Casino Blog

Ten times more gamblers in Singapore in 2008, a survey finds.

While there are a couple of companies in Singapore that offers the small Asian nation’s residents gambling and betting services, there is no official, not to mention legal, online gambling services.

This, apparently, does not stop Singaporeans from betting online.

The legal option
The Singapore Pools and the Singapore Turf Club are the two gambling companies allowed by Singapore law to offer any betting facilities to local residents. These services do not include any online services. (more…)

save this post as PDF

As Hillary and Barack fight for the votes, many poker players are asking the same question: Where do the Democrats stand when it comes to Gambling?

Senior executive at Harrah’s Entertainment and, conveniently, the co-chairperson of the National Women’s Business Council of the Clinton Campaign, Jan Jones, reflect on Clinton’s support for gambling last Friday. “What we have found in every instance,” explains Jones, “when you create an economic engine that drives job creation and encourages capital investment, you have an industry that builds community and provides livelihood.” (more…)

save this post as PDF

The Norwegian online gambling industry has grown by a substantial 6.1% in the last year, according to figures released this week by the Norwegian Gambling Commission.

Choice gaming
An estimated 244,000 Norwegians gambled online in the last year, spending a total of Euro 961 million. The state lottery was the most popular choice with 48% of gamers choosing this online option. This was followed by online poker sites coming in at 28% and online sports betting at 27%.

Foreign players
82.9 % of online gambling revenue was directed at foreign providers, with Norwegian operators: Norsk Rikstoto and Norsk Tipping receiving a further $258 million. (more…)

save this post as PDF

The United States government likes to claim they are looking out for our children’s futures. Today on Capitol Hill, those same congressman who like to say they protect children, made the mistake of putting America’s youth in a harmful path.

Thirty two members of Congress voted on a Bill today that could forever change the future of many American children. Instead of having the protection of our government, today’s youth will have to decide on their own which gambling website out of the thousands available to them, could destroy their futures.

A Bill was being presented by Rep. Barney Frank that would have regulated an online gambling industry who will prey on anyone who they can steal money from. The Bill was defeated , in large part, because the thirty two members that voted against it were ignorant to what they were voting on. (more…)

save this post as PDF

Every day it seems that another country is looking to make the move towards legalized online gambling. Today’s country is Argentina, Buenos Aires, in particular.

The mayor of Buenos Aires has revealed that he is looking into the option of legalizing online gambling in the city. Greek firm Intralot is the leader for the license, according to several reports.

As of now, online gambling is illegal in the capital of Argentina. Punishments are in place for anyone who breaks the current law, but that could all change soon. (more…)

save this post as PDF

Alabama Republican Rep. Spencer Bachus issued this news release late Wednesday after efforts faltered to amend the nation’s ban on internet gambling.

WASHINGTON – Congressman Spencer Bachus called the defeat of legislation designed to block a ban on illegal Internet gambling a “victory for young people.”

The House Financial Services Committee today voted down a bill that would have prevented federal agencies from issuing rules implementing the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act(UIGEA).

Bachus was instrumental in defending the law during debate in committee. Bachus helped author the ban, which was signed into law by President Bush in October 2006.

Bachus issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote was a victory for young people because illegal Internet gambling brings the casino into their bedrooms and dorm rooms, sometimes with tragic consequences.

“Whatever else is said about it, illegal Internet gambling is a federal crime and a crime in all 50 states. Its most vulnerable victims are the young people who by the tens of thousands have been exposed to the risk of becoming compulsive, addictive gamblers. (more…)

save this post as PDF

Texas Hold’em is a game of decision making based on partial information. Since we can’t know for certain what cards our opponents are holding, or the cards that are coming on the flop, turn, or river, we have to gather as much information as possible and then try to make the optimal decision based on our conclusions. Successful players go through a deep thought process to gather as much information as possible, to narrow down hand ranges and determine what his or her opponent is thinking. However, too often poker players think the wrong things during a hand. Amateur poker players think about trivial things such as “I have Kings, please no Ace on the flop!” or “Club! Club! Club!” I would like to use this article to give some insight into what I believe a poker player should think about during a hand, and the thought process that can make someone a successful poker player.

Surprisingly, the thought process for a hand begins before the cards are even dealt (The more you play the more you’ll realize that your own cards are almost irrelevant but instead, the focal point should remain on your opponents’ cards and their tendencies). Amateur players think, “Gosh, I hope I get a good hand” while strong players begin to analyze their current situation in the tournament. The first thing that you should consider is the tournament that you are playing in. Is it the $25k WPT championship or is it the $10 rebuy? The answer to that question will drastically affect how you will proceed with the hand. So many people use hand histories that don’t even include the site/tourney/buy-in at the top, when it’s the first thing you should consider before making a decision. Are you playing a table full of professionals or does everyone pretty much suck? (more…)

save this post as PDF

Let’s face it: online poker is addictive. Not to mention, tournament levels are getting longer, starting stacks are getting deeper, and having multiple tables open is becoming the norm. I mean, really, who plays one table at a time anymore? The thought of that is probably too boring for most online players - dare I say positive EV?

All this leads to more and more time gripping that mouse or hovering your hand above the laptop touch pad. For some people, no problems will ever occur. However, some will start to feel pains, pinches, tingling, and discomfort stemming from symptoms of what is formally known as Repetitive Strain Syndrome or RSI. I personally fight RSI on a daily basis and have for five years now. (more…)

save this post as PDF

Sportech plc has entered into a strategic partnership with 888 Holdings plc which will see its principal business, The New Football Pools, being promoted across 888’s entire gaming database.

Coinciding with the launch of The New Football Pools in August 2008, the initial five year contract has been structured to include significant international marketing and distribution for the Pools. This includes an evaluation of international markets for football pools opportunities.

As part of the agreement, 888 will actively assist in the marketing of all of Sportech’s products to both companies existing and new customers in the UK and worldwide, and through an active single button ‘click through’ function, connect players to the Pools website where they can register and play.

888 will also provide Sportech with a turnkey online gaming operation, providing gaming and back-end software, customer support and payments processing services to Sportech’s online gaming operations, including littlewoodscasino and littlewoodspoker. As of September 2008, 888 will replace Cryptologic as the software provider for Sportech’s online casino and poker products.

The contract is structured to provide incentives to 888 to drive traffic to Sportech’s sites and 888 is committed to providing global marketing support over the length of the partnership. Sportech believes that the partnership will enable it to accelerate the growth of its online gaming business as well as significantly expanding the reach of the pools business. (more…)

save this post as PDF

Because the US last week brushed off claims from the European Union that it was discriminating against its companies, the European Commission is about to escalate the case where European online poker and Internet gambling operators claim that US gambling laws are being targeted at European companies to protect certain US operators, such as the websites run by the US horse-betting industry.

Responding to formal European Commission questions, Susan Schwab, the US trade representative, in a letter said there was “no basis for any allegation of ‘discriminatory enforcement’ of US gambling laws” according to reports in the Financial Times.

The dispute is likely to escalate next month when Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, sends a delegation to Washington to press its case with US lawmakers and hold a press conference. (more…)

save this post as PDF