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The Summit of iGaming in Malta (SiGMA) took place the weekend of November 8-9 at the Intercontinental Hotel, St. Julian’s. The summit brought together members of the iGaming community and included both international companies and those that operate in Malta. Hon. Chris Cardona and Hon. Jose Herrera took to the stage to present their opening speeches. They were followed by the LGA’s executive chairman Joseph Cuschieri who made a short presentation of the expectations the LGA has for the future. Nothing but Excitement at SiGMA The conference halls were bustling with activity, replete with a quality line-up of exhibitors. Veterans of the iGaming industry were comparing the excitement of SiGMA to larger conferences they had attended several years ago. Due to space restrictions, booths were situated close together but it seemed to create a cozier and more inviting atmosphere. This made it easier for delegates to travel from one booth to the next. SiGMA provided valuable information and networking opportunities to all in attendance especially smaller or newer companies that were ready to showcase and present their products. Affiliates at SiGMA SiGMA also hosted an affiliate conference with insightful speeches from leaders in the affiliate industry. These speeches and forums discussed the most popular topics in the online gaming industry. The organizer of the summit said that Malta is home to about 300 iGaming companies, and creating a conference like SiGMA has long been on the minds of C-level executives. The organizer went on to say that with the support and feedback of the Government of Malta and the LGA, SiGMA has been a rollicking success and will be held again next year with new features and exhibitions. Dennis Dhyr-Hansen, co-organizer of SiGMA said that he sees a lot of potential and hopes SiGMA will become an annual industry event.
Sun Palace Casino has upgraded its digital offering by providing full mobile support to its registered players. Making such an upgrade is now a pivotal step in the online casino market, as the average player now possesses a smartphone and/or a tablet device. Therefore, casino sites that provide the widest level of access have the most comprehensive offering. Real Time Gaming Like most of the online casinos in the market, Sun Palace receives its software from an external developer. In this instance, Real Time Gaming (RTG) is the provider that makes Sun Palace tick. After years of operation, RTG has established an international reputation for serving casino sites from all over the world. The ability of RTG to deliver mobile solutions will be of great benefit for Sun Palace and other RTG sites. Widespread Compatibility Smartphones and tablets are compatible over a broad range of mobile operating systems. Previously, casino software developers have concentrated their efforts on building dedicated apps for Android and Apple iOS users. Now, however, developers have widened their approach by developing mobile games for HTML5 browsers instead. This ensures that more users on more operating systems can access sites like Sun Palace devices. Mobile Operating Systems As expected, Sun Palace players with Android and Apple iOS devices will have access to the mobile site. And because of the browser-based design, this means that those with BlackBerry and Windows devices can also enjoy access. The all-inclusive design will see players access a dynamic interface that will adjust to suit their device. The Future is Mobile The sweeping growth of mobile devices and network infrastructure means that mobile gaming sites are the future of this market. As devices continue to improve, mobile will only grow in importance. Sun Palace has made a wise step in securing the long-term viability of its playing experience.
The results of a new research in the US show that there has not been an increase in problem gambling in the country in the past decade. These conclusions come in the face of allegations by anti iGaming proponents who warn that online gambling could and does lead to an increase in the number of problem gamblers. No Significant Change The study was conducted by Dr. John W. Welte and fellow scientists of the University at Buffalo Research Institute on Addictions (RIA). Dubbed "Problem Gambling – A Decade of Change" the study shows that there was no significant change in problem gamblers across the US in the last decade. "We compared results from two nationwide telephone surveys, conducted a decade apart. We found no significant increase in the rates of problem gambling in the U.S., despite a nationwide increase in gambling opportunities," said Dr. Welte. Fewer Gamblers in the US The nationwide survey was conducted via telephone interviews with questions about different betting activities. The results show that in the past decade, the number of Americans participating in gambling has dwindled. Compared to the research conducted a decade ago which showed a rate of 82.2 who participated in gambling, the numbers went down to 76.9 in 2011-2013. Similarly, the number of Americans who participated in a gambling activity at least once previous years has went down from 59.50 annual days to 53.7 days. Possible Explanations A possible explanation for the decrease of gamblers provided by Dr. Welte was the hit endured by casinos in the economic crisis of 2008. Welte also suggested that the change could be attributed to the 'theory of adaptation': "That while initial increases in exposure to gambling venues lead to increases in rates of problem gambling, a population will eventually adapt and further negative consequences will not continue," the researcher explained.
A landmark model of regulated gambling site is being unveiled in the Ontario Lottery after four years of development in Canada. The launch of the new PlayOLG marks the fifth fully regulated online state gambling platform. Large Pool of Players PlayOLG is currently available to upwards of 50,000 players of OLG’s Circle Rewards Program. Members of that program were emailed earlier this week for user feedback before the official launch. The state-sponsored site will open with a selection of slots and table games like video poker and roulette as well as standard lottery products. Further integration in the future will incorporate offerings of poker, bingo and sports betting, so that this lottery site is in effect set to become a full-scale regulated and state-sponsored iGaming online venue. This is the end of a long haul since Ontario's initial announcement of its intention to add state revenue via online gaming back in 2010 to address the budget deficit. Huge Grey Market Spurred Ontario Regulation Efforts The benefits have long appealed to a province in a country whose wide spaces and sparse population have given rise to a huge grey market customer base for online gambling. Canada as a country has traditionally turned a so-called blind eye to citizens gambling off shore in the grey market, but Ontario as a province is concerned about losing out on revenues as a result of this softened stance, estimating that half a million Ontarians were already gambling regularly on sites like PokerStars (owned by Toronto-based Amaya) to the tune of between $400 million to $500 million in lost gross revenues for the provincial authority. Despite the grey market popularity of gambling, Ontario spokesman Tony Bitoni cites OLG’s market research reflects a significant market for “trusted” government-regulated gaming as well. PlayOLG represents a site where users can trust that winnings will always be paid out, in the same manner that lottery tickets always are.
The Euro 2016 qualifiers return this weekend with some very intriguing games including Scotland's fixture against the Republic of Ireland, kicking off at Celtic Park in Glasgow today at 7:45pm UK time. Scotland Scotland is currently positioned fourth in Group D with 4 points: They were beaten 2-1 by Germany in the opener but managed to produce a really good show. Then the Scots proceeded to beat Georgia and went off a 2-2 draw against Poland after losing the lead by a late goal. All in all Scotland is in a good shape, faring well under the watch of Gordon Strachan. Scotland will hold to their home advantage today at Celtic Park: The team doesn't have any worrying injury problems and will go strong for this one as three points could be a very serious boost to their qualification chances. Ireland Ireland is in a good standing in Group D taking the second position with 7 points, Poland is ahead with the same amount of points by only one Goal Difference point. The Irish beat Georgia in the opening game, went on to thrash Gibraltar 7-0 and off with a 1-1 draw against Germany last month with a dramatic last minute goal by O'Shea. Estimating that Germany will beat the weak Gibraltar, three points for Ireland could be decisive here and the stats are definitely working for the "luck" of the Irish. Ireland won in the last two friendlies against Scotland in 2003 and 2011, managing to keep a clean sheet in both. Bet Live Winner Sports is covering all Euro 2016 qualifiers taking place today and tomorrow with in-play and pre-match betting markets. In full time results for this fixture Winner offered 13/10 on Scotland, 47/20 on Ireland and 15/4 for a draw. Tune-in Winner today for wagering action on this interesting encounter.
The 8th International Gaming Awards Ceremony is scheduled for February 2, 2015 at the celebrated Savoy Hotel in London. Alongside the deserved recognition of key operators and software developers from the online gambling industry, the International Gaming Awards (IGA) will also seek to earn donations in support for charity. Pivotal to that strategy will be the assistance of multi-award-winning casino site Mr Green. A Quality Partner Mr Green is a quality partner for a charitable event because of the online casino has made a concerted effort to ensure the wellbeing of its players since first being launched in Sweden in 2008. “Green Gaming” is a responsible gaming concept that allows for players to set strict limits on their deposits and wagering, helping to protect their finances. Raffle Prizes to Win The plan is for Mr Green to act as principal sponsor for the charitable branch of the event. To that end, Mr Green will be sponsoring the lavish raffle draw that has been scheduled. Attendees of IGA 2015 will hope to win some of the incredible prizes while also raising money for worthy causes. Prizes Under Wraps A key organiser of the upcoming awards, named Colin Thompson, is delighted that Mr Green is offering charitable assistance for the raffle. Outside of this initial announcement, Mr Thompson has been tight-lipped in regard to the prizes that will be won, only describing one as a “precious and an expensive commodity.” For anybody who is feeling impatient, Mr Thompson promised that the raffle details would be announced soon. Showcase Opportunity For nearly eight years now, established and upcoming gambling operators have been attending IGA ceremonies. In attendance in 2015 will be developers, guests, and judges. Speaking of judges, these individuals have been invited to share their opinions on products being showcased at IGA 2015.
Crazy Vegas Casino is known for its selection of games that exceeds 650 entries through the downloadable application. However, with online casinos focusing more and more on Instant Play games that don’t require any downloads and can be played right from the browser, Crazy Vegas has recently launched its new non-download platform which promises to make things a lot easier for players. Now, the select of games from Microgaming is just one click away, thus allowing users to start their favorite titles in a matter of seconds, rather than have to install the downloadable app. A Crazy Variety of Games The online casino is among the first to feature new releases from industry leading software provider Microgaming and its collection of hundreds of games also covers classic slots, table games, video poker, progressive jackpots and more. Even the background on the website changes with major titles and Crazy Vegas is really all about the games. In order to help celebrate the new Instant Play platform available, the online casino has also unveiled a new offer for joining customers that promises to make the amount more accessible to different types of players. Some of the games can also be played on mobile devices as the Crazy Vegas Mobile Casino can be started on iOS, Blackberry and Android devices by simply accessing the website from a smartphone or a tablet. Secure Banking Options An entire range of popular banking methods is available at Crazy Vegas Casino and all personal information is kept secure with the help of advanced 128-bit SSL encryption technology. The payment options are grouped based on country and generally include credit and debit cards from Visa and MasterCard, major web wallets like Skrill and Neteller and more. With instant deposit times and fast withdrawals, customers from different markets should have no issues with joining the online casino, playing the games on the browser and then cashing out the winnings.
Horse racing fans are looking at Cheltenham's Prestbury Park where the famed Cheltenham Open enters its second day. The Cheltenham Open is one of the major highlights in the British horse racing calendar, featuring three days of activities and many chases. Today marks the highlight of the three days, the Paddy Power Gold Cup Day, with the main race shooting off at 2:30pm UK time. Paddy Power Gold Cup The Paddy Power Gold Cup chase is run on Cheltenham's Old Course over a distance of about 2 miles and 4.5 furlongs (4,124 meters). Last year's total prize purse was £160,000 with jockey Richie McLernon and trainer Jonjo O'Neill taking £91,120 after their six year old Johns Spirit won. Johns Spirit, now one year older, was reported to be in tip-top shape ahead of the chase today. The horse had already shown its liking for Prestbury Park when it finished fourth of 23 in the Byrne Group Plate at the racecourse. Some tough competitors who could scoop the prize include the six year old Present View which had a very good racing year and the nine year old Oscar Whisky. bet365 Sports Coverage Online bookie bet365 is giving full coverage to the Cheltenham Open and it will broadcast the different races taking place today on Channel 4. Prices will constantly be updated and punters will be able to win risk free bets with the Channel 4/1 offer: Backing any single winner at 4/1 or more at a televised race will give the punter a risk free bet on the same stake for the next live televised race. Best Odds Guaranteed will also apply to all races, giving punters assurance that if the SP is bigger on their selection they will be paid out at the bigger odds. Don't miss out – enjoy a day at the races in bet365 Sports with a wager!
Star Games Casino mostly uses proprietary software along with titles from several major developers and this gives it a unique gaming offer that can’t be found anywhere else. In order to stay up to date with the latest improvements in online casino games, the list is constantly being updated with new titles and several exciting games have just been added - Plenty on Twenty, Golden Sevens, Gemstone Jackpots, and Spinderella. Over the course of the past few months, the desktop platform has seen more than just a handful of new additions to the offer and they came with tutorials that nicely presented them to all the players. The latest wave mostly focuses on the mobile platform and there are several games which must be checked out on a smartphone or a tablet. Four New Mobile Slots Now Available The mobile website for Star Games Casino can be accessed right away from both iOS and Android devices, without the need to download any additional applications. It only features a portion of the total gaming offer but the list has just gotten bigger with four new slot games. These are Plenty on Twenty from Novomatic which features a variety of classic slots elements like fruit, stars and the number seven with smiling faces and having fun on the reels, Golden Sevens from Greentube which is a bit more classical and features the standard fruit and seven symbols which are very popular among slot games, and two titles from Mazooma. Gemstone Jackpots is all about diamonds, rubies and other precious stones while awarding some large prizes and Spinderella offers a slots twist to the popular story of Cinderella while having elements from the magical night at the ball. More to Come Star Games Casino will continue to add games to its list and make sure that players always have something new to try out. Due to the recent changes in the regulations facing operators in the UK, the online casino can no longer accept players from this market.
Big prizes are part of the world of casino games and when there are hundreds of great titles available in one place, it is very common for players to cash in big. It only takes a bit of luck to turn a bet of a few dollars into a 5-figure payout and one lucky player managed to do this not one but two times in the same day. The location was Microgaming-powered Maple Casino and S.V.N. was enjoying one of his favorite slots when the symbols aligned to make for a significant prize. S.V.N. then switched to another popular game and it seemed that Lady Luck was still around as another large prize was added to his account following a successful spin. $28,099 on Fish Party The online video slot with an aquatic theme is known for its calm gaming environment with fish and creatures from the depths. It has five reels and 243 ways to win with various special features, such as wilds, scatters, free spins with multipliers and more. S.V.N. was having fun and relaxing with the game when the symbols aligned just right and generate a magnificent win worth $28,099. $10,883 on Girls with Guns: Jungle Heat While most people would call it a day after winning almost $30k on slots, S.V.N. wasn’t done quite yet and he decided to switch to the hot Girls with Guns: Jungle Heat slot. This is very similar to Fish Party as it has five reels with three rows and 243 ways to win but the theme is very different. The action-packed game quickly added over $10,000 to the account after the armed girls made for a rare combination. When the winner was asked about the first thing he did after winning, he responded that he drank a glass of wine to celebrate and thought about plans to spend the money on shopping.
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