Online Casino Gambling

Norway is known for producing some of the best home-bred poker players in the world.  Strangely enough, Norwegian citizens are not allowed to participate in online gambling.  In fact, the country recently put a law into effect that makes it illegal to place a wager to a casino over the internet.  Due to this action, there has been a lot of ruling, resistance and fallout.

Why the Ban?

Right about now, online gambling is at the height of its popularity. However, like many other areas, times are not so exciting for players in Norway.  The country’s lawmakers are fearful of internet gambling for some of the same reasons stressed by gambling opponents in the U.S.  One of the biggest gripes shared by both nations is the concern that some players will develop compulsive personalities and be forced to deal with addiction.  Another concern is getting a handle on fraudulent casinos and enforcing age restrictions to prevent the youth from getting involved.  While these are certainly matters that need to be addressed, Norwegian proponents are making the argument that it simply isn’t enough to completely prohibit online gambling.  Similar to players in the U.S., many Norwegian citizens feel as if they are being unfairly penalized because of a few bad apples who will just find other ways to fuel their addiction.  Players in Norway are fighting for a change in hopes of the ban on internet gambling being lifted for good.

A New Hope?

As of now, Norway is teetering on the idea of implementing laws similar to legislation in the United States.  The UIGEA is very sketchy but legislation is certainly not in the favor of U.S. players looking to gamble online.  In fact, there are a number of states that completely forbid online gambling, Michigan, New Jersey and the gambling capital of Nevada included.  It is also illegal for financial institutions that service internet casinos to do business with American players.  This makes it equally difficult and often impossible for both U.S. and Norwegian citizens to get online and try their luck at the plethora of online casino games available to other players.  Unfortunately, these restrictions have led several players to find illegal ways to obtain the thrills they seek.  It would probably be much easier to simply allow citizens to play at their leisure and regulate online casino games in the manner that some many other countries have.

While Norway lawmakers are busy trying to enforce the rules, its citizens are off trying to find ways to gamble any way they can.  It is a very fine line because players who are caught could be charged with a serious offense.  The country seems to be looking out for the safety of its citizen on one hand, yet terribly frustrating several more on the other.  The tension in Norway will likely carry on for sometime until the country reaches a viable compromise regarding the issue of internet gambling.

When turning to the internet, you will discover that there are many different types of blackjack for you to play.  Knowing this is important because all of these games have different rules and the odds can vary depending on the casino you play at.  To help you prepare, we will take a look at some of the variations of blackjack you may run into online.

Classic Blackjack

Classic blackjack is the most common type of blackjack there is.  This one has all the basic rules.  There is a standard 52-card deck and you are allowed to double-down on any of your first two cards.  The dealers can stand on any soft 17.  When doubling down, you only get one additional card.  You have the freedom to split any pair but when splitting aces, you only receive one additional card.  If you receive a 10-value card on one of those aces, you do not get blackjack.

Double Exposure Blackjack

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could see both of dealer’s card instead of one?  Well, that can be done when playing double exposure blackjack.  However, there are a few drawbacks to this luxury.  The rules of this game make up for the advantage of having this extra foresight.  Double exposure blackjack utilizes eight standard decks, allowing you to double down on 9, 10, and 11.  Similar to classic blackjack, you can also split pairs.  There are also some other rules that swing the edge in the dealer’ favor.  Here are some to keep in mind:

- The dealer wins on all ties except if you blackjack

- The dealer hits on soft 17

- There is no option to late surrender

Spanish Blackjack

Spanish Blackjack is another intriguing variation that strays away from the norm.  With this variation there are eight decks, but each deck is missing all the 10′s, leaving them with a total of 48 cards each.  This may seem like a large disadvantage, but the rules of Spanish Blackjack can actually work in your favor.  While there are no 10′s, there are a number of special payouts to be obtained with certain hands.  For instance, 7-7-7 of the same suit facing the dealer’s 7 payouts 50 to 1.  Any combination of 7-7-7 or 6-7-8 receives a special payout as well as 21 with 5,6, or 7 cards respectively.  Other advantages allow you to double-down twice, spit and re-split your hands.

Blackjack Switch

A popular favorite offered by software developer PlayTech, Blackjack Switch is an innovative variation of blackjack that gives you very good odds.  Hence the name, this game allows you to play two hands at the same time and switch cards between them. You are required to make two bets of the same size and receive two different hands from a shoe of six decks.  It is the top card in each deck that can be switched freely between both hands.  The major disadvantage is that a dealer blackjack beats your blackjack, and blackjack only pays out 1 to 1.  Despite the drawbacks, this is a good game for anyone looking for a new outlook on blackjack.

What keeps most players from partaking in online gambling is the never ending issue of security.  This is quite understandable when realizing that it combines two mediums that are still controversial in the eyes of many: the internet and casino gambling in general.  Despite its popularity, there remains a large number of consumers who still do not feel comfortable making purchases online.  All this weariness continues, even with the advanced payment systems and security mechanisms that have been deployed by online merchants and casino operators since the early days of the World Wide Web.

When it comes to the internet, security is something that can never been ensured.  On a good note, there are a few global licensing and trading standards that govern some of the most reputable online casino sites on the market.  The reliable companies use the latest in software technologies and security protocols to ensure the protection of the casinos and their customers.  In some cases, these casinos set up systems that are more secure than those utilized by online banks and other financial institutions.  When looking at things from this perspective, the bigger issue may not be the security of online casinos, but actually distinguishing which casinos are reliable from those that are not.

Using Available Resources

Finding a reputable casino can be a difficult task but fortunately, there are a number of helpful resources at your disposal.  By performing the right search, you can find several well established governing bodies which can provide detailed information on the casinos that can be trusted.  There are casinos that have been validated with certifications and display special badges on their website.  These badges can be viewed as symbols of credibility that indicate the casino’s level of integrity and security.  Some of the most trusted symbols boasted by online casino sites are those obtained through well known internet security firms such as VeriSign and Thawte.  These trusted seals can found on the sites of big name organizations that range from The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to Merrill Lynch.  Other signs of reliability are displayed through badges that indicate affiliation with industry regulatory bodies such as GeoTrust, eCOGRA, RGP, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.

Ensuring Fairplay

If you are a new player that has concerns about cheating, you should know that this is an entirely different issue than security.  Cheating can actually take several forms, but the most common are well known and immediately addressed by online casinos.  For example, collusion in poker rooms has been a major problem over the last few years.  Many casino operators have elected to deal with this by logging the IP address of every player to keep tabs on potential troublemakers.  They also verify email addresses and credit card information to make sure they know exactly which players are playing on which tables.

Online casinos are constantly emerging and the people behind them are doing all they can to reel in new traffic.  The good ones understand that the best way to keep the customers happy is to prove reliability and fair play in gaming environments.  When the players feel safe, it is much easier for casinos to build up their clientele while all the less trustworthy eventually fade in the wind.

These days, you don’t even have to step one foot out of your home to play casino games.  In fact, all you need is a personal computer and internet connection.  With these essentials intact, you can play your favorite casino games and get a shot at real money with a few easy clicks.  Online gambling software applications first went into development nearly 15 years ago and the technology used to create them has improved dramatically since that time.  The online gambling industry is currently seeing its most prosperous times and projected to grow even more over the next few years.  Driven by emerging technological advancements, observers are predicting that by the year 2015, the industry will generate a staggering $512 billion annually on a global scale.  There is no denying that online gaming software developers will play a major role in helping the market pull in these astronomical revenues.

With all that said, you can certainly understand why there is such a large number of software developers scattered throughout the world.  While almost anyone can own and operate an online casino, it is all about choosing a qualified developer to build the platform the gamblers will play on.  If you are looking to start your own casino site, the vendor you choose will ultimately determine your level of success and help set yourself apart from all the rest of the competition.

Knowing Where and What to Look for

An aspiring online casino operator has plenty of gaming development companies to select from.  However, this large selection of providers claiming to offer the same thing makes it difficult to choose the right one.  Choose too fast and you could end up losing out on money before you even get your site up and running.  To help you find the best online gaming software, we have provided a few tips on what you need to look for in a developer and where to look.

Stability and Scalability

Stability is one of the most important aspects of any gaming software.  With the immense popularity of online gambling, you can’t afford to have your customers playing on a platform that is slow and always experiencing performance issues.  Scalability is also important as you want something that can support your gaming endeavors now, and into the future as well.  This essentially means that you need a gaming platform with the ability to accommodate the growth of your casino and players without going down because of technical problems.

Do Your Research

Before deciding on an online gaming developer, we recommend that you conduct some extensive research so you know what you’re getting into.  You can check out a few industry reviews as well customer testimonials to see what others have to say about the company.  Most importantly, you want to converse with the developer and ask as many questions as possible about their services.  When doing this, make sure to consider their experience, level of support and responsiveness.

The continuous growth of the online gambling industry presents many new opportunities for those who want to try their hand at this highly profitable market.  However, some will succeed while others are sure to fail.  Because of this, it is vital that you choose wisely when deciding on your software developer.

So, you think you know everything there is to know about online casino gambling?  You’ve played at so many casinos that nothing would surprise you these days.  Wonderful, confidence is a welcomed companion for any player, but let us help you expand on your knowledge with these five golden tips.

1.) Know the Game and How it is to Be Played

The slightest difference between two variations of poker could determine whether your approach results in winning or losing.  This is also true when playing games at different casinos.  Not fully grasping the ins and outs of the game could end up making your foolproof strategy null and void.  You could be the coldest player at the craps table in Vegas but the rules in the virtual world may be a little different than what you’re accustomed to.

2.) Make the Most the Bonus

Almost every online casino offers some type of bonus.  These specials are typically available to new and VIP players.  Keep in mind that this isn’t money you can simply cash out and buy a new pair of shoes with.  Consider it free gambling as the money can be used to increase your chances of wining.  Bonuses can be very tempting but before you take the bait, read the terms and conditions that come along with them.  In most cases, there are rules and stipulations that must be met in order to obtain the bonus that was offered to you.

3.) Guard Your Sensitive Information

Security has always been an issue in the online gambling industry.  For this reason, you need to take the appropriate measures to ensure that you are participating in a safe environment.  Your financial details, personal data and other sensitive information could all be up for grabs if you don’t.  Put an emphasis on doing business with a casino that protects user accounts with unique login IDs and passwords, and secures traveling data with strong encryption.  Safeguarding your info is crucial so you should never hesitate to inquire about the level of security provided by the casino.

4.) Play to Win

Anyone who has experienced them will tell you that online casino games are tons of fun.  This is made possible by the wide variety of games and vivid graphics that make it feel as if you are playing at your favorite land-based casino.  The atmosphere can be overwhelmingly exciting but since you’re putting your money on the line, why not play to win?   With all the bonuses, special promotions and progressive jackpots, there is definitely a lot of money to be won out there.   Put on your virtual game face and go out there and take the competition for all you can.

5. Have Fun

Winning is great, but like they say, it isn’t everything.  Just like in the real world, there will be times when you get lucky and win, but possibly more times when you lose.  The fact that you can play in the comfort of your home often adds to the fun, especially if you are someone who prefers to do without all the noise and ruckus that comes along with real casinos.  The jackpot is yours for the taking so just sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

The major focus of Barack Obama’s presidency campaign were the issues of education, health care and tax cuts for middle class U.S. citizens.  Now the head of the state, the new President, is working diligently to make his campaign slogan become a reality – change.  Sure, Obama has a lot on his plate as there is no easy fix the damage that was years in the making.  With that said, it would be nice if he could take a look into another mess – the regulations of online gambling in America.

Billions up for Grabs

The online gambling industry is flourishing to say the least.  In fact, the market has globally generated more than four billion dollars in the past two years alone.  Keep in mind that these revenues were garnered with very little participation from the U.S., which has pretty much been isolated from the market since the implementation of the UIGEA in 2006, a legislation that some online gambling proponents are calling the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act.  Observers are projecting that the online gambling industry will exceed $15 billion by 2012.  That is, with or without the participation of the U.S.  A recent study released by Price Waterhouse Coopers shows that the United States has the potential to rake in at least $8.7 billion and up to $17.6 billion in as little as 10 years.  That is, if Congress decided to legalize, tax and regulate online gambling.  The study hints that if all U.S. states got onboard, a whopping $33.9 billion in taxes would be collected over the next decade.  Considering the current economic state, this seems like a move U.S. lawmakers should seriously considering.

So, what is the United States Congress waiting for?  Well, in their defense, there are still a number of aspects that would need to be addressed in order for online gambling to be regulated in an effective manner.  Some of these issues include age verification to prevent underage gambling, policing rogue and black market casinos, and the fear of compulsive gambling among others.  However, just as the nation has done with the prohibition of alcohol, which actually shares many similarities with internet gambling including an economic crisis at the time, there is a way around these issues if U.S. lawmakers could just see the big picture.  Just as alcohol proved to be a lucrative business in the way of taxes, online gambling could be the same and breath life into an economy that is obviously struggling.

The Bottom Line

The factor of the matter is as simple as this: the UIGEA remains unclear to this day and was a terrible idea from the start.  Anyone looking at the situation with a clear head would agree that it needs to revoked and quickly.  While there may be bigger fish to fry in terms of health care, education and national security, it wouldn’t hurt for the Obama administration to take a closer glance at the state of online gambling and its potential as a huge generator for future tax revenues.  Alcohol prohibition proved that it can be done and because of that, sensibly regulating online gambling should be a heightened priority.