Online Casino Spotlight

Sega Games isn’t just about hedgehogs anymore; the company is branching out to the world of online casinos. They recently announced that they would are launching their own brand of online casino and poker room.

What is Sega Games?

Sega Games makes video games for several consoles like the Playstation 2 and Playstation 3. Sega Games has produced over 900 video games in total, but the company may be most famous for their Sonic the Hedgehog games. Sonic the Hedgehog has been played on several gaming consoles and even had his own cartoon series. In recent years, Sega Games took a back burner to larger companies like Nintendo but has recently announced that they are branching out in to the casino world.

Sega Games Launches an Online Casino

It may seem like a big leap to go from video games to internet gambling, but it may not be for a company like Sega Games. Sega has launched two new websites, SegaCasino.com and SegaPoker.com. Both websites will host Sega branded games. Both sites will offer players the chance to win actual money.

SegaCasino.com

SegaCasino.com will feature both popular poker games as well as virtual slot machines. Currently, SegaCasino.com offers Blackjack, Roulette, and a few other poker games with plans to expand in the upcoming year. SegaCasino.com also hosts several virtual slot machines that are based around the Sega brand name. Players have the chance to win several bonuses that are exclusive to the Sega Company.

SegaPoker.com

SegaPoker.com is a poker room hosted separately from SegaCasino.com. The poker room offers players a chance to compete against each other and win money by playing Sega style poker games. The poker room is live action and can host as many as 30,000 players at a time. This will make the stakes high and the action live.

The Future of Sega Casinos

Sega hopes to cash in on the billions of dollars spent on online gaming in Europe each year. They have several plans to expand both SegaCasino.com and SegaPoker.com through the duration of 2010. At the launch of both websites, Sega will be hosting tournaments in their poker room and special incentives for the first players to join in on the action at SegaCasino.com

According to a report that was released this week by the Joint Committee on Taxation, a measure to decriminalize most forms of internet gambling would raise nearly $42 billion for the U.S. over the next decade. The report, from Washington Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott, is based on the provision of a federal license for operators that would allow them to offer online wagering throughout the United States.

A logical way to raise needed revenue

“I suspect that many of my colleagues will take more interest in this issue once they see $41 billion available that they can match up with any number of worthy programs,” McDermott said in a press release associated with the report. “I would suspect it’s only a matter of time before Congress appropriately moves to regulate the industry in order to protect consumers and reverse the flow of billions of dollars currently lost offshore as Americans gamble billions online despite attempts to prohibit the activity,” he added.

The report has also gained the attention of many in the online gaming industry. “This analysis further reinforces the fact that a regulated environment will generate billions in new revenue to offset the costs of health care reform or other vital government programs,” said Michael Waxman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative. “With the completed analysis, and support for Internet gambling regulation growing daily, it’s only a matter of time before Congress acts and begins allocating the billions in new revenue sitting on the table to one program or another. This is a very significant development in support of the push to regulate the industry. We would expect that there will be more conversation and more interest in internet gambling regulations.”

The industry is hoping that the report will be a wake up call for the members of congress that haven’t been on board with the initiative. “We believe this tax revenue analysis will encourage immediate discussions and consideration of pending legislation to regulate Internet gambling,” said Waxman.  “With everyone acknowledging that attempts to prohibit the activity have failed, this provides even more incentive for Congress to act.”

McDermott, Frank leading reform efforts

This past spring, McDermott introduced bill HR 2268. The Internet Gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act would impose a fee of 2% of deposits on licensed internet gambling operators. McDermott is joined in the fight by Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Barney Frank. The chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services has announced his desire to hold a hearing and markup in the coming months on his legislation, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2267).

Chairman Frank’s bill would establish a framework to allow licensed gambling operators to accept bets from individuals in the U.S.  It includes several consumer protections including safeguards against money laundering and identity theft. Additional provisions in the bill support the rights of each state to determine whether to allow web gambling activity for people within the state. 

The regulation of online gambling has been one of the most controversial topics of recent times.  Since the inception of the industry in the late 1990s, jurisdictions, lawmakers, organizations and individuals all over the world have debated whether it should be completely legal and regulated or banned entirely.  The United States is arguably the biggest center of controversy due to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) enacted by President Bush and a republican-led U.S. Congress.  Although the UIGEA does not specifically forbid American players from gambling online, it does speak highly of the disdain many U.S. politicians have for the industry.  Ironically, even with this legislation in place, research shows that well over 50% of online gamblers worldwide reside in the United States.

UIGEA Reception

The initial reaction to the UIGEA can be compared to that of Prohibition back in the in the early 1920s.  It was similar in a sense that several publicly regulated offshore online casino operators abandoned the American market in fear of punishment from lawmakers.  However, the drastic market shift that left players with fewer gaming options simply directed them to privately owned firms who were not afraid to accept wagers from U.S. citizens.  For this reason, critics of the bill have frequently remarked that the UIGEA really does nothing to stop internet gambling for the simple fact that players can seemingly always find a loophole that allows them to play somewhere.  Jurisdictions such as Antigua and Barbuda have labeled the UIGEA and other legal actions taken by the United States as discrimination against online casino operators and a breach of international free trade.  Battles have already been won against the U.S. and several more countries are planning to file complaints because it continuously fails to make efforts to comply with WTO’s (World Trade Organization’s) filing back in 2005.

The United Kingdom, Belgium, Italy  and many other nations have decided to regulate and tax the online gambling industry instead of outlaw it completely.  In fact, several countries, including Germany, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and The Netherlands were warned back in 2006 by the European Commission for allowing local lotteries to offer sports betting, but preventing other operators from doing so.  Charlie McCreevy, EU Financial Services Commissioner, recently hinted that more nations could be added to the growing list of juristidtions currently pending legal ramifications for refusing to open their markets to online gambling.

The Battle Continues

Recent studies conducted by the British government reveal that there are nearly one million avid online gamblers residing in the country.  These players account for an estimated one-third of Europe’s approximate number of 3.5 million people who gamble online.  When combined with nearly 20 million online gamblers in the U.S., you have a rather large group of global supporters that help to power the billion dollar per year industry that has become the internet gambling market.  Players everywhere want a piece of the action so until viable agreements are reached, online gambling regulation will likely be a controversial matter for some time to come.

In the realm of internet gambling, the entities that run the wagering sites are often referred to as online casino operators.  While the owners of these companies have the skill and financial resources to power the business, they generally receive a great deal of input and participation from various internal sources that aid in the operation as well.  This article will go over some of the important roles these parties play in the operation of an online casino.

Casino Manager

The casino manager is a key figure in the online casino operation.  This individual has many responsibilities but their major role is to make sure the casino runs smoothly.  More specific roles include making arrangements with software providers and the gaming jurisdiction, as well as supervising staff to assure that the necessary duties are being performed.  Almost always, it is the online casino manager who ensures that gaming options, promotional offers and payment processing solutions are seamlessly integrated with the software platform.

VIP Reward Reps

There are many types of players that partake in online gambling.  Some are merely dabbling with the experience while others tend to hop from site to site in search of an advantage.  The type of players online casinos love is those who stick around and become regular customers.  Players such as these are often rewarded handsomely for their loyalty, but the actual rewards largely depend on how much they wager.  VIP representatives are casino employees designated to ensuring these special players receive their benefits.  They generally keep track of wagering levels and inform players on the benefits they are eligible for and what needs to be done to claim them.

Customer Support Agents

Support is one of the most critical aspects of online casino gaming.  What makes it so important is that this is an environment deals with a high degree of virtual features and automation where human intervention is quite limited on the casino side.  The support staff is usually highly skilled in dealing with various aspects of the casino operation as well as customer relations.  An online casino that lacks in the support department is often one that will lose a lot of customers very quickly.

Affiliate Program Managers

Affiliate programs are systems used to help online casinos drive interested traffic to their sites.  These programs allow individuals and businesses to earn commissions from the internet gambling industry by directing users to the casino sites through banner and text link advertisements.  Once the user signs, up, the affiliate gets a percentage of the sale.  The job of the affiliate manager is to oversee the program by providing affiliates with comprehensive details of their stats, sales and most importantly, making sure they are promptly and accurately compensated.

As you can see, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of an online casino operation.  While you will only see one name on the marquee, it takes the role of several different parties to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.

Along with ushering in healthcare reforms and economic stimulus, President Barack Obama may change the face of internet gambling in the United States.  In fact, upon Obama’s president win, a Merrill Lynch representative stated, “We think it could ultimately pave the way for online gaming regulation rather than prohibition.”

UIGEA Violates US-European Union Trade Agreements

The point of contention between America and the European Union is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA).  UIGEA was originally created in order to prevent any American financial institution from transferring monies into online casinos, with the exception of horse racing and lottery websites.

Currently, the European Commission argues that the United States’ UIGEA legislation is violating EU trade agreements.  While the Bush administration simply ignored working jointly with international organizations, Obama’s approach is much different.  In fact, the Obama administration is currently working to resolve the conflict with the European Commission. A resolution should come forth before the expiration of the “grace period,” or else the issue will be turned over to the World Trade Organization for further investigations.

While Obama has not declared his stance on internet gambling, his desire to work with the European Commission and United Nations to resolve conflicts may signal legalized online gambling.

The Future of Legalized Online Gambling

What does the future hold for legalized online gambling?  Last year, Congressman Barney Frank proposed a bill that would overturn UIGEA, but upon voting, the bill tied at 32-32.  In order to pass through the committee floor, the bill simply needed one more vote.

However, Frank continues to work to overturn UIGEA, and he believes that his bill will pass in 2009 with the help of both a Democratic president and Democrat majority in Congress.  Frank has 48 cosponsors for his act to revoke UIGEA, and if the bill is passed to legalize and regulate online gambling, then the American government stands to gain significant tax revenue – which is sorely needed to begin to replenish the severe budget deficit.

Along with legislative assistance, President Obama’s stance on conciliatory foreign relations may bode well for legalized online gambling in the United States.  Stay tuned for the latest news at Online Casino Spotlight!

Though many players still are quite not sure what it means, the UIGEA definitely represents the disdain U.S. lawmakers have for online gambling.  One of its biggest gripes is that internet gambling is an activity that can act as a vehicle for money laundering.  While this is a genuine concern of sorts, it really holds no water as money laundering has been directly tied to various land-based casinos and sports betting operations.  In fact, the golden days of Las Vegas were infamous for this type of activity.  Today, the gambling industry has changed dramatically as many laws and preventive measure have been implemented to keep money laundering away from the business.  Does the same hold true for online gambling?

According to the RGA (Remote Gaming Association), the online gambling industry isn’t the haven for money laundering that many think it is.  With the aid of MHA Consulting, the RGA released a new report and stresses that there have been no definitive examples of money laundering occurring within licensed online gambling jurisdictions.  On the other hand, hearing this news from the RGA should be no big surprise, especially when considering that it is a trade body for several leading online casinos and software developers.  Because of this, it is natural that the organization would be doing everything possible to distance the industry from money laundering.

The truth of the matter is that the RGA didn’t have to cover up much of anything for this particular report.  How can we be so sure?  Well, MHA Consulting came to conclude that statutory and self regulation have both played a major role in dramatically reducing the number of documented money laundering incidents in jurisdictions that license internet casinos.  In addition, the report also concluded that online gambling is not particularly vulnerable to money laundering activities.  Other than the lack of documented cases, these findings were attributed to the actual makeup of the online gambling industry itself.  Since the transactions are processed electronically, all betting activities are recorded and analyzed, and the identities of all gamblers are known, the industry makes itself transparent for investigations and comprehensive audits.  The information used in the RGA’s report was complied by  reviewing bodies in European licensing jurisdictions, which are more open about online gambling than any other in the world.

The big story is that both the RGA and MHA Consulting have drawn the conclusion that the online gambling industry is in the clear for now.  However, the report also gives indication that the industry needs to remain proactive in the area of detecting and preventing the threat of money laundering.  To help achieve this, online casino operators should only work with licensing jurisdictions and stay aware of the advanced tactics being employed by the more sophisticated money launders.  Because the industry is still relatively new with equally new regulations, it is imperative for casinos to work together to keep the criminals away from the industry.

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.

Real Time Gaming has placed its stamp on the online gambling industry by delivering some of the most realistic gaming platforms around.  Definitely among the fastest growing casino sites, Lucky Red Casino is one of several powered by RTG gaming software.  Though a relative newcomer on the scene, the Lucky Red management team has been in the business for a number of years.  When considering the casino’s quick rise, it appears that these seasoned professionals know what it takes to be a major player in the realm of internet gambling.

One of the reasons Lucky Red Casino is constantly attracting new players and keeping them loyal is the plethora of free money promotions they have going on.  This casino is well known for its generous welcome bonuses, ongoing reload bonuses and routine special giveaways.  For new online casinos especially, it is important to roll out a large number of promotions in order to make themselves known and establish a favorable reputation on the market.  And while you can say that this is a step Lucky Red Casino didn’t necessarily need to take to make a name for themselves, particularly because of their association with world renown Club World Casinos, they have still gathered up an impressive portfolio of promotions to continuously attract new and experienced online gamblers alike.

Lucky Red’s latest free money bonus offering is a series of Weekend Game Bonuses that is available to all players.  These bonuses can be played with a variety of popular games including video poker, blackjack and slots as well as keno and scratch cards.  Although online casinos owned by Isagro Holdings such as Cherry Red and Rushmore are also run on RTG gaming software, these attractive bonuses are strictly available through Lucky Red Casino.

We have gotten word that Lucky Red is offering five free money weekend casino bonuses that can be used for keno, slots and scratch cards. These bonuses are worth 150% and up to $1,000 each.  In addition, they come with a 20x betting requirement, which is pretty reasonable when compared to other offerings on the market.  There are five total bonuses and the codes for claiming them with the cashier are LuckyRed1, LuckyRed2, LuckyRed3, LuckyRed4, and LuckyRed5.   As mentioned above, there also bonuses for blackjack and video poker as well.  These bonuses are worth 75% up to $750 each and call for a 50x wager requirement.  To claim these bonuses, use the RTG bonus codes of BigWin1, BigWin2, BigWin3, BigWin4 and BigWin5.

Perhaps the most attractive part of these 10 weekend bonuses is the favorable cash out policy.  Unlike most online casinos that have terms and conditions stating that only a certain amount of free money can be withdrawn from bonus wagers, Lucky Red Casino has no such restrictions.  While other terms and conditions do apply, particularly abstaining from wagers on restricted games and trying to make withdrawals before the betting requirement is met, you will find that Lucky Red’s are pretty reasonable and complimenting to the new bonuses.

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.

Although new online casinos are popping up at a steady rate, the legislation and regulations don’t always work out in the favor of U.S. players.  However, many players have found that there are ways around the rules.  The best way to view this approach is that the rules on whether or not online gambling is legal in the United States remain very unclear.  Even with the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006 in full effect, there are still no federal laws in place that prevent U.S. citizens from participating in online gambling or other related activities.  Of course gambling experts and fans all believe things should be completely legal across the board, but there are some rules and regulations that could land you in hot water if you are not careful.

Where and Why

Different states have different laws regarding internet gambling and these regulations can impact those who attempt to play.  In the early days of the internet, online gambling wasn’t so much of an issue of U.S. legislation as it depended on which state you reside in.  In some ways, it still does.  For example, Nevada, Illinois, Michigan and Louisiana have outlawed online gambling and many other states are looking to introduce similar legislation.  California, Utah, Massachusetts and South Dakota forbid certain types of online gambling but allow others.

The reason why many states ban online gambling, Nevada in particular, is to protect the revenues generated from their land-based casinos.  There is a method the madness.  These states feel that because online casinos don’t have to reside in the U.S., there is no way for the states and federal governments to impose taxes on them.  This was definitely the case when the Commonwealth of Kentucky seized 141 gambling domains and demanded that the owners block their sites so Kentucky residents couldn’t access them.  Both the Kentucky and UIGEA suite make a great deal of the supposed social ramifications of online gambling and a priority to highlight its negative effects.  At the heart of the matter however, is a desire to keep money in the U.S. and continuously draw on a highly lucrative taxable industry.  Even Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear admitted that he supports legalizing land-based casinos and would prefer to protect the state’s horse racing industry from the competition of online gambling.

Getting Around the System

States such as Kentucky are mainly based on the UIGEA’s open-ended outlook on what constitutes as illegal internet gambling.  It should be reiterated that major loopholes can be found within the law, those in which don’t prohibit local operators from taking online bets while complying with state laws.  As United States nationals generally participate in online casinos that are completely legal, it seems very improbable that state or federal governments would ever be able to gather a legal framework that allows the full prohibition of online gambling or prosecute the operators themselves.

What does all this mean to you?  Know the laws and regulations of online gambling as they relate to your state.  Find yourself a reputable casino and if the coast is clear, pull the virtual lever until your heart is content.