Online Casino Gambling

Almost all online gaming providers offer some variant of blackjack games that feature progressive jackpots which gives players the opportunity to win large payouts for a small wager. Many of these jackpots have reached record levels which are beginning to draw large crowds hoping for the chance of hitting the big one.

Currently, the largest progressive jackpot is featured at a Vegas Technology-powered casino in a game aptly named, “Progressive Blackjack.” The value has currently reached $140,575, slightly below the average winning size of $187,328. On average, the jackpot hits once per month with the maximum winnings ever being $259,342 which occurred 18 months ago. In the past year alone, Vegas Technology has paid out over $2 million. Progressive Blackjack is available at:

• Go Casino
• Online Vegas Casino
• Millionaire Casino

The Cryptologic Progressive Blackjack game currently has a jackpot of $77,128. Unlike most other progressives, this is slowly moving and hits on around $135,000 once per year. The game hits when four aces of the same color are dealt. Therefore, it should be more popular than the Vegas Technology variant which requires four aces of the same suit. This game is available at popular casinos like InterCasino and VIP Casino.

The Playtech variant is also called Progressive Blackjack and currently boasts of jackpot of $69,007 which is slightly greater than the average amount to trigger the jackpot – $63,971. The jackpot hits 1 in every 10 days but was last hit 15 days ago so the system is due turn out a winner. Another trend is that the past 10 hits have been in the $60,000’s range. Therefore, the time is ripe for players to login and try their luck with the potential for winning big.

The Playtech version of Progressive Blackjack is currently available at the following online gaming sites:

• Omni Casino
• Casino Tropez
• Casino Del Rio

Although each of these online progressive blackjack games has the exact same name, they are different in their own regard. If you have to select one of the three, try the Vegas Technology version since it has a much higher payout than the other two and is hit once per month. This is the ideal balance between a large sum of winnings and the frequency of winning. This appears to the best time to place a wager and potentially win as all versions are at the cusp of hitting the jackpot.

Love is in the air across the globe. With Valentine’s Day approaching, many online gaming software providers have announced their newest themed slot game. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of the most basic human emotion: love. Therefore, software developers have devised a way to encompass all that is Valentine’ Day into a slot game. Since the symbols of love and romance vary, software developers have a variety of content to work with.

As with most themed slot games, Microgaming leads the pack with regards to Valentine’s Day games. Each year the software development company releases a new Valentine’s Day variant. Like most of their games, the Valentine’s Day versions exude delicateness and elegance. Some of the most popular past titles include, “Burning Desire” and “Love Potions.” This year the company has created “Queen of Hearts” which is scheduled to be available starting February 7^th.

Another Valentine’s Day themed slot game Microgaming will soon be releasing is “Secret Admirer.” The clip at the beginning of the game shows Cupid shooting his arrow through a heart breaking it into a shower of rose petals. The actual game consists of the following recognizable symbols:

• Mask hiding the secret admirer – wild symbol
• Diamond ring – Scatter symbol
• “Secret Admirer” heart-shaped logo
• Heart-shaped wreath
• Perfume dispenser
• Rose
• Brooch

The game features are fairly standard with a free spins bonus game and the Microgaming gamble game. This game is available at all Microgaming-powered casinos like Royal Vegas, the Gaming Club and the Blackjack Ballroom.

Another major Valentine’s Day release is by Vegas Technology with their slot game “Cupid’s Arrow.” The game is of excellent quality and features the following Valentine’s Day symbols:

• Cupid – wild symbol
• Heart – bonus payouts
• Kiss
• Chocolates
• Roses
• Valentine’s Day card
• Ring
• Teddy bear
• Lovers
• Balloon

A nice feature of “Cupids Arrow” is that all symbols are animated when winning combinations are triggered. This makes the screen extremely active after the reels stop spinning. “Cupid’s Arrow” is available Slot Galore, VIP Slots and Grand Vegas casino.

The final Valentine’s Day-themed release is “Love Bugs” from Cryptologic. This version adds the twist of a comic angle. The main plot of the game revolves around Love Bug and Lady Bug’s love as they display antics on the reels. The symbols on the reels include:

• Perfume
• Ring
• Violin
• Chocolates
• Necklace
• Champagne
• Love letter
• Flowers

There are many online gaming software providers that have created romance-based games but none that are specifically geared toward Valentine’s Day. If you are in the mood for love, romance and slots, any one of these games will fulfill your needs.

One of the fasted-growing economies in the world is Southeast Asia. It is also one of the fastest growing areas for online gambling. There are legal issues with online gaming in some areas but this has been the norm since the industry’s existence. As a result, online gaming providers are targeting Asian customers to increase their market share of this location. There are different approaches being taken by different companies to target this demographic.

Many gaming companies are taking the direct approach by launching online casinos that cater specifically to that market. For instance, Bodog has done an excellent job of this by partnering with Manila-based betting firm, Haydock Sports to launch Bodog88.com. Haydock has been in the industry since 2006 and is aware of what Asian players want. For example, the culture is more receptive to live dealers as opposed to RNG’s.

Other gaming companies are keeping the casino, the games and betting structure the same but continue to cater to local requirements through multi-lingual customer support and many currencies available. Their software was created in many languages including Japanese and Chinese with deposit and withdrawal options in the currency of that country.

Despite Asian players preferring a live dealer, with many games this is not feasible. To balance this, other games native to that specific area are offered. Almost all online gaming developers offer Pai Gow Poker and Sic Bo. Playtech has taken this a step further by offering an Asian games category that includes Mahjong and Pachinko. Microgaming has recently followed suit.

The subtlest method of attracting Asian customers is by developing online slot games in an Asian theme. These include:

• Samurai and Geisha culture from Japan
• Ancient royalty from India
• Arabian Nights from the Middle East
• Chinese cuisine

Realtime Gaming has found other subtle methods of appealing to the Southeast Asian market. For example, since the number ‘8’ is lucky in the Chinese culture, some of its slot games give payouts ending in 8’s.

The most popular games in this region include, Eastern Dragon by Cryptologic, Cherry Blossoms created by Vegas Technology and Lady of the Orient by Microgaming. These continually attract new customers while retaining the old. Attracting the Asian market should not be an arduous task with many in the region beginning to have disposable income. Online gaming companies simply need to appeal to the tastes of each individual culture.

As controversy continues in the online gaming industry, Barney Frank introduced the Anti-UIGEA bill in 2009 which looked to overturn the enactment of the UIGEA bill. Introduced by the Bush Administration, the UIGEA bill outlaws online gambling in all states including New Jersey and Nevada.

As a result of this bill, European online casino operators have lost a huge portion of the American online gaming market. This resulted in a large financial loss for most operators. The European Commission has argued against the bill stating it goes against the policy and commitment the United States has to the World Trade Organization.

Although the Commission is positive it has a winning case in court against this law, it prefers to negotiate directly with the United States. Therefore, it has initiated discussions with the proper U.S. officials. Unfortunately this was stalled by the Bush Administration resulting in separated ties between the U.S. and the European Commission.

If the act is simply overturned, players will be able to access sites in Europe and this entire issue will disappear. Therefore, Barney Frank has been committed to pushing the Anti-UIGEA bill through Congress quickly.

The UIGEA bill prevents individuals located in the United States from accessing online casinos by making it illegal for financial services to transfer money to these sites. Most U.S.-based financial companies have stopped transferring money. However, there are still plenty of overseas options for U.S. players. Regardless, this has significantly affected revenues in many states.

The three largest online gaming operators include:

• Cryptologic
• Playtech
• Microgaming

Each company completely left the United States gaming market following the enactment of the UIGEA. Consequently, their stock price took a severe drop. Each of these companies is missing out on the money generated by American players. At the same time, American players are missing out on some of the best online casinos available to date. Overturning the act will allow them to return and players to wager at the best casinos.

Frank’s Anti-UIGEA bill looks to legalize online gambling and have it regulated by each state. Therefore, American players can wager in a safe and regulated environment that eliminates underage and problem gambling. The Government will be able to collect taxes and generate additional revenue. The bill appears to be robust and well-structured. Hopefully in the future this idea will become a reality and all Americans have the freedom to play at home.

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.

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.