Online Casino Spotlight

When it comes to online gambling, there are several ways in which players can carry out their transactions.  One of the most popular methods is provided by online services commonly referred to as eWallets.  Because each service has its advantages and disadvantages, it is wise for every player to choose wisely and base their decision on his or her individual needs.  To ensure that you know what is available, we will overview some of the most common options on the market.

NetSeller

NetSeller is an online payment service that provides an easy and convenient way for people to move money outside of the states.  It is available in most countries with the exception of Canada, Turkey and the United States.  Although it doesn’t operate in the United States and Canada, the service does handle U.S. and Canadian currency as well as British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  The service is accepted by most online casinos and usually allows you to withdraw funds within 48 hours.  Before being discontinued to players in the state, NetSeller was among the most popular options for U.S.-based players.

Click2Pay

Click2Pay operates in virtually all countries, handling U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  The minimum deposit in U.S., Canadian, euros and Swiss dollars is 20 units while the minimum deposit for British pounds is 10 units.  This service makes it easy to withdraw funds and requires that you wait up to 48 hours for a withdrawal.  Unlike most eWallets, there is no need to fund your account with Click2Pay.  All you have to do is add a credit or debit card and the funds can be transmitted from and to your account.

ClickandBuy

The ClickandBuy payment service operates in most countries with the exception of the United States.  The currencies it handles are U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss francs.  ClickandBuy is a favorite among online gamblers for its sheer flexibility and ease of use.  Not only does the service make a viable option for online gambling, but for various other personal or business purposes as well.

Moneybookers

Moneybookers is another popular option for players outside of the U.S.  This service is available in most countries with the exception of the United States, China, Israel, Malaysia and Turkey.  The currencies it handles are U.S. and Canadian dollars, British pounds, euros and Swiss Francs.   Moneybookers is loved by both online casinos and players because of its efficiency.  The service also comes with excellent support and great security.

As you can see, most eWallets are country and currency specific.  For this reason, you should be sure to choose your service accordingly.  Although some like Click2Pay have minimal deposit requirements, this shouldn’t reflect much on your overall decision.  The most important factor is whether or not the service allows withdrawals and if so, the time frame in which the money will be in your account.  While the information in this article is current, we still recommend that you check with the individual services for more comprehensive details when basing your decision.

If you are intrigued by the concept of online gambling but have yet to place a wager, it is probably because you are a little uncertain about gambling on the internet.  This is certainly understandable if you are familiar with all the horror stories associated with scams and shady practices.  If you want to indulge in the web-based casino experience but aren’t quite sure, why not take things slow with a test drive?  View it like the new car you’re interested in but would prefer to see how it handles first.  This article will explain why it only makes since to give these virtual casinos a test spin before making a down payment.

Affordable and Pressure Free

The online casino industry has become a dominant force over the years.  Run by gaming experts, these companies have introduced all the popular games from land-based casinos along with a few new ones to an enthusiastic market of new players.  You too can experience this world and taking a test run is perhaps the best way to start.  Just as when you hit the Vegas strip, online gambling calls for you to enter the casino with your bankroll intact.  When you find a casino that will allow you to test out the service, you won’t have to worry about making any deposits and can play all of your favorite games for free.

Invaluable Skill Sharpening

There are a number of online casinos that cater to newcomers with a nice selection of free games.  By taking the casino games for a test drive, you also get to feel out the gaming software.  Online casinos are driven by these platforms, thus, getting familiar with the software is a must.  This will give you a chance to learn all the features and controls you need to become a good player.  By the time you’re ready for live online play, you’ll be quicker on the draw and know how to react in pressure situations.  Many players have found that this makes a great way to hone skills in various casino games.  If you step into a highly competitive room unprepared, you could be throwing money right out the window.

Incentives and Convenience

Although nothing beats the experience of a real casino, many players actually prefer the online version.  This is because internet casinos have been known to present generous offerings and a number of live services that enhance game play.  Incentives like bonuses, weekly promotions and the allure of progressive jackpots have helped to shape the market and reel in new customers.   The other benefits are based purely on convenience.  It is very comforting to know that you can sit at home in front of your PC without all the noise, smoke and tension that comes along with traditional casinos.  After finding yourself a good site, you are sure to have plenty of fun and opportunities to come out a winner.

All it takes is a few clicks to enter the realm of online gambling.  You will then have your shot at blackjack, craps, poker, roulette and all the casino classics.  The jackpot is yours for the taking so get out there, take a test drive and put your best foot forward.

For sometime now, U.S. players have felt horribly slighted when it comes to their rights to participate in online gambling.  Although many battles are being fought at the legislation level, the status remains the same in 2009.  Micrograming represents the last major online gaming software developer to prevent its licensees from opening accounts for U.S. players.  After the threatening and bullying by the U.S. Department of Justice, this was probably a wise move on their part.  With that said, Micrograming is openly expressing regret due to the business losses that have resulted from this decision.

Piling onto this regret is a recent announcement stating that Intertops, one of the company’s longtime licensees, would be ceasing its partnership with Microgaming.  Many are speculating that this is being done so that they can once again allow U.S. players to open accounts.  When considering the large number of players in the states that want to participate, the reasoning should be a no-brainer.  Intertops’ plans became known when it was revealed that the company is moving its online casino platform to industry leading software provider Real Time Gaming.

Online casinos powered by RTG technology make the best option for U.S. players for a number of reasons.  First of all, RTG does not put restrictions on its licensees.  Once its software platform is licensed, it is up to the individual casino operator on whether or not they accept bets from U.S. players.  Although some have made the argument that this could lead to a greater probability of unethical practices on part of the casino, the truth is that RTG is a respected name in the business.  Both its software source code and RNG have been certified for fairness by acclaimed third-party testing firm Technical Systems Testing.

If you look at its business model, it becomes much clearer to see why Intertops is making the transition to Real Time Gaming.  RTG has appropriate licensing credentials in regulatory jurisdictions such as Antilles and The Netherlands, better ensuring that players can enjoy a high-performance, secure gaming environment.  Despite the split, Michl Posch, a spokesman for Intertops, had nothing but good things to say regarding the relationship with Micrograming.  After 10 years, the two companies had what was one of the longest running partnerships in the gaming business.  Porsh expressed what a difficult decision it was to leave Microgaming in favor of RTG.  On another note, following the recent seizure of gambling site domains in Kentucky, the debacle that ultimately led to Microgaming’s choice to dip out of the U.S. market, it is said that Intertops wondered if this market was worth ending the relationship.  Today, it has become clear that it was.

While there is much talk about the announcement, Intertops has yet to fully make the transition as its casino site still has Microgaming progressive jackpots on display.  While the company appears to be looking out for U.S players, customers still need to leery of where they play.  Intertops also allows online sports betting, a very sensitive subject in the eyes of U.S. lawmakers.  Because of this, the company could be putting its players at the risk of having their casino accounts seized, even if they are not participating in sports betting.

It seems as if online casino companies are in the news everyday; some for good press, others for the latest debacle or scam.  No negativity here as things are certainly looking up for two of the most popular internet casinos and their mass community of players.

Both PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com have just launched a new global campaign that is sure to open up many exciting opportunities for their players.  Extensive worldwide research conducted by customers has helped these two entities develop new propositions that will be delivered via a new advertising slogan that is being called “Feel it.”  According to the research, “it” is being defined as the unrivaled anticipation one feels when the roulette wheel begins to wind down or the intense adrenaline that rushes through the veins as the river card is turned.  The research suggests that in actuality, “it” could mean something different to each individual player. Thanks to a wide variety of new games, promotional offers and tournaments, PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com are constantly striving to make “it” happen by providing the best customer experience possible in the realm of online poker and casino games.

According to numerous sources, the new campaign will be rolled out over various mediums including online, TV, billboards and press in several regions throughout the world.   At the core of this initiative lies a few riveting television commercials for PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com that depict players being swept away in the whirlwind of excitement.  These pieces are very well done as they capture the journey of the game of poker along with the thrill players get when playing in virtual casinos.  The campaign also introduces a new and improved logo intended to add appeal to the online casino atmosphere.

The TV advertisements for PartyCasino and PartyPoker’s new initiatives were filmed on one of the grandest stages of them all, the Shepperton Studios.  Based in the United Kingdom, this studio has played host to many spectacular feature films including blockbusters from the Bond franchise.  All the action for the commercials were orchestrated by renown Hollywood film director Paul W.S. Anderson.  Anderson’s portfolio includes action packed features such as Alien versus Predator, Event Horizon and Resident Evil.

The new campaign was created by Home, a Leeds-based firm, with the aid of PartyGaming’s in-house team.  A spokesperson from PartyGaming remarks that the campaign has gone global and players will soon notice the brand changes upon logging onto the PartyCasino.com and PartyPoker.com websites.

PartyPoker.com recently launched a “Million Dollar Hand” promotion for the month of June while PartyCasino.com, the world’s largest online casino, has made numerous improvements and continues to grow at a rapid rate.  PartyCasino’s Gold Mega Jackpot just climbed over a whopping, record-breaking $2,281,000 and is still waiting to be collected by a lucky player.

Come the end of June, 2009, the PartyPoker site will have made significant improvements to its PartyPoints store.  As of now, the casino is advising customers to keep hold of their PartyPoints until this time so they can then take advantage when the changes are in full swing.

Slots are among the some of the easiest casino games to play both on or offline.  However, one could argue that playing online is far less of a hassle because all you need to do is fire up the software, kick back in your computer chair and start playing.  It has been said that online slots offer slightly higher payouts in comparison to those found at land-based casinos.  In fact, statistics show that the payout percentage of online casinos is an estimated 95 to 98% while the their real-world counterparts are at around 85 to 90%.  This has given many the incentive to make their way online for a shot at the slots.

Types of Online Slots Game

What several enjoy about playing slots online is the wide variety of games they have to select from.  Some of the variations you might find at an internet casino include:

Classic Slots

Often referred to as basic slots, classic slots make up one of the most popular games you will find at an online casino.  This is mainly because the players believe they have a better chance of winning than with other types of slots.  With classic slots, you have single pay lines and multi-pay lines as well as three and five reel variations.  When pulling the lever on a game of classic slots, you can dramatically increase the probabilities of winning by going with max bets instead of low-balling your way down to nothing.

Feature Slots

These slots are a big hit in both online and land-based casinos.  They give you a number of components such as wilds, bonus rounds, multipliers and scatters.  These elements intensify the challenge of the game and increase the chances of winning as well.  Most feature slots function as multi-line slots, allowing you to win free spins or more cash.

Multi-line Slots

Multi-line slots typically consist of three or more reels; some actually go up to as many as nine.  Additionally, these slots almost always offer two or more pay lines.  It isn’t uncommon for the pay lines on a multi-line slots game to exceed the 40 mark.  What makes these type of slots so popular is that they offer bonus rounds and progressive jackpots that get pretty big, pretty fast.

Bonus Slots

Hence the name, bonus slots come bearing multiple bonus rounds.  While you need to trigger the bonus rounds, the triggers are often plentiful and vary between different games of bonus slots.  After finding out what the bonus round has to offer, you then attempt to multiple your winnings by playing the initial game.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slots are a major hit in the world of online gambling, primarily due to their huge jackpots.  These slots can either be single or multi-line and may also contain features such as bonus rounds.  Players flock to progressive slots because they usually run on quality gaming software, almost anyone can play and if we didn’t mention, the jackpots are crazy.

Conclusion

These are just some of the slots games you have to play with online.  While the rules vary slightly, all are simple to play and can be just as, if not more fun than the real deal.

Gaming software is the most essential component of online gambling.  Without the software, there is no gaming.  The number of software makers in the industry has grown considerably but there are still only a few vendors producing reliable programs.  If you want the best possible online gambling experience, we recommend only utilizing gaming software from the leading providers.  Here are some of the top companies:

Parlay Entertainment Inc.

Parlay Entertainment is a global leading provider and top licensor of both online and TV bingo game solutions.  The inventor and holder of numerous internet bingo patents, Parlay is known as the first company ever to develop and launch a commercial online bingo product.  Its multi-platform, multi-player technology is utilized to power more online bingo sites than any other software provider in the world.  Some of the most renowned brands rely on Parlay Bingo solutions as both standalone licensees, as well as those on bingo networks such as St. Minver, Tain and TGN.  Parlay Bingo is available in the form of 75-number and 90-number variations and complimented by a complete roster of casino and lottery games and back-office applications.

Real Time Gaming

Better known as RTG, Real Time Gaming has been leading the way in online gaming platforms since 1998.   Based in the United States, this company has established a strong reputation due to an array of exciting games, user-friendly interfaces and gaming solutions designed for business platforms.  Real Time Gaming is known for a number of firsts, including the introduction of integrated bingo, multi-player poker and system-wide progressives.  Popular online casinos like Club USA Casino, Cherry Red Casino, Slots Oasis and several more are powered by RTG gaming technology.

Digital Gaming Solutions

DGS is a privately held online gaming software provider headquartered in San Jose, Costa Rica.   The company prides itself on delivering the latest in gaming technology to the market.  Software packages developed by DGS are designed for sportsbook and racing sites as well as a wide variety of casino games.  Its technology is used to power world-renown platforms such as Bodog, BetUS, Action Bets, Island Casino and Bet Mania to name a few.  All DGS products come equipped with interfaces that support all major online payment services, providing an easy way for customers to integrate its product with third-party processing gateways.

iGaming Software

iGaming Software is a company that tailor makes unique and innovative gaming solutions for online casino owners.  Its products provide users with eye-catching graphics and secure, stable platforms to gamble on.  The company offers some of the most comprehensive online gaming software packages available, solutions that feature state of the art, interactive internet casino games, multi-player poker, real-time sports betting and a nice assortment of complementary products and services.  iGaming Software caters to online casinos located in the Netherlands, powering a number of popular gaming sites like Oddsmaker.com, i-SportBook, Casino Unreal, Rio Party Casino and Big Daddy’s Casino & Poker Room.

There are other gaming software providers on the market but these are names you can definitely trust.  Before creating your account, be sure to research the underlying platform to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

If you want to play poker online, then you are in luck because there is certainly no shortage of games.  While Texas Hold’em is easily the most popular, there are several more variations to choose from.  Here are just a few of many poker games you will encounter when shopping online casinos:

Omaha Hi

The game of Omahi Hi sees each player being dealt four hole cards, which are placed face down, followed by five community cars, which are dealt face up.  The main object is to get the best five card hard possible from two of the hole cards and three of the community cars.  Similar to Texas Hold’em, Omaha Hi involves four rounds of betting.  Bets occur after the first hold cards are dealt out, after the first three community cards are made known, after the turn community card is dealt face up, and after the river card is dealt face up.

Omaha Hi/Lo

Omaha Hi/Lo poker is rather similar to Omaha Hi but there are subtle, yet significant differences.  In this game, the pot is between the Hi hand and Low hand.  This basically means that two winners can be yielded for each hand played.  It is possible for a single hand to be both a Hi and Low winning hand.  For example, if your hand consisted of an A, 2,3,4,5, you might having a winning straight Hi hand as well as a low hand.  If there is no outright Lo hand winner, the entire pot goes to whoever won th Hi hand.  Another interesting point of the game is that different cards can be used for Lo and Hi card considerations.  You can also use the same hand for both.

Seven Card Stud

Seven Card Stud is quite different from the Omaha games above.  In this poker game, each player gets a total of seven cards during the game: three down cards and four up cards, which can be seen by all other players.  In the first round, all participants receive two down cards and a single up card.  Players are permitted one bet and three raises in each round of betting.  In the next round, players are dealt another face up card and a similar betting cycle occurs.  The down card is dealt in the final round.  After the last betting round, whatever player has the best five-card hand of the seven dealt to them wins amongst the remaining players.

Texas Hold’em

There is no way that we could have left out good ole Texas Hold’em.  There are many different forms of the game, but the main rules are that each player is initially dealt two down cards, better known as pocket cards.  Betting occurs and then there are three community cards dealt face up, which can be used by all players.  Another round of betting takes place before a fourth community card, the turn card, is dealt face up.  Following another round of bets, the fifth and final community card, better known as the river card, is dealt face up.  If there are any players remaining, another round of betting ensues.  Players can be eliminated in any of the above rounds if they go “all in” or if one player is left in any given round after either betting or folding occurs.  The player left with the best five-card poker hand wins the game and the pot.

Online casino sites take many precautions to ensure the security of their player’s financial transactions.  They do so by employing the latest security mechanisms such as SSL protocol and firewall applications.  While these measures are taken to protect the parties involved, all it takes is one act of carelessness by a player to override the entire security process.

Convenience or Security Risk?

As someone who participates in online gaming, it is up to you to be responsible and do what it takes to secure your funds.  When it comes to protecting your assets, the first place you need to start is a password.  Many online casinos provide facilities that allow you to store your password within the gaming software application.  This is convenient for two reasons.  First, you don’t need to enter your password every time you desire to log into the casino.  Second, you never have to worry about forgetting the password because it is automatically stored on your behalf.  While there are obvious advantages here, they fail in comparison to the gamble you are taking by leaving your password sitting in a piece of software.

If your password is stored in the gaming software, then anyone who uses your computer can go participate in the online casino at which you have been wagering, all without needing to enter credentials.  This also means that they have access to your account, your funds and can place wagers at your expense.  The next time you log on, you could find that your account is short of funds or in a worse case scenario, totally depleted.  There is also the chance of the unauthorized user changing the login credentials and preventing you from accessing your own account.  Now is that convenience really worth all these disasters?  Probably not.

The issue of passwords is handled differently among different software providers.  Some require that you enter your password each time you log in to play by default.  Examples of such companies are Cryptologic and Real Time Gaming.  Providers such as Microgramming, Wizard Gaming and Vegas Technology offer systems that allow you to choose whether or not you want to save your password within the gaming software.  You can’t really blame them as most players want to have as much control as possible.  However, these players should be very cautious as clicking that little checkbox could lead to big trouble.

What Type of Player are You?

There are essentially two kinds of players that share a desire to store their passwords in online gaming software.  One is the lazy type who just can’t muster up the strength to type a horrid 6 to 10 characters over the keyboard.  The other is the forgetful player who just couldn’t remember a password to save their life.  In actuality, there is no excuse for either player.  Look for tips online and you will find that there are a number of ways to create passwords that are both secure and easy to remember.  After all, if you can keep track of your winnings, you should be able to keep up with something as important as your password.

Originally dubbed as “beano” in the United States, bingo was once a game played at country fairs where the dealer would pick numbered discs from a cigar box and the players would mark their cards with, well, beans.  In these days, instead of bingo, players yelled out beano if they won.  The history of this game can be traced back to the early 1500s, reportedly to an Italian lottery called the “Lo Guioco del Lotto D’Italia.”  This lottery is still played in Italy each Saturday while bingo remains alive and well throughout the world.

Bingo is a relatively easy game and straightforward to the point where almost anyone can pick up a few cards and jump right in.  When it comes to online play, the cards can be a little confusing at first, but once you get settled in, you will see that it’s still a piece of cake.  Before you head to a casino, check out what you need to know about patterns in order to shout “Bingo!” at your computer.

No Love for Patterns

Blackout is one of the most popular types of bingo and also among the easiest to win.  The goal here is to basically cover all the numbers that are called until you completely mark off all the numbers on your card, hence the name blackout.  This game offers the highest probability of winning for the simple fact that all you need to do is fill up the whole card.  With blackout, you don’t have to work out any real strategies and patterns.

Keep it Straight

The pattern bingo players tend to go after the most is the straight line.  This line can be formed in three different ways: vertically, horizontally and diagonally.  You can position your vertical and horizontal straight lines anywhere but the diagonals only pass through the center of the card.  Take note that the patterns which pass through the center are generally easier to form because they only require four numbers to get a winning combination.

Pattern Innovation

Throughout the years, bingo players have added much excitement to game by creating a number of different patterns and winning combinations.  One of the most difficult patterns to form is the infamous four corners.  Although you only need four numbers to get your combination, these numbers must be located exactly on the corners of your card in order to score a bingo.  Box patterns are a little easier to form because like the straight lines that form them, there is no need to have the numbers in any specific position.  On the contrary, diamond patterns must have numbers in certain places to strike up a bingo.

Many bingo organizers have incorporated exotic patterns to enhance the excitement of the game and they can be found throughout internet casinos.  For example, there is the Z pattern, which is essentially a combination of a diagonal line and two straight lines.  There is also the snake, a winding pattern than can take on several variations, ultimately adding to the dynamic of the game.  In the realm of online play, all of these patterns have corresponding payouts based on the level of difficulty in forming them.

As internet gambling continues to soar into popularity, the issue of online casino security increasingly becomes a major concern for players looking to cash in.  When it comes to gambling in general, you have to determine just how much you are willing to lose.  If you are dealing with an insecure casino site, you could end up losing far more than you bargained for.  Because of this, the first step you need to take towards online gambling is finding a secure casino.  The best way to ensure this is making sure you are dealing with a reputable company.

There are literally hundreds of casinos online, all offering you the chance to sign up and take your shot at the jackpot.  Unfortunately, many of these casinos do not have a good reputation.  Almost any online gambling site will let you play, but it is up to you to find one that you can trust.  Because online gambling has been closely tied with so many scams, some expert players suggest finding a casino that allows you to play for free before placing any real wagers.  This is very understandable because when you are playing for free, there is no money to lose.  Even then, you need to be very careful as free casino games have been associated with malicious programs such as viruses, Trojans and spyware.

Knowing Where to Look

You can learn a lot about internet gambling sites by reading reviews.  These sites are very useful as they can tell you what to expect in terms of bonuses, payment and withdrawal options, gaming software and the level of security.  If the feedback from other members indicate that the casino is not reliable, there is a great chance that the site is also lacking in the security department and could put you at risk.  Taking a gamble with a company you know nothing about could put you in a situation where you lose your money and possibly your identity, especially if the casino doesn’t put security first.

Proceed with Caution

As someone new to online gambling, you should take it upon yourself to find out more about the security measures a casino employs by doing a little investigating.  A reputable company will publish this information and make it easy to find.   If there security policies are sketchy and not comprehensive, you should probably find yourself a new casino to play at.  Furthermore, when your money and personal information is on the line, you should never hesitate to contact the casino staff and gather more details about their level of security.  If the online casino is truly reliable, it should have no problem answering your questions until you are completely satisfied.

When you don’t make security a priority, the gamble you take at an online casino could be much more than rolling a pair of cyber dice.  The internet is a haven for hackers, malware writers and more scams than you could ever imagine.  If you don’t feel that a particular online casino can provide you with adequate security, keep moving along until you run across one that does.