Online Casino Gambling

Over the past few years slot game manufacturers have seen an influx of customers complaining that the machines are too tight for winners. As a result, slot machine manufacturers are looking to change their marketing campaign. Recently, slot makers showcased their most recent creations at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas. Their aim next year is to offer customers more bang for their buck.

Aristocrat Technologies

Aristocrat Technologies has begun developing games that allow the customer to win slot games more frequently for smaller amounts. This allows bettors to play much longer. Many of their new games have been programmed for additional free bonus rounds. The company’s newest creation, “Reel Tall Tales,” will activate one of five free bonus rounds approximately every nine spins. Another machine, “Rockin’ Olives” hits one in every three spins.

Marketing Strategy

This strategy keeps players entertained so they feel they are getting more out of each game and consequently each spin. In the past many customers felt like they were putting their money in the machine and losing it immediately. This new method allows them to go much longer on $20. Many manufacturers are taking this a step further in allowing players to be eligible for the top cash prizes without betting the maximum number of coins for each spin.

Bally Technologies

For instance, Bally Technologies, “Money Wheel,” gives players the chance to win extra cash by touching a digital wheel and betting only 40 cents as opposed to the maximum $2 per spin. Most slot makers are moving away from forcing players to increase their bet to be eligible for the jackpot.

The House Edge

Slot games are programmed to guarantee a return on investment to the casino over a period of time. Therefore, there is a trade-off from to allow gamblers to win incremental amounts more often. This results in a loss over a longer period of time. However, these less explosive games means players will win the trademarked jackpot less frequently.

Many industry experts do not believe this new marketing strategy will work in this economy unless game makers actually change the way the games work. Slots have always ground down player’s bankrolls and in a recession it will be more difficult to sell these ideas to the average consumer. Casinos and game manufacturers have an uphill battle at attracting new players and retaining the old.

With the recent release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, online casino game developers are jumping on board. With the vast success of Harry Potter series, it is unlikely a developer will create a game based on the series. However, new magic-themed slot games have been released similar to the characters and witchcraft of Harry Potter. Most major online gaming providers offer slots with a magic theme.

Industry-leader Microgaming recently released Magic Spell, an online slot game that most resembles Harry Potter. The game takes place at a magic school for cats. The wild symbol is Master Tom with the higher paying symbols being students Catrina, Leo and Baz, all of which bear a resemblance to Hermoine, Harry and Ron. Other symbols include:

• Building
• Emblem
• Satchel
• Teacher
• Tie
• Scroll
• Lamp
• Snacks

A school bell-type audio is heard in the background as the reels spin. Additionally, there are magical animations such as when Master Tom appears during winning combinations. The bonus game occurs when the letters M, A, G, I and C appear from left to right. At this point players are awarded the golden key which gives them access to the Secret Library.

Another excellent game is Witches and Warlocks, developed by Cryptologic. The scatter symbol is the witch and the wild card symbol is the warlock. Other symbols include, a cauldron, potions, cat, skull, crystal ball, pumpkin, broom, witches hat and spell book.

In the Witches and Warlock bonus game, which is triggered by three witches, players must choose to battle a witch or a warlock using spells and potions. A prize is awarded for each spell or potion that causes damage and the fight continues until one player drains the other of all their life. Victory and consolation prizes are awarded.

Vegas Technology has also decided to get in on the action with the release of Black Magic. The symbols on the reels of this game propagate black magic such as, a snake, vial, skull, spider, bat and grave stone with a wild-card witch. The Black Magic bonus game features six crystal balls that must be correctly selected by the player to win bonus credits.

These games are extremely fun and exciting, especially around Halloween. Themed slot games continue to retain veteran players while attracting interested individuals. Online slots providers are developing so many themed games there is one for almost all categories of life.

Established in 1999, United Kingdom based online casino operator, Fortune Lounge Group, was one of the first online gaming sites to acquire a license from casino software developer, Microgaming. All of Microgaming’s casinos hold gaming licenses from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Since their operation began, the Fortune Lounge Group has awarded over $27 million in progressive jackpots.

In 2005 the Fortune Lounge Group received an award for the “Best Gambling Group” by Gambling Online Magazine. Also, eGaming Review recognized the Fortune Lounge Group as one of the leaders in the gaming industry today.  Additionally, the company has won awards for their rewards program and customer service. Unfortunately, the company has recently stopped accepting new U.S.-based players but those already with accounts can continue to play.

All members of the casino are automatically enrolled in the Player’s Club. As a member your rewards transfer between all nine Fortune Lounge Group casinos and three poker rooms. There are various levels within the Player’s Club program so the more points you collect, the higher your level and the better the rewards.

There are plenty of rewards to earn at all of the Fortune Lounge Group’s casinos. These include, merchandise, electronics, vacations, credits, gift cards, tournament entries and good old fashioned cold-hard cash.

The group operates nine online casinos and three poker rooms with 7 Sultans Casino being the first launched by the company. Every casino operated by the Fortune Lounge Group has been awarded an eCOGRA seal which indicates their commitment to strict fairness and reliability standards.

Some of the most popular Fortune Lounge Group casinos include:

• 7 Sultans
• Royal Vegas
• Platinum Play
• Vegas Palms
• Vegas Villa
• Vegas Towers
• Fortune Room

Additionally, the company offers an affiliate program entitled, “Fortune Affiliates.” The program offers numerous resources to aid in the promotion of Fortune Lounge Group casinos. The commissions offered are above average at 35 percent for those recruited to the casino. The group was the first company to be awarded the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust seal.

The number of casinos, the length of time in operation, regulatory information, the rewards program and the various awards over the years make the Fortune Lounge Group network a great place to play your favorite games. As they continue to grow and expand additional benefits will be available for an excellent gaming experience.

Surprisingly Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt, is a popular theme for online slot games. Cleopatra was a woman that was way ahead of her. With Roman Emperor Julius Caesar and Roman General Marc Antony eating out of her hands, she was on top of the world. Cleopatra had such an impact on history; many online gaming manufacturers have dedicated slot game themes to her.

The most popular Cleopatra-themed slot games include:

• Cleopatra’s Pyramid
• Cleopatra
• Cleo Queen of Egypt
• Cleopatra’s Coins

Created by Vegas Technology, Cleopatra’s Pyramid is one of the most popular themed slot games. The symbols on the reels derive from Ancient Egypt and include a pyramid, ankh, mummy, the sphinx and a scarab with Cleopatra being the wild symbol which pays out double and 10,000 coins.

This slot game is popular because of the bonus game which consists of players moving a pyramid upwards by selecting one stone from each row. As the player continues to draw credits, they move upwards. Once they draw the asp (snake) the game ends.

WagerWorks has developed a similar game entitled Cleopatra. The symbols are similar to Cleopatra’s Pyramid but with a more modern styling. Again Cleopatra is the wildcard with the same payouts except she is more animated in this variant. This game is also separately linked to its total progressive jackpot network, Megajackpots.

The most recent Cleopatra-themed slot game was developed by Cryptologic and is entitled Cleo Queen of Egypt. The graphics in this game are more vivid and portray realistic objects from ancient Egypt. Crazy Jackpots is the most innovative feature of this game. All nine paylines have independent jackpots associated with them. When five Cleopatra symbols appear for a specific payline, the jackpot is triggered and the player wins.

Of all Cleopatra-themed slot games, Cleopatra’s Coins by Rival Gaming is the best since the game is focused solely on Cleopatra, not just ancient Egypt. Cleopatra, Marc Antony and Julius Caesar are symbols on the reels. Other symbols include hieroglyphic images of objects like the scarab and asp that related to Cleopatra’s life. If five asp symbols appear on the reels, 100 free spins are granted. The bonus game requires players to smash urns and reveal the wealth inside of them.

These four variants of slot games are extremely exciting to play. They take traditional slots and kick them up a notch to include various aspects of ancient Egypt and Cleopatra’s life. Each of these games should be played to reveal the fun and excitement.

Online poker enthusiasts continue to argue with Congress that the numerous forms of poker are a game of skill, not chance. When the UIGEA emerged, the entire poker community was somewhat taken by surprise. Online poker rooms and casino operators spoke out against this unjust law in a unified voice. They joined forces because of the right to gamble online from home.

Solutions for the Government

Representatives of the internet gaming industry filed cases against the UIGEA. Bills were continuously brought in and overturned. As the situation continued, the gambling industry provided suggestions for taxation and regulation of the online poker. Eventually these advocates conjured a point that does not apply to online casinos: poker is a game of skill not chance.

Poker is a Game of Skill not Chance

As a result of this idea, laws preventing online gambling did not apply to online poker since it is not a game of chance. These groups also pointed out that legislation needs to describe poker as a game of skill. Although they agree some amount of luck is involved in the game, skill is much stronger. The specific argument was that the element of luck dissolves in the long run and skill prevails.

No Claim for Online Casinos

On the other hand, the online casino groups cannot make this claim considering the majority of games they feature are slots, roulette and craps which are 100 percent luck. Games such as blackjack, video poker and other forms of poker have skill. This is a major issue as the online casino industry does not want to divide itself from the poker community.

What will happen to Online Casinos if Poker is legalized?

Therefore, the question running through everyone’s mind is what will happen to the online casino industry if internet poker is declared legal and is removed from UIGEA? The momentum built up against the act will disappear. Also, the money raised to fight the administration would also be gone. This is because the number of supports of online poker is much greater than those that support online casinos.

Studies have proven the amount of skill involved in playing poker. When compared to other casino games, poker is superior in the necessity to have skill compared to games of chance commonly found at online casinos. Therefore, the UIGEA may review these findings and legalized online poker rooms which would leave the online casino faction in a great deal of mess.

Alternative payment processing industry-leader, Moneybookers is currently in the process of changing its company name to Skrill. According to Moneybookers Representatives, the company feels that this change is long overdue. The new Skrill will rebrand the company and create a new avatar, in addition to providing a portfolio of services and products.

What is Skrill?

The name Skrill is short for skrilla which is slang for money. However, the company will be branding Skrill with much more than just money. Instead the new company is to be a sign of safe and innovative method for consumers to pay online merchants for goods and services. Flexibility, reliability, convenience, a piece of mind and choice are the main factors that should appeal to online gaming enthusiasts.

Moneybookers has big plans for the Skrill following the changeover at the end of the 2011. Current Moneybookers customers will have the opportunity to be the first to upgrade once it goes live.

Massively Enhanced Payment Facilities

Skrill will provide the customer with what they are referring to as “massively enhanced payment facilities.” For instance, customers will be able to send payments to anyone in the highest security possible, without revealing personal financial data. Also, credit card numbers will not be needed to enter constantly as Skrill will store this information. Other enhancements include a portfolio of products, integrated services and fully customizable online banking solutions.

Full technical support will be provided for customers with questions, validated anti-fraud systems will be implemented and strict regulation from the Financial Services Authority will be enacted. Skrill will take the headache and worry out of financial transactions on the internet.

Become a Household Name

Co-CEO, Martin Ott is advocating that the company will become a household name and verb in the dictionary. As customers say they are going to “Google” something or “Skype” a friend, they will also “Skrill” their family and will “Skrill” a payment to an online merchant. The rebranding of the company has begun with the drastic change in name. Executives hope to differentiate themselves from a crowded marketplace.

On paper, the change in image looks promising. With improved reliability and financial systems, Skrill may prove to be the next NeTeller. Luckily they are slowly implementing this change over the next year until go live at the end of 2011.  Hopefully, their innovative ideas will sell their service and result in a major impact on the alternative payment processing and online gaming industries.