Online Casino Gambling

In order to differentiate from the ever growing online gaming competition, casinos need to add new and innovative games to their lineup. This will attract new players as well as retain old players bored with the standard online casino games. There are a few new types of poker being introduced by various software providers. One of these variants is Mulligan Poker.

The Rules of Mulligan Poker

Created by Vegas Technology, Mulligan Poker is a unique game in which the player can replace their hand (similar to 5-card draw) but must also raise the wager. The player must then place the ante bet and an independent bonus bet. The five cards are distributed to the player face up.

The player has the option to keep their current hand or “take a mulligan.” A mulligan is a golf term indicating a redo. If they decide to take the mulligan a raise bet is placed into the pot and the player is distributed new cards. Also, they lose the bonus bet when accepting the mulligan. At this time the dealer’s hand is uncovered. If the dealer draws king high or less they automatically accept the mulligan.

The Outcome

The five card hands are ranked according to the standard poker ranking order. Therefore, if the player has a lower hand than the dealer, they lose the ante bet and the raise. If the hands are of equal rank, the outcome is a push. If the player has higher cards, both bets payout according to the ante payout table. The bonus bet pays out according to a separate table which begins at two pair.

Mulligan Poker is an excellent addition to any casino gaming lineup offer a nice twist on a classic poker game. The biggest advantage of these innovative games is they are based on classic poker variants which most people already know how to play. Also, they replace the staple games that may not be exciting to veteran players.

As more online gaming casinos are starting up on the internet with new, exciting ideas, older casinos need to be competitive by offering intriguing new games. As a result, most online gaming software companies are answering this call by creating new games to feature on gambling websites. These games are the future of online gambling and should always be considered when looking for a new casino to deposit your money.

Many Nevada-based casino operators that own some of the most well-known brands in the industry may have caught a break with online gaming. U.S. casinos have had to sit back and watch the multi-billion dollar online gaming industry explode, without them getting a piece of the action. However, this may change.

Operating online-based casinos is currently illegal under United States law. New legislation has been proposed to punish foreign companies that have significantly profited by accepting bets from U.S. players. The idea is to help U.S. casinos improve their profits as less foreign gaming sites may now allow Americans. In turn more gamblers will visit land-based casinos.

Recently, the House Financial Services Committee passed a bill legalizing and regulating online gaming. Attached to the bill are amendments that prevent current online operators that are violating U.S. laws from obtaining a license under the new bill. For instance, one section prohibits those individuals that continued to operate or work for illegal online casinos from obtaining a license.

Another amendment allows the Treasury Department to outsource the regulation of the industry to state government agencies. Many states currently regulate land-based gaming operations so they have vast experience in the field. Also, delegating this responsibility to state agencies would eliminate a potential federal bureaucracy.

The restrictions of the bill were primarily supported by conservatives and moderates that are opposed to online gaming. They feel those that operated and participated in illegal casinos were committing a criminal act. Although advertised in the U.S., many of the popular poker brands are still illegal to play online. Currently, online gaming sites operate offshore so they don’t pay U.S. taxes.

This law would prohibit two of the world’s largest poker sites, PokerStars.net and FullTilt.com, from obtaining a gaming license. This would pave the way for land-based casinos like Harrah’s to create new gaming options. Harrah’s currently owns the World Series of Poker franchise. If the law passes, it would become difficult for those online gaming entities that current accept bets from Americans to legally operate.

Many of the controls in the bill mirror Las Vegas rules. These include:

• Conducting background checks of owners and managers
• Financing must be from a reputable source
• Licensed operators must have integrity and good character

Online gaming sites have been pushing for a law similar to this to be passed for many years. If this is passed by the House of Representatives, U.S. land-based casinos will enter the market. This will have an excellent effect on the economy since the American dollar will remain in the U.S.

The Cryptologic Network is best known for its online gaming creation; InterCasino. Registered in Malta, InterCasino is owned and operated by Online Interactive Gaming Entertainment. The Cryptologic platform was the first online casino in which players could log in, place bets and win real money. 15 years later, they’re still releasing original gaming software and have added hundreds of new games.

The History

The Cryptologic Network was founded back in a year where online gaming was just a sparkle in the eye of software developers: 1995. It became publicly traded on the Canadian Dealer Network in 1996. That same year, the infamous InterCasino was released to the public which became an instant hit. Cryptologic Inc. has become of the five largest gaming software developers in the industry.

Innovative Features

Since its inception, the Cryptologic Network has redefined online gaming with various software advances and innovations. Over the years, they have introduced features such as live chat, multi-player games, custom browser windows and casino interfaces that support 3D graphics.

They have also been a leader in internet security to ensure their customer’s money is safe at all times. One example is their E-cash system where players receive a pin number via regular mail prior to them withdrawing funds from their account.

Customer Service

Another top feature the Cryptologic Network offers is their toll-free numbers that offer 24/7 support. Their customer service is the envy of the industry and has a high satisfaction rate among customers across the globe.

Cryptologic Software Uses

Cryptologic Inc. has a diverse portfolio of clients. Online Interactive Gaming was the first company to purchase their software. Since then they’ve added many online casinos and poker rooms. One notable client is William Hill plc which is a well-known bookmaking company based out of the United Kingdom. They were the first land-based casino to add operations online.

Also, Cryptologic Inc. created software for the Playboygaming.com casino. Additionally the company has begun offering online bingo software either utilizing Java or by a downloadable application.

Cryptologic Inc. was one of the first major online casino software developers which have transformed them into one of the largest available to date. With innovative thinking, years of experience and many high-profile clients, they know how to develop casino software for the customer. As internet gaming technology becomes more interactive with the consumer, Cryptologic Inc. will remain at the forefront in the gaming industry.

A big moment in online gaming and the state of  Massachusetts happened recently when an amendment approving online gambling was voted on and approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The amendment met the approval of the Representatives after two years of deliberation between the state and the Poker Players Alliance- a grassroots organization supporting the rights of poker players in the United States.

Massachusetts Approves of Online Gaming

The bill, which will be signed into law shortly in the state of Massachusetts, clearly states that gambling online shall be legal in the state of Massachusetts. The bill came to pass after a previous bill was brought forth in 2008 that made online gaming illegal. The penalty for playing poker online in Massachusetts came with a two year jail sentence or a fine up to $25,000.

Shortly after the first bill was put in to motion, the Poker Players Alliance began working with state legislatures for an amendment that removed the criminal charges associated with online gambling. Two years later, their efforts paid off.

The Poker Players Alliance

The Poker Players Alliance is a nationwide grassroots organize. Currently, there are over one million members in the United States, and 25,000 members in the state of Massachusetts. Poker Players Alliance is headed by John Pappas. John Pappas and the other members of the alliance work closely with legislatures to influence the outcome of gambling related laws in the United States. Massachusetts was a big win for the organization.

What The New Law Means for Massachusetts

The new bill will put an end to any fines or jail time associated with online gambling going forward. This does not mean, however, that the state does support, or will support, other gambling endeavors in the future. However, it is still a big win for gambling and online poker enthusiasts in the state of Massachusetts. Any resident who is of legal age to gamble is now welcome to do so inside their state.

Foreign gaming operators looking to explore the Chinese market are going to have to look elsewhere. Chinese regulators have taken the step of banning foreign investment in their online gaming industry. The announcement was made last week by the country’s General Administration of Press and Publication. The organization is responsible for overseeing the web content in China.

An emerging market

The move by Chinese regulators is a blow to many gaming operators around the world. The nation is ripe for development and growth related to the online casino industry. It is estimated that 300 million Chinese residents use the internet an average of 18 hours per week. The latest measures will slowdown China’s online gaming market, which had been expected to grow 30 to 50% this year to $3.5 billion to 4 billion, according to GAPP’s forecast.

However, the nation has been seeking to monitor online content more aggressively in recent months. In July, China’s Ministry of Culture banned games featuring gangster themes or mafia-type gang activities. About 45 games have been banned over the past few months due to violent content. There is a belief that China has been unhappy with the influence that the foreign interests have had on the country’s online content. “In recent years, some foreign companies tried to get involved in China’s online game operations in various forms, which caused severe disorders in China’s online game industry,” said Kou Xiaowei, vice director of the technological and digital department of GAPP.

Control of content a key

China is trying to do something that seems to be an impossible task. Policing the internet seems to be a difficult mission. The attempt to block foreign companies from getting involved in online gaming could be only a small part of the process.

The GAPP has developed a broad view of how to control the world wide web. The content issues have extended to the actual location of where the games are manufactured. The new policy even blocks foreign companies from joining forces with domestic corporations.

The most recent announcement states that without the appropriate permissions from the government,  neither individuals nor organizations may run an online gaming business.

NetEase caught in the middle

The major Chinese online gaming company NetEase has been in the crossfire of the new legislation. The playing of their popular World of Warcraft game was blocked for nearly two months due to a change of operator. The game is also being censored for scenes of violence.

There is uncertainty about whether or not NetEase received clearance from the GAPP before launching the latest version of the game on September 19th. The issues have led to a sharp decline in stock prices for the company in recent weeks. The Nasdaq-listed company is the third largest online gaming company in China. It has a share of nearly 13% of the online gaming industry in the country.

PayPal, the major online payment solutions provider, is getting back into the online casino industry in a significant way. The company has struck a deal with European payments provider Neovia. Under the new deal, PayPal can be used as a payment method for users of Neovia’s Netbanx payments system. Netbanx became the first online payment service provider in the UK in 1996. Neovia is used by more than 1,500 egaming sites based out of the United Kingdom.

Getting back in the game

PayPal has grown steadily as an online payments provider during this decade. The company claims to have over 75 million active accounts in 190 markets around the world. Their financial services are offered in nearly 20 currencies. PayPal’s parent company is the the eBay company.

The deal with Neovia is a change in strategy for PayPal. The company basically stepped away from the online casino industry back in 2002 under pressure from the United States government. PayPal was deemed to be in violation of the US Wire Wager and Patriot acts for transferring funds to offshore gambling sites. Under a settlement in 2003, eBay paid a $10 million penalty to the US government.

Neovia has also had their issues with the US government. In 2007, under the trading name of Neteller, the company had to forfeit $136 million to the United States for violations that were similar to the PayPal infractions. Neteller admitted to to operating an “unlicensed money transmitting business” while participating in the promotion of “unlawful transactions” between gaming operators and their customers in the United States.

A big deal

Paypal has gradually been getting back into the online casino market since 2006. The new deal is the most significant sign that PayPal is embracing the opportunity to regain a prominent place in the ever growing online casino industry.

“We are delighted to have signed this strategic partnership with Netbanx – one of the leading market payment service providers. Netbanx has a great merchant portfolio and this partnership offers PayPal an excellent way to reach this significant audience. Netbanx provides secure online credit card and debit card payment solutions and with PayPal its customers can keep their financial details secure and choose whether to fund the transaction either from a bank account or from a credit card,” said PayPal general manager of merchant services Cameron McLean. The company enables players to receive and send funds on the web without disclosing financial details, via their credit cards, bank accounts or account balances. Still, Paypal will not accept wagers from players based in the United States.

“We are pleased to be able to add PayPal to the range of payment options available to our merchants via our Netbank Payments Gateway, giving their customers more choice in how they want to purchase goods online. The PayPal option is fully integrated within Netbank, meaning that there is no integration required for merchants who have already migrated to our leading Netbank Unified PayPage checkout technology,” said Neovia’s Dan Starr.