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March 17, 2007
New game! Nobody can to image Casino without Roulette. The game of Roulette (literally translated as ‘small wheel’) was invented in France and is considered to be a by-product of perpetual motion device experiments conducted by Blaise Pascal. Since the 17th century, the rules of the game have undergone numerous refurbishments along with the device itself. Here, the winnings depend on how skilled you are at distributing the bets across the table and on your luck, of course.
March 14, 2007
British government has said that the ban on TV and radio gambling ads for casinos, betting shops and online gambling sites is to be lifted in September as part of the new Gambling Act, adding that operators would have to adhere to a new set of “socially responsible” rules.
This means the advertisements must not imply gambling can be a solution to financial problems and the advertisements must not be of particular appeal to children and young people. Under the new guidelines, gambling adverts will not be allowed during shows aimed at under-18s, and anyone who appears under 25 cannot be shown in the ads.
Further rules include advertisers not depicting gambling as a solution to debt, and not linking it to sexual success or enhanced self-image. As with alcohol commercials, gambling adverts must not link the activity to seduction, sexual success or enhanced attractiveness. They must not show gambling which is irresponsible or could lead to "financial, social or emotional harm".
Sports minister Richard Caborn said the government would be monitoring the changes and act if any problems arise. He added that the restrictions "set out clearly what is and isn’t acceptable advertising practice for all gambling operators, while making sure that the protection of children and vulnerable people is a central consideration of all advertising campaigns. "If they are insufficient to ensure proper public protection, the government will consider using its additional powers to impose further restrictions," Caborn commented.
The new rules were drawn up by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), and will be policed by the Advertising Standards Authority, which will investigate any reported breaches of the new code.
Advertisers who break the new rules may be referred to the Gambling Commission or the broadcast regulator Ofcom who will impose sanctions. CAP and BCAP secretary Roger Wisbey said the more relaxed approach to gambling adverts was coupled with a "stringent framework" of rules.
"These changes to gambling regulation mark a significant milestone in the way betting and gaming can be advertised in the UK," he said. "Of paramount importance is making sure that the advertising gambling restrictions provide a high level of consumer protection."
 March 05, 2007
Reports surfaced this week that Austrian public company Bwin has decided to temporarily withdraw its online gaming offers from Turkey following the passage of new anti-online gambling laws.
"Although on one hand, the new law prohibits online games of chance, on the other it also provides for the possibility of acquiring a license at a later date," Bwin said in a statement.
Bwin generates about 6% of its gross gaming revenues in the country, which means the halt on its Turkey business could slash gross gaming revenues by 15-20 million EUR ($26.3 million) per year, according to a spokesman.
Bwin said it would aim to acquire a license if Turkish authorities chose to issue any, adding it was unclear when this could be the case. "We don't really have much information on this," spokeswoman Karin Klein said. "Our lawyers are investigating."
Online gambling companies are facing increasingly stringent regulation in the United States and Europe, with governments curbing Internet gambling to protect customers and state-run lotteries.
Last year, Bwin wrote off most of the value of its US poker website, which it acquired for more than 500 million EUR earlier in 2006, after the United States effectively outlawed Internet gambling by legislating against financial transactions with online gambling companies.
February 13, 2007
According to a recent report published by cybersecurity vendor, Scansafe Ltd., US citizens are continuing to gamble online despite the passing of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. Admittedly, US citizens now have fewer options for making deposits and withdrawals at online casinos especially following the decision by Neteller to cease doing business with US online gamblers and the fact that other payment processors have begun backing out of the market. However, start up companies are already beginning to fill the void, and US gamblers are finding a way around the attempted roadblocks set in place by the DOJ.
Scansafe confirmed this in their recent report which shows that employees of Scansafe customers in the US were continuing to visit online gambling sites. In fact the number of requested hits to gaming websites was up by 77% in the last week of January, 2007. To put this into context, Scansafe provides website blocking services to large companies seeking to regulate the types of websites that employees can visit. They process and examine over 6 billion hit requests each month. Although Scansafe cannot track whether or not real money bets are being placed with gaming sites, their is an expectation that US citizens are continuing to place real money bets online.
While the increase in numbers could very well be attributed to US players searching for new sites that will accept US Dollars, the fact remains there is still a healthy demand for online casinos and internet betting. The supply side is certainly doing what it can to keep up.
Already, there are at least two start-up company's saying they will accept US account holders. EZi Pay is currently being accepted at several online casinos, while a larger movement is in the works to launch what many online gambling insiders are predicting will be the replacement for Neteller. Called YouTeller, the new eWallet is acquiring the necessary certifications and regulations before launching in the near future.
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