Online Casino Games

One of Australia’s favourite gambling vehicles - poker machine games commonly referred to as ‘pokies’ - are at the centre of a new row building downunder. Eight of the 134 games approved since December 2007 have a level of volatility which is higher than that recommended by the Australia/New Zealand Gaming Machine National Standard, but their identities remain secret, reports news site News.com.au.

The Australia/New Zealand Gaming Machine National Standard recommends the nominal standard deviation of a game be no more than 15, yet the eight machines exposed through Freedom of Information Act disclosures are alleged to have volatilities in excess of this number.

While all poker machine games must have a return to player of at least 87.5%, games with a low volatility pay out a larger number of small prizes. However, highly volatile games pay out a smaller number of large prizes.

The disclosures have been exacerbated by a bar on identifying the games because the information is deemed to be “commercially sensitive”.

Independent MP Kris Hanna told News.com.au that the excessively volatile games were cheating punters. “While some receive higher jackpots, there is less return to players in between payouts,” he said.

“The machines are already addictive enough without extra tricks. Gamblers should be told which games pay out less frequently.”

However, Independent Gambling Authority director Robert Chappell said he was not concerned about the claims because the regulation was a guideline.

“This particular fact doesn’t concern me,” he said.

“It’s a welcome development that the regulators have put limits on volatility because it enables us to be better assured games will resolve at their true return to player.”

Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said if Chappell wasn’t concerned, then no one should be.

“If the independent regulator has no concerns and they are qualified in this material, why would Kris Hanna have any concerns other than to cause mischief,” he said.

“We have total confidence in the integrity of the approval system and anyone who suggests there is some manipulation here is being deliberately provocative for political gain.”

Gamble-Free Day needs publicity in New Zealand. Not many people know that there is an annual Gamble-Free Day in New Zealand, and even fewer people know that the day is this Tuesday. That is why restaurants are joining officials to try and promote a day without gambling.

As is the case in many countries across the world, the recession has taken a toll on families in New Zealand. Gambling tends to rise during a recession, with people trying to pay their bills with potential gambling winnings.

On Tuesday in New Zealand, however, the restaurants and officials are asking people to stay away from making any bets, even if only for one day. It is a way to bring awareness to the potential dangers of gambling.

“Each year we have more restaurants wanting to participate and we get fantastic support from a dedicated team of volunteers,” said John Wong, Director of Asian Services, “We want to encourage people to get out.”

The Problem Gambling Foundation is the creator of the special day, and they have received support from many businesses throughout New Zealand. The restaurants are offering discounts for people who can produce a Gamble-Free Day discount voucher.

The other goal outside of awareness for the Foundation is to possibly encourage people with a gambling problem to seek help. There are many outlets where people can get the counseling they need to defeat the gambling disease.

Anthony Argila (52), a professional poker player from North Bellmore, has admitted in court to being the boss of a multimillion dollar international gambling operation centred on Costa Rica.

Argila pleaded guilty to 17 felony counts of first degree promoting gambling, a felony count of first degree possession of gambling records, and two misdemeanor counts of fifth degree conspiracy. The charges were originally laid in June, and Nassau County prosecutor Kathleen Rice announced that in addition to possible jail time, Argila still has to answer to a lawsuit by her office seeking $4 million, the estimated amount of money wagered with his organisation annually.

Sentence will be passed by Judge Phillip Grella on October 15th.

The prosecution claimed that Argila’s betting ring took bets through dozens of bookmakers and runners in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and then placed the bets through a “wire room” in Costa Rica. Bettors would either collect their winnings or pay their losses through the operation’s local intermediaries in Nassau County. Wagers could also be made through a sophisticated Web site or through toll-free phone numbers, where customers could wager on sporting events and online casino games. Each Monday, Argila and his associates would meet in hotel rooms across Long Island to discuss the week’s wins and losses.

The Nassau County Police Department’s DA Squad began investigating the ring in August 2005, eventually infiltrating it in 2007. Investigators were able to track the ring’s weekly hotel meetings. Extensive physical surveillance was conducted through photographs and global positioning system (GPS) devices and a court-ordered phone tap on the telephone of Angelo LePore, a runner with the gambling ring.

LePore (58) had earlier pleaded guilty to fifth degree conspiracy and received a conditional discharge and $1,000 fine. Alan Wayne (52), another runner, pleaded guilty to the same charge and received the same sentence.

In 2006, Argila made it to the final table of the World Poker Tour’s Borgata Open, finishing fourth in the tournament and collecting more than $366,000 in winnings.

Defence attorney Dennis Lemke said Argila pleaded guilty so that two friends who had worked for him could plead to lesser charges. He said that Argila’s sentence would be five years probation instead of jail as he had no prior criminal record and no ties to organised crime.

In their continuing quest to “prevent corrupting influences from online gambling” US Open tennis authorities this week warned players against the use of the social networking site Twitter whilst on the court.

The New York Times reported that officials have banned tweeting, the use of Twitter, on the courts and have advised tennis industry participants that tweeting can be a violation of rules against corruption and online gambling.

The newspaper reports that security officials have gone so far as to post signs as “Twitter warnings” in a drive to ensure that players, coaches, and officials understand the rules and tennis policies regarding information about matches and player conditions.

The warnings apparently extend to any communication of sensitive or insider information that has not been made publicly and officially available, such as the circumstances and health of players, court conditions, and even current local weather conditions may be treated as a violation of the strict anti-corruption policies.

A number of tennis betting scandals around the world lie behind the drive by the Tennis Integrity Unit, whose purpose is to shield the industry from corruption and gambling influences.

August 31 - An online casino player from Ohio decided to please his wife and play her favorite slot game - and won a windfall in the process!

It was a sweet surprise for Kenny S. from Akron when he tried his luck on the Sweets Surprises progressive slot game at the popular Rome Online Casino.

The player, who works in his family owned diner, usually headed for the more boy toy oriented Fandango, but at a whim decided to give his wife’s favorite game a go.

Imagine his joy when Sweets Surprise paid out an enormous $74,629!

“I only wish I had won on a slot that was a little more manly,” said Kevin S. “Fandango’s or Red White Blue would have been a little more manly, but Sweets Surprise is my wife’s favorite so I decided to give it a go.”

When asked what he plans to do with the money, Kenny said that he had dreams of renovating the diner that he runs with his brother, wife and son.

“Now we’ll have the funds we need to make the diner really something!” said Kenny.

If there’s anything left over, Kenny hopes to take his family on vacation.

Sweets Surprise is a great progressive slot game from the Top Game portfolio that produces some mouthwatering graphics, including pies, ice cream and cupcakes.

“The funny thing,” quipped Kenny after his win, “is that I’m a diabetic!”

Visit Rome Casino.

The Vienna listed online gambling group Bwin has also been active in the sports of football this week, securing the broadcast rights for the Spanish Primera and Segunda divisións in a live-streaming agreement that runs through to 2012 and covers over 80 countries.

“Bwin.com offers an unprecedented choice of different sports, ranging from football to roller hockey,” said co-chief executive Manfred Bodner. “We are at the leading edge of the market and continue to expand our line-up, as we’ve done now with the Primera División games.”

The new deal follows similar agreements signed with the German first and second Bundesliga divisions, and rights to stream the UEFA Champions League qualification rounds, as well as the Italian Serie A and B and qualification games for the 2010 football World Cup.

August 28 - The innovation and vision of Golden Casino has ensured that this site remains one of the most popular in the industry.

Launched only a few short years ago, Golden Casino maintains a strong lead in the very competitive online gambling market, not only because of its excellent software, but also because of the introduction of slots tournaments.

These events have really caught on among slots fans, not only because they allow a higher degree of competition, but also because of the prizes that are linked to them.

Tomorrow (August 29th) for example, marks the last day of the Remembering a Legend $15K guaranteed slot tournament in memory of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

A quick glance at this casino’s tournament lobby shows how players have a huge number of events to choose from, ranging from freerolls to guaranteed weekend competitions with thousands of dollars up for grabs in prize money.

Fridays see players enjoying Frugal Friday slot tournaments, with a mere $1.49 entry fee and a chance to stand in line to win $1000 in prize money.

Today marks the beginning of the 20K Guaranteed Weekend Madness slot tournament that ends on Tuesday September 1st, on the popular Vegas Party slot game. For a $9.99 entry fee, players can win enjoy a prize pot valued at $20,000!

With so much slots action at this online casino, it will be interesting to see what type of tournaments Golden Casino has lined up for its players in September.

Online gambling group Entraction has released an impressive set of half year 2009 numbers, showcasing operating profit that has soared 122% to SEK 27.3 million, and EBITBA up an impressive 81% to SEK 33.8 million.

The H1 statistics show a 45% increase in net sales to SEK 227.8 million, although observers pointed to a slower second quarter where net sales ‘only’ rose 37% over Q2,2008.

The company reported continuing success in diversifying into non-Nordic markets - mainly Italy and Spain - with Nordic contributions shrinking from 65% to 55%.

“We continue to show a highly positive cash flow, which gives us freedom of action and security in a changeable world,” remarked CEO Peter Åström, who added that Entraction will launch online bingo with at least five licensees during the northern hemisphere autumn, which will develop higher volumes.

Entraction also plans to launch a new live betting product in partnership with Evolution Gaming in Q1,2010.

According to numerous reports out last week, RomeCasino.com had allegedly released a statement advising its players that they could now use their American Express card to deposit and withdraw funds at the online casino.

However, Christine Elliott, Vice-President Of Corporate Affairs And Communications for American Express, has slammed the online casino’s supposed assertion and followed this up with legal notification that the domain should remove the credit card firm’s logo from its site.

“It is a long-standing policy that American Express cards cannot be accepted for gambling; either online or offline and that RomeCasino.com is no exception,” read a statement from Elliot.

“Any merchant found to be in violation of this policy is terminated immediately from card acceptance. As a matter of fact, American Express has sent legal notification to RomeCasino.com that it is not authorised to accept the American Express Card and is not authorised to use our marks.”
 

August 26 - Wink Bingo is considered a forerunner in the online bingo world, offering several versions of bingo as well as dozens of online slot and instant games. The gaming selection of this leading bingo site has recently been enlarged even more by the addition of eighteen new games.

Instant games are very popular among players who often seek a selection of games besides for bingo when they visit their favorite online bingo room. Wink Bingo does not disappoint and has one of the widest choice of games. The instant games also bring in a nice profit for the online bingo room which provides its players with an all encompassing gaming experience.

The new games in Wink Bingo’s instant gaming section are mostly new slot games, with three other games too. All the slots are 5 reel 25 payline and boast exciting features such as a bonus round, free spins, gamble features and more.

Players will not be disappointed with the wide range of themes offered in the slot games such as cuddly toys, spooks, Pharaohs, science fiction, hidden treasures, pirates and nautical worlds. One unique game is the Easter Island slot which features Easter bunnies and Easter eggs alongside Easter Island characters and coconut palms.

Another surprise game is the Wink Bingo slot game named for the site itself. This game is designed around the unique features and icons available at Wink Bingo and players will be happy to see the familiar features from the bingo site appearing throughout the slot game. This is possibly the only slot game that is based on an online bingo site, and Wink Bingo is the forerunner in this regard.