of playing the board game. Once the game is triggered players get up to three rolls of the dice initially. The token starts from Go and is moved on the board as per dice total. The payouts depend on the type of square the player lands on. Landing on a property gives the player one spin on a mini slot machine. The payouts on the slot machines keep increasing with the value of the property on the Monopoly board. Landing on a utility gives the player one roll of the dice. Players get paid based on the sum of the dice. Landing on Chance or Community Chest allows the player to draw a random card from the corresponding deck. Different types of benefits are offered to the player. Landing on a railroad advances the player to the next railroad spot on the board and gives him an extra roll. This gives him an opportunity to land on a higher valued property and win bigger payouts. Players who land on or pass the GO spot are awarded 200 times the triggering line bet. These are just some of the benefits that the player can win in the Board Bonus. The complete details are listed in the pay table.”  

I gave it a try at Virgin Casino. It’s not bad but how many Monopoly slots can we have? The Board Bonus is very cute but you are not guaranteed a win. I hit it twice and walked away with nothing. Finally on the third bonus round, I managed to win £15.

William Hill Partners with Real Radio

William Hill, a giant within the online casino industry, has made gambling news by sealing a deal with Real Radio to sponsor a program called Real Radio Matchday: Live! William Hill operates both land based betting facilities and online casinos. The sponsorship of Scotland's new look Saturday afternoon football show is a huge deal for them.

Alan Rough hosts the football show and weeknight Real Radio Phone-In host Fraser Thomson is focused on interviews with fans before a match. Alan ‘Roughy’ Rough was a Scottish footballer and current icon playing in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup. Rough played represented his country playing a total of 53 times.

The managing director of Real Radio, Gavin Bruce, commented, “This is the first time William Hill have sponsored a show on Real Radio and we’re really pleased to welcome them on board for the coming football season. What better brand than the official betting partner of the Scottish Premier League, to sponsor the show.”

“The new look Saturday show offers a strong platform that will not only deliver for our listeners but our new partner too. Real Radio Matchday: Live! will be the place to have your say, whether your team has hit the pitch with an early kick off, or are still to kick a ball; we’ll be there with the fans every step of the way, eagerly watching the new season unfold.”

David Lynn, Head of Media for William Hill added, “We are really excited to be linking up with Real Radio and sponsoring their Saturday Matchday: Live! programme. It brings together two great brands and offers a great opportunity to engage, interact and have fun with their audience on all matters football.”

This is a good direction for William Hill. Hopefully it will build their reputation even further.

Bodog Brand to Bye Bye USA

Image accompanying the topic on Calvin Ayre 's website.

The Bodog Brand owned by the flamboyant Calvin will soon say sayonara to the US market. Another big dog bites the dust. The Morris Mohawk Gaming Group (MMGG) license agreement is due to expire at the end of 2011. It is then that US players will no longer be welcome at Bodog online casinos. Each online casino to drop American players becomes big gambling news as the choices become fewer and fewer for players.

The Bodog Brand has released a statement regarding the decision to allow their brand license with Morris Mohawk Gaming expire at the end of 2011.

“Following recent news that Bodog UK has been granted a gambling license by the UK Gambling Commission, we are pleased to announce further developments to the Bodog brand going forward.

As highlighted last week, Bodog UK’s CEO, Patrik Selin believes the trust and credibility that having a UK license brings to the brand will benefit customers and allow him to attract the best talent in the industry to work with him.

However, in order to ensure the brand’s expansion is not affected by negative perceptions, both in the UK and elsewhere in emerging markets such as Asia, where Bodog88 is already successful, a decision has been made to withdraw the Bodog brand from the US market at the end of 2011. As a result, the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group’s (MMGG) brand licensing agreement will be allowed to expire on 31 December, following which US residents will no longer be able to access bodog.eu or any other Bodog branded website. We understand that MMGG will launch under its own brand in 2012, licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. All Bodog.eu clients’ funds will remain safe and they will have the option to switch to a new MMGG brand should they wish but MMGG confirms it’s business as usual.

This decision presents a fresh direction for the Bodogbrand.com as it looks to create a new chapter in its history. The move will enable the Bodog brand to continue its growth and expansion and maintain its position as the world’s largest gaming brand.”

I find it slightly unusual that they preface the news with “we are pleased to announce”. The day will come when the US lifts the ban on online gambling and when it does the market will be massive. One thing I absolutely do not understand is how Bodog could be granted a UK Gambling license when they are committing a crime by accepting US players. Someone please tell me how this this is possible. How do all these sites that continue to accept US players (and advertise it) escape the wrath of the DOJ?

A Safe Means of Sharing Information with Casinos

I ran across a gambling news article about the release of PlayerVerify.com Player Verify, LLC. I haven’t seen any online casinos that work with this site. It’s a gateway for us as players to share sensitive documents with casinos. When they require identification, this site serves as a safe means to provide it.

Here’s the July 22, 2011 press release from their site:

“FRANKLIN, Tennessee -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Player Verify, LLC, the only company with a mission to ease the verification process between players and gaming sites for added security launched www.PlayerVerify.com in April, 2010. Designed for both online players and the gaming industry, PlayerVerify.com provides the hub and secure technology needed to ease the player hard document verification process between the two groups.

“With our secure system players simply login, upload their documents and send a request to the gaming site for ID document approval,” says Mark Dalton of Player Verify, LLC. “With PlayerVerify.com, players and gaming sites alike can be confident that sensitive personal information remains private, avoiding unsecure email and facsimile that's currently required within the industry.”

Many gaming sites do internal background checks during registration but this isn't foolproof. "At some point and time a drivers license, passport or some other form of hard ID must be checked, it's the internet." With PlayerVerify.com, instead of faxing or e-mailing sensitive documents, players can upload all of their hard document verification details to one portal avoiding stored information on several gaming servers and computers. PlayerVerify.com makes this information accessible to specific gaming sites or operators, who then obtain the information through an access code provided by the player and player only.

PlayerVerify.com provides online gamers with many account features. Players can see who is viewing their personal documents in real-time and have real-time accessibility to see whether those documents are approved or denied by the gaming site. In addition, players have exclusive access to a log that lists who viewed uploaded documents and when, providing an added layer of security. Users can learn almost instantly if an unauthorized person or site is trying to gain access to their information. Players also have the ability to lock their documents upon approval from the gaming site, further preventing unauthorized access.

Online gaming sites also have many benefits to using PlayerVerify.com. Gaming site operators no longer need to sort through faxes or e-mails that contain the personal details of their players. In addition, gaming sites no longer need to worry about how to properly and safely store or dispose of this critical information. Operators can also benefit from PlayerVerify.com’s online approval/denial services and can quickly send requests for further information from players.

This would make me feel a whole lot safer when I come across this requirement. I recently won a slots tourney and have been dreading the requirement to email or fax my documents to the casino. I don’t know who could have access to my emails out here on the world wide web.”

Does a service like this ease the blow of exchanging your sensitive information?

Playtech’s Latest Slot Game: Mr. Cash Back

Slot games are released each month. Not all make the gambling news but Playtech’s Mr. Cash Back is quite unique. It has recently been released and there is already a buzz that Mr. Cash Back could become slot game of the year. There are a number of online casinos that offer Playtech software. They may not feature Mr. Cash Back yet but in time he’ll be at all of them. Here’s a review from LatestCasinoBonuses:

“About Mr. Cash Back

All of us who play online have a favorite promotion type. Some prefer no deposit bonuses, some love big VIP bonuses, but most of us find cash-back bonuses absolutely irresistible. Losing, but getting some of it back, that’s a good deal indeed. And that’s a deal you’ll find in Playtech’s new release: “Mr. Cash Back,” which has an abundance of good traits, but perhaps the best one is its Cash Back Feature.

This is not just another 5-reel video slot. “Mr. Cash Back” designers have taken an alternative, innovative approach which promises to appeal to players’ taste for quality games. They didn’t focus too much on graphics, which are straightforward but good, they focused on the game’s features. And those are simply great – apart from standard wilds, scatters, free spins and multipliers, there are also the above mentioned Cash Back Feature and Gamble feature. As for the regular symbols, many of those are related to money – there are bags full of it, cash all over the reels, as well as simply drawn poker symbols.

Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities to win in “Mr. Cash Back”. But to start benefiting from them, you’ll need to decide how much you’re ready to invest into the game. The choice is quite varied – you can select from a range of coin denominations starting from as little as $0.01 and going up to $5. Then, there are multiple coins you can place per payline – from 1 to 10, and it’s good to keep this amount on maximum, as the winnings from the Cash Back Feature greatly depend on it. Finally, you can choose the number of lines, as well, but do keep in mind that the maximum number of lines maximizes your winning odds.”

Mr. Cash Back features freezing wilds, free spins and the Mr. Cash Back Feature. The Mr. Cash Back Feature is triggered when a pay line fails to pay out 50 spins in a row.

Is Mr. Cash Back worthy of slot game of the year?

The Rivers Casino Opens In Illinois

Originally being from Chicago, I am super excited to hear that the 10th casino in Illinois has finally opened as of July 18, 2011. The building of the casino was top gambling news in my neck of the woods a few years back. I think it fell through due to various permits and licenses. I’m planning a visit to Chicago before summer is over and guess where I’m going. The Rivers Casino in Des Plaines has over 1,000 slot machines (OMG) and 48 table games!

"It really is like going to Las Vegas," said Neil Bluhm, the chairman of Midwest Gaming and casino owner.

I was surprised to hear that some folks had issues with the casino being built. I shouldn’t be surprised because the complainers always swarm around this sort of thing. Gambling is a sin ya know. Well, if that’s so, I going straight to hell in a hand basket. Anita Bedell, executive director of the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems in Springfield, reportedly said “gambling in Illinois isn't worth the increased social costs”.

"During these hard economic times the last thing people need is more opportunities for them to lose their money," she stated.

If it is not one thing it is another. Haters of land based and online casinos must have some vice. No one is perfect.

I read that according to the Illinois Gaming Board’s 2010 annual report, casinos' adjusted gross receipts were down to approximately $1.37 billion compared to $1.42 billion in 2009. Either way, that kind of revenue is bound to give something back to the community.

All I know is that I can’t wait to get my hands on all those slots. My local casino only has about 20 slot machines. Sweet home Chicago!

Online Gambling is the Solution

This is not exactly gambling news but once again, it drives home the point that online gambling is the answer to America’s deficit. Recently, President Obama stated that he cannot guarantee that social security checks will go out to the American people on August 3, 2011. Yep, that’s right around the corner but there’s a problem, a major problem. Rather than try to sum it up, I’ll give it to you straight from the horse’s mouth, cbsnews.com.

“Obama says he cannot guarantee Social Security checks will go out on August 3

President Obama on Tuesday said he cannot guarantee that retirees will receive their Social Security checks August 3 if Democrats and Republicans in Washington do not reach an agreement on reducing the deficit in the coming weeks.

"I cannot guarantee that those checks go out on August 3rd if we haven't resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it," Mr. Obama said in an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley, according to excerpts released by CBS News.

The Obama administration and many economists have warned of economic catastrophe if the United States does not raise the amount it is legally allowed to borrow by August 2.

Lawmakers from both parties want to use the threat of that deadline to work out a broader package on long-term deficit reduction, with Republicans looking to cut trillions of dollars in federal spending, while Democrats are pushing for a more "balanced approach," which would include both spending cuts and increased revenue through taxes.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers are expected to hold another round of negotiations with Mr. Obama at the White House Tuesday afternoon on long-term deficit reduction, though talks have yielded little results to date.

Mr. Obama told Pelley "this is not just a matter of Social Security checks. These are veterans checks, these are folks on disability and their checks. There are about 70 million checks that go out."

Still, McConnell said Republicans would "do the responsible thing" to avoid default, suggesting that a deal on the debt ceiling could be reached without a "real" deficit reduction package.

"The president has presented us with three choices: smoke and mirrors, tax hikes, or default. Republicans choose none of the above. I had hoped to do good, but I refuse to do harm. So Republicans will choose a path that actually reflects the will of the people, which is to do the responsible thing and ensure that the government doesn't default on its obligations," he said.

Mr. Obama has repeatedly said he wants a deal that would allow the U.S. to avoid confronting the issue again until after the 2012 elections and vowed on Monday that he would "not sign a 30-day or a 60-day or a 90-day extension."

"This the United States of America and, you know, we don't manage our affairs in three-month increments. You know, we don't risk U.S. default on our obligations because we can't put politics aside," Mr. Obama told reporters at the White House yesterday.”

Now is it me or would the billion dollar online casino industry save the day? Let’s get that option on the table and bring back the US Dollar! This is ridiculous. The answer is simple.

Are you among the folks that stand to lose their monthly income? Would you be in support of legalization of online gambling in the US?