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Irish online bookmaker Paddy Power has reported a 4% increase in profits in 2008 to a total of 79 million euros. The bookmaker benefited from a 34% jump in betting profits to 42.8 million euros, accounting for more than 70% of the company's profits in the second half of last year. However, the news wasn't as good for the company's land-based betting shops. It said the number of betting shops it has in the Republic of Ireland, currently at 191, would decline in the coming years as the financial crisis takes its toll. The company plans to expand in the United Kingdom, where it hopes to have 150 shops by 2011. Meanwhile, the company has benefited from the global financial crisis in an unexpected way, taking advantage of the cheapest advertising rates in decades to launch its first television advertising campaign. The first of a series of TV ads, created by advertising agency Karmarama, was launched during the weekend's Carling Cup final between Manchester United and Tottenham, which was broadcast on Sky Sports. The ad featured former England footballer Carlton Palmer sharing a bubble bath with a punter. Palmer was chosen for the ad after winning a poll asking the public which footballer they would most like to see in a bubble bath. Later ads will feature former jockey Richard Dunwoody and former Liverpool and Zimbabwe goalkeeper Bruce Grobelaar.
The Gladiator is a 5 Reel 50, Payline video slot machine game. It also happens to be one of only a few Microgaming slots to offer 100 free spins. The video slot Gladiator delivers excellent graphics and sound effects that capture the flavor of Imperial Rome. The Heroic Gladiator is at the center of the game, wearing armour and carrying medieval weapons. When he and his Roman Maiden combine, it creates a 3x Mixed Pay reward. (At least one of the symbols must be displayed on the first slot reel.) With 5 spinning reels, chances to form winning combinations are aplenty. Let us review the other desirable symbols in Gladiator. Wild Symbol The wild symbol in the game is the Gold Coin symbol. It substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations. E.g. the Gold Coin wild symbol can substitute for a Gladiator symbol or a Maiden symbol to complete a Mixed Pay combination. Scatter Symbol The scatter symbol in the game is the Imperial Roman Eagle. You win no matter where it appears on the 5 reels - not necessarily in the enabled payline. Three or more Imperial Roman Eagle scatter symbols - anywhere on the five reels - activate the Free Spins Bonus Round game. Free Spins Bonus Round Game You can win up to 100 Free Spins in the Free Spins Bonus Round game. Mind you that the spin that activated the Free Spins Bonus Round game determines the bets and paylines played throughout the Free Spins. Wagers from a 0.01 to 0.20 are accepted and the prize can reach 25,000 coins. To victory! Where to play The game can be played at Jackpot City and the following Microgaming online casinos: River Belle Lucky Nugget Gaming Club King Neptune
The United States could raise nearly $52 billion in revenue in the next decade if it lifts its ban on online gambling and taxes it instead, a new study has found. The study, prepared by accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, could breathe new life into the campaign to overturn the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which effectively banned Internet gambling by outlawing the transfer of funds from a financial institution to Internet gambling sites. "There is a dramatic need to have a regulated system that protects American consumers. Right now, it's the Wild West," Reuters quoted Jeffrey Sandman, spokesman for the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative, as saying. The report, entitled "Estimate of federal revenue effect of proposal to regulate and tax online gambling," was prepared for UC Group, an online payment service company that would benefit from the legalization of online gambling in the United States. PwC's figures were based on the effects of the hypothetical passing into law of H.R. 2046, the "Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007", which provides for the licensing and regulation of lawful Internet gambling by the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and H.R. 2607, a companion bill to H.R. 2046 that would impose a fee on companies licensed to provide online gambling services in the U.S. Pro-gambling campaigner and House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-MA) is planning to reintroduce a bill this year to overturn the 2006 ban.
It's near - the new homepage of All Slots Casino. Online gamblers will be dazzled by all the exciting activity on the casino site. Effectively it's a collage of gambling buzz, iconic figures and dream spins that awaits players. New look All Slots Casino went for an interactive design incorporating the likes of Hitman, Lara Croft (Tomb Raider), Thunderstruck and blistering online casino action. The bold approach breaks the convention of static landing pages and infuses an electric atmosphere of movement, adrenaline and pulsating action. Set against a backdrop of metallic blue steel, the bright sounds and 3-D depth of the landing page adds greater dimension into the casino site. As players decide where to navigate from the central slots machine, the prospect of thrills and spills is ever present. Paving the way With interactive flash technology and a spellbinding array of colors to entice online players, All Slots Casino has captured the essence of what exciting online gaming is all about. The success of the new design campaign allow for an Italian and French version too. There is no doubt that other online casinos are sure to follow.
Europa Casino was born in March 2004. Now, 5 months later, they are celebrating in grand style by hosting a members only, month-long birthday promo. The promotion will feature multiple live tournaments and unlimited bonus offers. Time to sign up Players interested in enjoying the benefits of Europa's month of big birthday celebrations are encouraged to sign up in order to enjoy the promos up on offer. Real time updates Players will enjoy real-time updates and player rankings throughout the tournaments. The weekly prizes will total some €10,000 to multiple qualifying finishers. There will be a generous top prize of €5,000. The recipient of that cash injection will be the lucky player who finishes the Europa Casino Elite Challenge Tournament in 1st position. But that's not all because players will enjoy the benefits of Happy Birthday Hour Deposits. During these times a player will receive an added 25% of their deposit funds towards casino play - with NO LIMIT on the deposit value. Loyalty first Europa is encouraging players to sign up to enjoy the birthday frenzy. The loyal hands that play at the site will be pleased to know that a new and exciting site makeover is due to be launched. It's party hearty at EuropaCasino with big prizes, loyalty awards and generous sign-up bonuses.
Responding to what is the "stupidest law ever passed and a gross violation of America's civil liberties...", Representative Barney Frank is pushing for a repeal on the now infamous UIGEA bill which passed into existence in 2006, citing it has damaged trade ties with the European Union. On February 19, 2009, news company Reuters claimed that the European Union (EU) could legitimately fire a complaint against the US for enforcement of the UIGEA at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Europe has lost billions of dollars as they have been forced to give up the US market for fear of repercussions as the UIGEA has banned businesses from knowingly accepting any and all forms of payment from players located in the USA. Companies would have pulled out, such as 888.com and Party Gaming, can still be prosecuted for activities before the ban even took place, not to mention the lawsuits they have already ceded to in the meantime. Frank has tried to point out time and time again that these rules would harm America even more during this time of economic recession, but his cries have gone unheard at the top of the food chain - until now that is. Listen up Obama...do you hear a change coming? The European Commission, spurred on by an industry petition, has begun a formal investigation into whether Washington and the Justice Department are singling out EU companies which allowing US based firms to still freely operate. However, it appears that the results will not lead to litigation, rather it will be used as leveraging chip with the US. Frank's aide states that "bill introduction should happen in the next month."
While the 2005 UK Gambling Act has done wonders in regulating the online gambling market, and legitimizing the industry as a whole. British television can now watch gambling ads, companies can feature on Google like other industries, and more. But it seems that the Act is flawed in some ways, one of which surfaced earlier this week. William Hill plc In a press conference following the release of William Hill plc's latest financial results, CEO Ralph Topping had apparently hinted at the possibility that the UK gambling group would relocate part of its operation to Gibraltar. Topping merely stated that the company regularly considers such moved. "It's reviewed every year," he said. But describing the tax policy in the UK as "absolutely dopey" has directed some attention at the current tax regime. Tax disparity British-based Web operations such as William Hill Online pay a 15% gross profits tax; offshore operators pay only 1.5%. In fact, Topping said that the company was already relocating 90 jobs in its online sportsbook operation overseas, mainly to Gibraltar. It remains to see whether William Hill plc will ship the rest of its online operations to Gibraltar (or elsewhere), and whether other companies will follow suit.
What they don't know won't hurt them Of all the gray areas that exist in the world of gambling, the grayest of them all is whether winners declare their winnings to the tax authorities. The majority of people know they should, but an equally large majority is unlikely ever to do so. The prevailing attitude among winners is, what they (the tax authorities) don't know, won't hurt them... Source taxation Governments get around the honesty issue by taxing many gambling activities at source. Winnings accrued from national lotteries or at the dog or horse track are provided after tax amounts have already been deducted. However, there are many more tax activities including online and land-based casinos where winnings are left to the discretion and honesty of the winners. A good reason to declare your winnings One good reason to declare your winnings, apart from the obvious one of being an honest member of society, is that gambling losses can also be claimed as an expense against tax. In effect, those who lose on the gambling table can offset those losses against income earned from other sources, including that from gambling. This "honesty dividend" is probably one of the strongest arguments for declaring gambling income and losses in your next tax return.
Playtech's Novel Slots line features some of the most exciting video slot games around. And if a thrill it is you are after, you better be ready or the Wild Spirit Video Slots Machine Game. The 5 reel, 20 payline Wild Spirit is based on a Native American theme. A Wild Stallion Horse serves as a Wild Symbol, and the Scatter is a Native American Girl. Now take that and try to beat an army of Ninjas! Betting options range from $.0.01 to $1,000 bets per spin. The 5 reel 20 payline format has it so that players can win 40,000 coins or an amazing $200,000. Gambling option The Gamble option on Wild Spirit allows players to double the amount of their last win. It takes a Win to activate the option, naturally. Bonus round Eight new free spins are added to the existing spins, whenever the Bonus symbols appear on the first and last reels. Beware of the Evil symbols though, which award a single free spin but subsequently end the bonus round. Where to play The game can be played at Europa Casino and the following Playtech-based online casinos: Euro Grand Casino Casino Tropez
It is stories of giant jackpot winnings that inspire players to gamble at casinos. Everybody wants to be the next Chris Moneymaker or Jamie Gold in poker, or a lady from Hillsboro, Oregon in slots. Oregon? Slots?! Yes. The woman, who was visiting in Florence, Oregon and played the Penny Wheel of Fortune slot at the Three Rivers Casino on Friday, March 6, 2009, became the winner of a $5,284,316 progressive jackpot, which she had bet only $4 on. The jackpot instantly became the highest progressive jackpot ever hit at the casino. It is also a sure bet that it will become a classic story and inspire many others to go for rich at casinos. Do you have to travel all the way to Oregon? Not at all. It can be done from home, for bets lower than $4 and jackpots as high as $5,693,620.07 (the progressive jackpot sum at River Belle Casino's Mega Moolah at time of writing this article). Visit the Money Train service where you can find the highest progressives of the moment and the casinos where they can be found.
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