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The Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets have banned gambling on team flights in the wake of the sage involving star point guard Gilbert Arenas, but several other teams have said they will not follow suit. The issue of gambling amongst NBA players hit the headlines after it was revealed that Arenas had brought guns into the Wizards' locker room following a dispute over debts from card games. Arenas has been suspended indefinitely by the club. While the National Football League has banned players from gambling while on team business, the NBA allows each club to set its own policy, something it reaffirmed in a statement following the Arenas incident. The Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers have already said that they will not restrict card games amongst players, citing the fact that players use it as a release from the pressures of professional basketball. Suns' general manager Steve Kerr summed up this view, saying that player gambling was not a concern. "Our guys play cards, and it's a big part of what they do in terms of bonding, relaxing and having fun. We don't have high-stakes games... I would never take that away from them," he was quoted as saying by USA Today.
The NFL wild card matches are over, and after a few surprises along the way, there are now just eight teams left in the running to win Super Bowl XLIV. In the AFC, Super Bowl favorite Indianapolis (5/2 at Ladbrokes to win the NFL championship) are uncrackable favorites to get by the conference's lowest playoff seed, Baltimore. Ladbrokes are offering 12/5 odds on the Ravens to cause the mother of all upsets, while Indi are steady at 10/29. In the other AFC match-up, the league's second best regular season team, the San Diego Chargers, are also heavily favored to get through their match on the weekend. The Chargers are 5/18 to end the dream run of wild card the New York Jets, who are 3/1 to win that match. In the NFC, the matchups appear slightly harder to call, although unsurprisingly the odds are in favor of the home sides. Minnesota, 20/29, host Dallas, 5/4, while in the early game on Saturday, New Orleans, 1/3, are predicted to be too strong for Arizona, 5/2. William Hill betting odds for the Super Bowl winner are as follows: Indianapolis, 11/4, San Diego, 10/3, New Orleans, 7/2, Dallas Cowboys, 6/1, Minnesota, 7/1, Arizona, 12/1, Baltimore, 14/1, and the New York Jets, 16/1. The Super Bowl will take place at Miami's Dolphin Stadium on February 7.
Good news from Estonia. The government of Estonia has approved the legalization of online gambling, reversing a previous law that banned servers located in the tiny Baltic state from hosting gambling. Under the previous regulations, sites could only be located on servers located outside the country. Offshore sites will now be blocked for the time being, but according to the Estonia Free Press that condition will be lifted in 2011 to low competition from both local and foreign online gambling operators. Some Estonians, including poker professional Imre Leibold, have said the market would be forced to open or the country would lose gambling businesses. "The possibility that online poker gaming could be restricted is not good news for us," Leibold told Estonian newspaper the Baltic Times. "If things get tough, one may have to consider moving residence or start working abroad like Estonian builders in Finland." As in other countries, the government made the changes after coming to the realization that gambling could be used to increase state revenue. Sites that provide services to Estonians will now be required to buy a license, and in addition will be charged a 5 percent sales tax. Like Germany and France, Estonia's about-face makes it the latest European Union country to ignore EU regulations requiring member states to accept each other's gambling regulations. Meanwhile, neighboring Lithuania is also reportedly planning new laws that would see it legalize and regulate Internet gambling. Land-based gambling was legalized in the former Soviet state in 2001. Learn more about the online gambling choices in Estonia at the local version of Online Casino Reports Estonia.
Hellboy is the latest addition to Microgaming's spectacular range of superhero characters. The mighty Hellboy, a product of Dark Horse Comics which appeared through the years in multiple DVDs, films and comic books, can now be played at JackpotCity Casino and other Microgaming powered casinos.5 reels and 20 paylinesThe growing popularity of video slots has created a niche market for iconic comic book heroes. The Hellboy craze is in full swing and prominent characters in Liz Sherman, Johann Krause, Professor Trevor Brutenholm, Abe Sapien, and a host of others are led by their fearless leader the hard-handed, de-horned demon, Hellboy.Innovation and qualityMicrogaming has long been at the forefront of hi-tech quality gaming. With the addition of Hellboy, Microgaming is cementing its place in the software gaming walk of fame with yet another fine winner.Dark Horse Comics too is thrilled to have the Microgaming brand associated with its popular hero. Microgaming will be keeping the legacy of this mega-hero alive with their exciting online video slot game.Hyped gameThe hype around the game is succeeded only by the quality of the game itself. Hellboy features Wild and Scatter symbols, a stellar Underworld Bonus feature and the inimitable Chamber of Fire where players will be rewarded by the Relic of Power. But there's more in Free Spins and a powerful Supermode feature too.Players of the Hellboy video slot can enjoy the Gamble feature where winnings get multiplied if the correct card colour or suit is predicted. With an affordable betting range and some of the biggest jackpots in the business, this is one superhero video slot that is going to have players wanting for more.
The keynote speakers at the annual London Affiliate Conference (LAC) were announced over the weekend by event organizers, iGB Affiliates. The event will be held on 29-30 January. It will be its fourth year running. Speaker #1 (in no particular order) Jez San, the founder of PKR, was the person behind the first 3D graphic chip for Nintendo. San is also the first person ever to receive an OBE for services to the computer game industry; that's a lot of "firsts." At LAC, the renowned gaming innovator will share his thoughts on game offerings, attempts to innovate and the end user experience. Speaker #2 (in no particular order) Traditionally in such events only one keynote session is scheduled. But for this year's event, the organizers have managed another session. Microsoft's latest brand, Bing, will be represented by Cedric Chambaz and Adam Goodman. They will discuss with the webmasters in the crowd the right online marketing tools needed to survive in an online world. Video highlights Online Casino Reports will be at the event to film these sessions and others. Subscribe to our YouTube channel - or embed it on your own website - and watch for LAC highlights.
Figures just out show the value of advocacy in the gambling arena and highlight the role of mediation in the resolution of disputes. eCOGRA is the online fair and responsible gaming advocate that works with players, operators and affiliates. In a statement this week, Tex Rees, the eCOGRA Fair Gaming Advocate, announced that almost 50 percent of the disputes she mediated were resolved in favor of the player. The Nitty Gritty Rees' figures cover the 141 online gambling websites accredited and monitored by the independent organisation. The relatively low number of disputes stemming from endorsed online casinos demonstrates the benefits of playing at eCOGRA's approved sites. Rees commented that there were "an average of 0.37 issues per site per month, a minute increase over the 2008 number of 0.36. That remains an industry-leading disputes statistic by any standards." 2009 saw a 10% increase in disputes compared to the previous year, although this same figure relates to complaints about non-eCOGRA approved operators. The main issues under dispute were cash-ins (46%), bonuses (22%) and locked accounts (19%). Of the issues mediated, 48% favored the player. A Key Industry Role eCOGRA has build up extremely positive relationships within the industry and is well placed to act as an intermediary. Says Rees, "Once again I found operators quick to respond and fully cooperative in addressing the mediated disputes." eCOGRA are a London-based player protection and standards organisation that provides an international framework for best operational practice requirements, which are enforced through inspections and reviews, and continuous monitoring. OCR Honored! Earlier this month Online Casino Reports were proud to receive the eCOGRA Reputable Portal seal, endorsing the site's quality content and commitment to fair play and customer service.
Ladbrokes Chief Executive, Christopher Bell as announced that he will be stepping down from his £2 million a year post in the summer. The decision follows a disastrous end to 2009 which saw over £30 million fall in operating profits being reported from July to September 2009. The poor performance was blamed on a barren start to the Premiership, which lacked draws and therefore favored punters. Other catalysts, which left major shareholders disgruntled, are considered to be their heavily discounted £275 million rights issue and the scrapping of dividends due at the end of 2009. Shareholders have increasingly been muttering to the Board over Ladbroke's £962m net debts and inability to achieve share performance at the level of rival bookmakers. Parting Words Peter Erskine, Chairman of Ladbrokes statement reads: "Chris Bell has made an invaluable contribution to the growth and development of Ladbrokes during his 20 years with the Company... The Board is currently engaged in the search for a new Chief Executive to fully capitalize on Ladbrokes' brand strength and position the Company for a new era of profitable growth." Bell himself gave an upbeat statement: "Ladbrokes is a great company. I have been privileged to be its Chief Executive for nine years and I am proud of all that we have achieved in that time. I look forward to doing all I can to support the Company during this period of transition." A New Start for 2010 Ladbrokes are now headhunting a replacement for Bell and are actively searching for someone who can improve the company's performance and reduce their debts. All bets are now on for the new man in Bell's shoes.
The new Hellboy slot game was launched on January 14, as reported on the site. Only 4 days have passed and a player has already won a handsome sum, raising the excitement surrounding the game even higher. Licensed from Dark Horse Comics, the game is themed after the comic book, featuring Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, Johann Krause, and other iconic characters. Hellboy, naturally, leads this terrific cast. The Microgaming game was won by a player on January 18 at the GoWild Casino for a total of $47,500. A rather new Microgaming online casino - Go Wild Casino was launched in February 2009 - it has benefitted a lot from such new game releases, and certainly by positive publicity every time players win such prizes. Hellboy can be played at JackpotCity Casino, where players receive a €25 bonus for joining, and can play any of hundreds of Microgaming casino games. And remember, the top prize that can be won playing the Hellboy slot game is a full £92,000 jackpot. Good luck!
The increasing sophistication of technology can transform a once helpful tool into an unfair advantage. Microgaming's use of data mining on its Poker Network is a case in point and highlights the lengths that operators have to go to ensure fair play. An Unfair Edge Data mining is an online poker tool that stores hand histories from observed tables on players' computers. It was intended as a means of analyzing playing strategies and individual players' weaknesses. However, as technology becomes ever more refined, the development of intelligent third party software has seen the data being used more strategically and giving those that use it added edge at the table. Andrew Clucas, Head of Poker at Microgaming Software Systems commented, "Concern has been rising over the long-term effect of third party software upon the poker industry as a whole, and in particular the negative effect it has on the recreational player demographic. The decision to put a stop to the practice of datamining on the Poker Network is part of Microgaming's overarching network strategy to support operators in attracting and retaining recreational players. It further demonstrates commitment in providing a secure and fair playing environment." A Level Playing Field Microgaming software powers over 160 market-leading online gaming sites. Their decision to withdraw datamining should level out the playing field between talented amateurs and wily pros. The move will ultimately bring the sportsmanship back to the table and focus on the talents of individual players rather than the effectiveness of software tools that may be used. Says Clucas, "What we are trying to achieve is a more level playing field for all the players."
Aid has been pouring into the Caribbean nation of Haiti following last week's devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake, and online poker sites have displayed their socially conscious side by chipping in as well. The earthquake, which struck late in the afternoon on Tuesday January 12, has claimed at least 70,000 lives, and the death toll continues to climb. Aid has poured in from all corners of the globe as rescue teams and makeshift hospitals attend to the casualties, and the tiny country looks toward reconstruction. PokerStars has launched a new Haiti fund, the world's largest online poker room, has launched a special fund for Haiti, in the same manner as it did last February during the bushfires in the Australian state of Victoria. PokerStars will match every dollar transferred to the fund, with money being sent directly to the Red Cross. Rival poker room Full Tilt has also set up a fund in which it will match all money raised. The site has also created special "no play" tournaments in which prize money will go toward different charities aiding the relief effort in Haiti. Bodog founder Calvin Ayre donated to £10,000 to UK charity Oxfam, and has promised to match any further donations from the poker community to a total of up to $1 million. And plenty of poker professionals have reportedly made major donations too, including Annie Duke, Howard Lederer, who both used the opportunity to blast outspoken US religious leader Pat Robertson for comments in which he said Haitians were paying for their "pact with the devil."
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