Online Casino Gambling

The European Committee for Standardization recently released the first Pan-European consumer protection contract which has been in development for a great deal of time. During its creation, trade associations and online gambling operators continued to pursue the agreement. The Committee’s primary responsibility was to foster the technical specifications from a workshop discussion. The main object was to create a single market for the online gaming industry in Europe.

This contract is appropriately entitled, “Responsible Remote Gambling Measures” and outlines nine goals to assist with the protection of players from the European Union. Furthermore, the agreement specifies 134 measures to guarantee those ideas are met. The nine protection of player policies include:

• Prevention of underage gambling
• Privacy protection
• Tackling fraud
• Customer satisfaction
• Fair gaming
• Ensuring accurate customer payments
• Operating a safe environment
• Protecting vulnerable customers
• Responsible marketing practices

Although these goals are not new among countries that legalize online gambling, the idea of standardizing them across many countries is innovative. In the workshop developing these standards were industry representatives for various companies, problem gambling experts, online players, and addiction and criminology experts. Surprisingly, this diverse group of individuals came to a consensus on many of these issues.

The chairperson of the workshop was Andrew Beveridge, the CEO of eCOGRA. He publicly recognized that developing these standards over the past seven months has finally come to fruition with an excellent agreement to protect customers across the European Union. Also, this workshop has greatly benefitted eCOGRA and the associated seal-holders. Furthermore, he stated that this agreement will complement other current industry standards.

Following the release of the agreement, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) in conjunction with the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) commended this major achievement by the group. The European Committee for Standardization is one of three European standardization bodies recognized by the European Union. Currently there are over 60,000 business federations, technical experts and others involved with the Committee.

This agreement is a major step forward for the online gaming community in Europe and the rest of the globe. It shows that responsible gaming can occur among all parties involved. Other countries that question the morality and ethics set forth by online gambling should observe the progress this group has made. If the final implementation of these standardization policies is successful, it may create a trend across the globe among countries with legalized gambling.

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.

Powered by the world leaders of gaming software, Microgaming, this state of the art online gaming site offers plenty of features to keep users coming back for more. Platinum Play casino offers almost every online betting game imaginable. The casino falls under the umbrella of eCogra regulatory body so the operating standards are among the highest in the industry.

Platinum Play casino is strongly regulated within a reputable jurisdiction with many years of experience under their belt. These stringent standards and years in the business have allowed them to tweak their operation and give the player what they want. As a result, Platinum Play is consistently rated as one of the best in the industry.

Also within this network of casinos are brands such as, 7 Sultans, Vegas Palms, Vegas Villa and Royal Vegas. These are all members of the Fortune Lounge Group which is a leader in the casino business.

There are many advantages to playing at this casino including:

• Game selection
• VIP program
• Powered by Microgaming Viper software
• Excellent signup bonus
• Multi-lingual software
• Large progressive jackpots

Platinum Play casino offers over 300 games to its users. This casino offers some of the most games in the industry including the latest slots variants, table games and some not so well-known competitions. With so many games and stringent operating standards, Platinum Play casino is also one of the highest quality sites available.

Another advantage is the VIP program which available to all players. Many gaming sites require an invitation to begin earning points. This is not the case at Platinum Play casino. Also, a free $1500 no deposit bonus is one of the best in the business. Furthermore, the casino provides a multi-lingual software client. Finally, the progressive jackpots are tremendously large.

While there are many advantages, there are a few disadvantages to playing at the casino. These include:

• High wager requirements
• Website only in English

Compared to their competitors, Platinum Play casino has higher wager requirements in most games. This is a huge disadvantage for those looking to play or practice at lower limits. Also, despite the multi-lingual software client, the website is only presented in English. Therefore, the software is almost useless if those that do not speak English do not know how to download it.

Platinum Play is an excellent place to try your luck. There are many advantages that significantly outweigh the disadvantages. Due to their past success, years in the business, number of games, stringent standards, Platinum Play is one of the best online casinos in the industry.

In order to ensure fairness, all reputable internet casino operators have their games audited by independent third-party organizations.  Not only is this a requirement enforced by the licensing authority in the operator’s jurisdiction, it also done to show players that they are running a fair and reliable business.  When it comes to the auditing of online casino games, eCOGRA is one of the most trusted names in the industry, a respected agency that makes its reports publicly available.  Anyone player who is new to the realm of online gaming should consider viewing these audit reports and understanding what they mean.

The Big Three

eCOGRA provides online casinos that have demonstrated fairness and responsible gaming with three different sets of certificates.  The first set proves that the agency asserts that the operator’s games are fair, and that the company runs a safe and responsible business.  The second set is related to the RNG (random number generator) found in most casino games.  These certificates are generally issued individually to prove the fairness of the RNGs of games such as blackjack, video poker and roulette.  They are provided based on analysis conducted by eCOGRA over a six month period, showing that every number is indeed randomly generated and that the outcomes of all tested games are unbiased.

The Bigger Picture

The Percent Payout Review just may be the most useful and important eCOGRA audit report of all.  By viewing this report, you can learn the average payout percentages for a variety of different casino game categories.  These categories include “all games,” “poker games,” “slots games,” and “table games.”  Conducted on a monthly basis, the figures in this particular report display the percentage of total player winnings vs. the amount wagered in a given month.  It should be noted that these numbers represent an average of the payouts and do not determine whether a player will win or lose money.  We will provide some real life examples to show you how these percentages work.

In September of 2009, slots games at Platinum Play Casino paid out at an average percentage of 95.60%.  This basically means that players were paid out $95.60 for every $100 wagered on those games, with the house keeping $4.40.  In the same month, the report indicated that poker games payout at an average of 99.51%.  Why such a big difference?  Well, because slot games are based more on pure luck while poker requires strategy and optimum decisions.  Skilled players who make sound decisions may notice that the payout percentage is either around or above this average.  Bad players are more likely to find that the average is significantly below the reported number.  The point here is that new players should not automatically assume that the return on online poker games is 99.5% as anything could happen.

Conclusion

Checking out the audit reports published by eCOGRA is something that both new and experienced players should consider doing on regular basis.  At the very least, they should review the Percentage Payout Review and base their play on those trends.  If you obtain nothing else from these reports, they will give you the assurance that the games you play at a given casino are safe and fair.

Online gambling has emerged to become a huge business that sees billions of dollars in revenue each year.  And while it offers numerous advantages to players all around the world, there are some downsides to the industry.  For the most part, online gambling is unregulated and this very factor has attracted some shady operators.  Because there are many potential dangers to gambling online, we have provided five tips to help keep you safe and secure.

Check for Licensing

Any reputable online casino site or poker room has a valid gaming license to show they are serious about the business.  The license is generally issued by an organization in the jurisdiction in which the operator is based, or through internet gaming authorities such as the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.  If want to make sure you are wagering with a reliable company, checking for a valid license is imperative.  Most of the reputable operators will publish information regarding licensing on their website.

Affiliation with Responsible Gaming Parties

There are quite a few non-profit organizations that exist to help ensure fair and responsible gaming in the online gambling industry.  Some of the most well know entities that fall into this category are eCOGRA, GamCare and IGC.  Gambling operators undergo routine audits of their gaming software platforms to prove that they are fair and safe based on the standards set by these non-biased independent third-parties.  Similar to licensing information, reputable gambling operators will proudly publish these certifications on their website.

Reputation of the Operator

Even if you have verified that a particular online gambling site has the proper licensing and certification, you still need to be cautious.  Some casinos in the industry have established a questionable track record during their tenor in the business.  Therefore, before making a wager at any online casino or poker room, it is advisable to conduct the necessary research to assure you are dealing with a company that is good standards in the industry.  You can start by checking out the online gambling forums to read feedback provided by existing players within the community.   Conducting this research is crucial because even some of the most well known casinos and poker rooms have been connected to scandals.

Level of Security

Security is arguably the most important aspect of online gambling. There is a lot of money that goes through this industry so naturally, it is a target for hackers and criminals.  It should be comforting to know that reputable gambling operators take various measures to make sure the players are protected.  This includes utilizing military grade encryption technology such as SSL, and relying on trusted third-party organizations for payment processing.   Because accessing the level of security can be difficult from the outside looking in, it pays to do your research to find out about the track record of company you plan to deal with.

Play Your Part

In the end, is up to you as the player to make sure you are protected when gambling online.  Not only must you take the time to find a site that ensures security, but also apply smart passwords to your casino account and keep your anti-virus software up to date.  What you think is gaming software could be a malicious program intent on ruining your life.

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.