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June 15, 2008 (2 months ago ago)
Hi All, long time no post, here's one for you though, After all the Gambling Bill issues it seems like Playtech is getting back on track, Playtech announced another major deal in a very short period of time deal will be signed with the known brick n' mortar casino supplier and games developer, ShuffleMaster. together with Guardian Gaming the company that have the license they are mostly not to provide Shuffle Master games to the U.S market.
this agreement will make Playtech the exclusive supplier of gaming software on the ShuffleMaster online casino website, Playtech include the following popular games: Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Let it Ride, Casino War and Dragon Bonus.
this deal is yet another step for Playtech, who has made advancements in the online casino and gaming industry following the U.S. Gambling Bill crisis, the stock as well made a long way climbing slowly but safely, Playtech is now the only online casino software developer with rights to turn ShuffleMaster's popular games into virtual success.
ShuffleMaster knew that by choosing Playtech to develop the games they will eventually get the best games available while graphic and security wise. Playtech is pioneer in the online casino industry and they are now offering most graphically advanced and secured online casinos for their client.
Playtech's new CEO, Mor Weizer, who recently took over former CEO Avigur Zmora's duties, was quoted to say "Playtech is very pleased to have procured these prestigious rights, and that it certainly reflects on the companies expanding global presence in regulated online casino gaming markets"
June 15, 2008 (2 months ago ago)
Hi there, long time passed since the last time I wrote about the Online Gambling Bill (which now is an Act) and not too many things changed, still the situation is "wait and see" where no one still knows what will happen in the near future in the online casino industry and gambling at all, would it be mobile gambling that will capture all U.S. gamblers or more companies such as Neteller that would operate as a saver after the 270 days that was given the credit card companies to enforce the law, who knows? Probably in this case only President Bush.
I wanted to write about some of the casinos that do accept players and create a small overview on the options and the risks, but because this unsure situation where a lot of updates occur and it’s hard to track who accept U.S. players who’s not and who will quit accepting them tomorrow, I thought about something more conservative such as warnings about where to play and where to find an accredited casino, before I start let me just state that the information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys general information related to the Casino Industry. The contents do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Legal information is not the same as legal advice - the application of law to an individual's specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation. In addition, the information contained herein is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or current. I make no warranty, expressed or implied, about the accuracy or reliability of the information at this website or at any other website to which this site is linked
A few guidelines which I would consider before making deposits at any casino some are provided at CasinoMeister website and some of them I added myself:
Read their Terms and Conditions
and make sure you understand them. These are usually posted at the casino's website or as you are downloading their software.
If the terms and conditions are sloppily written - avoid this casino.
When casinos are struggling with the English language, they ought to be avoided. Language difficulties will eventually lead to problematic situations.
Make sure you are allowed to play.
US citizens (due to the gambling bill), Canadians, Danes, and citizens from Eastern Europe or Russia maybe excluded at the casino. Many of the casinos listed here do not accept wagers from US based players.
Make sure you are old enough to play.
If you are between the ages of 18 - 21, contact the casino support to ensure they will honor your winnings if you win. Get this in writing.
Understand the rules for bonuses.
Most online casinos apply bonuses to first time customers; some to returning customers. Nevertheless, there are limits to the amount that the bonus may be. For instance, if they offer to apply a 35% bonus to your first deposit, make sure you understand whether or not there is a limit to how much the bonus is applied to. Make sure that you are playing the games that the bonuses cover, or the bonus play may be forfeited. Read the terms and conditions!
Fight Online Casino Spam!
When opening an account at a casino, use a unique email address for each account. For instance, bigmamacasino@yahoo.com for Big Mama Casino. This way, if you receive any spam emails to this account, you'll know who is responsible. Hah!
You are responsible for the use of your computer.
When you sign up, you are agreeing that you are responsible to keep your username and password private from third parties. Don't let your teenagers, ex-husbands, and drunken friends use your computer! They'll screw you over! There have been cases of stealing credit card information by family members (I’m not saying your family is not OK or something)
Before opening an account
make sure you have a copy of your passport/drivers license handy as a jpg. Also, scan a recent copy of a utility bill that includes your address as well as a scanned copy of your credit card (if a credit card is being used). Have these documents saved as JPG files, so you can simply attach them to an e-mail. No need for international faxes and "unclear" documents.
When you open a new account
get these documents approved via e-mail before depositing. You should not need to send credit card information, or banking information if you have not or do not plan to use a credit card for deposits. Many players are disappointed at having to produce these items once they have made a large win. It is common for casinos to request this sort of information before sending your winnings. But never fear, it's usually a one-time-only process. Once you are in their system as a real player, you should have no problems.
Are there cash out limitations?
Read the banking terms. Some casinos limit cash outs to x amount per month or week. If a casino has stipulations that limit your cash outs unless you play back a certain amount, DO NOT SIGN UP.
Never
sign up at something that doesn’t look too good for you.
Don’t DO:
Don't play at sites licensed in Belize, Venezuela and Eastern Europe.
Don't play at sites with unknown or undisclosed software.
Don't play at sites that hide licensing information.
Don't play at sites that use the phrase "real gambler" or "bonus abuser" in the rules.
Don't play at sites that use the phrase "Legally licensed and fully insured".
Don't make agreements over the phone. Get them in writing.
Don't forget to keep copies of all chat sessions.
This is what I consider as a set of “rules” any gambler should enforce on him before playing at any casino.
I hope I helped, in the next post I hope we’ll be after this unsure situation and I would be writing about the best casinos that U.S. players can enjoy playing in them once more :)
June 15, 2008 (2 months ago ago)
The Kyl Gambling Bill Act
http://www.rules.house.gov/109_2nd/text/hr4954cr/hr49543_portscr.pdf
Look at page 222 "Interstate Transactions" I interpret that the bill leaves the door open to legalizing internet gambling. Enforcing this law using prohibition of transactions is just stupid, if ISP's will decide to block and filter casino sites like in Italy it would be more effective. That's why I think that you don't need to let panic take over — This Gambling Bill represent nothing as I concern.
I'm sure the software providers and eCash companies have already in place a way round this, if they haven't more fool them.
Neteller for example could sell invisible apples from an online store for $100 each and you get a free $100 in casino chips for whatever casino you choose.
You haven't bought casino chips or bought from an online gaming site you have simply bought an invisible apple from an online store and got some free chips.
There are a million ways round this situation, I'm sure everyone is shocked it gets piggy backed on national security do they really think (of course they don't) online casinos = terrorists? Tell that to Richard Branson he of virgin airlines fame oh and virgin casino fame. (Wonder if he will get arrested one day soon) I think it all boils down to religion and politics, and people shouldn't have religious views: anti gambling ones forced onto them.
And I do think that yes there are a million ways round it - just as there are a million ways of getting round illegal drug restrictions.
Let's say that I'm interested in learning what the end result will be on this, but in my opinion it will not hurt the industry for the long run, if at all, it might hurt 20-30% in the near future, but it's not a pie that the operators and affiliates can't gain back by marketing to other countries that we're abandoned during the rush for the gold in American player value, I've heard south Africa players worth a lot and play a lot but still no support for them and very little marketing efforts. I find it hard to believe that the U.S. government is going to be able to effectively prevent citizens from gambling at online casinos. The U.S. government isn't very good at solving problems.
I fail to remember anything that they've accomplished over the past year to actually help the people. It would be nice to know how much time it takes for a bill to go from being signed by the president to actually becoming an enforceable law. Again, being optimistic, I can't see bank executives and ISP executives getting up Monday morning all fired up to enforce this.
It will be more difficult than Alcohol prohibition. I just think we need to calm down until things become clearer this week.
This law may be unconstitutional too. Blocking free access to websites is a tricky situation. Remember the Communications Decency Act was struck down as unconstitutional. That was to ban kiddie porn.
And I don't think there were many pro-kiddie porn lobbyists out there. My conclusion is that you may find this Gambling Bill something that will hurt the industry while in fact it's something that maybe in the near future will help U.S. to understand they can get more tax from and revise the law, and by the operators side is good for marketing to new countries and places such as South Africa. Have a nice weekend everyone.
G.M.
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