Online Casinos Directory

You may remember the warning that the FTC gave about online gambling back in 2002. If not, here is the FTC warning. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission conducted a study of the online gambling industry and came to the conclusion that it is unsafe because there isn’t adequate protection against underage gambling. So how does this 2002 report stand up today?

In 2002, the FTC said that many online gambling sites didn’t have any warnings about underage gambling and those that did often didn’t feature them prominently. That is still the case. I think many online casinos assume that because their software is designed to prevent minors from gambling, and because everyone seems to know that underage gambling is illegal, it’s not necessary to advertise it. That may not be true, but it seems to be a common belief within the industry.

The truth is that online casinos have software that verifies the age of those who attempt to join and log into the site. Is it perfect? Of course not, but neither is the security barrier to buying cigarettes or alcohol, which is a bored and disinterested worker making minimum wage.

The point is that all security systems can be beaten. Underage gamblers manage to spend money at brick and mortar casinos, but trying to shut them down because of it is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. It’s best to work on solutions and find the best ways to minimize underage gambling. The same goes for those playing online. For a list of the safest online casinos, check out http://internetcasinogamblingonline.net.

Internet gambling is the newest fad in the US market. Legislators everywhere are looking to gambling as a means of creating additional revenue streams for suffering economies. Senator Harry Reid has discussed the issue and committed himself to doing what is best for the state of Nevada under his lead. Regarding internet gambling, he has said that he will listen to the people and watch the market to see if both are ready to move forward. Since his commitment first began, however he has seen it as a detrimental move for the state’s economy and has been a staunch critic of the pastime. While other states are embracing internet gambling, Reid is not.

Though he is firm in his belief some experts are chiming in on his position. They believe that if he is truly trying to do what is best for his state, he will consider rethinking the internet gambling issue. Representative Barney Frank has been vocal and proactive about bringing internet gambling to the US market. He has fought hard to come up with an amendment to the UIGEA and has a code in place to legalize and regulate gambling.

Despite moves to legalize gambling, Reid is a formidable opponent to the move. His vote could become crucial to the upcoming battle in Congress over the question of internet gambling legalization. Many gaming analysts believe that the best move for Nevada would be to regulate online gambling. They say that if Las Vegas was a forerunner in the industry of online gambling, and made it successful, it would bring a new notoriety to the market. The casino companies have been split on their approach, even at a time when revenue is down and the economy has severely hurt the industry. Wynn Resorts wants no part of Internet gambling regulations, other companies in the city do. Harrah’s for example is bracing itself for a move into the world of online gambling already. Company directors see the market as lucrative and see the potential of moving gambling online. They want to be set up and ready for the potential revenue stream.

It is going to take a few more months for legislators to regulate online gambling but people are still waiting to see what Reid’s stand is going to be. Although he is at liberty to choose either, no one can debate that bringing online gambling to the state could bring in the much-needed funds to turn the economy around.

Internet gambling is the newest fad in the US market. Legislators everywhere are looking to gambling as a means of creating additional revenue streams for suffering economies. Senator Harry Reid has discussed the issue and committed himself to doing what is best for the state of Nevada under his lead. Regarding internet gambling, he has said that he will listen to the people and watch the market to see if both are ready to move forward. Since his commitment first began, however he has seen it as a detrimental move for the state’s economy and has been a staunch critic of the pastime. While other states are embracing internet gambling, Reid is not.

Though he is firm in his belief some experts are chiming in on his position. They believe that if he is truly trying to do what is best for his state, he will consider rethinking the internet gambling issue. Representative Barney Frank has been vocal and proactive about bringing internet gambling to the US market. He has fought hard to come up with an amendment to the UIGEA and has a code in place to legalize and regulate gambling.

Despite moves to legalize gambling, Reid is a formidable opponent to the move. His vote could become crucial to the upcoming battle in Congress over the question of internet gambling legalization. Many gaming analysts believe that the best move for the state of Nevada would be to bring legalized online gambling to the state. They say that if the state could flesh out a viable legislation to regulate it, Nevada would become a forerunner in the field. Casinos in the state already are split on the idea, however. For example, Wynn Resorts is against internet gambling claiming that it would considerably hinder its own company growth. On the other hand Harrah’s Entertainment has already made legal moves to prepare itself for internet gambling affiliations.

Regardless of what happens, it will take lawmakers time to sort through the issue of regulating online gambling within the state. Reid is left holding the bag too—he has to make a decision on the issue. Currently the issue is at the head of discussions and a decision should be coming soon.

The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, or OPPAGA, recently submitted a 12-page report on how Florida can manage online poker in the state. Basically, the report suggests that the state can sit back and wait for Congress, completely outlaw online poker or it can legalize and regulate it on its own. Each option has its own issues and the OPPAGA is urging the state to look at them intently before making a decision.

The first option is to wait on Congress. Though this is what a lot of states are doing, many believe that this is the worst financial decision legislators can make. One analyst called ignoring the issue, a way for the state to “proactively let money slip out of its hands.”  There are billions of dollars being sent to offshore online casinos since players can’t play in the US.  That money is being channeled directly away from the state where it could be used to fund a wide range of public works plans. 

The other option is to outlaw online poker. This also is like encouraging Florida players to put their billions into other countries that allow them to gamble. One thing that is apparent is that people will gamble online—whether it is allowed in their jurisdiction or not. The UIGEA does not thwart people from gambling, it only thwarts them from gambling in the US and using banking institutions to fund wagering accounts. There are many other options and ways to still gamble online and most avid gamers have found them.

Finally, the option is for Florida to legalize and regulate online poker play itself. The OPPAGA suggests that legalizing it could raise upwards of $90 million a year for the state. The OPPAGA statement concludes that “…while Florida law does not expressly prohibit Internet Gambling … according to [Attorney General] opinion, the Wire Act provisions, in combination with state law, prohibit an individual from placing a bet or wager by wire communication or via the Internet.”

Only time will tell what the state does, but one thing is for sure: people will gamble online. There are billions to be had in online gaming and if states don’t start capitalizing on the money, people will channel their funds elsewhere out of the country.

In Poland there has been a long-standing political scandal involving politicians and gambling corruption. As a result Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is determined to ban online gambling in the EU-member state. The new introduced legislation will make all gambling illegal if it takes place outside land-based casinos, including online gambling, while imposing higher taxes on legal gambling operators. The first draft of the proposed reform will be ready in two weeks for review.

Although in general internet gambling operators are accustomed to various bans and changes in legislation that thwart their businesses, this one may be different. People are viewing it the same way– seing it as just another political ploy. Gambling has met its share of opposition in Poland and still it has remained in the market. This new ban, however is coming with an added strength and political push by legislators. This may make it a more difficult ruling to get through for operators and Polish citizens who want to gamble.

“Operation Blackjack” was the title used to name the investigation into political corruption that centered around four Polish officials. Each one has been forced to resign in recent weeks on suspicion of letting gaming industry lobbyists exert inappropriate influence on political decisions. One of the newer politicians to fall in to the fray was Miroslaw Drzewiecki, the former Minister for Sport. His name featured on documentation published as part of “Operation Blackjack.” The incriminated minister for justice and the deputy prime minister also handed in their resignation letters.

So now the country is left with a problem. If online gambling is banned, it will create a deficit from the monies that were collected in tax dollars from it. That means that land-based casinos will have to make up the difference. Critics argue that taxing a regulated online gaming industry would achieve the same revenue, but the legalization option doesn’t suit Prime Minister Tusk. He is now campaigning heavily. He recently stated, “”…my colleagues and I want to do everything to convince Poles and also our opponents about our impartiality.”  Though he is claiming impartiality many critics don’t buy it. They believe that the political corruption is what is causing the move to a ban on online gambling. Only time will tell where the country goes with its next decision regarding gambling.

The world is ready for taking a leap into legalized and regulated gambling. With the consistent growing casino market globally, the hobby is coming to be one of the most popular pastimes for people of every race, color and age.  Due to the competition casinos are putting billions into special promotions and bonuses to bring new customers into their doors.  Gambling is going to become a more competitive business for the casinos and will set to benefit the gamblers out there with more innovative promotions and new games to ensure they maintain a competitive edge over others.

One game that is huge is poker. Poker is still riding a boom all over the world and eyes are set on the biggest countries that are bringing the game to the level of a new popularity. Major poker companies are still targeting Europe, Asia and Latin America as the next big hotspots for poker and are heavily investing in promotions that should see the game peak in the next three to four years.

Online gambling is also set to continually grow since people are logging on to the internet. With the advent of online gaming, there is a whole new market to capitalize on and casinos know this. Adding to the love of online gaming is developers creating specialized applications for the iPhone and Smart Phone. Mobile gaming is the next huge market to begin its growth in the industry. This allows players the ability to play poker and other gambling games without sitting in front of their computer.  Although the odds of winning a casino game are the same between online and land-based casinos, the promotions online casinos are offering more than make up for the similarities between the two.

Some of the big players in the gambling world are in the perfect position to take over the market. Especially now that the recession is turning around, people will be going back to their old buying and gambling habits. This opens the doors for casinos to move in and take advantage of a great and untapped market. More casinos will be built, and they will only get bigger and greater with games, promotions, luxuries, amenities, bonuses and VIP clubs.