Online Casino Spotlight

If you are new to the world of internet gambling, you are probably wondering just how safe and secure wagering online is.  At least we hope you are.  Whether this has crossed your mind or not, it is important to know where the online gambling industry stands it regard to safety.

In the Beginning

Gambling websites first emerged on the internet in the mid to late 1990s.  Around this time, there were only a few organizations that existed to police the industry and keep it protected against scams and shady operators.  This is around the same time that the industry was associated with money laundering and other illegal practices.  Back in these days, making a wager on a gambling site was a very risky business.  Unfortunately, an alarming number of players lost money gambling online.  This wasn’t necessarily due to Lady Luck not being on their side, but because the industry itself was littered with flaws.

The Current State of Online Gambling Security

Online gambling security has come a long way since the advent of the industry.  Significant advancements have been made in internet security in general and the gambling business has been one of the beneficiaries.  There are now a number of security measures available to beef up the security and safety of the industry.  In fact, reputable online casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks employ a wide range of technologies to ensure their gaming platforms and customers are protected.  These days, operators cannot afford to slack off in the security department as it could result in the loss of many customers, and thus, the loss of significant profits.   In addition to this, the competition amongst gambling operators looking to establish themselves has become fierce.  With so many options available, players can easily switch to a new site if they feel another is not providing adequate security.

Responsibility and Fair Play

In spite of all the security enhancements that have been made in the online gambling industry, players must still commit themselves to wagering on safe and reputable sites.  Therefore, you should strongly consider only wagering your money with operators that have the appropriate gaming licenses.  Trustworthy gaming operators will make this information easily accessible on their website.  In regard to validity, it would also be a good idea to familiarize yourself with the licenses and certifications issued by governments and authorities located in the jurisdictions in which the gambling site operates.  Likewise, it would behoove to wager on gambling sites that bare the seal from a trusted third-party organization.  eCOGRA is one of the most well known organizations in the industry, an agency that conducts regular audits to assure safety and fairness in online gaming.

Protect Yourself

When it comes down to it, it is up to you to ensure your safety while gambling on the internet.  Aside from only wagering at trusted sites, you must also closely monitor your playing and betting habits.  All the security and safety mechanisms in the world can’t protect you if you do not have the discipline to bet your money wisely.  To put it simple, if you want to be safe when gambling online, you must establish limits within yourself and play it smart.

Veteran online casino InterCasino has launched an impressive lineup of new games to keep players busy over the holiday season.  These games are based on two classic MGM movies and one of the most beloved comic book heroes of all time.

Medieval warriors are sure to love Brave Heart, a slot game centered around the sword slashing movie starring Mel Gibson.  This game even incorporates the memorable battle for Scotland’s freedom into the format.  Led by Gibson’s character William Wallace, the better the Scotts do in battle, the more points the player gains.  Brave Heart also offers a nice selection of progressive jackpots that are strategically named after different levels of movie success.  Ranging from Smash and Epic to Acclaimed and Blockbuster, each jackpot is individual but can be targeted by the player within a single game.

Forest Gump is another new slots game you can find in the Intercasino lobby.  This one is based on the historical film starring Tom Hanks and comes with two full bonus games.  Forrest Gump serves up many famous quotes from the hit film and caters to interactive fans with “Run Forrest Run” feature that provides players with control over Gump’s incomparable dash.

Fans of DC comic books will have a filled day with InterCasino’s new super hero-themed slots game – Superman.  This is an epic game based on the alter ego of Clark Kent.  It features an amazing 50 paylines and calls for players to court the lovely Lois Lane while thwarting the evil attempts of the sinister Lex Luthor.  This game is action packed because all this goes on during your pursuit for a wealth of free spins and prosperous jackpots.

In addition to the movie and comic book-themed virtual slot machines, InterCasino also has a new game called Perfect Pairs Blackjack.  This game is largely based on the classic hole-card variant known as Atlantic City Blackjack.  While very similar to traditional Atlantic City, the differences add a uniquely fresh touch to the game.  The most notable difference is the inclusion of an optional side wager that offers bonus payouts based on the first two cards the player receives. Another catch is that these bonuses only apply to pairs.  For example, mixed pairs payout 5 to 1, colored pairs payout 15 to 1, and Perfect Pairs pay out 25 to 1.  Perfect Pairs offers the highest quality graphics you will find in an online casino game, boasting brilliant animation and 3D graphics that give it a realistic look and feel.  It also includes dealer voice-overs that liven the flow of the game and keep the action moving.

Powered by CryptoLogic, InterCasino is one of the oldest casinos in the online gambling industry, first emerging on the scene in 1996.  In fact, it is the very first casino to utilize CrytopLogic software.  InterCasino is well known for welcoming customers with generous deposit bonuses and more exciting games than they know what to do with.  Unfortunately, due to the controversy surrounding online gambling in the United States, this casino does not accept U.S. players.

Fans of the hit HBO TV show, Sex and the City, got a surprise recently when the show made its way on to the casino floor in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. International Game Technology, a company that makes casino equipment like slot machines, created the Sex and the City game with permission from HBO, and several casinos across Nevada recently unveiled the new game on the floor.

Sex and the City- The Slot Machine

The Sex and the City game is one of many slot machines based after popular movies and TV shows. The trend is not a new one, and most casinos offer several games based on characters from hit shows. Sex and the City’s predecessor include Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Green Acres, and the Wizard of Oz to name a few. These games are extremely popular for the recognizable themes and fun-play.

The Sex and the City game feature all the main characters of the show; Samantha, Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Mr. Big. It is a modern style slot machine with several betting lines and an interactive bonus. The slot machine also has video clips from the show, voice-overs, and a soundtrack.

International Game Technology’s Multiplay

One of the most drawing features of the multi-progressive slot machine is the incorporation of International Game Technology’s Multiplay feature.

Multiplay is a technology offered exclusively by the slot-machine maker. In Multiplay, the player can play up to four games at once on the same screen. This means the player is betting more then usual, but there are also more chances to win. With four games running 30 pay lines a piece, it’s a hard thing to pass up.

Sex and the City Bonuses

On top of the Multiplay, the Sex and the City slot machine has attractive bonuses.

There are a total of five bonus rounds in the game that offer nine unique patterns. This is a far cry from the standard singular bonus round featured on most slot machines, and it is paying off. Most players are playing all four Multiplay games on every round in hopes of hitting one of the many bonuses.

The bonus games consist of Simply Fabulous, Hello Lover!, Change of Dress, and Perfect Present. While the games vary, they are all interactive. The bonuses either offer free spins or give the player a chance to pick prizes on the screen.

Overall, the Sex and the City slot machine is such a big hit for the casinos that one has to wonder if more HBO style games are in the works.

The NFL is one of the biggest opponents of legalized sports betting, telling U.S. citizens that it will only lead to the increased manipulation of game outcomes.  However, research conducted by an investigative reporter shows that regulated sports wagering could actually help prevent match fixing and corruption.

Declan Hill, an independent British investigative journalist and author, stated that the hundreds of manipulated outcomes from soccer games being revealed in Asia and Europe is not due to the regulation of internet casinos and sportsbooks, but the extensive underground gambling market that operates in Asia and Eastern Europe.  Hill, who is perhaps best known for his 2008 release of “The Fix,” a book in which he predicted that international soccer would soon be the victim of a major scandal, recently made the bold statement that game fixers are placing their bets with unregulated and illegal sportsbooks with connections to organized crime rings.

In a December interview with The New York Times, Hill said that the gambling industry in Asia is much larger than it is in Vegas and Europe combined.  He also noted that because most of it is filtered through illegal operations, concealing fraud and money laundering within a covert, criminal industry is considerably easier.

Experts in the gaming industry state that it is very difficult to manipulate the industry with corrupted outcomes when regulated internet gambling sites are involved.  This is primarily because the online records containing customer identities and transactions create a level of transparency that works to the criminals’ disadvantage.  In addition to this, advanced technology provides for the rapid detection of suspicious wagering amounts and patterns, particularly on more obscure sports that are often vulnerable to corruptible influences.

It has been reported that as many as 200 matches could have manipulated outcomes across international borders, many of them speculated to involve a number of referees and well known players.  However, legal, fully regulated sportsbooks have come out to say that their respective services were not targeted by cheaters, claiming that both the fixed matches and participating parties would be easy to identify.

The revelation made by Hill speaks highly of the desperate need for fully regulated and licensed internet gambling, sports wagering included.  With the lingering threat of corruption and criminal activity, this is the best way to ensure the integrity of the games and most importantly, protect the players.  The NFL seems to be high on its position that illegal sports betting is not a frequent thing, claiming that legalizing and regulating it would only tempt cheaters.  However, it is becoming clearer to see that regulation may be the only way to keep incidents such as the soccer scandal that has rocked international headlines from infecting the NFL and other major sports in the United States.

Pai Gow poker is a variation of five-card poker played at most casinos. In Pai Gow, six players compete against the dealer using a single card deck with one joker. Each player is dealt seven cards. The players must have two high hands for every round, one hand consisting of five cards and the other consisting of two cards.

How do you Play Pai Gow Poker?

In Pai Gow, the dealer deals seven cards face down to himself and the players. Each player arranges their cards in to one five card hand and one two card hand. The goal of Pai Gow poker is for the player to have the highest two card hand and five card hand. However, the two card hand can not go higher then the five card hand.

Once the cards are arranged, the players compare their hands to the banker. Traditionally, the dealer serves as the banker for the table, but a player can also serve as the banker. If both hands in the player’s deck beat both hands in the banker’s deck the player wins the hand. If only one of the player’s hands beats the banker, then the player must push and get their bet back. If none of the player’s hands beat the banker, the player loses their bet. In the event of a tie, all bets go to the banker.

How Does Betting Work in Pai Gow Poker?

Betting in Pai Gow is similar to traditional five-card poker. Each player must place an Ante bet. Often the ante bet will have a minimum and maximum limit set by the casino. While there are two hands in Pai Gow poker, betting is only paid out as one hand. The Ante bet is placed before any cards are dealt to the players. Once the cards have been dealt, players can raise their bet up to the casino’s maximum.

In some casinos, players are allowed to play as the banker in Pai Gow poker. Acting as the banker greatly increases the player’s winning odds, as any bets on tie hands are given to the banker.

Online casinos have opened doors most gamblers never thought possible. Gone are the days of having to reserve our gaming for once a twice a year when we could make the trip to Las Vegas. Now anyone of legal age with a debit card can gamble at many extremely popular and high rated, online casinos. However, certain inherited risks come with gambling online, the security of your personal information and home computer being the biggest.

Thankfully, a reputable online casino will work effortlessly to protect your personal information. Respectable online casinos have internet security staff and offer a level of privacy you would get from a bank, or online shopping site. However, it is necessary for any player to protect themselves as well. Below are some of the five best ways you can protect yourself, your computer, and your financial information when gambling online.

1. Only Play at a Reputable Online Casino: The internet is flooded with websites offering online gaming, and some of these are far more respectable then others. To reduce your risk, play at a website that you recognize.

2. Research Any Online Casino Before Joining: With a few dollars, any web owner can make a web site look like the most trustworthy site on the internet. This is especially true of websites that deal in monetary goods. To be safe you should research any online casino before you ever give them any personal information. A good source of research is online reviews. Other gamblers write reviews for people like you. Do a quick Google search with the online casino’s name and “review.” You are likely to come up with hundreds.

3. Protect Your Computer by Adding a Firewall: Despite an online casino’s best efforts, a hacker may still get through. To reduce your risk of getting spyware, or worse- becoming a victim of identity theft, you should do everything you can to protect your personal computer on your end. First, increase the security settings on your computer. If they are set to a lower setting bumping this up will greatly reduce your risk. You should also install a Firewall. Your computer manufacturer may have already provided this software for free. Once the firewall is installed, make sure you have it running before you sign on to the online casino.

4. Be Cautious of what you Download: Most online casinos have a software platform that they require a player to download before they can gamble at the site. Even if you have researched the site thoroughly, you should still run any program through a virus checker before you install it on your computer. If you notice the site asking you to download additional programs make sure it is necessary, and safe, before you download. You can ask around online forums frequented by online gamblers, or send an e-mail to the casino directly.

5. Consider Using an Alternate Credit Card: If you are able, consider using a credit source other then your primary debit or credit card. This way if the card is stolen, the thief will not have access to your checking account; and chances are you will be able to cut them off before they completely drain your financial resources. You may also consider using Paypal’s create-a-credit-card feature. If you have Paypal, the company will make you a temporary credit card number that can be used at any online site. The number works just like a Visa or Mastercard, is linked to your bank accounts, but is incredibly difficult to steal. Since the card number is only good for a short time, this method will only work if you plan on only visiting an online casino for awhile.

All said; online casinos are a safe and enjoyable past time. As long as you are doing what you can to protect your information and your computer you should not have any problems gambling online.

In Baccarat, cards are dealt to the house and to the player. The card’s value is then added together to determine the winner.

How do I Play Baccarat?

To play Baccarat, the dealer will draw two cards face down to himself and the players. These cards are then added together at face value. At first, if the player or dealer received a total of 9 in the first hand no more cards are drawn. If no hand has a value of 9, then the dealer will continue to draw more cards.

There are exceptions to this rule:

• If the player has 6 to 7 no cards will be drawn.
• If the player has 0-5 he will draw one card.

After the initial hand has been established, the banker will then draw more cards to their hand based on the cards the player’s already drew:

• Should a player not draw a card, the banker will then draw at 0-5, or stand at 6-7.
• Should a player draw a 2 or 3, the banker will then draw at 0-4, and stand at 5-7.
• Should a player draw a 4 or 5, the banker will then draw at 0-5, and stand at 6-7.
• Should a player draw a 6 or 7, the banker will then draw at 0-6, and stand at 7.
• Should a player draw an 8, the banker will then draw at 0-2, and stand at 3-7.
• Should a player draw an Ace, 9, 10, or face-card, the banker will then draw at 0-3, and stand at 4-7.

Whoever has the highest hand based on the face value of the cards after the cards have been dealt wins the round. If the dealer and the banker have the same total of cards a tie is announced.

The value of the cards for Baccarat is a simple formula. Numbered cards are taken at face value. 10’s and face cards are worth 0. The Ace in Baccarat is worth 1.

How Does Betting Work in Baccarat?

Players must place their bets before the hand starts. The player can either bet on the player’s hand or the banker’s hand. If the hand wins, the player wins the bet.

Craps offers more betting options than most other casino games.  While some are attractive because of their simplicity, several more can prove to be very disadvantageous to the player, as is the case with the field bet.  This particular bet appeals to players for two main reasons.  First and foremost, unlike other wagers, this one can be made before the come bet, or after the point has been established.  Secondly, the bet is decided by a single roll of the dice.  After playing your bet, the dice are tossed and you either win or lose.  Despite the simplicity, this can be a very tricky bet, so it is important understand how it works before choosing to take it up in a game of craps.

Making a Field Bet

When playing craps online, the chips for the field bet are placed in an area on the table layout known as the “field box.”  You will notice that the box has the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12 on it, with “2” and “12” being circled.  These numbers are circled because some casinos payout 3 to 1 on the 2 or 12.  If you place a field bet and the dice yields any number listed in the box, you win.  If not, you lose.  While this simple enough to follow, the bet can be very deceptive to the new player who does not clearly understand the odds.

Comprehending Your Chances

In the game of craps, the rolling of the two dice can yield 11 possible numbers.  What you need to realize is that only seven of these numbers will result in a winning field bet while four of them will produce a losing bet.  To the unknowing player, the chance of winning the bet is much greater than losing it.  However, you have to consider the many possible ways in which each number can be rolled.  5,6,7 and 8, which are the four losing numbers, can be rolled in 20 different ways, while the winning numbers can only be rolled in 16 ways.   So what does all this mean to the player?  It means that by taking the field bet, you are giving the house a significant edge of 5.55%.  In comparison to other wagers in online craps that have a considerably lower house edge, this would not be the smartest move for the savvy player to make.

Getting the Best Odds

Any player who wants to play craps online and gamble with the field bet should only do so at casinos that payout 3 to 1 for rolling a 2 or 12.  While this house edge is still much higher than other bets, it does drop down to 2.7%, giving you more of an advantage against the casino.  If you are intent on playing the field, this is the best way to do go as it can be acceptable for occasional bets at smaller amounts.

The grueling year long battle between James Giordano and U.S. officials has finally come to an end.  Early this month, the 55 year old resident of Pinecrest, Florida pleaded to the charges of illegal gambling associated with a sports betting ring operated in offshore jurisdictions.  While Giordano stressed that none of his employees ever accepted wagers on America soil, simply allowing U.S. residents to gamble on internet sites appears to be all the ammunition authorities needed to take legal action.

Ironically, the United States government permits wagering on slots, poker, horse and dogs across the South Florida area, which is unfortunate for offshore gambling mavens the likes of Giordano.  It also interesting to note that the crackdown comes in light of the 2007 Nevada Legislature that legalized online gambling within state borders. Utterly disgusted, Giordano describes the entire ordeal as “hypocritical.”

No stranger to the law, Giordano has previously been in hot water for running sportsbooks in the state of New York.  In the late 1990s, the crafty offshore gaming mogul decided that he could evade legal ramifications by setting up shop with his own internet gambling operation on St. Maarten, a jurisdiction that openly allows sports wagering.  Giordano was able to run a legit gambling operation under a license provided the Netherlands government – or so he thought.

Destined to claim his stake in the online gambling realm, Giordano brought renowned maverick Al Goldstein onboard to help promote the operation and from there, the popular gambling site PlayWithAl.com was born.  Raking in tens of thousands of dollars every week, Giordano purchased a lavish mansion in Florida while maintain gaming servers in St. Maartens and expanding his operation to the jurisdiction of Costa Rica.  Despite the rapid success, U.S. lawmakers set a precedent with Mr. Giordano as his company represents the first offshore online gambling operation to be accused of criminal activity in the U.S., without actually having any operative base on U.S. soil.

According to the plea agreement, Giordano will receive a five-month sentence the infamous Riker’s Island in addition to a hefty fine of a whopping $1 million.  This is one top of an estimated $1 million that had been seized by authorities.  Initially, authorities claimed that the sports betting website had booked more than $3.3 billion in wagers in just over two years, a figure Giordano says is simply ridiculous.  This leads some to believe that the plea and relatively light sentence shows federal officials’ urgency to quickly close out a weak case.

Giordano reports that all of his business was conducted in a legitimate manner, citing that all his taxes were paid and that he violated no laws. However, he is concerned that the illegal and unethical practices conducted by prosecutors could eventually result in a much stiffer sentence.

As for making a return to the online gambling business, Giordano says that he is done and looking for another line of work.

Grand Virtual Online Gaming Technology is a leading software provider in the online gambling industry.  In the business since 1997, the company has been an innovator from day one and never stopped making enhancements to its products.  What sets Grand Virtual apart from the competition is its commitment to flexible, highly scalable solutions that can be easily extended for future growth.  In simple terms, its software is able to accommodate a wide variety of casino operators and their ever changing requirements.  The company’s large number of international clients serves as a prime example being that each operator enjoys feature rich gaming systems that support multiple languages and currencies.   Considering the distinct advantage it has over the competition, it is no surprise that Grand Virtual casino games are used by millions of players in more than 200 countries around the globe.

Notable Qualities

Boasting an extremely high level of modularity, Grand Virtual gaming platforms are capable of supporting traditional and emerging models.  This includes innovative features such as skilled-based, chance-based, multi-hand, lotteries, progressive games, real-time and many others.  The software also supports a variety of client platforms, most notably personal computers, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and interactive TV systems.  Furthermore, Grand Virtual software is compatible with an array of multimedia and web development technologies for enhanced graphics and user interfaces.  These technologies include Flash, Active X, Shockwave, AJAX, Java, DHTML, and various streaming formats.

Key Components

Grand Virtual software is compromised of various components.  One is the Universal Gaming Platform, which consists of the back-end of the gaming infrastructure.   Based on the powerful Unix operating system, the platform enables the functioning of several related components.  These components include gaming servers, a game points manager, e-commerce engine, financial stored value manager, and central database.   It also includes a robust toolset that facilitates data mining, fraud screening, player support, and affiliate and partner programs.  Due to its flexibility and extensibility, the Universal Gaming Platform enables Grand Virtual software to support virtually all forms of online gambling.

Another important component is the Casino Client Software.  This platform is essentially a customizable gaming module that runs on Microsoft Windows operating systems and features a visually impressive 3-D casino floor.  The software allows operators to gives players the power of choice when it comes to selecting the types of games they play and how funds are transferred.  Players also have access to their transaction records and the ability to customize the audio and video effects of game play to their liking.   The Casino Client Software offers a variety of casino games including multi-player poker with 3D tables, selectable avatars, step-by-step tutorials, automated training rooms, and a wealth of promotional features.

Conclusion

The online gambling market is changing rapidly and the Grand Virtual software platform is perfectly suited for the evolution.  It has been strategically designed to support new modules for emerging applications and can be easily integrated into existing platforms.  Therefore, it is clear to see that Grand Virtual technology will not only power the industry today, but into the future as well.