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As a $41 billion dollar industry, online gambling booming—everywhere except in the United States, where only three states have been willing to legalize and regulate the practice. New Study Encourages Adoption A new Michigan State University business study claims that more controlled and definitive regulation stands to benefit the industry and protect consumers alike. The study was created to assess the costs and benefits of the Unfair Internet Gambling Enforcement Act signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006. According to the report, the law legalized online gambling activities such as virtual poker and blackjack, with exceptions being made for designated fantasy sports, online lotteries and horse/harness racing. Difficulty of Interpretation While the law was passed in 2006, it took two more years for actual governing rules to be issued. The Department of Justice enforcement strategy remained unclear for another two full years until 2010. A subsequent clarification in 2011 seemed to fly in the face of previous protectionist enforcement strategy: the DoJ indicated that online gambling could be permissible if individually adopted by the states. This set the stage for reentry of online gambling operators into the US market, with individual states New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada being the first to regulate online gambling. The industry's efforts to meet the regulation requirements nonetheless garnered a 3 percent increase in the value of publicly traded online gambling organizations. Operator Efforts Raise Values The MSU study drew positive correlations between visible efforts from the industry and increases in value. The study's co-author concludes that in the US “the online gambling industry is at the point where it wants controlled regulation" and “both the industry and individuals - including underage and problem gamblers - would be better off if regulation exists." Next Likely State The next state most likely to heed this trend is Pennsylvania, which is currently experiencing “positive momentum” for regulation. Two key members of the state's Gaming Oversight Committee in the House are currently calling for passage of an online gambling bill: HB649 can be viewed on PennLive web site.
Berlin's Olympiastadion will become the center of global attention tonight, as millions all around the world tune-in to watch the intriguing Champions League final between Barcelona and Juventus (kickoff 18:45 GMT). The two sides are not only playing for the prestigious title, but they are also looking to complete a treble. Title-wise, both teams have tasted a Champions League title in the past, with Juventus winning twice (1985/1996) and Barcelona winning four times (1992/2006/2009/2011). Barcelona's Trio Barcelona sports one of the best offenses in the world, with Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi in the front. These three have scored 119 goals together this season, a number that took away the title from Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo who scored 118 in the 2011/2 season. The trio has been prolific in goals and assists, and Lionel Messi has been serving as the mastermind – starting offenses and seeing ahead on the pitch. Of course, he is also big in netting – having scored 58 goals this season. Juventus to Park the Bus? How will Juventus fare against the Spanish juggernaut? While they have a strong fit, the Italians still cannot match Barca's offensive abilities. Juve holds the advantage in having a line-up of experienced players the likes of veteran goalie Buffon, Evra, Chiellini, Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Marchisio. The offense is not lacking as well, with Tevez, Morata and Arturo Vidal at the front. Yet it's likely that Juventus will stay defensive most of the game, looking for counter-attacks and opportunities to pinch Barca when it's not prepared. Watch and Bet Live Today's final is a huge online gambling event, attracting millions to watch and wager on the action. Online bookie bet365 Sports will cover the final with a live stream and a full range of in-play and pre-match betting markets. In full time result odds, Juventus was 5/1 to win against Barcelona's 3/5. A special offer will see bet365 giving a risk free in-play bet to all punters who place a pre-match bet. Log-in bet365 Sports today and make sure not to miss out on this historic game!
Spain’s existing Playtech-powered iGaming sites are set to benefit from even more content. From June 2015, Playtech licensees in Spain will access the developer’s entire online slots library across both desktop and mobile devices. This outcome is a result of the approval given by La Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), Spain’s regulatory body that oversees online gambling. A-List Slot Games This will be a major coup for Spanish Playtech casinos, as there are hundreds of Playtech slots in existence. Having developed casino software since 1999, Playtech has evolved into a billion-dollar company with ties to major entertainment entities. Deals with the likes of Marvel, Paramount, and Universal have helped to create a wealth of officially branded content. Playtech is famed for Marvel slots like the Avengers, Iron Man, and Thor, while additional branded slots include the Sopranos, Gladiator, and King Kong. The developer has also been highly creative in making its original slot games. Desert Treasure, Gold Rally, Safari Heat, and Wild Gambler have all proven popular among players. Playtech ONE Technology ONE is the name given to the developer’s pioneering new technology that transcends desktop computers, mobile devices, and land-based casinos. This is the platform through which Playtech will be providing its iGaming content. From a functional standpoint, this allows for users to play all of their favourite games no matter where they are. Moreover, players will be able to use a single wallet for streamlined simplicity. For the first time in years, Spain reopened its online casino licensing process back in November 2014. Playtech has struck quickly to receive approval and increase its presence. COO Shimon Akad spoke of the approval as “a major breakthrough”. The company is banking on this outcome to increase its market share across desktop, mobile, and retail outlets. Outside of slots, there is an ambition to also improve in casino, live, poker, bingo, and other channels.
Sometimes, the software category is only glanced over when reading online casino reviews – and not with a good reason. Software is up there with the most important factors in an online casino, as it determines which games will be available to players and how smooth their gaming experience will be. There's an abundance of online casino software providers on the market, with prominent names like NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech coming straight to mind. But there's much more out there, and it is interesting to think of the strategic move taken by online casinos that power themselves with software providers that could be considered boutique. CasinoClub's GTECH Software The veteran CasinoClub is a good example for online casinos that offer boutique gaming collections. The casino boasts a unique gaming portfolio powered by the GTECH and Endemol Games, delivering players with wide selection of unique games not often seen in online casinos. High Quality Slots One good example is CasinoClub's slots that are all presented with lively colors, high quality graphics and an overall smooth experience. The slots have original and fun themes to match with games like Hot Tequila, Honeymoon, Haunted House, Age Of Vikings and Detective Chronicles among others. Apart from slots, CasinoClub's unique gaming portfolio covers table and card games, video pokies, jackpots and scratch cards – all in line with the high standards the GTECH platform has come to be known for. This creates for a different playing experience for players who've played in an online casino or two. Fruitful Approach Apart from having millions of players passing through its virtual doors since it launched in 2001 with an emphasis on German crowds, CasinoClub's software approach has proved itself on a global scale. Since 2004, CasinoClub has been listed on the London Stock Exchange, considered one of the industry's most successful brands.
The Cavs were dealt another harsh blow for the second time, having lost Kyrie Irving to a fractured knee cap expecting that he will only be ready to return in 3-4 months. This has turned the hill Cleveland needed to climb into a mountain, but if LeBron keeps up with his 40+ points a game the Warriors will need to work. The Cavs and the Warriors were so evenly matched in the opening game the Warriors needed OT to finally win. David Blatt has led his team, in his first ever year as an NBA Head Coach to the NBA Finals and are giving the favorites from California a run for their money. The Warriors, led by Steph Curry are now in the driver's seat with another home game tonight and look to take a two-game lead on the underdogs with the series heading to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. The Cavs will need to overcome a lot of adversity coming into Game 2. The question is can they deal without Kyrie Irving against a team like the Warriors? Cleveland was amazing over 48 minutes but LeBron couldn't make good in OT and the Cavs only scored two points losing 108-100. He scored 44 points in Game 1 so the Warriors still need to find a way to stop arguably the best player in the league right now. Online Gambling Odds and Pre-game Betting Prior to tip-off tonight at 1:00 GMT, punters have a myriad of online gambling lines to choose from at bet365 Sports. The Warriors are again favorites to win at 1.27, but the odds on Cleveland are way too attractive to pass up on at 3.80. The Cavs have nice odds on the Double Result and a tie could be the bet that makes lucrative cash tonight. Watch the game live and test your online betting skills at bet365 Sports for the 2015 NBA Finals.
The partnership between William Hill and software provider Inspired continues to yield more fruit. Two new HTML5 games from the company's portfolio were launched with Hill's mobile platform: Centurion and Spirit of the Samurai. Centurion's Eight Bonuses One of Inspired's biggest releases and a players' favorite, the 5-reel, 20-payline Centurion slot takes players back in time to the glorious days of the Roman Empire with high quality graphics and loads of features. Centurion is thought to be one of the biggest games out in the market today in terms of bonuses, as players are given access to not less than eight 8 bonus games that range from wild power spins to free spins and the "Road to Rome" and "Big Win" bonuses that promote advanced interaction with the game, promising big wins. Spirit of the Samurai The 5-reel, 20-payline Spirit of the Samurai slot is another interesting title with a unique historic theme, set in Japan during the Shogunate period. Spirit of the Samurai has a unique edge to it: An episodic free spins game, it rewards players as they advance through its four levels, each possessing a unique free spin samurai. The free spins can be accompanied by wilds that substitute for all symbols except free spins, creating even bigger winning opportunities. A fifth secret level can be unlocked by VIP players when they reach level four. Strong Partnership The two games are launched in the frame of the extended omni-channel deal William Hill and Inspired struck in 2014 that already saw the addition of White Knight and Goddess of the Amazon to Hill's gaming portfolio. Dave Hammond, Inspired's Mobile senior vice-president, commented on the launch saying: "We’re excited to be launching these two compelling games exclusively with William Hill. There is huge demand from operators and players for HTML5 mobile and omni-channel content, and our extensive experience in the UK puts us at the forefront of this global trend."
Ahead of Game 3 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals, all eyes are on the Tampa Bay Lightning to see which goalie will start tonight’s critical game. Ben Bishop, the Lightning’s main goalie left Game 2 for undisclosed reasons and rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy was good enough over 9:13 to give Tampa Bay their first win in the finals, evening the series at one game apiece. Is it an Injury? Tampa Bay’s Head Coach Jon Cooper was vague and didn’t field questions about the status of his goalie, giving fuel for the media fire. Cooper went on to say that both goalies are mokst likely available but he will know for sure before the puck drops tonight. Chicago has played two excellent games in Florida and opened the finals with a good win on-the-road. They are an amazing team with great depth, but so are the Lightning. "We can't be concerned about their goalie," related Head Coach Joel Quenneville. "I think it's what we have to do to make it tough on their goalies, is what we talk about. We need more traffic. We need more shots. Whoever is in net, let's get to them." Stanley Cup Online Betting Now with the series heading to the Windy City of Chicago, the Blackhawks have become outright favorites at 1.64 to win, while the Lightning are at 2.35. bet365 Sports is offering a ton of pre-game props including attractive bets like Puck Line, Game Totals, Margin of Victory (props very attractive for this bet), and a bunch more. Bet365 is offering video stream of the game so punters can watch the high speed, HD action and see it their bets have paid off. It promises to be an exciting game and both teams want to get the edge on the other, so don’t miss out on the Stanley Cup Finals tonight at 1:00 GMT.
Australia represents a mobile gaming gambling market with major growth potential for the future. For many years, residents have enjoyed placing wagers on sports or having a few spins on pokie machines. And back in 2010, it was estimated that approximately 70% of all Australians had made a wager at least once in their life. That level of interest has helped to drive recent growth in mobile gambling. Rise of Mobile Connectivity Technology appears to have helped online gambling operators greatly, with mobile connectivity and advancement driving forward the entire industry. Cities like Sydney and Melbourne are vast, sprawling cities with millions of inhabitants. As a result, workers spend a lot of time commuting to work, which leaves them yearning for entertainment while on the go. The vast uptake of smartphones and tablets has meant that Aussies are ready, willing, and able to check out sporting offs or play mobile pokies while getting the bus or train to work. That freedom ensures that they no longer have to wait to get to a desktop PC or laptop to sign in with their favourite sites. Operators Responding to Mobile Although Australia implemented its Interactive Gambling Act in 2001, this was focused on ensuring that regulators were acting legally and ethically. Australians are completely free to sign up with any online gambling site that is legally entitled to operate within their state. Australian operators have identified the major potential of mobile, and have responded accordingly by developing optimised gaming experiences and marketing campaigns for the smaller screens of smartphones and tablets. Some of the world’s leading online gambling brands are now delivering mobile experiences to Australians. Take Winner Casino, for example, which can offer sports betting and access to Playtech slots such as the Avengers and Gladiator. Meanwhile, Mr Green is casino-focused and offers NetEnt slots like Dracula and South Park: Reel Chaos.
Yesterday was that time of the year when Apple announces something big, new and better. This time around it was the iOS 9 that was unveiled, the company's upcoming mobile operating system. The list of new features and improvements is long, with some highlighted features including improvements to Siri, less storage and extended battery life – Apple says users will gain an extra hour of typical usage with iOS 9. Public Beta in July While no release date was announced by the company, the operating system was released to developers yesterday and public beta is expected to begin in July. Given the experience with Apple schedules it's probable to assume we'll see iOS 9 released mid-September, perhaps with a new device of some sort. The Effect on Mobile Gambling Given the popularity of Apple devices among online mobile casino players playing at top iPhone/iPad casinos like All Slots Casino and BETAT Casino, there are a few headlines in the iOS 9 announcement that could herald big improvements for players. One highlight feature that excited many is the ability to run two apps at once in a "split view mode" on iPads. This could come at handy for seasoned online casino players who play at multiple tables simultaneously – instead of switching between the windows, they could have both games running at the same time. Apple Pay Only one week after Android Pay was announced by Google, Apple is promising a range of new improvements for its Apple Pay payment service. The service will include not only credit cards but will also be able to work with rewards programs, something which could fit online casinos like a glove. Additionally, Passbook will be simply renamed "Wallet" in iOS9. Enhanced Gaming Gaming is also getting attention in iOS 9. Apple will introduce new tools for game devs including ReplayKit which will let players record and edit their gameplay videos and GameplayKit which introduces new tools that can profoundly enhance iOS-centred games. We could see online gaming software developers releasing online casino games especially optimized for iOS 9.
Yggdrasil Gaming has coincidentally launched its new Cyrus the Virus slot at a time when thousands of people in South Korea have been quarantined due to a MERS outbreak. Although the timing has proven less than ideal, Cyrus the Virus has been developed entirely from the perspective of fun and appears to be another great addition to Yggdrasil’s expanding games library. Colourful Game Design From Monday 8 June 2015, online casinos with Yggdrasil slots will have access to Cyrus the Virus. The slot itself is set within a green organism populated by seven colourful virus symbols and a rather menacing-looking wild symbol. The wild can land only on the third reel, but will expand to cover all of the reel and trigger and re-spin. Yggdrasil has built Cyrus the Virus with five reels and three rows, resulting in a slot interface with 15 symbols. Across the five reels, there are plenty of opportunities to win due to the 10 fixed paylines that can pay out in either direction. Meanwhile, the coin value can be set from at various levels from €0.01 up to €4. Cyrus the Virus will provide another slot option for Super Free Spins, a feature that allows for Yggdrasil casinos to award infinite free spins to specified players. Vera & John was the first to unveil this feature that could soon appear at other Yggdrasil sites. Launched with iSENSE 2.0 For widespread availability, Yggdrasil used its iSENSE 2.0 software to ensure that Cyrus the Virus could be released simultaneously on desktop and mobile devices. Company CEO Fredrik Elmqvist has explained that iSENSE 2.0 “has really helped operators streamline their marketing costs.” Elmqvist has described Cyrus the Virus as “an extremely infectious slot with a perfect blend of rich graphics and immersive gameplay.” You can play it now at Yggdrasil Casinos.
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