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The supreme court in the US state of Kentucky has set Thursday October 22 as the date when it will hear oral arguments in Governor Steven Bashear's final appeal in a case that has pitted him against a collection of online gambling and civil liberties groups. Bashear lost a hearing at the Kentucky Court of Appeals in January, after the court said the state does not have the jurisdiction to seize online casinos' Internet domain names in order to stop them from operating in the state. Poker Players Alliance chief John Pappas said at the time that the ruling was a "tremendous victory for Internet freedom." Kentucky had shortlisted 141 domains for seizure, including PokerStars, two bingo sites and some major sports betting sites. Leading the case against Bashear in court is the Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association. iMEGA lost a case last week before a US appeals court in which it claimed anti-gambling laws were too vague, unconstitutional and infringed on individuals' rights to privacy. However, the organization said the ruling showed some glimmer of hope as it indicated the issue was one of state - rather than federal jurisdiction. The Poker Players Alliance, Interactive Gaming Council, American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy & Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Internet Commerce Association, eBay and Network Solutions, have joined iMEGA in the suit.
Conference delegates eager to pick up some hot marketing strategies for the online gaming industry will benefit from Ayre's depth of entrepreneurial experience. He proved to be exceedingly successful in expanding a business and a brand. With as little as $10,000 in his pocket, Ayre built Bodog into a multi-million dollar global empire and easily one of the most recognisable brands in the industry. By late 2006, bodog.com was being hailed as the largest online gaming site for traffic. However, after selling the online gaming business to the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group, Ayre appeared to have vanished. It turned out that this couldn't be further from the truth as we now know that during this time he had been developing a renewed vision of the Bodog brand - the global rights to which he had apparently ingeniously retained. He had instead chosen to simply licence the use of the Bodog brand to various operators. Ayre now spends his time searching for potential Bodog brand licensees. Under this new 'franchise' model the Bodog gaming experience is available to players around the globe from individual operators who bring their own regional knowledge and expertise to their respective markets. There is some speculation regarding the reasons behind Ayre's emergence from seclusion. A new Bodog brand licensee has recently been secured for a Bodog-branded poker network and there are rumours circulating that Ayre will reveal who will head this latest venture at the conference.
Online casinos provide players with some of the most exhilarating games imaginable. Everything from your favourite Marvel comics superheroes to pulse-pounding action stars blazing a trail across screens every day. And to whom do we owe this pleasure? Online gaming software At first glance, players are unlikely to recognize the many industry leaders in the online gaming software department. Upon closer inspection, names such as PlayTech, Microgaming, CryptoLogic, Dynamite Idea, 888 and Evolution Gaming spring to mind. These are the power players in the online casino industry. They provide the tools that give life to the games we so thoroughly enjoy. CryptoLogic and Marvel have an agreement in place whereby the software gaming giant will continue to provide the platform for Marvel online games. PlayTech and Microgaming are industry leaders - releasing a multitude of games every year that often become industry hits with their diverse gaming audience. Popular online casinos such as Jackpot City and Lucky Nugget utilise Microgaming software. PlayTech too has a faithful following including William Hill Casino Club. What the software provides? Among others, the software allows for a reputable name to be associated with the online casino. Players often look for the gaming software provider when they are evaluating the reputation of an online casino. Random Number Generators (RNG) are the tools that allow for casino, slots and card games to provide players a fair chance while gaming. This is part of the mandate entrusted to the online gaming software providers.
Billionaire Bodog founder Calvin Ayre has said in an interview that the 2006 sale of his company to the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group led him to later realize the effectiveness of Bodog as a brand name in its own right. Speaking during an exclusive interview with Perspectives Weekly's JTodd that went online this week, Ayre said that he unintentionally retained the right to the Bodog brand and technology after making the sale, and realized later while in Antigua that the model was effective in other jurisdictions. He said the subsequent branding deals with Bodog Europe and Bodog Asia, and another branding deal for a global poker network due to announced in September, were an example of a global branding entity licensing brands that all positively reinforce each other. He also hinted that Latin America would be the brand's next target region. Asked by JTodd about that 2005 Forbes interview in which the then rising star was quoted as saying "Catch me if you can," Ayre denied actually saying those exact words but said it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. "Actually I said pretty much the exact opposite. At that time my position was that we were a mainstream entertainment company who happened to be in online gaming...I think they just did that to make the article more attractive," he said, adding that it might have given him some "street cred." Originally founded in Canada in 1994 as an online gaming company, the now Antigua-based Bodog licensing group licenses the brand to the Mohawk group, Bodog Europe and to an Asian brand, the latter through an agreement with the Philippines-based Haydock Sports.
Microgaming, the world's largest online gaming software provider, is launching three new feature-rich themed video slots and one new installment to the popular Level-Up Video Poker series. Since Microgaming's launch over a decade ago, it has grown to become a leader in the industry with reliable and innovative gaming solutions. Microgaming now is responsible for providing software to over 160 online gaming sites including JackpotCity Casino and Platinum Play Casino. Its unrivalled R&D program has led to the creation of over 350 games, multi-player and multi-language all. Become a contestant on Scoop the Cash, a game-show themed slot, to taste the high life and be in the running to win big rewards. This is a five reel, 25 payline, multi-featured slot game with plenty of multipliers and Free Spins, Wilds, two Scatters and a fat bonus for added excitement and entertainment. Dust off your magic carpet and escape on a voyage of discovery with Jewels of the Orient. This is a five reel, nine payline video slot game that also offers players a glittering array of rewards that come in the form of gold, priceless gems and treasure chests. It's feature rich with Wilds, Scatters, Free Spins and Multipliers and a series of second screen bonus offers. Join a team of tree-felling felines on a pine plantation on Lumber Cats. This is a five reel, 20 payline video slot with vibrant graphics. It's an innovative combination of traditional slot action and winning features that offer prizes and free re-spins aplenty. You can double or even quadruple your winnings with the Gamble feature when you predict the right color and suit. Double Joker Poker Level-Up is the latest edition in the Multi-Level Power Poker series and is guaranteed to keep you occupied for hours as you climb a series of levels with increasing multiplier rewards for each victory. After each win, you progress to the next level and the higher you progress, the greater the money you stand to win. It's possible to win eight times the amount of your original bet!
Logging on to your preferred online casino brings with it many interesting possibilities - not least of which is the quality of your online gaming experience. Online slots are a fine case in point. These hi-tech games are governed by random number generators (software programs) and a dazzling array of audio/visual components. This is where players are lured into the mesmerizing ambience of online slots gaming. There isn't a successful online slots machine which doesn't make use of powerful software to enhance its features. This includes the traditional sounds of brick and mortar casinos in the background. Those hypnotic beeps, chimes and jingles are the staples of the gambling arena. And it's those dazzling visual effects and realistic animation that locks our attention on the games. Preparing your computer for optimal performance Naturally the better your PC or laptop's components, the more effective the software will run on your system. Slots' gaming is 100% dependent on the realistic sounds and visuals. Top-notch sound cards will amp up your system's performance no end, but a graphics card will allow the superior gaming software to play effortlessly on your computer. This is where players should be aiming in order to get the most out of their favorite online slots. It's helpful to remember that slots are configured with audio tracks - so players are reminded to remember their headphones and sound cards. Back to business Once your Audio/Visual settings have been set, there's nothing but the game to enjoy. Software gaming giants like Playtech and Microgaming are chief contributors to the high standards of online gaming. By the end of play it's the wagering volumes and aesthetic appeal of the games that makes it all worthwhile. Themed animations are increasingly popular and outdated PCs certainly don't offer much comfort. There can be no doubt that it's the flash or java animations that seal the deal. These avatars and creative graphics are the lifeblood of online slots games. These are the driving forces of the Unit and indeed the gaming ahead.
This week, the well-respected online gaming affiliate program operators, Brightshare, celebrated their tenth anniversary with finesse, by scooping the eCOGRA Affiliate Trust Seal. The champagne was flowing in recognition of not only ten years spent establishing a flourishing and successful affiliate program, but in being acknowledged as a first class operator. eCOGRA for Operators The internationally recognized eCOGRA seal, already commonly used by site operators, only recently broadened its scope to affiliate service providers. Brightshare had to demonstrate their achievement of best practice as set out in the newly designed operator standards. These include accurate affiliate revenue calculation, prompt payments, clear communication and tight controls in place to verify the link between players and affiliates. Overall the seal promotes the highest professional requirements and endorses Brightshare as a responsible operator. To retain the seal, Brighshare will have to undergo regular monitoring and annual audit reviews. Growing Numbers of Affiliates Welcome New Seal After congratulating Brighshare on their high levels of efficiency, eCOGRA CEO Andrew Beveridge said that the credibility of the seal was attracting a growing number of applicants. It's not only status that operators are seeking; punters are becoming increasingly aware of the seal and are using this to aid their online casino selection, so the seal can actually attract new customers. Lloyd Apter, affiliate manager for BrightShare, said, "eCOGRA has provided BrightShare with a valuable level of confidence that our program can and does meet the highest industry standards." Brightshare Bask in Success Brightshare are only the third affiliate group to win the seal. They work exclusively with the Jackpot Factory group and have managed to strike a great balance in satisfying both their client and affiliates - with such successful online casinos as All Slots Casino and online bingo halls such as All Bingo Club.
It may come as a bit of a shocker to Americans, but the infamous UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act) of 2006 does not prohibit players from enjoying online casinos.What does the UIGEA do then?Simply put, the UIGEA is an Act passed in 2006 which prohibits American online casinos, from offering their services to Americans.The wording is really important here. Because Americans have not been prohibited from gaming at online casinos the burden has been placed on online casino operators. Or rather on payment processors.In essence, the UIGEA prevents online casinos in the USA from accepting deposits through payment processors from Americans.Is there a way around it?Because Americans have not been prevented from online gaming, the online casinos have been resourceful enough to legally circumvent some of the rigid laws in effect.For the most part, many online casinos simply stopped offering their services to Americans. This is due to the difficulty of finding a reliable payment processor which can process deposits and withdrawals.The onus has clearly been placed upon online casinos and resourceful payment processing companies to team up and find the legal ways of engaging their American players.There is a great deal of optimism around with the new Florida Governor's pro-gaming stance, Representative Barney Frank's doggedness in overturning the UIGEA and Barack Obama's liberal Presidency.All cards are on the table, so to speak.
Perennial contenders the New England Patriots are back in familiar territory, starting the 2009/10 season as favorite to win Super Bowl XLIV. With champion quarterback Tom Brady back in the side after missing a year through injury, the Pats are strong 9/2 favorites with all major bookmakers to make up for the disappointment of the last two seasons, in which they lost out on the ultimate success after being raging favorites at the beginning. In a season that appears set to be dominated by one side of the draw, the Patriots' main challengers will be fellow AFC teams San Diego and Pittsburgh. The Patriots face their first challenge, and Brady his first down since injury, Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. Odds Runner-Ups The Chargers enter the season 8/1 at both William Hill and Paddy Power to win the Super Bowl, and 9/1 at Ladbrokes, while the defending champion Steelers are 8/1 at William Hill, 9/1 at Paddy Power and 10/1 at Ladbrokes. William Hill is still offering the most generous odds for the next batch of contenders, the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, who are both 14/1 for the title. The NFC East is shaping up as the league's tightest division, as the five-time champion Dallas Cowboys are also within the first few lines of betting, currently listed as 16/1 at William Hill and Ladbrokes. With around a dozen teams hovering around the 20/1 mark and stronger, another slip up or injury problems on New England's part will blow the season wide open to a whole array of contenders. Least Favorite At the other end, the Detroit Lions seem to the longest shot, with odds as long as 200/1 at Ladbrokes.
Smart Live has addressed concerns about the "suspension of its online casino affiliate program," following various media reports that the program has been shut down. Reports that the program was being shut down were published all over gambling news websites last week, leading to some confusion about the future of the program. Smart Live Affiliates commented on the OCR article shortly after, in which it clarified that the program was not being canceled, but rather was suspending the program for at least a couple of months. The company added that existing affiliates would continue to receive commissions on each player they direct to the site. "We are honoring our lifetime revenue commissions and have no intention to renege on this. It is just that whilst we are sorting out the issues affiliates will not be able to view statistics," the company said, adding that it would be ready to offer an increased rate of 40 percent commission on net revenues in the first two months after the program is relaunched. As for blaming Income Access ongoing technical issues, no further comment was made.
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