Online Casinos Directory

Is gambling a game of chance? Or is it a game of skill? What games fall into the ‘game of skill’ heading? If they do fall into a ‘game of skill’ heading, then are they exempt from gambling law?  These and many more questions were never delineated by the UIGEA. In fact, all it really did do was put the responsibility of watch dog onto the financial industry. It is this vagueness that caused people like Barney Frank and others to create amendments to the law. They are hoping that they can both legalize and regulate gambling to bring in much-needed billions of dollars in tax-revenue dollars.

It seems that Congress is heading towards a compromise in terms of the issue. The official announcement has not come yet, but it seems likely that the Treasury will extend the deadline of implementing the UIGEA another six months. iMega’s chairman Joe Brennan said, “It is really surprising we got this concession. It is very unusual for any department of the government to essentially forestall an act of Congress. This is a testament to the power of Congressman Frank. This has been his pet issue, because it is part of his core values for some time now.”

Many are excited about the deferment of the UIGEA because they believe it will give representatives enough time to adequately come up with a more relevant law regarding online gambling. That opens the door for legalizing and regulating online gambling and having access to the huge money involved.  As John Pappas, the executive director of the PPA, observed the following about the hearings: “We thought it would probably have to wait until January, so we’re pleasantly surprised to see this happen in December. I think Barney is sending a strong message to regulators and others that he’s serious about changing this law. He’s going to move forward with his plans to license and regulate this industry.”  It seems to be only a matter of time before online gambling is regulated and legalized. The billions of dollars that are being funneled out of the country in gambling dollars could be kept within the country. Of course there are decriers who still believe that it’s a bad move to legalize online gambling, but if the necessary precautions are monitored and taken, problems should be mitigated relatively quickly.

Everyone is worried about December 1^st and the UIGEA implementation that is planned. The UIGEA is the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and it was set to go into motion on December 1^st. It targeted the banking institutions that may be used to fund or deposit money directly related to gambling. The UIGEA makes banks responsible for flagging and denying any transaction that is related to online wagering. Banks were not happy about that due to the added cost to them to create filters and a flagging system. If a transaction got past their security watch, they could be fined millions of dollars as a result.

People were also not happy because that meant that anyone in the US was not able to transact for gambling purposes using their financial institution. The result was people continued to direct funds to offshore gambling websites that accept US players. Politicians cited the problem with offshore gambling is that billions of dollars were being channeled out of the country and into other countries economies. As one politician put it, “The US is letting millions of dollars in funding slip through its fingers every day it does not legalize online gambling.”

Online operators were not happy either with the UIGEA ruling. It means that a whole market is not legally allowed to participate in the billion-dollar industry that is online gambling. US operators had to move their businesses to offshore areas like Gibraltar or Macau, where casino and gambling laws are much more operator-friendly. The taxes are manageable and they are set up via their infrastructure to handle online gambling as an industry. Many US online casino operators have left the country to do business as a result.

The hot topic for online gambling has been December 1^st and whether or not the UIGEA would be made law.  Barney Frank and a number of other Congressmen have requested that the UIGEA be pushed back one year before implementation.  They are hoping that within that time, a more adequate online gambling law can be instituted and brought into the market. A law that is both all-encompassing and thorough in its writings.  The main problem with the UIGEA is that when it was written, there were no real decisive laws on what “gambling” actually is defined as.

Part two coming next.

The only real indication at the tribal casinos that the economy is still struggling is the crowds shift. Hiles said, “They used to come in our doors and head to the big tables with the high-limits. Now people are going directly to the low-limit slots and card tables. Crowds are considerably smaller at the higher-limit slot machines and card tables.”  For example, at San Manuel, gamblers were gathered around the $15-minimum blackjack tables, waiting for seats to become available. Empty seats were also hard to find at the 5- and 25-cent slot machines.  The good news is that the smaller tables never ceased to be filled. They are bouncing with excitement and that is what solely could be bringing people back in. Operators know that without the excitement and buzz of the Las Vegas scene, many gamblers would opt to stay home. Hiles added, “As long as we can continue to replicate the high-energy Las Vegas club, we can stay alive. Players will still come.”

One player who knows the market well is Winnie Ng of Los Angeles. She brought her grandmother to the casino to play but said that the recession forced both of them to “keep their bets small this time. When you lose now you are thinking about it more,” Ng said as she left the casino. Then there is also Jessica Schilling of Long Beach. She went to the Morongo Casino because she received a $30 coupon to spend on gambling. She said, “I just came here for the free food.”
California tribes are in trouble and having difficult times managing after the recession. Under federal law the nation’s tribes have to submit regular financial reports to the National Indian Gaming Commission. Based on the most recent numbers, the tribes brought in about $7.4 billion in revenue in 2008 and that is down about 5.6% since the previous year. The tribal communities have had to resort to major layoffs and budget cuts within their own infrastructures to manage.  Inside the Indian reservations, the drop in casino revenue means that tribes must cut the social service programs, that are primarily funded by gambling revenue, said William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno.  He added, “It’s not happy times in tribal councils.”

Although the recession hit casinos hard, some are still doing great. Just ask the Southern California’s San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino in San Bernardino County!  Both are experiencing almost every seat at the 25-cent slot machines is filled. In both casinos, gamblers have to stand around and wait for their turn at the blackjack tables. Also, the reels on the penny slot machines are going constantly at both facilities.

Despite the people still being there, one thing is for sure. People have cut back on spending. No longer are the bigger slot machines being used…in fact, slots over $10 don’t have much of a fighting chance with gamblers. Mike Hiles, a tribal information officer for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, said, “We have the same amount of people and they come in as frequently, but they are just spending less.”  Hiles operates a casino that has 2,000 slot machines, 20 gaming tables and two restaurants in the San Jacinto area. 

Part two coming next.

“Poker players are online, they’re active, and they’re weighing in on the policy battles that impact their right to play,” said Poker Players Alliance or PPA Executive Director John Pappas. “Tweet for poker is PPA’s most instant and dynamic tool for our members to directly contact their legislators in a way that engages the public in the debate. We’re proud of the instant success, and look forward to hearing what our elected officials think of the legislation and this new advocacy program.”  The PPA is the number one grass-roots advocacy group for the game. They are trying to move members to press Congress into making positive legislations that will license and regulate online poker.  Part of their campaign is including Twitter, the popular social networking website, and they are calling people to begin “tweeting” today.

PPA’s “Tweet for Poker” website lets Twitter users to directly target members of congress and have their voices be heard by legislators. It gives them a unique platform to reach to the elected officials directly. Senators are asked to support legislation introduced by Senator Robert Menendez, while House members are urged to support H.R. 2267 introduced by Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank. Both bills are aimed at either amending or replacing the former UIGEA bill of 2006. To participate, players only need to enter the necessary information for each proposed legislation and then the PPA automatically redirects them to their Twitter account with their legislator’s information and the message pre-filled. By visiting the site, viewers can follow who is contacting their member of Congress and from what location. It’s a great way for pro-online poker players in the US to voice their opinions and gather together to move the issue forward.

Earlier this year, PPA implemented other online programs to engage poker players and encourage them to contact policymakers to protect their game. During National Poker Week, PPA collected more than 375,000 signatures on the petition to President Obama calling for the licensing and regulation of online poker, and nearly 200,000 emails were sent to U.S Representatives and Senators. It is hoped that the moves will finally convey to legislators that there is a huge US population that wants online poker play to be legalized. They are hoping to bring their voice to the lawmakers and hopefully be instrumental in their accepting poker.

In the world of online gaming there are some casinos that make big splashes in the industry. Sure a lot come and go, virtually unnoticed, but then there are those that truly have the potential to be big names in the market. Fortunately there are two recent entrants into the industry that are making big waves. Here are the details on each.

·          Crazy Slots Casino.  This is a new casino that is part of the Golden Casino group.  If you are a fan of great “looking” games, you should know the Golden Casino name. Industry analysts believe that this website is going to make a huge name for itself over the next year or so. Plus with the huge growth in online gaming projected to reach new heights within the next six months, Crazy Slots couldn’t have picked a better time to enter the market. The website is fueled by Vegas Technology. Their best advantage is that they know how to replicate the land-based casino and translate it to the online world. They bring all the sights, sounds and action you can find in a “real” casino, to your computer screen.  Because of the outstanding product, websites by Vegas Technology have fans worldwide.  Plus when you log onto the Crazy Slots website you’ll first be welcomed by the great match bonus of $12,500 free for all new players!  That’s a huge deal for anyone wanting to test out games before risking their own money. The site also promises nearly $400K in guaranteed tournaments in December, as well as weekly surprise bonuses. The games on offer include over 100 slot titles, video poker games and specialty games.

·          Cabaret Club Casino. This one is operated by the Palace Group and runs sister-website Spin Palace online casino. It is powered by MicroGaming software.  Just like Crazy Slots, Cabaret Club is offering a great bonus to new and returning players that include a 100% match bonus of up to $150 free. There is a VIP club here that has four levels of play for added bonuses and rewards. Here you can play a full range of Vegas style games, including slots, roulette, blackjack and baccarat. The site is also linked to this software group’s progressive jackpot network, offering millions of dollars in prize money.

If you are looking for new websites to test out, try these two. They both offer great games and have great gaming software providers to prove it. They also have outstanding bonuses and reward specials.

One of the best advantages in playing any game is experiencing a big win! Let’s face it, though a lot of people play for “fun”, there is still a small part of them that is hoping for a win. They hope to be the one to take away the big prize and enjoy their spoils. Leading online casinos like Platinum Play UK Online Casino make sure that every player is a winner by offering top class casino games in the hi-tech environment. To top it all off they also have an unmatched jackpot amount and tons of casino bonus rewards. The world class UK online casino has outdone itself by giving UK players the opportunity to share in the promotions and make them Platinum Play UK lovers due to all the casino has to offer.
The special UK promotions are guaranteed to provide hours of fun for any online player. There are tournaments to enjoy. All players should check back weekly to see what new tournament events the online casino has come up with.  From the New Player promotions, international Slots League, international casino games to the latest UK promotions, players won’t be disappointed with this casino. Any player who wants a diverse amount of payout potential along with some excellent gaming should visit this casino and see what it has to offer. In terms of the welcome bonus alone, it’s outstanding. If you love the idea of having start-up cash to play with, before you risk your own, this is the place to be.

With the New Player Promotions, each new player receives exclusive rewards for signing up at Platinum Play UK Online Casino. International Slots League offers real-time slot tournaments with huge jackpot and bonus payouts. Players can also take part in International Casino Games, an annual flagship event where players stand a chance of winning a one-week long luxury cruise enhanced with exciting prizes. Novice players can also receive outstanding free bonus rewards by providing the relevant promo code to a specific promotion. Check out Platinum Play UK, a proud member of the Fortune Lounge Group for the latest promotions and enjoy huge jackpot and bonus rewards.

Humberto Brenes is a famous name in the world of poker. He stands out from the crowd due to his own wisely crafted persona and his methods of setting himself apart. Sure he has his own distinct look of a notable visor and his mustache along with his Costa Rican flag hanging high. But on top of that, he adopted the shark as his trademark.

A couple years ago Brenes first began using the shark as his symbol. In a world of thousands of poker players, he was trying to set himself apart. He first began as a businessman, however, and knew full well how marketing can play a part in the success of anyone.  He wanted to come up with something that would immediately distinguish him from the crowd and came up with the miniature shark. He originally used it as a card caper, but then the shark became part of Brenes’ routine. Film crews rushed to catch on to his sight gag and photographers loved the visual appeal.

Despite his rise to fame, there were critics. They believed that his “shark act” was “over the top” and was akin to “clowning the field of poker.”  During the WSOP main event on ESPN Norman Chad made it clear that he felt Brenes was “ridiculous” and Chad took every opportunity he had to cut down Brenes’ persona, play and shtick.

Although he does have his critics, Brenes has more fans than ever.  He knows how to truly play to poker as “sports entertainment” and work a crowd. In 2008 at the WSOP, Brenes was forced to tone down his shark antics after the rules committee instituted a penalty for “unsportsmanlike behavior.” He was no longer able to use his sharks as intimidation tactics for opponents or use an inflatable shark to parade around the table.

Though it is “all for fun” Brenes is also working with a marine conservation non-profit organization from Costa Rica. The group Pretoma has a mission of “protecting ocean resources and promoting sustainable fisheries policies in Costa Rica and Central America.”  One of their campaigns targets the billion-dollar shark finning industry that kills an estimated 35 million sharks every year. In many countries the fins are considered a delicacy and put into shark fin soup. Of course, without their fins, sharks die.

Brenes is supporting the cause with his new celebrity to bring awareness to the problem. He formed Humberto’s “Shark Hunt” Charity Bounty Event recently in his native country. Despite critics, Brenes won over many with is newfound cause. As Veronica Dabul, top female poker player, said, “This is a good cause and how could we say ‘no’ to Humberto? He’s done so much for poker in Latin America. Any charity he supports…we will all support.”

If you are looking for a new online slot machine, check out Space Tale. This is a cute game with tons of space ships, guns, monsters and space heroes to enjoy.  The green monster in the spider mobile is the wild symbol and he substitutes for all other symbols, except of course the bonus, free spin and jackpot.  In this game, you can win between eight to thirty free spins and each one gives you an outstanding possibility to win even more. If 3, 4 or 5 scattered planet symbols appear on your screen, you can get 8, 15 or 30 free spins, respectively.  If you play the maximum credits per line, you can also win the Grand Jackpot, which is a progressive. If you get five jackpot symbols on your main payline, then you are the big winner of the night!

The great thing about this game too is that there is an outstanding bonus game included in its play. After you accumulate 1,000 points while playing, you get to the bonus game. Each time a bonus symbol of a space ship appears on your screen, you earn 1 additional bonus point for each line and each credit played per line. For example, if you play 9 lines and 10 credits per line, then you would get 90 points towards your bonus game.  During the bonus game, your goal is to steal as many galactic crystals as possible from the evil emperor. If you do manage to get enough, you’ll be happily surprised with the bonus game.  This is where the developers’ expertise is truly seen. You’ll be entertained with great graphics, outstanding integrated sound and an overall great gaming experience with this game-within-a-game option.

The game is an outstanding example of what gaming is moving towards when it comes to slots games. No longer do you have only the option of basic slots games. Today’s market has developed so quickly that you have the option of special free spins, bonuses and promotions within the games. Space Tale is no different. It’s a great example of how dynamic online slot splay can be. If you’re a fan of slots, test this one out—you won’t be disappointed.

“The launch of UB.com represents a turning point for our company. We have assembled a great group of professionals who are passionate about poker to build the UB brand. Our goal is to create products and services that poker players really want. We are trying to listen very carefully to both our players and the poker community to help us achieve this goal,” said Paul Leggett, Tokwiro’s Chief Operating Officer. UB, or UltimateBet is an already highly esteemed company in the industry. It’s been around for over a decade now and has worked hard to create an outstanding reputation for itself.  It is now being rereleased under the UB.com name and this time it promises even more dynamic play. The online poker room has a multi-layer format that delivers in a cool and updated format.

The change from UltimateBet to UB is a natural development for the leading online poker site, as it caters to the newer generation of poker players who are young, intelligent, and passionate about the game. They want outstanding visuals and bonus extras from any online interaction.  The latest software has a totally redesigned Lobby that features easy navigation and user-friendly manageability. Players can easily pick the games they want to participate in and get rid of the ones they aren’t interested in with the click of a mouse. Tournaments and ring game icons have also been added for even more visual appeal.

The tournament schedule is aggressive too. If you love tournaments, try the ones at UB.com. Their poker events go up to $1 million payouts. They also have improved their tournament blind structures and the launch of synchronized breaks is a happy surprise for any poker player in the multi-table lineup.  There are also other software enhancements to enjoy. If you are a MAC, there is a version for you to play poker. It includes a unique UB 70-Deuce Hold’em plus 4 Max Tables and ring games with antes.

At UBOC online there is an Aruba Poker Classic tournament series. If you visit the website you’ll also see the RAI$E loyalty program. UB Professional player Phil Hellmuth said, “In the ten years since I have been involved with the UB brand, I have never been prouder to represent the company as much as I am right now. We have great people captaining the ship and we have a great vibe and some serious swagger. I look forward to the day when we are the largest poker site on the planet.”