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The battlefield is little Antigua in the Caribbean. The US wants its laws regarding online betting, specifically horse racing bets, to apply internationally. This way it can allow such bets only in country, and not as run at gambling sites located elsewhere around the world. Now that the WTO has sided with Antigua, it is likely that the European Union will also challenge the US ban on its own gambling industry, banned from the North American country. The case, it should be noted, is not yet concluded. A final ruling will be made in a matter of weeks and then too the US will have the right to appeal. The WTO's interest in the issue is not gambling per se, but rather the protectionist policy preventing full market access to all websites equally. The US commitment to the WTO treaties is binding both ways and in all markets, exposing it as unfair in its dealing with online casinos. At the moment no implications are in place, but the decision could lead to Antigua being allowed to take retaliatory measures against the US government in the form of higher tariffs on imports. This however seems ineffectual considering Antigua's size compared to the US. But if the EU will indeed follow suit, then the stakes of the game will rise much higher for all involved.
Online casino games can be learned, studied, practiced and eventually mastered, thus serving as a hobby, much like sports or music. But at the same time, the online casino games have an ingrained element of luck, which caters to the other element of the human soul, i.e. uncertainty and excitement. Online casino games of skill demand players to make decisions and fill a role slightly greater than merely picking up a card from the pack. Players need to do more than just learn how the game is played. In order to increase their rate of success, they should also adopt a strategy or at least consider one. The odds of winning such games are directly influenced by what the player brings to the game. The skills element can be in the rules of the game, as is the case in blackjack, or even in a game that seems more like a game of chance, such as craps, in which the player needs to know how to place bets in the best manner. Then there are online casino games of luck and chance, such as lotteries and slots, roulette and baccarat. These, games which lack the major element of skill and strategy, are considered more thrilling, at least in a primitive way. They are not based on skill and therefore leave more space for the feel. Many online casino players indeed visit the sites to gamble at these games not knowing at all if they will win or lose on the specific session, much because they do not have much of a say on the matter, other than their lucky charms.
With the Global Online Gambler Survey as with all its operations, the independent standards authority eCOGRA practices it commitment to a safe and reliable gambling environment. Software has been in the center of a section of the survey. The gamblers were asked about many aspects of gambling, and software, naturally, is an interest of many of those involved in the industry. By its nature, the software issue is more elusive and gaining gamblers trust made more difficult. The results however were pleasing with half the respondents express they have confidence that the software is honest and fair. Yet there were problems that the industry needs to address, as about a third of the respondents said they believed the online casinos, by means of the software they use, have a function that turns the games in their favor and which they occasionally use. Revealing these results, eCOGRA can take it into consideration, as it specifically sets standards and tests gambling sites so that they do not to use any such unfair tricks. Software companies should also take note in the near future and address players concerns about minimizing risks of being cheated at the sites. What players do, partly out of mistrust in the software, is play at the big-name sites. The leaders in the industry as well as those that are powered by known software providers are more popular than small sites and others whose software did not receive an approval seal from eCOGRA.
In Manchester meanwhile the excitement was more apparent, as the newly won bid will generate investment and jobs for the residents. A casino, hotel and all the facilities around them are expected to be directly and indirectly responsible for 2,700 new jobs. The casino, which is to be the center of the hotel and entertainment center, will stretch over some 5,000 sq. meters and hold up to 1,250 jackpots gaming machines. Gamblers will finally have an option of going to Manchester and playing games, optionally staying overnight at the hotel and celebrating at the entertainment venues on spot. The surprise with which the decision was received is mainly due to the favorites the city beat on the way, including Blackpool, Greenwich, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff and Sheffield. Manchester has been referred to as the 10th worst place to live in England for the past year, ever since a Channel 4 program rated it at the unfavorable spot. It will now become not only a place to live in and work at, but also for tourists to visit and stay overnight at. The decision to allow, license and construct a gambling venue of this magnitude and a hotel to go along with it in a fashion familiar with Las Vegas, not England, is part of the governments policy of relaxing curbs on gambling. Prime Minister Tony Blair's government has chosen this route in an effort to spur employment, tourism and investment in Manchester, as well as in other parts of the land.
We have all read, and re-read the Global Online Gambler survey, released earlier in January by the online casino industry regulator and standards setter, eCOGRA. The survey, which was the most comprehensive of its kind in online casino history, revealed many interesting aspects from the gamblers' point of view with regard to online casinos and gambling in general. Its value to the industry is immense. One of the aspects in which it contributes to the general picture of Internet gambling will be discussed in the following. By collecting data from nearly 11,000 respondents, all online casino gamblers, the survey was able to outline the average gambler's profile. This beginners profile can serve not only the online casino industry, namely the companies themselves, in marketing and catering the specific needs of its customers, but also serve as a guide for those who are beginners at the online casino sites. A feeling of belonging or a general feel for the community that surrounds you may help in a gambler's first steps at the online casino. The survey revealed that the average profile for an online casino player differs from that of the poker player. The latter is likely to be male, between the ages 26-35. The experience which the poker player has accumulated by the time the survey was released is between 2 and 3 years, playing two or three sessions per week, at an average of six poker sites over three months. The online casino player, however, is likely to be female, slightly older at 46-55, but with overall similar gambling habits in terms of number of online casinos visited over a period of three months. Reading the data may lead you to the conclusion that you fit the average profile, thus leading you to your first online casino game.
Aside from the political and ideological arguments that surround the online casino gambling world, there are also ongoing debates and arguments concerning gambling habits and techniques. How to choose an online casino, what game is the best to play and so on are examples of such debates. Another question, one that we shall address in the following, is the value of having a strategy for playing online casino games. To answer this question online casino strategy pro or con there is another question, more fundamental, that needs to be answered. It concerns the most elemental essence of the online casino skill or luck. For if the online casino is a place where order applies, logic rules and skill developed, strategy is a welcome weapon for the gambler. But if the online casino is purely up to luck, then what good can any broad strategic view do? We do not presume to answer this question here. As a matter of fact, part of the lure and charm of the entire gambling world and its long years of history is the mystery it withholds, of not disclosing its true nature, be it skill or chance. The various games lend themselves to various degrees some more so and some less to either school of thought. Players are able to find a game that involves more elements of decision making, while others can find games that are more obviously based on chance. Thus, not only can they find what they enjoy most, but hold on to their philosophy and outlook of online casino gambling.
Not only will the online casinos be regulated but so will their marketing and advertising campaigns. The deadline for this decision to go into effect is later this year, on September 1, 2007, the date by which the industry is finally legalized in full. The motivation for the decision to curb and supervise advertising is, according to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, to protect gamblers from oeprators that score low on regulation or are based in countries that adhere to other standards than the British laws. Such sites pose a threat of exploitation and even criminal involvement, as they do harm to the industry. Ms. Jowell and her supporters in the regulating effort want to protect the British gambling community from any invasion of negative elements and keep the industry as safe as possible. In contrast to the categorical ban, which was passed in the United States, the British have chosen a different course. Since the 2005 Gambling Act was passed, various measures have been designed and laws passed that will lead down the line to a safer, saner online gambling world. Sites that wish to advertise in the UK will have to prove that they adhere to licensing regimes that protect minors, fight crime, and ensure fair gaming.
The American perspective on online casinos is clear to all. The unilateral ban on all online casino activity in the United States has made it clear that the American authorities do not wish to play along in the gaming world. The motivation for their acts, laws and decisions have been speculated on. This week, following a dramatic announcement by the World Trade Organization, another fresh and perhaps more enlightened perspective has surfaced. The US is discriminating against foreign online casino companies, the perspective claims. The source of this view is the commissioner for the European Union's internal market, Charlie McCreevy. Though the commissioner McCreevy has no authority in all that related to external trade, the WTO announcement following Antigua's appeal against the US ban has sparked a sense of hope in him. He will act to have the European Union complain to the US over the ban on online gambling. Echoing the WTO wording, the European official said "In order to protect, I'd say, their own business, their industry there, they have de facto prevented foreigners from online betting into the United States." Following the fight which the government of Antigua has posed and the somewhat favorable decision of the WTO, which is currently being contested by the US government, the next stage will surely be interesting. Will the EU, in the spirit of Mr. McCreevy, indeed take action? The consequences then, if international trade organizations side with the EU, can be harmful to the US. In the meantime, no comment could be received by a spokesman for the US in Brussels. All the spokesman was willing to say was that it was premature to respond as long as no actions have been taken. Thus the industry continues a cross-Atlantic feud and we remain waiting for a final policy to apply globally.
Some money management techniques are absolutely necessary for the online casino gambler. Although money management techniques are not as sexy as winning strategies or tips for the advanced players of online casino roulette, for example, they are essential in keeping gamblers in the safe, protecting them from losses at the casino and at the end of the month when bills are due. The bankroll can help with this. Calculating the month's expenses and putting cash aside to pay them earlier in the month need not be the practice of household management only. The online casino gambler will be wise to adopt such techniques as well. The big picture is always greater than the immediate bet. To paraphrase Freud, an online casino game is sometimes only a game, and the focus shall remain on one's bank account at the end of the day. Put aside the money you can afford and stick to this limit. Even if the online casino accepts further bets, try to stick to your own limit through winning times and losing streaks. Placing more money in the online casino account will help you not, and will only further worsen your condition. Tomorrow's a new day, so save some cash for the morning paper and the next online casino session.
Then we find ourselves in front of a computer one evening, perhaps bored of looking up our stocks at the financial sites or left with no emails to reply to. Wishing we could just play a card game or fly to a resort and pull the slots machine lever, we recall the adventures of our friend. We do it we look for a site to see what it is all about. This is not the only way of joining, but it sure happens a lot. What else happens often, and is quite unthinkable at these first moments of gambling as well, is that we witness a winner in the making. For there is nothing stopping a gambler from becoming a winner, even a millionaire. Take the story of Andreas Maertens for example. The 33 year old German participated in the inaugural backgammon tournament. He joined, optimistic, even when facing as many as ten former world champions. With an initial online bet of $440 Maertens stayed on, won game after game until winning the final 23-22 and taking home $640,000 dollars. Although an experienced poker and backgammon player at sites, the winner himself was amazed by his winning. "It doesn't get much better than this. How am I going to top this? I certainly didn't count myself as the best player here." He may have gotten the game of backgammon right, but as his own personal story shows us all, becoming a big time winner is very possible.
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