888 Upgrades Sportsbook Offerings
June 8, 2013
Sports bettors at 888 have reason to celebrate, as the company has dramatically upgraded their offerings with the inking of a new partnership.
That partnership, announced earlier this month, is with Kambi Sports Solutions.
Kambi is the b2b arm of well-known online gambling provider Unibet.
Essentially, the current sports offerings of 888 will be replaced by the Kambi backend, which will give players access to an entirely new set of betting options. The general consensus on the deal is that 888 sports will be significantly improved by the partnership.
Kambi’s CEO Kristian Nylen echoed the point, saying: “This agreement will allow 888 to compete as an industry leader. 888 is a fantastic brand and a successful and respected business. We very much look forward to building a thriving partnership with 888.
While the old 888 Sport product was far from a failure, serious bettors often complained that the amount of well-priced and interesting options fell short of what is constantly on offer at competing books such as bet365. It was that gap between 888 and competitors like Party, bet365 and William Hill that led 888 to pursue this new deal with Kambi.
Itai Frieberger, 888′s COO, had this to say about the deal: “By partnering with Kambi Sports Solutions we will be aligning our sport platform with the rest of our offering, enabling us to increase our footprint while delivering a best-of-breed product to our players.”
888 will continue to operate their poker, casino and bingo products on their existing internal platform. And the integration of Kambi will be basically seamless from a user’s point of view. Players will still be able to access all of the games at 888′s different products from a single wallet, and move money to and from sports, casino, bingo and poker with just a click of the mouse.
The improvement in their sportsbook is just the latest big move from 888 over the last year. The company has also inked major deals with a variety of the top names in American land-based gambling. In fact, 888 Poker launching in the US – via the 888-powered WSOP.com for real money play in Nevada – will mark an historic achievement for 888: a return to the U.S. market, albeit and indirect one, after a 7-year absence.
Caesars isn’t the only partner of 888 in the United States. Treasure Island, a casino located in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, also signed a deal with 888 that will see TI head what 888 hopes will eventually develop into a nationwide online poker network backed by the 888 Poker platform.
There Is No Surrender In Vegas with Jackpotjoy Blackjack
June 4, 2013
You do not have to jump on an airplane since Jackpotjoy Blackjack offers a fun Vegas Strip Blackjack game online. You do not even need to have a computer to play. You can download the mobile app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android and start playing today. Why are we talking about no surrender? If you have ever visited the blackjack tables in Vegas, you already know. You cannot walk away from your hand and salvage half your bet. You might as well play the hand out and challenge the dealer’s hand.
The Vegas Strip Blackjack at Jackpotjoy uses four decks of cards. That gives you a little extra challenge trying to keep track of cards, but who is counting. You get the opportunity to split on matched pairs or even on mismatched face cards. This gives you the chance to get a few extra hands against the dealer and increase your chances of winning a jackpot. You can increase your winnings by doubling down after you get your first two cards. You allowed to double down on hands that you split. This can increase the money you grab from the dealer, but it increases your risk at the same time.
Is the added risk of the double down worth it? It all depends. If playing a game with a little more risk adds to your fun and excitement, then you should do it. If the idea of higher risk makes you nervous, then you should not. You do not come to Jackpotjoy for stress. You come to the blackjack tables to unwind, relax, find some excitement, or to meet-up with friends. Always play to have fun.
The fun attitude at the blackjack tables is why players return week after week. They make friends in chat sessions and in the lounge and come back to have fun talking, joking, and challenging each other. You can have fun playing games and spend very little money. As an example, with the Vegas Strip Blackjack, you can bet on £1 on a hand and keep your costs very low. You can even spend time practicing in the demo rooms, or relaxing for few minutes just chatting with friends. The entire atmosphere is created to let you have fun.
Do not forget. Vegas Strip is just one of the Jackpotjoy blackjack games. They have multiple options and every game has its own unique challenges and rewards. Grab a few friends and explore the different games together for a great online adventure.
Bitcoin Gambling 101 – A New Gamblers Guide to Cryptocurrency
May 12, 2013
Bitcoin is a digital currency that can be used anonymously is gaining immense popularity throughout the world.
Bitcoin can be accessed using physical coins or virtually through a peer-to-peer marketplace. Many businesses are now accepting Bitcoins as payment for goods and services.
The transfer of coins from one user to another are processed quickly (few hours at most, but normally much faster) and is usually free.
Bitcoins are now accepted at a variety of online gambling sites. Gamblers can now use their BTC’s to wager anonymously at online sportsbooks, casinos, and poker rooms.
Using Bitcoins for Online Gambling
Bitcoins can be bought and sold through a number of different channels. Coinbase, a Bitcoin wallet and Mt.Gox, the world’s largest Bitcoin exchange are the most popular ways to buy and sell Bitcoins.
Bitcoin are sent by using Bitcoin addresses. These are unique individualized addresses that are a series of numbers and letters that range between 27-34 characters. They are used as destinations for Bitcoin payment and are fully anonymous.
Addresses are generated within seconds and at no cost. Users can have an unlimited number of addresses to send and receive coins. In fact, using different addresses for each transaction is the most secure way of sending and receiving Bitcoins.
Bitcoin Casino Games
Bitcoin casino games are currently the most popular form of gambling for Bitcoin bettors. These casinos offer players excellent odds and everything they would want in an online casino, all from the comfort of their own home. Slots, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and tons of games are just a click of the mouse away.
Compared to traditional brick n’ mortar properties, Bitcoin casinos offer much better odds. Even when compared to other top online casinos, the BTC Casinos generally have an edge. Some offer payout percentages as high at 99% and additional bonuses, as well.
Otherwise, the fundamentals of the games remain identical. While you might get a better payout on slots of have a more favorable setup on your blackjack deal (lower number of decks, etc), the rules of the casino games at Bitcoin casinos are generally identical to the standard house rules at a Vegas land-based operation.
Can I Play Bitcoin Slots?
Bitcoin casinos offering slots feature a large list of ways to play Bitcoin slots with record high payout rates. Just like land based casinos and fiat currency based online operators; BTC casinos have large progressive slot payouts which can produce life changing jackpots.
PokerStars Takes First Formal Step Toward Purchase of Atlantic City Casino
January 16, 2013
Anyone who saw this one coming, raise your hand.
Now I don’t mean anyone who saw this coming after the WSJ reported back in December that PokerStars (technically Stars’ parent company the Rational Group) was in early discussions with the owners of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel. I mean anyone who saw this coming, say, a year or so ago.
Not so many hands raised out there, I see.
Well, regardless of who saw what coming, it appears that the reality of PokerStars owning an American land-based casino is quite a few degrees closer to our own after news broke yesterday that the company has filed the initial paperwork required to operate a casino in the state of New Jersey.
Notice the use of “initial” above. That’s because this is only the first step in what could easily be a months-long process for PokerStars which will involve multiple filings across a variety of agencies. Not to mention that the whole premise behind PokerStars’ proposed acquisition of the Atlantic City casino – regulated online gambling in New Jersey – could still crumble with little more than a flick of Gov. Chris Christie’s pen.
So, before you go telling everyone you know that PokerStars now owns an American casino, tap the brakes. There’s a bit more to it than that.
But this is still pretty big news regardless. It marks a watershed moment in the convergence of online gambling and land-based gambling. PokerStars could now, for instance, offer a completely new breed of “live dealer” games that have proven so popular online; for example, you could possibly play live dealer blackjack at a virtual table online with players at the actual casino, or scope out the action in the live poker room while you grind away a few tables online.
Obviously we could go on and on about all of the exciting innovations that might accompany a PokerStars-branded live casino. The bigger issue, however, is what impact the purchase would have on the beleaguered market for online poker in the United States.
It’s certainly easy to imagine a big segment of the potential playing population in the U.S. who would be very interested in coming back to PokerStars, perhaps even more so than they would be in playing at a poker site backed by a major American casino.
The situation should all come to a head fairly quickly, at least in terms of the pace poker players have become accustomed to. Governor Christie only has until early February to act on the bill, and the process for vetting the PokerStars purchase will take 4 months at the absolute longest.
Finding the Best Casino Bonus for Mac
December 1, 2012
Sometimes Mac users who also enjoy visiting online casinos find it hard to find casino sites that are compatible with their machines while at the same time offering attractive rewards, such as VIP programs, welcome bonuses, and other potentially lucrative casino bonus offers.
In the not-so-distant past of just a few years ago, finding online sites in which Mac users could play their favorite casino games was an at-times monumental task, however today the landscape for casino gambling aficionados who also just happen to enjoy playing them on a Mac computer is very much changed.
For this reversal, Mac users owe a debt of gratitude to the explosion of popularity of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, many of the most beloved of which are produced by Apple.
To say that mobile casino gambling is having a big moment actually amounts to a huge understatement. In fact, mobile casinos that can be accessed via smartphone or tablet are proliferating wildly, with users all over the world finding moments to relax with just a few minutes of playing their favorite games on their small screens. Again, so much of these small pleasures come as a result of the millions and millions of devices that Apple has sold, revolutionizing the way many people live their lives, right down to how they enjoy recreational gambling.
Whether accessing an online casino from a Mac desktop or laptop computer, or an Apple mobile device, users will want to take a few small precautions to ensure the security and safety of their financial information. By setting in place just a couple of simple safeguards, players can be saved from potential inconvenience down the road.
Particularly when using a mobile device to visit an online casino, be sure never to use stored passwords or to use the phone on a network that may be insecure, such as a public wifi connection. Users will also want to make sure they are only playing in reputable online casinos that are fully licensed and regulated by a government entity.
Play Blackjack – And Be A Winner
November 7, 2012
The thought of playing games in a casino can be an intimidating prospect for some people. A lot of this is down to the high stakes that are often involved but there is a formality to casino play that a lot of people are not altogether comfortable with. Being able to play online casino games has definitely made a big difference because people can play casino game wherever they are and can play in the comfort of their own home if they wish.
Play blackjack where you are most comfortable
The fact that people can play these games at home and without having to spend too much money has helped people to develop confidence the way that they play. However, there are some casino games that are more difficult than others and this can prove to be a turn-off for many people. This is why it can be good to find a casino game that is very simple to play but also allows a player to develop their skills over a period of time. There are not too many casino games like this but you would have to say that blackjack is the perfect option for so many casino players!
Long before they even think about playing in a casino, many people will have been exposed to the fun of blackjack. As it is a game where there is a need to get as close to 21 as possible, it has been used as a great tool to improve confidence with numbers or counting skills. Many children, whether in class or with family members, have played blackjack for fun which means that there is a confidence installed in them when it comes to playing this style of game. This is why so many people will have a greater degree of confidence when playing blackjack than other casino games.
You need to practice a lot to be a winner
It shouldn’t be considered that blackjack is an easy game to win though. The old adage about it being a game that is simple to play but difficult to master rings true to this day. This is why players need to play and practice as often as they can. Learning to know when to hold, hit or even double-up can be learned over time and this is why experience can make a difference for blackjack players. Sometimes the turn of a card will produce unexpected results but playing with a strategy in mind will help players to win more often than they lose. It should be remembered though that there is no guaranteed success with blackjack, if you get a bad run, even the best players can lose a lot.
It is a fun game though and one of the best places to play online blackjack would have to be www.gratisblackjack.org. As the name suggests, there is a chance to play for free and hone those blackjack skills!
Boosting Poker Profits With Free Sports Bets
September 22, 2012
It’s widely accepted that modern online poker games are as tough as games have ever been. As a result, online poker players not only should – but in fact must – seek out creative ways to pad their bankrolls, or risk the fate of returning to a regular job as their profits from poker diminish.
No one wants that to happen, right? Of course not. I’m not going to pretend that I’ve got all of the answers to the problem of tougher games, but I do have one that poker players would be wise to explore: Free bets at sports books. Specifically, I’m talking about free bets at sports books that also operate a major online poker site and allow for easy transfers between sports and poker accounts – think bet365 or William Hill.
We’re not talking about life-changing money here, but we are talking about what amounts to a no-lose proposition for you as a player. Last month we recorded something in the neighborhood of $1000 in free bets at major books, meaning that you could have walked away with several hundred clear for your bankroll even if you just bet randomly. Joining a site that offers exclusive members football picks might help improve your win rate, although even “experts” have relatively poor records when it comes to beating the line day in and day out.
The first bit of good news: You don’t have to be an expert to take advantage of these promotions; usually all you need is a bit of spare cash and a few minutes of time to read through the terms and conditions. With Premier League action starting up again and the NFL getting into full swing in the US, these offer should be coming at players left and right in the next few months.
The next bit of good news about these promotions: Free bets usually have pretty reasonable clearance terms (usually in the neighborhood of 2x-5x the bonus amount), which is usually easy enough to clear while still maintaining a profit if yous tick to straight wagers. Once you’ve cleared the bonus (or otherwise completed the promotion, it should only take a click or two to shift your profits back into your poker account.
It’s easy to lump sports book promotions in with online casino promotions when you’re scanning your inbox, but the difference in potential value for you as a poker player couldn’t be greater. Hopefully after reading this article you’ll take a closer look at the next free bet promotion you come across and uncover a neat and tidy source of profit that other players are too lazy or too ignorant to recognize.
Times About to Get Tougher for US Online Casinos?
September 10, 2012
As if it wasn’t already hard enough to be a casino player from the United States looking for some online action, a recent announcement from the US Department of Justice could point to even tougher times ahead for real-money online gamblers from the states.
The announcement in question was made early this month, when the DoJ indicated that they were looking to dramatically increase the number of investigations they conduct under the Bank Secrecy Act. That act, in short, makes it mandatory for banks in the United States to effectively (and proactively) assist the US government in pursuing suspicious financial activity.
In a nutshell: If the noise coming out of Washington reflects reality, it’s going to be far more difficult for any business with a financial component to participate in processing transactions that they know (or that they ought to know) are related to illegal activity.
What Impact Will This Have on US Online Casinos?
As most readers know, real-money online gambling exists in a legal grey area in the United States for players and operators. The list of USA legal casinos online – at least those that are 100% legal, beyond dispute – is more or less an empty one at this point. That state of affairs essentially makes it necessary for online casinos to disguise the transactions that take place between the casino and the player, a process that is obviously much easier to conduct when the banks involved in the transaction take a lax attitude toward enforcement of the law.
Now, banks will be facing significant liability – criminal and civil – if the DoJ can prove that an illegal financial transaction took place due to a lack of controls on the part of the bank. That makes it much more difficult for banks to look the other way when it comes to online gambling-related payments.
The new focus for the DoJ will extend well beyond banks and into the far reaches of financial institutions – all the way down to pawn shops and check-cashing outfits. That’s going to potentially make it much more difficult for gamblers to make deposits at and receive withdrawals from online casinos, many of which employ those or similar services to handle their payment processing.
What Should Online Gamblers Do to Prepare?
While it’s never useful to panic, online gamblers should consider drawing down their bankrolls as soon as possible to a level that would represent an acceptable loss. That’s always a good policy when it comes to online gambling, but it’s even wiser given the current circumstances. You might be hesitant to withdraw if you have a bonus that you’re still clearing, but it’s important that you realistically weigh those costs against the potential that your money could effectively be locked up online thanks to these new enforcement efforts by the DoJ. This is also an excellent point for players to learn a bit more about the relative legality and risks associated with online gambling; in general, gambling laws in the US are state-based, so players will want to start their research there.
Online gamblers from the US are no doubt quite used to hearing that the sky is falling, and many may now be inured to such claims. It’s hard to blame them for that attitude, but this latest news should be taken quite seriously by those with money at online casinos – especially if it’s money that they can’t afford to lose.
Georgia to Add Online Sales for State Lottery
July 20, 2012
More and more states in the US are pivoting toward online gambling as budgetary pressures – and the threat of other states getting to the market first – continue to weigh heavily on those in positions of power.
The latest state to execute such a move: Georgia, which announced yesterday that residents will soon be able to purchase some lottery tickets online.
The decision adds the Georgia Lottery to the relatively short list (for now) of states that offer online lottery sales. Georgia now sits along with Illinois Lottery (the first to offer online sales) as the two states directly offering lottery sales over the Internet. That’s certainly a paltry set of options when compared with any list of casino websites serving US players, but most expect several states – including Iowa, Delaware, Rhode Island and as many as a dozen others – to bend to the trend and bring their lotteries online within the next year or so.
Before you first up the computer to purchase some lottery tickets, a dose of reality: Sales in Georgia won’t begin until the fall, will be limited to residents of Georgia and will consist (at least at the outset) of only three games: Powerball, Mega Millions and Fantasy 5.
Does this move suggest a willingness by the government of Georgia to expand online gambling into other segments such as poker and casino games? Never say never, but it seems highly unlikely; the state has powerful restrictions against gambling expansion aside from the state lottery and Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal has been a vocal opponent of other gambling proposals. The state lottery, it seems, exists in a political sweet spot that essentially renders it a special form of gambling – a sweet spot that doesn’t appear to have any room for online casinos or online poker. In short, allowing online lottery sales may move Georgia closer to offering online poker, but the state remains so far away as to make that movement essentially irrelevant.
What the move does do for online poker, however, is further the overall momentum for action on both the state and federal level. On the state level, expect other governments to see Georgia’s decision as something of a green light for their own online gambling plans. For states that were already planning a similar move, this will accelerate their timetable; for states that were on the fence, this may push plans from the hypothetical to the actual. On the federal level, Georgia represents a concrete example of the very thing advocates of federal-based regulation seek to prevent: Each state crafting their own unique online gambling regulations, creating a nasty patchwork of laws that will ultimately undermine the potential of the US market as a while.
It seems as if, after years and years of false starts, plans for regulated online gambling in the United States are finally starting to manifest in concrete action. Expect Georgia to be only one of several states in the US with a major online gambling announcement in 2012.
Top Online Casinos Accepting POLi For Deposits
April 25, 2012
More and more, Australian casino players are turning to POLi as their primary choice for handling online gambling transactions. As the method gains popularity, more and more users are seeking out casinos that accept POLi.
Before we get into that topic, however, some readers may be wondering exactly what POLi is. Much like Neteller or MoneyBookers, POLi is an online wallet that allows you to take funds from a variety of source – including credit cards and bank account – and send those funds to a spectrum of merchants, including many top online casinos and poker rooms.
You can get additional information about POLi via the Consumer FAQ at their website; you can also contact support at your poker room or casino of choice to learn more about how to use POLi for deposits and withdrawals.
What you’re likely to learn either way is that POLi is incredibly simple to use, a fact that helps to explain the service’s massive popularity among Australian players. The combination of security and ease-of-use is just what most online gambling consumers are looking for.
It’s likely that POLi will continue to expand and add new casinos and poker rooms over the coming year and beyond, but right now there is a somewhat limited selection for players who are looking to using POLi to make an online casino deposit. While not exhaustive, the list of top POLi-accepting casinos at http://www.onlinecasino.com.au/ is a good place to start, and the page also offers additional resources that might be of special interest to online gamblers from Australia.
Payment processing is always an important decision for online consumers, and that goes double for those playing online casino games for real money. By sticking to processors like POLi that protect your information while making transactions relatively hassle-free, you can stay safe without wasting excessive amounts of time or money.