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Leading off the November update is news from Australia, where the government has formed a special group that has been tasked with cracking down on foreign gambling operators serving Australian residents. The group could pursue a strategy of blocking web access to gambling sites through the co-operation of internet services providers. Malaysia to Block Access to Online Gambling News reports have emerged to clarify that the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will use all of the laws at its disposal to prevent Malaysian residents from accessing online gambling sites. Currently, information is still being gathered by the MCMC. Sports Betting the Leading Light in France Incredibly, the gross profits of sports betting increased by 94% in France during Q3 of 2014. French regulatory body ARJEL released figures showing that stakes increased by 35% in Q3 2014 from the same period during 2013. In contrast, ARJEL has revealed that online poker and horse racing are struggling. At present, there are no immediate plans for legislative change in France. New Operator Licenses Coming to Spain Spain’s Directorate General for the Regulation of Gambling (DGOJ) is considering the introduction of new online gambling licenses in an attempt to stimulate activity in the nation’s struggling economy. Online gambling revenue decreased by 6% between Q2 of 2013 and 2014, so the DGOJ could respond by awarding 10 to 12 new licenses. Mexico Finally Agrees to Legislative Change A legislative agreement determining the future of gambling in Mexico appears to at last be a few weeks away, having been held up in discussions that went on long past the initial 20 September deadline. Alongside online gambling parameters, the legislation will also target organised crime groups and seek to award 10-year licenses to operators. Romania Could Open Up Market A legal proposal to open up the online gambling market of Romania is currently being discussed by the Romanian parliament. The proposal is seeking to introduce three licensing classes to distinguish between the varied operators of online gambling. No changes are expected to be ratified until presidential elections have been held in November. UK Gambling Act Finally Implemented After enduring a month of delay, brought about by legal action, the Gambling Commission was at last able to implement the updated Gambling Act. From 1 November 2014, all gambling operators serving the UK market will be subject to the legal requirements of the Gambling Commission – not just the operators licensed in the UK.
Last month, the European Commission (EC) referred Sweden to the European Court of Justice, Europe's highest court, under the claim that Sweden's rules regarding organization and promotion of online betting were inconsistent with EU law. This move by the EC was unprecedented as no similar action was taken in the past against an EU member in regards to its online gambling legislation policies. History of Problems Sweden's problematic gambling laws and the tackle with the EC trace back to 2007 when the country was first asked to amend its betting laws and open its betting market to non-Swedish companies, a request which was refused by Sweden in August of that year. Years of communications about the subject culminated in November 2013 when the EC asked Sweden to align its regulatory frameworks with the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU and its fundamental freedoms. The EC allowed Sweden to have regulated online gambling in its national border but only if the rules having to do with online gambling in the country were in line with EU law. Legalized Monopoly and Promises While the initial deadline for compliance was two weeks, Sweden has repeatedly extended it under the claim that it needed more time because it was working on changing the laws as requested, but the great patience by the EC was depleted with the legal action. According to the EC, Swedish authorities have a very loose grip on the subject of online gambling: Specific criticism is aimed towards Svenka Spel, a domestic online poker operator which is essentially a monopoly, due to being the only licensed operator. It will be interesting to see what happens next now with EC referring to court, as the outcome could also have long range implications for online gaming regulation in other EU member states.
Berlin's Olympiastadion is the venue today for Hertha Berlin's match against Hannover 96 (7:30pm UK time). Hertha Berlin's Proving Grounds Hertha Berlin really needs three points today: The team has had a lackluster beginning to the season, losing five matches out of the ten they've had this season, winning only two and drawing three. Berlin is currently positioned 14 at 11 points in the table with a lacking goal difference of -4. One thing that's working for Hertha is the fact that they've lost only once in their home ground and are currently on a run of three consecutive victories at Berlin. They will have to recover from Sunday's 3-1 loss to newcomers SC Paderborn 07. Hertha needs a win and a lot of goals and will depend on the likes of striker Salomon Calou who was good lately who will be aided by Ronny, Scheiber and attacking midfielder Ben-Hatira who should be returning from an injury. Hannover 96 Looking for a Win Hannover 96 is positioned sixth in the Bundesliga table with 16 points to their name (5w, 1d, 4l). The team had more problems in away games than in home ones but they've managed to get out of a rut of three consecutive defeats and get into the Bundesliga's top six with victories over Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. Hannover's goal difference is -4 and they've only scored 7 times in 11 games, opposed to Hertha's 15. Yet, the team is currently better than Hertha all things considered and they but they are up against a motivated Hertha Berlin at home. In-play Betting Today's match is sure to draw many punters and it is getting full coverage at online bookie Winner Sports. Winner offered 1/1 on Hertha, 13/5 on Hannover and 23/10 for a draw in full time result odds. Log-in today for over 95 pre-match and in-play bets for this fixture.
Although online gambling was made legal in Romania in December 2010, delays due to the lack of a monitoring third party meant that no legal online gambling could happen in the country for several years after the legislation had passed. 2013 came with another ray of sunshine on the matter but the regulations remain less than ideal. Now, a new legislative proposal has been submitted and is currently under debate. The decision is expected to be made soon after the Presidential elections are complete in November this year and early responses indicate a positive look on legalizing online gambling and licensing operators in Romania. Three Classes of Licenses According to the proposal, there will be three different classes for the licenses operators will need to offer remote gambling in the country. The first one is for remote gambling operators and will have fees based on the turnover registered from Romanian customers. The second class is mostly for legal persons that work in the remote gambling field and the third type of license is mostly aimed at the local operator that offers remote lottery, the Romanian Lottery. While the duration of a license is now set for 5 years, the proposal is looking into expanding it to 10 years and the taxes and fees for player revenues are also being considered. Potential Revenue for Romania Players from Romania can now very easily access most of the online gambling options provided by reliable operators, and this includes casino games, poker, sports betting and bingo. However, since the government does not locally regulate the industry, the country is missing out on the revenue that would result from the license fees. There are no licenses for online gambling issued in the country so far and the current form of the law proposal aims to change that in the near future. If online gambling is legalized in Romania, players will have a safer gaming environment available on the internet.
The New Jersey online gambling market has been growing steadily since first receiving legalisation in 2013. While Donald Trump’s high profile online casino enterprise has already failed, there are still many other operators with something to offer. One of the latest is Caesars Online Casino, a new site with a New Jersey license and where it is safe for residents to play. Online casinos accepting US players are slowly but surely increasing, and this addition represents yet more expansion for the market. Proven Pedigree US online casino players have a limited selection of sites outside of New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware. At least now, though, residents of the Garden State can go to Caesars Casino. As for pedigree, the site is run by the world-famous Caesars Interactive Entertainment brand. This is an operator with years of experience running such sites, so that should count in the favour of Caesars. Software Platform Licensed NJ online casinos need to be at the top of their game in this highly competitive market. Key to succeeding in the market is to ensure that the software and game selection is of a high standard. Caesars Casino has implemented a gaming platform developed by Amaya Gaming. Players will have a large selection of table games at their disposal, including variants of baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and video poker. Slots are also provided by IGT, further helping to expand the game selection. Rewarding Loyalty Caesars Casino is aiming to satisfy New Jersey players for the long run, with the site set up to provide VIP rewards in exchange for loyalty. By spending time playing games, it is possible for registered users to generate credits and climb through the four tiers of the VIP scheme. The rewards will be discounts at Caesars Casino gift shops and in hotel rooms as well.
Anfield stadium will be the venue for a great meeting today between home team Liverpool and the unstoppable Chelsea (12:45pm UK time). Chance for Liverpool Liverpool is positioned seventh in the Premier League table with 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses. The team has won just once in its last five games in all competitions – this emphasizes just how much they need this win today. Boss Brendan Rodgers rested seven players from Liverpool's starting eleven when they went to Madrid and lost 1-0 to Real, showing the seriousness of the man at the helm for today's game. Liverpool has also got a bill to settle with Chelsea: Reaching last season's deciding moments the Blues beat Liverpool at Anfield, blowing open the championship race and ultimately taking it away from the Reds. Test for Chelsea Chelsea is currently leading the Premier League table at 26 points with a clean sheet, winning 6 games and drawing only two. While they've beaten Arsenal, their two draws came against the two Manchesters, and the question for today is whether the magic will keep working against Liverpool and away from home. Boss Jose Mourinho is equipped with a great arsenal with playmakers such as Cesc Fabregas and two big goalscorers, Eden Hazard with eight goals to his name this season and Diego Costa with nine. Chelsea had a disappointing game against Maribor in the Champions League on Wednesday which saw them off with a 1-1 draw, when Hazard missed a penalty shot. Bet Live This fixture has a strong potential for game of the season and as such it is attracting a lot of attention and punters. Online bookie bet365 will be at the forefront of wagering action for this game, offering pre-match and in-play markets. In full time result bet365 offered 23/10 on Liverpool, 11/10 on Chelsea and 5/2 for a draw. Don't allow yourself to miss out on this one – log-in today, place a wager and enjoy English football's finest.
In 2012, Microgaming launched Max Damage and the Alien Attack, making it the first ever arcade-style game in the online gambling industry. The game was an instant success as countless players embarked on the mission that spanned nine levels and featured six lives in the attempt to defend planet Earth against the alien invasion. Now, Microgaming is ready to unveil the next chapter in the Max Damage story with the inter-galactic hero starring in a brand new online slot that will be released in November. Max Damage Online Slot The title has five reels, three rows and 243 ways to win that will surely give players more than enough options to make the most out of every spin. The theme remains similar to the original and the 80s arcade style will continue to be represented in great detail. Furthermore, the updated and vibrant animations will make sure that Max Damage is fairly represented in all its glory as he fights off the alien attack. Even the soundtrack has a retro style that goes very well with the overall old-school feel about the online slot. Special Features Max Damage also acts as the Wild symbol on the spinning reels and it can be stacked three times in order to send the winnings rocketing towards the sky. Free spins are granted when three or more scatter symbols stop on the screen and these also come with a multiplier to increase the generated winnings. During the free spins, an alien spaceship can stop on any of the reels and thus force Max Damage to enter the fight and destroy the enemy; while of course leaving the spoils of war for the player. The official launch date for the Max Damage online slot was November 5th and it will quickly make its way to the top online casinos powered by Microgaming and Quickfire. Look for the game at All Slots Casino, BETAT Casino, and bet365 Casino.
Recently reviewed by Online Casino Reports, Lucky 247 Casino is a new addition to our site. Below are some of the things that this casino brings to players' tables which we specifically liked. Microgaming Powered Lucky 247 Casino is powered by software leader Microgaming, and as such it offers players some 250 games from the company. There's a lot of variation in the game categories with traditional video slots, table games, video pokies and scratch cards. Of course, Microgaming's big-time jackpots are all in attendance with names like Mega Moolah, Treasure Nile and Major Millions. New Microgaming games are added to Lucky 247's collection as soon as they're released like the highly-anticipated Game of Thrones slot which will hit the casino the moment it releases come December. Games are also available via mobile with support for iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices. Offers and Loyalty Lucky 247 Casino's promotion page is abound with offers which are constantly updated to abide with seasons, months, and holidays. Lucky 247 Casino's loyalty club also deserves a mention - it's built on a 5-tier VIP system mainly centered on bonus credits and loyalty points for redeeming. Lucky 247 also keeps players in the loop with a dedicated "news" section. Security and Support Lucky 247 Casino bears eCOGRA's Safe & Fair seal of approval, publishing a monthly percentage payout report which shows the relation between the casino's total profits and how much is won by the players. In September 2014, Lucky 247 Casino had a 95.00% percentage on all games, while in August it had 96.45% and 97.69% in July. Lucky 247 is also big on support, its staff available to players 24/7 via e-mail, live chat, phone and even Skype. We can safely recommend Lucky 247 Casino. Check our more in-depth review and to the casino itself.
BetSoft Gaming was the first to introduce 3D cinematic graphics to the world of online slots and it continues to increase its special collection with brand new titles. The latest video slot to be added to the Slots3 Arcade list is called Mega Gems and it takes a simple theme to the next level. Mechanics and Symbols Mega Gems has five reels, three rows and ten paylines. As the name would suggest, the slot is all about precious gems and these are represented in 3D details on the reels, with nice animations for when they are part of a winning combination. The futuristic background and the design for the interface make it a very modern casino game and the attention to detail is very impressive. The overall feel of the game given by the design and the sound make Mega Gems a very calming slots game that can easily make for an exciting win with the right combination of symbols. Features and Progressive Jackpot The features are quite simple and the main one is the Expanding Wild that can take up an entire reel. Every time the polychrome Wild symbol stops on the screen, the reel it was on is transformed into a large Wild and allows for bigger winning combos. After the Wild Reel is played, Mega Gems offers a Free Spin to keep the winning streak going; thus making it possible for a chain of Wilds and Free Spins. Every bet will count towards the Progressive Jackpot that is worth several tens of thousands of dollars. The Jackpot symbol takes up three spots on the reel and they need to be matched just right for the growing jackpot to be awarded to the winner. Mega Gems can be found at the leading online casinos powered by BetSoft Gaming, such as bet365 Casino, Vera and John Casino and Casino Extra.
Online casinos often times look to add something different to their offers and not just have the regular deposit bonuses available. Lately it has become quite popular for some of the big brands to put up paid vacations to exotic locations that players can win by simply doing what they do best, betting on the games. Ladbrokes is one of the leaders in this regard as it recently set up on a mission to send players to the 7 Wonders of the World. Every month, one lucky player and a guest will be able to go to one of the popular landmarks with Ladbrokes taking care of everything. Christ the Redeemer Rio de Janeiro is the location chosen for the month of November and the winner will be able to visit the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. Of course, the prize package includes more than just a visit to one of the 7 wonders of the world and it actually lasts for one whole week, with paid hotel accommodations, spending money and business class flight tickets. Travel the World Each of the seven wonders is a must-see for everyone but not many actually get to see them and this is one of the things that make it a great idea from Ladbrokes. The popularity of the landmarks should be more than enough to get the action going and if this month’s destination is not ideal, there are more to look forward to. The other wonders of the world are the Coliseum in Italy, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Machu Picchu in Peru. The draw for Brazil will take place on December 1st and players have plenty of time to earn their tickets until then.
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