Online Casino Spotlight

Virgin Casino recently announced its partnership with Microgaming. In the future all Microgaming Flash casino games will be available at Virgin Casino through Quickfire software. Microgaming currently has approximately 400 games which will slowly be added to the Virgin Casino system.

About Microgaming

Located on the Isle of Man, Microgaming is the largest online gaming software developer. They provide many casinos with hundreds of different games including those in a Flash version. Microgaming was also one of the first companies to emerge in the online gambling software development field in the late 1990’s.

Thunderstruck Slots

Thunderstruck, a popular online slot game, is already up and running within the system. Thunderstuck is a five reel slot game featuring nine paylines. Its popularity is due to the excellent graphics and audiovisual effects. The game is based on Norse God Thor which is the origin of the symbols. Thor symbols payout double with a 10,000 fixed jackpot and his Rams award 15 free spins for triple payouts.

The Promotional Details

Virgin Casino ran Thunderstruck Cash Back Week to promote the new game. Each day players received 20 percent of their wagered cash back. There is a list of exclusions on the Virgin Casino website. The cash back is calculated through the new loss for bets on that specific day with payouts the following day.

Virgin’s Software

Market research has proven that customers want a wide array of games to play online. To fulfill this order Virgin has aligned its strategy to offer as many games as possible to give the player more choice. Virgin uses software from WageWorks for their overall casino interface. However, they offer games from other online gaming software developers such as Cryptologic, Fremantle and Ash Gaming.

Virgin Casino

Virgin launched its internet based casino platform back in 2008. Since then, they’ve slowly been introducing a variety of games to the public. They currently offer one of the widest selections and are one of the largest online casinos in the United Kingdom. With the addition of Microgaming software, they will significantly increase their gaming variety to become an industry leader.

The collaboration between Virgin Casino and Microgaming is an enormous partnership between two industry leaders. The numerous gaming options that Microgaming provides will make Virgin Casino one of the largest online casinos in the world with the most game selection to offer their customers.

“We are the game” is the slogan Microgaming uses to describe their company. They are the second largest and most popular software developers for the online casino industry. The company boasts a long list of online gambling sites.

Established in 1994, Microgaming is a consistent industry-leader by creating innovating products and conducting inventive thinking. The primary ideas that have produced success for Microgaming include:

• Product quality
• Powerful management tools
• Uncompromised security characteristics

The Microgaming sites have become synonymous with enormous jackpots. By offering over 20 progressive jackpots across all sites, customers have more of an opportunity to hit it big. This has become their trademark and thousands of internet gamblers have flocked to their sites. Since Microgaming’s conception, the company has paid out over $225 million.

In addition to the massive jackpots, Microgaming also controls one of the world’s largest online poker networks. This connects numerous players at different levels from various locations around the globe as the poker platform supports many different languages. A consistent theme is their big payouts. Poker tournaments offered on the Microgaming network tend to be some of the most aggressive and have the largest payouts.

Additionally, Microgaming provides a large bingo network for the traditional player, mobile gaming solutions for those on the go, live dealer games for those players that want to replicate reality and software packages for land based casino operators. Overall, the company offers over 120 casinos and 40 poker rooms that are available on the web. Within this network, there are 400 games to play.

A few of the most popular online casinos include:

• Prime Casino
• Spin Palace Casino
• Casino Splendido
• Roxy Palace Casino

There are many advantages to hiring Microgaming to develop casino software. First, Micrograming provides some of the most durable and robust casino software around. Next, a training academy is available for casino operators to ascertain new information about leading-edge practices and software and participate in ongoing training. Additionally, new game releases, ongoing system maintenance and upgrades add to the effectiveness of the software.

Microgaming views both their players and customers as top priority. With new games, large jackpots and huge networks, players are consistently satisfied. Casino customers are granted ongoing upgrades and maintenance, new games, training and excellent software. These aspects keep all their customers happy, resulting in an increased retention rate each year and consistent growth.

When choosing a new online casino, you want to make sure that your computer, your personal information, and your money is in safe hands. After all, the potential risks for online casinos can be quiet large. On the surface, all online casinos look pretty similar, and pretty safe. However, if you know how to do your investigating you can pick out the safest online casino for you and your money.

What to Look for in an Online Casino

Beyond the games, the style, and the promotions, you need to consider the security of the website supporting the online casino.

A License

Any online casino you are considering should have an appropriate gaming license in the area where they are physically located. This area can be anywhere in the world, but the casino should be able to provide their current license information.

Trusted Software

All online casinos use software to operate their games. Do some research on any casino you are considering and see where their software comes from. Safer online casinos will use software from reputable brands such as Logic, Cryptologic, and MicroGaming. Also, online casinos are required to have a license in order to run software from known brands.

Certified Payouts

A reputable online casino will post the amount they have paid to their winners somewhere on their website. These reports should go months, if not years, in to the past. Research the report thoroughly. To ensure the report is accurate, check to see if it was compiled by the casino or a third-party accounting company. Reports made by third-parties stand a much higher chance of being an accurate account of the online casino’s payouts.

While most online casinos are safe, and gambling online should be an enjoyable experience, it is in your best interest to do your homework before you give your personal information to any website.

The next time you’re perusing online casinos and you find one you like, take a look at who provides the site’s software. Time and time again you’ll see the same names – Cryptologic, Microgaming, Playtech, RTG – at all the top sites. While a handful of large casino and poker room networks have developed their own proprietary software, most gambling sites turn to these top developers when they want the very best. Good software is important to them, and it should be to you too. If a software package is flawed in any way, then the whole casino (and its members) suffer.  Here’s why:

Look and Feel

Your entire online casino experience relies on the quality of the software that supports your chosen site. Site layout is about the only important design feature that doesn’t directly rely on the software. A lesser package simply can’t support the sleek graphics and eye-popping animations that today’s discerning online players have come to expect. When you sit at a fantastically realized online game table, thank the software!

Speed

When you play at a live casino, the dice never stop mid-air and the slot reels never stop mid-spin. In order for an online casino to truly recreate the excitement of live gambling they must have the speed necessary to offer a real-time gaming experience. This is yet another feature that demands a fast, bug-free software platform.

Security

Good software is about more than flashy graphics and high-speed gameplay. Good software not only entertains players – it protects them. While the most respectable online casinos go the extra mile for their guests by paying for additional security measures, the base layer of a site’s safety level is the built-in encryption and protection offered by their primary software.

Fairness

It’s easy to get distracted by all the bells and whistles that online casinos offer, but at the end of the day the only thing a serious player is looking at is their bottom line. Though most casino games are chance-based, in an online casino even chance must be programmed. This is done via randomization software which is designed to mimic real odds. That said, a casino can alter those odds as they see fit to give themselves a more appealing profit margin. What makes casino software truly great is what goes on behind the curtain; in other words, a fancy casino may bring the players in, but a generous casino will keep them.

To summarize, good software not only helps online casinos to look great and play well, but it also helps them to create and maintain a high standard of security and fairness.

Ask any honest online casino reviewer to name the top three casino software providers and RealTime Gaming will inevitably be at the top of every list. Why then doesn’t the company get the same credit as other reputable software designers like Playtech and Microgaming? RTG’s reputation has taken several big hits over the last few years thanks in part to its professional affiliation with some of the most notorious casinos in the industry.

RTG itself has a squeaky clean legal history dating back to 1998, and its innovative and intuitive casino software has been impressing players and professionals alike for just as long. And yet for all its technical smarts RTG has had bad luck in choosing its business partners. RTG has provided the software for such infamous names as Crystal Palace Casino, Extreme Casino, Bet Royal and Club Player, among others. Each of these casinos has earned a bad name for their lack of customer support, non-payment of winnings and refusal to honor self-blocks from compulsive gamblers. Such scandals rocked the gambling industry and left a bad taste in  former RTG fans’ mouths despite the fact that the software company was not directly involved.

Fast forward a few years and RealTime Gaming is finally regaining its footing in the competitive online casino industry. Their association with critically acclaimed sites like Rushmore Casino and Cherry Red has helped to resuscitate the company’s hard-earned and well-deserved reputation as one of the best and brightest stars on the casino software development scene.

As further proof of their commitment to a solid future, RTG is rolling out several new game titles in 2010. Most recently the company announced two new slots titles that are scheduled to be released later this month. RealTime Gaming has long been lauded for its exceptionally realistic graphics and seamless gameplay. Their newest offerings – Hockey Hero and Lucky Last – are sure to carry on that tradition of excellence. (We’ve seen the stills and both games are as good or better than the real thing!)

Despite a few unexpected setbacks, RealTime Gaming is back on track. If you’ve been missing their exceptional software but have been afraid to play at some of their questionable partner sites, then maybe now’s the time to give them a second chance while getting a first glimpse at what are sure to be some awe-inspiring new slots.

There are many features that add to the excitement of playing slots online.  One of them is the free spins bonus round.  As the name suggests, when triggered, then bonus round offers the player a number of free spins and payouts, which are provided according to the combinations on the slot reels.  The actual payouts are based on the wager placed on the spin that triggered the bonus round.  These bonus rounds are usually triggered when three or more scatters appear on the reels.  Although very rare, they can also be triggered randomly.  The free spins round can greatly increase your chip balance, giving you the opportunity to play longer and thus, increase your chances of winning big.

Popular Games with Free Spins Rounds

In online slots games, free spins rounds are defined by two parameters: the number of free spins and the multiplier.  With basic games, the house rules dictate that a specific number of spins will be given at a certain multiplier.  In more advanced games, the number of free spins and the multiplier are determined by playing a different game on a separate screen.  One example is the popular online slots game called Fat Lady Sings.  In this game, the first Fat Lady sings and the number of free spins is determined by the number of glasses she breaks.  Next, a different Fat Lady sings and determines the multiplier by the number of glasses she breaks.

The bonus game that collectively determines the number of free spins and the multiplier can also increase the element of chance in online slots.  A perfect example is Area 21, an online slots game recently launched by Cryptologic.  Microgaming’s Pedal Power is an example of slots games that allow you to select the combination you want from a list.  In Pedal Power, you have the option to choose from 25 free spins with a 2X multiplier, 10 free spins with 5x multiplier, or 5 free spins with a 10x multiplier.   Because you have to choose between a greater number of free spins and higher multipliers, making a decision is not always as easy as it sounds.

The free spins in slots games can be retriggered when playing at most online casinos.  This simply means that if the triggering combination appears on the reel during your free spin, you are rewarded with extra free spins.  However, some online slots enhance game play in more innovative ways.  A classic example is Sneak A Peek Doctor Doctor, a game in which a yellow capsule may appear on the fourth reel during your free spin.  When the capsule bursts, it provides you with additional free spins.  Likewise, the blue capsule may appear randomly on the fifth reel, which enhances the multiplier for the remaining rounds of the game.

Conclusion

Free spins rounds typically differ greatly from regular bonus rounds.  The background music often becomes more noticeable while colors of the reels or the background itself may alter to highlight the change in the game.  With online slots growing more popular by the day, new and innovative free spins features are sure to come in the near future.

Online gambling has grown to become a fiercely competitive industry.  This is evident when examining some of the top online casino software providers and their respective portfolios.  Take Microgaming for example.  This company offers more than 400 games, giving players the beauty of variety.  Rival Gaming on the other hand, only has about 60 games in its portfolio.  Does the number of games a casino offers really matter?  Does it mean that one software provider is better than the other? Although it all depends on who you ask, this article will strive to provide the answers.

Veterans vs. Newcomers

When trying to determine why one casino has considerably more games than their competition, one must understand that some online casino software providers have been in the business much longer than others.  For instance, Microgaming has been around for more than a decade now whereas Rival Gaming got its start just a few years ago.  This alone is a significant factor that accounts for the vast difference in the number of games a given casino has to offer.  The second reason is associated with the rate of releases.  Over the years, Microgaming has been committed to introducing three to four new titles every month, while Rival Gaming adds new games on a more sporadic schedule.

The Aspect of Variety

When you create an account with an online casino powered by Microgaming software, you will have your shot at well over 400 games.  More than likely, you will not have the time or desire to play all 400.  Some players prefer slots, some love scratch cards and others live for the thrill of table games.  For this reason, they are more likely to stick with the games that fall into those categories.  Hence, the power of Microgaming casinos does not lie in the 400 games, but the variety they offer to the player.  Everyone is different and has their own preference, factors that allow the software provider and its licensees to cater to the masses.  So while a company such as Rival Gaming cannot match Microgaming’s variety, one like Cryptoplogic, which offers a diverse portfolio of about 200 games, can.

Out with the Old, in with the New

The rate at which new casino games are added is another important factor on the market.  While certain games such as blackjack and poker will probably maintain their popularity for an eternity, other games will become dull over time once people grow tired of playing them.  For example, online slots without the additional bonus game on the separate screen are considered old news among many players.  While some players still prefer the old school version, that percentage is dwindling quickly.  For this reason, software providers that keep the market fresh with new titles are more likely to attract more players and maintain their interest.

Conclusion

The battle continues to wage on, but direct competition in the online gambling space is actually on the decline.  Today, operators are focused on strengthening their bottom line through niche markets.  A perfect example is Rival Gaming and its exclusive i-Slots.  As more players emerge online, they will likely discover their niche and find that the number of games a casino offers isn’t as important as it once seemed.

Today’s casino software is loaded with features that benefit the gambling operator and player alike.  One feature that can definitely work to the player’s advantage is the “Help” function.   Let’s have a closer look at this feature to see out it operates in some of the most popular software platforms.

Microgaming

When playing on Microgaming online casino software, you can usually access the Help feature by clicking on the “?” in the top left corner of the screen.  Once inside, you will find that the Help section is complimented by variety of menus on different topics.  The main menu gives you details about the game you are playing, symbols, bonus rounds, and payouts.  It also provides complete game rules, which makes it a valuable feature to new players.  Other information provided are general details regarding slots and the Expert mode functions found in Microgaming casino games.  You can also find contact information should you need to speak with the casino staff for any reason.  The Microgaming Help feature provides a wealth of comprehensive information that adds a nice touch of user-friendliness to game play.

Playtech

When playing at a casino powered by Playtech software, you can find the Help tab under the menu button at the bottom of the screen.  When clicking on the Help tab, you will be redirected to a different interface that acts as a Help Center.  Here you will find detailed sections that show you how to set paylines and place wagers, explanations on shortcut keys and the various functions they perform, information about special symbols on the reels, bonus games and much more.  Players who are uncertain of how the bonus games work tend to find the Help feature in Playtech software very useful.

Vegas Technology

When playing on Vegas Technology casino software, the Help function can be accessed by clicking the “Help” button on the game screen.  The Help section has a number of menus, providing information on how to play the game, in addition to details on coins, paylines and spins.  Under the rules section, you can find out how the software determines winning combinations as well as information about special symbols on the reels.  There are also individual sections that explain the bonus games and payouts, which make understanding them easy by reproducing the graphical table from the actual game.  The unique aspect of the Help feature in Vegas Technology software is that it allows players to print out the sections so they do not have to interrupt their game looking back and forth.

Conclusion

User-friendliness and simplicity are important factors when it comes to online gambling software.  Without these two elements, playing your favorite games wouldn’t be very fun.  The Help feature represents the effort of software makers to cater to players by creating a straightforward, user-friendly environment.  If you are completely new to a certain game, or just a need a refresher, the Help section comes through in the clutch with the answers you need.  Because it is so useful, almost all online casino software providers incorporate a Help feature in their gaming platform.

Recently, online casino software developer CryptoLogic introduced their Batman and Wonder Woman themed games into the online casino market.

“With the Batman and Wonder Woman on our side, we’re confident CryptoLogic will again demonstrate the connection between big brands and revenue growth,” said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic’s President and CEO. “CryptoLogic’s greatest strength is partnering with the brands that attract players to the biggest gaming sites in the world – providing increased revenue for our licensees and value for our shareholders.”

CryptoLogic developed the games after signing an exclusive multi-year licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and DC Comics.

Both of the new releases are slot games. The Batman game is a 50-line game. In the game, Batman takes on the Joker. Players take on inmates at Arkham Asylum to stop the Joker in game that includes stacked wilds. The Wonder Woman game is also a 50-line game. The game features a bonus wager with Wonder Woman fighting an island of zombies.

The company has also introduced the Monkey to Mars and Triple Action Hold’em games into the market. The Monkey to Mars game is a 25-line slot game while Triple Action Hold’em is a new poker entry from CryptoLogic. This poker game uses only the top 28 cards in the deck. The player is given three betting options in the game. Their is a main ante bet plus a couple of side betting options. In addition, the company released updated versions of their Let It Ride and Three Card Poker games.

Other companies launch new games

On November 5th, online software game provider Microgaming will launch three new slot games into the online market. Each game features a 5 reel video bonus slot. The Dance of the Masai is a 25-line game with a 10 free spin bonus feature. The other new games are Alaskan Fishing and Kings of Cash.

Vegas Technology also has added some new slot games. Love Bugs and Bangkok Knights were recently launched into the online gambling market by the company. Love Bugs features a five-reel video bonus game with a romantic theme while Bangkok Knights is also is a five-reel game with themes tied to the Thailand city.

Realtime Gaming has introduced three new games, including a unique poker game. The company’s Texas Hold ‘em Bonus Poker brings casino poker together with the Texas Hold’em version of the game. Competitors will be able to place bets on the flop, the river, and the turn with the same structure and theme as regular Texas Hold ‘em. Also, the bonus feature allows for even more winnings in each hand.

Realtime has a couple of slot games as well. The Shopping Spree II is a progressive slot game. This game is a five reel, nine pay-line game. There is a minimum progressive jackpot of $100,000. The other new slot game is called Triple Twister. This video slot game is a five reel, fifty pay-line game. The game features two progressive jackpots.

Microgaming has been one of the industry leaders in casino software over the last 15 years. The company lays claim to launching the first online casino in 1994. In 2002, Microgaming introduced their Viper software into the market. Microgaming is based in the Isle of Man in Europe. It is not a publicly-traded company. Because of this, Microgaming casinos have the option of signing up players based in the United States.

Portfolio

Microgaming services over 120 casinos and 40 poker rooms on the internet. Their software is used extensively for some of the biggest poker and progressive jackpot networks. The company has developed some unique technology to support the player and casino operator. Microgaming’s PlayCheck is a tool that tracks a player’s gaming activity in a format that is easy to comprehend. The company’s CashCheck feature enables players to see their balance and activity in a simple click. Microgaming also offers payout percentage reports for their participating casinos.

Microgaming was involved in the development of eCOGRA, which stands for e-Commerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. The non-profit organization is a standards authority for the online gaming industry. This has enabled Microgaming to gain a solid reputation as a reliable operator in the online casino marketplace.

Games

Microgaming is constantly introducing new games into the online casino marketplace. The company has developed over 400 games. Roulette, video poker, slots and blackjack are among the game categories that Microgaming has been involved in. The company is able to cater to a large clientele by offering their games in the English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, German and Spanish languages. The games are available in a download or Flash version. Each month, Microgaming introduces at least four new online casino games.

For October, three video slot games and a Texas Hold’em casino poker game have been launched. The slot games are Kung Fu Monkey, Pure Platinum and Wooly World. The new poker game has some unique features. Unlike the traditional Texas poker game, Microgaming’s new game allows side bets. It is played with a single deck of 52 cards. In another rule adjustment, the new game does not allow any bets after the river.

Last month, Microgaming unveiled nine unique bingo side games. The games include a range of scratchcard and video slots while also featuring casual and pub-style titles.

The bingo side games are beginning to play a bigger role in the gaming industry.

Microgaming teams up with Ladbrokes

Microgaming has been actively involved in the growth of poker over the past several years. The Microgaming Poker Network software has been used extensively by online casinos. The technology allows multiple players to play a variety of poker games in real time.

Earlier this year, Microgaming Poker Network launched a major partnership with Ladbrokes Poker. The British gambling company has one of the most prominent brand names in the industry. In a promotional element to the deal, the companies are offering a monthly $1 million payout to 3,000 leading players.