September 13, 2009
September 03, 2009
Online Gambling Funds Seizure Case
Even before the passing of the UIGEA the Department of Justice (DoJ) was taking steps against online gambling. The prosecutions of the owners of Neteller and PartyGaming are examples. In a move that took everybody by surprise
the DoJ under the Obama administration went much further in its efforts to curb online gambling. It seized funds meant for disbursement to online players. In June 2009
the United States District Court of Southern District of New York issued a civil seizure warrant against funds in named accounts in specified banks. The warrant was issued on the basis of an affidavit given by a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agent averred that the funds were subject to seizure and civil forfeiture as per law. Accordingly Arlo Devlin-Brown
the assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York instructed the four banks to freeze said accounts. The accounts were in a Wells Fargo bank in San Francisco and in Alliance Bank of Arizona among others. The accounts belonged to an online payment processor. The exact reason given for the seizure was that the funds were involved in money laundering transactions and illegal gambling offenses. The total amount seized was between $30 million and $40 million. The online gaming industry was up in arms against this seizure. The online poker industry was most affected because most of the funds seized came from PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. The Poker Players Alliance (PPA) spoke out strongly against the DoJ. It claimed that there was no legal standing for the action because the UIGEA regulations were not yet applicable and the Wire Act applied only to sports betting. Costigan Media filed a motion in the court to unseal the court records relating to the issuance of the warrant so that the legality of the action could be examined. Account Services Corporation
the payment processor whose funds had been seized
filed a motion for the return of property. While all these legal battles were playing out in the courts
the DoJ and the FBI delivered a second punch in the case. They filed an indictment charging the owner of the seized accounts with bank fraud and other offenses. The owner was Douglas Rennick who operated a number of payment processing companies such as KJB Financial Corporation
Account Services Corporation and Check Payment Financial Co. It is alleged that since 2007 Rennick has processed more than $350 million for online gambling operators. His modus operandi was as follows. He opened the accounts stating that he would be using them to issue rebate checks and for payroll processing. However
funds from offshore online gambling companies were received in the accounts and disbursed to U.S. residents withdrawing their gambling winnings. The 34 year old Rennick is a resident of Canada. He has been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit bank fraud
conspiracy to engage in money laundering and conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business. The punishment that Rennick faces if found guilty is a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1 million fine on the bank fraud charge
20 years in prison and a fine of $500
000 on the money laundering charge and 5 years in prison and a fine of $250
000 fine on the illegal gambling charge. Articles from Casino Advisor
Volatility In Online Casino Slots Games
Everybody understands what volatility in the stock market is. When the stock market fluctuates between very high and very low values we say that it is volatile. The same concept applies to online slot games. There are some slot games that in the short run either pay out large amounts or almost nothing. Therefore the player will either make a big winning or lose a large amount. These are referred to as slot games with high volatility. On the other hand there are slot games that in the short run would usually pay out small amounts regularly. On such slot gam
es the players will either win small amounts or lose small amounts. These are referred to as slot games with low volatility. In between these two extremes are slot games with medium volatility. In order to identify if a slot game as high volatility
medium volatility or low volatility the player needs to check out the payout table. He should examine the payouts for five of a kind for the various symbols on the reels. This payout is expressed as a number which is a multiple of the number of coins wagered. It is also known as the fixed jackpot. For example if the payout for five of a certain symbol is 2
000 then it implies that for every coin wagered by the player the payout is 2
000 coins of the same denomination. The difference between the highest payout and the lowest payout for five of a kind is an indicator of the volatility of the online slot game. In most online slot games the lowest fixed jackpot is usually around 50 or 100 coins. Therefore the value of the highest fixed jackpot can be considered as an indicator of the volatility of the slot game. Online slot games with very high volatility are those games that offer the highest fixed jackpot of 50
000 coins or more. Some such slot games are American Icon (100
000 coins)
Big Kahuna Snakes and Ladders (100
000 coins)
Break da Bank Again (75
000 coins) and The Right Prize (300
000). In such slot games if the players hit the highest fixed jackpot they win amounts comparable to progressive jackpots. Otherwise they may play for hours and keep on losing their wagers. There are few online slot games that fall in this category because not many players would like to take such high risks. Online slot games with high volatility are those games that offer the highest fixed jackpot of more than 10
000 coins to 50
000 coins. There are many such slot games. Some of the popular slots falling in this category are $5 Million Touchdown (15
000 coins)
Daily Horoscope (25
000 coins)
Solomon’s Mines (40
000 coins) and Spike’s Nite Out (15
000 coins) Online slot games with moderate volatility are those games that offer the highest fixed jackpot of between 5000 coins and 10
000 coins. Most of the online slot games will fall in this category because most players are moderate risk takers. Some of the popular slots falling in this category are Magic Monkey (6
000 coins)
Mermaid Queen (7
500 coins)
Monster Meteors (5
000 coins) and Sea Captain (10
000 coins). Online slot games with low volatility are those games that offer the highest fixed jackpot of less than 5000 coins. There are few slots of this type because such slots offer little expectation to the players. Some of the popular slots falling in this category are Sparta (4
000 coins)
Samba Nights (2
000 coins)
Pedal Power (2
000 coins) and Monster Mania (1
000 coins). Articles from Casino Advisor
Downloading Online Casino Software
All leading online gaming software providers offer their casino software in two versions. One is the download version. This has to be permanently saved and installed on the hard disc of the players computer. The other is the no download or the instant play version. This can be played from the browser being used to access the Internet without permanently saving it on the computer. The download version of the software offers greater stability
more online casino games and features and therefore most players prefer this version. Downloading and installing the download version of the software is an extremely simple process. Players need to access the online casino web site and download the software from there. After downloading the software the players need to install it on their hard discs by running the set up application. Even though the software is installed on their computers
players need to be connected to the online casino via the Internet in order to play the games. There are certain issues that the player should be aware about. The first is to make sure that his system has the capabilities required by the software. Some of the important p
arameters in this regard are: Free disc space System memory space (RAM) Processor speed Type of Internet connection Monitor resolution Sound card If the actual capability falls short of the requirements it is advisable to upgrade the system before downloading the software. In general downloading anything from the Internet is becoming riskier. The presence of viruses or malicious software embedded in the downloaded application cannot be ruled out. Therefore the latest operating systems have incorporated features to counter this. Download online gaming software
no matter from which software provider runs on Microsoft Windows. The latest version of Windows is Vista. Vista has an inbuilt User Account Control (UAC)
which is a new security component meant to counter undesirable elements in the software to be downloaded. Unfortunately it sometimes interferes with legitimate software as well
such as online gaming software from reputed software providers. In such an event the player using Vista may need to disable the UAC. The more reputed online gaming software providers are briefly discussed below: Microgaming Software Download – Microgaming has by far the largest download package consisting of over 400 online casino games. It recommends the use of a 1 GHz processor
128 MB system memory and 250 MB of free space in the hard disc. With a dial up connection the download can take 8 minutes
but with a broadband connection this could come down to less than a minute. Wizard Gaming Software Download – Wizard Gaming has the smallest suite of less than 30 online casino games. Yet it recommends a processor speed of 1 GHz
system memory of 512 MB and free space in hard disc of 500 MB. Playtech Software Download – Playtech offers over 100 online casino games. It recommends a 32MB system memory and a 20MB free hard disk space. The average download time is about 10 minutes using a dial up connection and 2 minutes with cable and ADSL connections. Playtech specifies that its software is compatible even with Windows 95. Cryptologic Software Download – Cryptologic is the second largest software provider with more than 280 online casino games. It recommends large system capabilities with 1.7 GHz processor
2GB of system memory and 1 GB of free hard disc space. Real Time Gaming Software Download – Real Time Gaming offers more than 120 games. It makes modest requirements on system capabilities. It recommends 300 MHz processor with 64 MB system memory or RAM and 50 MB free hard disc space. Vegas Technology Software Download – Vegas Technology offers more than 100 games. It also makes modest requirements on system capabilities. It recommends 200 MHz processor with 64 MB system memory and 100 MB free hard disc space. Rival Gaming Software Download – Rival Gaming offers more than 70 online casino games. It recommends 450 MHz processor with 256 MB system memory or RAM and 200 MB free hard disc space. Articles from Casino Advisor
Downloading Microgaming Casino Software
In order to download the software of a Microgaming online casino
players will need to access the casino web site. They can then initiate the downloading process by clicking on the download link
which is prominently displayed in the lobby. Alternatively players can use the download link provided in the Casino Advisor web site. Casino Advisor reviews and recommends a large number of Microgaming online casinos and provides direct download links for these casinos. Note that the below steps are provided that you’re downloading and installing the software from Internet Explorer. Although the steps will be very similar if you were to do the same but from FireFox or other web browser. Downloading and Installing Microgaming Software Video Tutorial: Attention: In order to view our tutorial on how to download and install Microgaming online casino software you’ll need to have the Adobe Flash player installed on your computer. Get Flash Player
- Click Here var fo = new FlashObject(“template/v1/f/tutorials/microgaming-install-tutorial.swf”
“microgaming_install_tutorial”
“483″
“393″
“#000000″); fo.addParam(“quality”
“best”); fo.addParam(“allowfullscreen”
“true”); fo.addParam(“wmode”
“transparent”); fo.addParam(“menu”
“false”); fo.write(“microgaming-install-tutorial”); Set of Steps for Downloading and Installing Microgaming Software: Step #1 On clicking the download link a box is displayed asking the player if he wants to save the file. If the player wants to proceed with the download he should click the Save File button. Sometimes visitors to the online casino lobby inadvertently click the download link. They can abort the download process by clicking the Cancel button. Alternatively you could also first visit the website and download the software directly from the casinos website vs. clicking the download link here in Casino Advisor that would do the same thing. Step #2 Clicking on the Save File button saves the executable file onto the players computer at which point you can execute the file after it’s completed downloading. The other option would be to click the “Run” button to commence the installation of the mini downloader file. Step #3 The player should double click the icon on the desktop while remaining connected to the Internet to proceed further with the downloading provided that the save file option was used in the previous step. Regardless though once the setup has started you’ll receive a security warning is displayed giving the details of the file. It states that the publisher is Microgaming Software Systems Limited. If the player is satisfied with the information provided he should click on the Run button to proceed. The player has the option to abort the installation by clicking on the Cancel button. Step #4 When the Run button is clicked a Window opens with a large Install Casino button. Clicking on this button implies that the player has accepted the End User License Agreement and the downloading proceeds. However the correct procedure is to click on the link to open the End User License Agreement and read the agreement. Only after being satisfied with the contents of the agreement the player should click ob the button that says “I have read and accept the license agreement”. This will directly start the downloading process. Step #5 While the casino software is downloading
Microgaming initiates the registration process. Players who want to save time can register while the downloading is in progress. They also have the option of registering later. It is recommended that the registration be done now. While the downloading is going on information about the casino is displayed on the screen. This includes its security and support features and the category of online casino games on offer. Step #6 As soon as the software is downloaded the casino opens. If players have already registered they can enter their passwords and log in. Microgaming software automatically starts downloading the casino games in a predetermined sequence. However players can supersede this sequence by downloading the games they prefer first. Microgaming recommends the use of a 1 GHz processor
128 MB system memory and 250 MB of free space in the hard disc. With a dial up connection the download can take 8 minutes
but with a broadband connection this could come down to less than a minute. Articles from Casino Advisor
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September 03, 2009
Huge September Tournaments – Golden Casino
Starting September 1stThe action starts September 1st at 1PM (ET) with the “September Kickoff $10
000 Guaranteed” Slot Tournament. 1st place pays a cool $3
000 and prizes will be paid out all the way down to 200th place. $100
000 GuaranteedThe next tournament takes place on Labor Day weekend and it’s a week-long $100
000 Guaranteed Slot Tournament. The buy-in is a mere .88 cents and it will feature the 25-line “Cherry Blossom” slot
which is the casino’s most popular online slot. 1st prize is a robust $35
000 and prizes will be paid out all the way to 500th place. The action starts on Friday September 4th at 1PM (ET) and runs until Friday
September 11th at 7:45PM (ET). Are You Ready For Some Football?Last
but definitely least
there’s the “Countdown to Kickoff $2009 Guaranteed” tournament which go hand in hand with the start of the 2009 football season. It kicks off Thursday
September 10th at 10am (ET) and runs right up to kickoff at 8:30PM. The tournament will feature the “‘$5 Million Dollar Touchdown’ Slot Machine” and will pay out $509 to the first place finishers. Prizes will be had up ’till 100th place so there’s definitely incentive for you to get in on that action.With tournaments like this one and the 4th of July Slot Tournament
it’s no wonder why Golden Casino is one of the industry leaders when it comes to online slot tournaments. The action will be crazy all throughout the month of September and you better make sure that you take home some of that guaranteed prize money.
Reminder: 4 New Video slots To Go Live August 11th
4 New Video SlotsMicrogaming will be releasing 4 new video slots (Mega Moolah Isis
Get Rocked
Silver Fang and Wealth Spa) on August 11th and if you want to read more about them
you can check out the more in-depth article that we wrote last month. Mega MoolahThe two slots that will be turning some heads are Mega Moolah Isis and Wealth Spa. After the huge 6.3 million Euro win at River Belle casino on the Mega Moolah progressive slot
interest has grown and people will be intrigued to see this new “Isis” version. As for Wealth Spa
it will probably appeal a lot to the ladies that love playing video slots and word is that the pay-table screen-shots are just classic!Going Live August 11thThese games will go live August 11th so you can check them out at any Microgaming casino like Jackpot City Casino or Platinum Play Casino.
4 New September Promos From The Jackpot Factory Group
Starting tomorrow
the first of four promos will get underway
with each lasting one full week before the next promo kicks in. Below you can read what the promos are about and on which dates they’ll be running. September 1st – September 7th Promo name: “New Games Prize Patrol” What’s the deal: Get spotted by the prize patrol while playing this month’s new games and win a surpise bonus.September 8th – September 14thPromo name: “Slots All Star Competition”What’s the deal: Make your way to the top of the All Star scoreboard by playing any slots game.September 15th – September 21stPromo name: “Head Of The Table Play-off”What’s the deal: Make your way to the head of the table by playing your cards right in this play-off.September 22nd – September 27thPromo name: “Mega Money Mania”What’s the deal: There will be bonus giveaways on the hour
every hour. If you’re online and playing
you could be the next big winner.Busy Times AheadIn between the new games that will be launched tomorrow
these awesome September promos and the new web app over at All Slots Mobile Casino
there’s plenty of things happening to keep your calendar full all month.These promos will be going on at every Jackpot Factory Casino and if you are interested in signing up
we’d definitely recommend All Slots Casino as the place to play.
Spanish Online Gambling Market is Ready for Collective Regulation
Sunny Gambling ClimateThe gambling climate in the sunny Spain has never been extremely stringent
yet with the current developments the online casino industry can even better provide its services. With the jointly developed regulation in sight
online casino operators like William Hill and Bwin are already starting joint ventures and negotiating deals in order to make a head start when the ball starts rolling. IGB EspañaWith the expectation of a fully regulated and licensed online gambling market
iGaming Business is planning a new event to spread valuable information on how to succeed in the Spanish gambling market. IGB España will take place at the end of October in the capital Madrid
and is expected to draw people from all over the world to learn about the Spanish market opportunities.More Responsible Gambling EnvironmentThe developments in Spain are a good example of how a more tolerant policy towards online gambling will eventually lead to a better organized
more efficient and more responsible gambling environment. Unfortunately some countries take the opposite route
as we saw earlier by the way Russia is planning to deal with the game of poker.
Virtue Fusion Continues Apparent Quest For Global Domination
Online bingo software provider Virtue Fusion nabs even more clients. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_09062009_242.html
Online Bingo Player Becomes A Millionaire
Lucky online bingo player pockets $2 million. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_04072009_259.html
Newbie Bingo Player nets $451
000
A Brighton woman won $451
000 on a game of bingo that she didn’t even want to play. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_02122008_96.html
Argentina on its Way to Regulate Online Gambling
Stringent Gambling PolicyThe online gambling legislation in ‘the Land of the Free’ has been part of an ongoing debate ever since the ugly acronym ‘UIGEA’ was introduced. Holland
often famed for its tolerance towards soft-drugs and homosexuality
makes a 180-degree turn as far as online gambling is concerned. Online Gambling RegulationFor long the UK was among the most tolerant towards online gambling
and now the Spanish speaking countries seem to follow in its footsteps. Recently it came to our attention that Spain made a big step in the right direction
and now Argentina is part of a positive newsfeed. Online Gambling in ArgentinaPresidential Cabinet Chief Anibal Fernandez declared that the government is planning to put in place a new bill within two or three months. Rumor has it that the legalization of online gambling is primarily related to the need to enable the public to wager on soccer matches
as a means to finance the only recently granted soccer TV-rights. Whatever the underlying motives may be isn´t of particular interest to the Argentinean online gambling aficionados. With a little bit of luck they might even be in time to participate in the spectacular Grand Slam of Slots Tournament.
New MD for Mecca Bingo
Mecca Bingo’s parent company acquires a new Managing Director with large amounts of online experience. Read the full story at http://www.classicasinos.com/news/BingoNews/ns_08122008_101.html