The history of gambling is quite a storied one. Despite the evolution of this popular pastime, gambling isn’t always viewed as socially acceptable. The effects of gambling can be far reaching. Known as ‘gaming’ for around 265 years before the term ‘gambling’ was introduced, the entertainment value of the many types of wagering money or property continues to grow.

Back in 1994, the UK government approved a National Lottery, which helped to make gambling seem more mainstream to the public. The advent of gambling via the Internet, mobile phone and/or television also served to make the gambling laws that were passed in 1968 seem rather old-fashioned. As more people began to enjoy gambling from the comfort of their homes, and the impacts of Internet gambling became apparent, a change of rules was definitely needed!

The gambling industry in the UK was given a thorough review, approved by the government, during the year 2000. Gambling statistics were studied, and the follow-up to this review was dubbed the Bud Report. It recommended that gambling as a whole should be modernized. This report also suggested that current laws be relaxed to let communities have more freedom of choice concerning their gambling habits.

A new Gambling Act went into effect in 2007, and the reaction of a large number of people was anything but positive. They refused to recognize any benefits of gambling. The most vocal criticism of these liberal gambling laws came from the Methodist Church and the Salvation Army. Their concern was that the number of casinos in Britain would grow at an alarming rate. Nevertheless, the new laws remained, and served to regulate not only certain lotteries, bingo, casinos and gaming machines, but also remote gambling and betting.

More than ten various commissions and trade associations have been established to aid in the monitoring process of gambling. They also have the power to impose fines, pull licences, assess penalties, and can see that those who cheat or gamble illegally are prosecuted. Among these are the National Lottery Commission, the Gambling Commission, British Casino Association, British Horseracing Board, and the Association of British Bookmakers.

Three categories of gambling are prevalent in the UK. These are betting, casino style gambling, and lotteries. In most cases, a person must be over age 18 in order to gamble. The exceptions are fruit machines which pay with tokens, which has no age limit, lotteries that are local, and football pools, with the latter two having an age limit of 16 and above.

Those who are employed within the gambling industry are held to high standards. Some must obtain certificates of approval before they can begin their jobs. Betting shops and bookmakers also play a big role in the UK gambling scene. Sports betting is quite popular, and betting shops offer a location to place a bet via betting terminals, seating to watch the events on television, and enjoy some refreshments as well. Bookmakers have many tasks. They accept the wagers, collect money from those who lost a wager, pay those who won, and turn a profit by striving for a ‘balanced book’. Gamblers can also place a bet on the Internet or by way of a telephone call. The types of sports betting in the UK include horse and dog racing.

Casinos are full of different types of gambling to attract visitors. Slot machines which can deliver a large jackpot, table games with playing cards such as Blackjack, and games of chance like roulette are all popular. The odds always favour the house in casinos. Millions of pounds flow through the coffers of the various British casinos each year. By law, the casinos cannot advertise their addresses, nor can they urge people to come in and gamble.

Fruit machines, also known as slot machines, seem to be very profitable for the casinos, and are hugely popular with the gambling public. Bingo, is also popular, especially with institutes and clubs who hold bingo games so that a charity receives the proceeds. Lotteries continue to be a popular way to raise money, or to take a chance on winning a jackpot by buying a ticket. 70% of the UK population enjoy playing the lottery. The draw variety of lottery is well known, and there are also the raffles, scratch cards, sweepstakes, and those lotteries found on the Internet and interactive television. Lottery fraud is becoming a gambling problem that must be solved.

Internet and remote gambling have boosted the profits and also the problems relevant to UK gambling. The increased monetary benefits are seen by some as one of the benefits of gambling, along with giving people a social outlet. Another favourable benefit is the money gambling can raise to profit charity.

However, others are staunchly determined that all types of gambling exploit those who are addicted to the thrill of this pastime, and see this habit as one that is just as damaging as alcoholism. By creating gaming addicts, draining the bank accounts of those who can’t stop gambling, and damaging the lives of those family members who must live with the repercussions of having a gambler in their midst. There is a big chance that the gambling statistics that zero in on those who have a problem with gambling are going to continue to grow. Many organisations have been formed to look into gambling’s social impact. They have revealed the four reasons people gamble are escapism, the idea that they are doing something glamorous, the thrill of risk taking, and the social aspect.

The liberal laws of the UK will more than likely increase gambling problems. According to the Church of England’s organisation, all gambling should be avoided as the risks outweigh the benefits. The Church will not enter into investments with any company who gets more than a 25% turnover from gambling proceeds.



By: Jim Hale

About the Author:

Best Gambling Offers are meant to attract customers and players from all over the globe to various casino sites to help them play online games. Online Gambling Offers can be helpful for the casino sites as they help the portals gain traffic, as well as contribute to its popularity. With them, you can always enrich your casino gambling experience. Some of the top names offering the best payouts consist of the Euro Grand, Golden Palace, 32 Vegas, Online Casino, BlackpoolClub, Europa Casino, Casino Tropez and more. Take a look at the site reviews at best gambling offers to know all the details you require.

Online Gambling Offers are good for veterans and newbies alike. They help players make the most out of the online casino gaming industry. Whether you are playing for real money, or are taking the plunge as a fresher here, the gamers are sure to find pleasure. Some online casinos provide players with exclusive coupon codes or free casino sign-up bonus codes, for that matter. This is done in order to obtain special promotions for their online casino. Most of the sites provide you with a list of all the online casino bonus codes, with further information available on the casino bonuses and how to redeem them.

There are a number of pros and cons of the online casino bonuses. While playing the online casino games, you need to take advantage of every possible bonus and promotion that the online casinos offer. The bonuses paid at the online casinos are a casino player’s friend, but these bonuses can also have their limitations.

Your goal should be to grow your casino bankroll, for which the bonuses help tremendously. Whether you’re a serious player or a person who’s just at the outset, getting extra bonus cash added to your bankroll should be a top priority.

The casino bonuses allow you to explore new sites. Opening an account with a new online casino will make you eligible for initial deposit bonuses. These first time deposit bonuses are the most generous promos offered to online casino players. Using bonuses to try out new places to play is a good idea. Different sites have different games, software interfaces and deposit options. If you want to find a site that best suits your casino needs, the online gambling offers will give you an incentive to scout around.

Not all bonuses are initial deposit bonuses. Some sites offer players a match on future deposits as well. These bonuses are known as reloads. The reload bonuses give players an incentive to stay loyal to a particular site. If you don’t plan on switching sites that often, make sure you stick with an online casino that offers reload bonuses.



By: gambling

About the Author:

Welcome to Louisiana. If you are coming to Louisiana on any of your casino vacations or gambling road trips, you will find Louisiana has casinos, horse tracks and racinos.

Louisiana Casinos

Louisiana is known for Zydeco music and Cajun food , but the casinos in Louisiana are helping to add to the state’s reputation. There are casinos all over the state of Louisiana in all four directions, to the North, South, East and West. In 1991 Louisiana became the fourth state to approve riverboat gambling casinos. Louisiana approved one land-based casino to be located in New Orleans the next year. There are also three land-based Indian casinos in Louisiana. Visiting one of the many casinos in Louisiana is a great way to start a trip to the state. One thing is for sure though. Visitors to Louisiana are in for a one-of-a-kind experience.

Casinos in Northern Louisiana include Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Casino Magic, Isle of Capri and Horseshoe. Sam’s Town and Hollywood Casino are in Shreveport. Visitors to Shreveport on Memorial Day weekend can take part in Mudbug Madness which is a festival featuring great music, Creole cuisine and local crafts.

Located in central Louisiana in the city of Marksville is Paragon Casino, which is one of the three Indian casinos. Situated in Avoyelles Parish, Marksville has plenty of historical landmarks like Civil War battle sites and an ancient Indian mound.

Casinos in Southern Louisiana are Isle of Capri, Harrah’s, L’auberge du lac in Lake Charles and Grand Casino Coushatta in Kinder. Cypress Bayou Casino is located in Charenton. There are two casinos located in Baton Rouge and they are the Casino Rouge and the Argosy casino. The Cypress Bayou Casino and the Coushatta casino are the other two land-based Indian casinos located in Louisiana. In and around Baton Rouge, which is the capitol city of Louisiana, guests can find plenty of entertainment, from art exhibits to swamp tours to.

Louisiana, in the southeastern part of the state is home to Boomtown in Harvey and Treasure Chest in Kenner. The Belle of Orleans casino and Harrah’s casino, have yet to reopen since Hurricane Katrina. On February 17, 2006, Harrah’s casino plans to reopen. This will be just in time for Mardi Gras, which is New Orleans’s ultimate party of the year. There is no official word yet when The Belle of Orleans will reopen. A great destination to take in the culture and history of Louisiana is Rivertown in Kenner, which is located along the shores of the Mississippi River. This sixteen-block historic district is home to many museums and art galleries giving tourists a better education of the Pelican State.

Casinos in Louisiana are situated in the greatest tourist destinations and provide a welcome atmosphere, greatl food, and even greater times. Louisiana casinos have created a first rate gambling experience that awaits all gamblers.

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By: Gambling Guide

About the Author:

As a popular form of entertainment, gambling has a rich history, and every player has the potential to become a winner in the blink of an eye. There is nothing else quite like the rush of adrenaline that can accompany the gambling experience! The gaming industry has grown exponentially for the past two decades, and the lure of gambling has drawn more and more people to the casinos as well as racetracks and Internet gambling web sites. Gambling is a fascinating pastime in many respects, and the list below will introduce you to some of the historical, statistical, and humorous tips and trivia that make this pastime special.

Did You Know?

1. At least 65,000,000 people in the United States play poker on a regular basis.

2. Playing cards as we know them today are still greatly influenced by the French, even though playing cards were invented in China. According to French lore, the cards with Spades represent royalty. Diamonds represent Merchants, Clubs represent Peasants, and Hearts represent the Clergy.

3. Former United States President Richard M. Nixon used money he had won playing poker in the Navy during World War 2 to finance his run for Congress in 1946. He must have been a good player, for it is never inexpensive to get involved in politics!

4. 87% of the people who visited Las Vegas during the year 1996 gambled.

5. Surveys reveal that 38% of the people who live in the United States have visited Las Vegas, typically to gamble.

6. The game called craps usually has some of the best bets in the casino.

7. Poker tournaments that take place on the Internet and on television have caused the Texas Hold’em variation of poker to have an enormous surge in popularity.

8. There is one slot machine in Las Vegas, Nevada, for every 8 people who live there. In 2005, the estimated population for the Las Vegas Valley is 2 million people. That’s a LOT of slot machines!

Gambling Bits and Pieces

9. Blackjack, or 21 as some people call it, continues to be the most popular table game in both online and offline casinos. It is also the game with the best odds.

10. You will see many versions of video poker in a casino, but every one of them is based upon the game of Five Card Draw.

11. In the English gambling dens during the 18th century, one employee had the unfortunate job of dice swallower. That’s right - dice swallower! He was to swallow the dice if and when a police officer raided the den.

12. If played correctly, video poker can offer some of the best odds in the casino.

13. The first slot machine in the world was invented by a Mr. Charles Fey in the year 1899. He was an automobile mechanic who wanted his customers to have something to amuse them while they waited for their cars.

14. Groucho Marx, one of the Marx Brothers, loved to play poker. He kept his poker money on him at all times, carrying it in a ‘grouch bag”. This is how he got the nickname of Groucho.

15. There are only two states in the United States that do not offer legalized gambling. These are Hawaii and Utah.

16. 57% of people in the United States bought a lottery ticket in the last 12 months. This fact, which was discovered by a Gallup Poll audit on gambling, proves that the lottery is the most popular form of gambling in the United States.

17. 68% of the folks in Las Vegas who gamble play the slot machines.

Fun and Interesting Facts

18. 24% of those living in the USA admit that they have participated in illegal gambling.

19. When studying the percentages of people who visit Las Vegas, it was discovered that the largest percentage group, 22%, was made up of senior citizens, those who are 65 and older.

20. One of the largest slot machine payouts ever recorded took place in Las Vegas back in 1998. A woman who had spent around $300 at a casino that day hit a $27.6 million dollar jackpot! No wonder slot machines are so popular!

21. Most historians have come to the conclusion that the legendary and colorful figure of the Wild West known as Wild Bill Hickock was not a very good poker player.

22. In the United States, it is not possible to take out a patent on any kind of gambling machine.

23. The card game of Texas Hold ‘Em was played for the very first time in a Texas city known as Robstown. This happened in the early 1900s. Texas Hold ‘Em was brought to Texas from Las Vegas by a small group of Texas gamblers.

24. Back in the 1970s, the average age of the people who enjoyed casino gambling ranged from 30 to 55. Nowadays, that age ranges from 17 all the way up to 70.

25. 80% of a survey group said that all gambling should be legal, and that casinos are perfectly okay.

26. A word of warning - You are not allowed to use your cell phone at a gaming table. This is generally true in all casinos. Of course, if you are playing at an online gaming table, you can do what you wish.

27. The largest casino in the world is located on the outskirts of Hartford, Connecticut in the United States. It is called the Foxwoods Casino.

28. Las Vegas has two nicknames - Las Vegas and Lost Wages.

29. Slot machines range from penny slots all the way up to those that range from $50 to $500 for each spin! These high-priced slots are usually located in what is called the ‘High Roller’ room or rooms of a casino. As a general rule, you will not see too many of these machines.

Gambling Facts and History

30. In 2007, more than $170 billion dollars was placed in bets in Las Vegas by gamblers. ‘The House’, or the casinos, won about $7 billion dollars of that money.

31. Online gaming is cool. Where else can you play video poker in your pajamas?

32. Casinos in Las Vegas are under no legal obligation to pay off any of their gambling debts.

33. The state of Nevada in the USA, home of Las Vegas, made gambling legal in the year 1931.

During that same year, the Hoover Dam was being built by the US government.

They didn’t want the men who were working on the dam to get involved with gambling, so an entire town, Boulder City, was built as a place for the dam workers to live.

It was made illegal to gamble in Boulder City in the hopes that these workers would not squander the 50 cents an hour they were being paid.

Today, Boulder City is the only city in the state of Nevada where it is illegal to gamble.

Fascinating Gambling Facts

34. To this day, the Italians and the French will still argue over who invented the game of Blackjack.

35. Millions of people are using the Internet to gamble 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

36. Those who play the slots online as well as offline will find that a majority of the time, they will win more often playing online.

37. In horseracing or any type of sports gambling, you need to win a percentage of about 52.4% of the bets you make in order to break even. This is because a commission is charged by the house on every bet.

38. There is no rhyme, rhythm, or pattern to playing the slots. It is almost impossible to predict when you are going to win.

39. When playing poker, the Dead Man’s Hand is Aces and Eights.

40. Most people who take a vacation to Las Vegas gamble for 4 hours a day, each day they are there.

41. Some say that the game of roulette was invented by a man called Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and inventor. Others say he merely decided what order the numbers would go in.

42. And still others claim that the game of roulette came from China. Another group swears that roulette was invented by a group of Venetian monks! It appears that no one knows the real truth.

43. Even though a line of slot machines may look identical, every one of them looks different on the inside.

44. Dice are the oldest gaming tool available to use today.

45. Blackjack was banned in America back at the turn of the 19th century. Already a hugely popular game, it went underground as folks continued to play it illegally. The ban was lifted in 1939 as Nevada prepared to introduce Las Vegas to the world.

46. Craps is an American game, but was devised as a variation of a European game played in the 17th and 18th century that was known as ‘hazard’.

47. Legend has it that a fellow by the name of Francois Blanc made a bargain with Satan in order to find out the supposed ’secrets’ of the roulette, wheel. The basis of this legend is that when you add up all of the numbers on the wheel, you end up with the number 666, a number that has always represented the devil.

48. Slot machines are capable of revealing millions of possible combinations for every minute the game is played. This is because of the random number generator, or RNG, that is inside the machine.

49. Craps got its odd name from a nickname given to the French Creoles of New Orleans, Johnny Crapauds.

50. There are two types of dice, casino dice and ‘drugstore’ dice. Casino dice are precisely made by hand to insure that they are balanced and are a perfect cube. Drugstore dice are smaller than casino dice, and are made by machinery.

Gambling Facts and Figures

51. Historians have found documentation that tells us Napoleon really enjoyed playing a game or two of 21, or blackjack when he was in exile.

52. If you add up all of the opposing sides of one dice, you will always come up with a total of 7.

53. Roulette has rules that are easier to follow and understand than most other forms of gambling.

54. Video poker has been a part of the gambling world ever since the early 1970s.

55. The game of Baccarat was once played with Tarot cards.

56. Caribbean Stud Poker is a poker variation that is very popular worldwide. It was developed from a 16th century game called Primera.

57. There are 38 numbers on an American roulette wheel, 0, 00, 1 to 36.

58. There are 37 numbers of a French roulette wheel, 0 to 36.

59. Those who live in Nevada bet around $846 each year at the casinos.

60. The game of Baccarat was invented during the middle ages by Felix Falguiere, an Italian gambler.

61. One of the fastest growing forms of entertainment all over the world is casino gambling.

62. There are 11 different ways to make a wager in the game of roulette.

63. The British call

slot machines ‘fruit machines’ and ‘one-armed bandits’.

64. The gambling game of strip poker originated in New Orleans, Louisiana around 1830.

65. Backgammon is the oldest recorded game in history. This game, which originated in Mesopotamia, is called by many different monikers.

66. Gambling has become a $40 billion dollar per year industry in just the United States alone.

Things You Probably Never Knew About Gambling

67. Blackjack tables have a little in common with baseball games. The seats at the table that are around the dealer are known as ‘bases’, and are known as first, second, and third base. 68. Baccarat came to Las Vegas in 1959 at the old Sands hotel. It probably was not well like by the hotel owners, as the Sands ended up losing $250,000 the first night on the baccarat tables!

69. There are three different varieties of baccarat. They are called ‘Chemin de fer’, or railway, ‘Baccarat Banque, or Adeux Tableaux, and Punto Banto, which means North American Baccarat.

70. Blackjack team play was invented by a man known as Al Franesco. 71. The zeros on roulette wheels are called the ‘House Edge’. The zeros were originally added to the wheel by its inventor in order to increase the house odds.

72. Caribbean Stud Poker found its way to the United States in the 18th century. It first surfaced in Louisiana, and then spread west. 73. Nowadays, you can learn how to play Craps on your Iphone!

74. A pair of dice has several nicknames. They can be called ‘Boxcars’, ‘Snake Eyes’, ‘Mississippi Marbles’, or ‘Memphis Dominoes’.

75. The fastest growing industry in the world in Indian gaming, which is a $27 billion per year industry in just the United States.

76. The name ‘Blackjack’ was derived from a variation of the original game rules, in which a player who had the black Jack of Spades received a payout.

77. The worst roulette bet, and why? It’s known as the 5 number bet, 0, 00, 1, 2, 3, and once made, the house edge jumps from 5.26% to 7.89%.

78. The game of Baccarat gets its name from the worst hand possible, zero.

79. The original name of Blackjack was ‘Ving-et-un’, which translates into the word ‘blackjack’.

80. The largest win at an online casino was $1, 683,524.64.

81. A sailor had 27 wins in a row playing Craps at a Las Vegas casino back in the 1950s. The odds of this happening are 12,467,890 to 1!

82. The game of Bingo originated in Italy during the year 1530.

83. In Australia and New Zealand, the term “Housie” is used for Bingo.

Gambling Trivia You Never Would Have Guessed

84. In the entire time the game of Keno has been played, a prize of $500,000 has been won four times, two times by the same player.

85. Roulette is the oldest of all casino games.

86. Keno was used in ancient China to raise money that was used to build the Great Wall of China.

87. Keno came to the United States in the 19th century.

88. It is possible to come up with 1,474, 200 different Bingo cards. 89. Playing cards as we know them today first appeared in Europe sometime during the 1300s.

90. Modern Bingo was devised from a game known as Beano. When a player mistakenly called out “Bingo” instead of “Beano”, the name caught on everywhere.

91. A little more than 70% of the high rollers in Vegas who enjoy playing Baccarat are Asian bankers and Asian industrialists.

92. Keno goes back to the Han Dynasty in Chinese history between 205 and 187 B.C.

93. In South America and Europe, the game of Baccarat goes by the name of Punto Banco. Punto Banco is usually a high roller game.

94. The age of the youngest person to win the World Series of Poker main event was a tender 24.

95. It is possible to make 2,598,960 poker hands from a standard 52-card deck.

96. The odds of being dealt the hand known as a ‘pocket pair’ in Poker are 16 to 1.

97. There are only 4 possible Royal Flush hands in a standard 52-card deck.

98. The odds of getting a Royal Flush hand are 649,740 to 1.

99. More than 70 million decks of standard playing cards are sold each and every year.

100. That sandwich you ate yesterday got its name from a poker player. The Earl of Sandwich loved poker so much he was loathe to leave the game table, even to eat. So, he would have someone bring him bread and some meat, and the sandwich was born!

101. The nickname for a pair of 8s in the game of poker is Pocket Snowmen.



By: Cindy Leggett

About the Author:

Is Internet Gambling legal?

It is surprising to discover that millions of people automatically frown on internet gambling because they’ve always been opposed to gambling as an activity.  The truth is, gambling is an excellent source of revenue for both the public and private sectors.  If that was not the case, then online and land-based gambling entities would have been abolished or made illegal.

A popular myth held by many people is that internet gambling is not legal.  Again, if that were the case, why are online gambling sites flourishing and increasing in number?  Did you know that gambling web sites attract the highest volume of visitors?  If Internet gambling is indeed illegal, why are gambling sites sprouting up like wild mushrooms?

Let’s review the facts:

Fact # 1:  Internet gambling is legal.  Gambling is legal in 48 out of the 50 states.  Individual states own and operate state lotteries, of which there are 41 across the United States.

Fact # 2:  Contrary to what people believe, Internet gambling isn’t any more vulnerable to the practice of money laundering.  Money laundering activities are more likely to occur in physical sites rather than on online sites.  There is very little evidence to associate money laundering with Internet gambling.

Fact # 3:  The federal government is not opposed to gambling.  How can the government be opposed to gambling when it owns gambling facilities in its overseas military installations.  This hardly makes it an enemy of gambling.

Fact # 4:  The Federal Wire Act appears to be a law against Internet gambling.  No.  The Federal Wire Act of 1999 makes it illegal for anyone engaged in an illegal gambling business to make use of the telephone or telecommunications.  Note here that this Act applies only to people who own gambling businesses.  It does not cover individual bettors.  The Act is restricted to gambling relating to sporting events only.

Fact # 5:  Internet gambling does not encourage minors to gamble.  Internet gambling operators can’t see or monitor who is placing bets.  They run a business, not a daycare.  Parents have numerous ways to prevent their minor children from visiting certain web sites.  It is up to them to monitor their children’s usage of the Internet.  The last thing legitimate gambling operators want is to be accused of luring under-age children to gambling.

Fact # 6:  Various countries allow and regulate online gambling – European Union countries and some Caribbean nations.  Australia, for example, passed the IGA – the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 but it was addressed more to gaming providers instead of to individual gamblers.

When thinking of Internet gambling, it is better to exercise caution about passing judgment or being categorically opposed to it before the facts are known.  Yes, there are stories of addiction, of crime; of money laundering but the media have an uncanny way of sensationalizing the news.  Isolated events related to online gambling and which have fetched criticism by anti-gambling advocates do not make online gambling the evil monster it is painted to be.  There are legitimate online gambling businesses that do business ethically.

 



By: Emeka Ezidiegwu

About the Author:

Online Gambling: How Safe is It?

Online Gambling has been continuously making big contribution on the internet industry. For the last few years, more and more people prefer to play casino on their computers rather than go to a physical casino. But there are a number of concerns with regards to this., primarily the security of the customers. This is one of the main reasons why there are apprehensions in playing on online casinos. Some are afraid that their sensitive information may come out, for instance, their address, credit card details and others.

Secure Encryption Technology

With the use of this, all the financial undertakings goes through a state-of-the-art technology. It does not permit hackers to tap any important information from the online casino.

No Cryptic Transactions with Encryption

In this method, it is just like using your ATM. Like in any back all over the world, the same method is applied. Most online casinos have have a function where you can exclusively see all the financial transactions you made with the them. There, you will be able to know if there are is an anomaly on the claimed occurrence.

Credible Software

If the software being used is from a big provider, then most probably the online casino itself is also credible. It is a big factor since it plays a major role in playing online.

Assured Payouts

To assure the prospective clients that they really give payouts, most online casinos show reports from previous months how much their total payouts are. Others even post their income and how much they give back to customers through winnings. Although it helps, it is best to ensure that they used an independent accounting firm to get these reports.

Reliable Online Casino Directories

Another way to ensure your security as a player is find a reliable online casino directories. These directories make extra effort to make sure that all the casinos on their lists are credible.

eCOGRA

eCOGRA or eCommerce and Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance is an organization that helps casino players that they are playing on is just. They run a series of tests and they constantly monitor the online casinos to make certain that customers are not being cheated. To be able to get the approval of this organization, there are some certain requirements that need to be achieved especially on poker rooms and online casinos. These should be maintained because eCOGRA will always check if it is still being complied.

There are a lot of scammers in the industry of online casinos. But there are also ways that you can do to have your information secured and play on a fair casino.



By: Gamble

About the Author:

North America Casinos and Gambling



North American casino and gambling scene dominated by USA casinos. In the United States alone there are nearly 1,500 gambling facilities ranging from casino resort style gambling facilities to poker rooms and pari-mutuel facilities. See the complete United States casino list. America is home to Las Vegas, Nevada and of course Vegas casinos are the top casino destination for American gamblers and international gamblers as well. Other hot gambling destinations in the U.S.A. include: Atlantic City, Biloxi, Reno and there is notable growth in the Gulf Coast gambling sectors: Mississippi and Louisiana. Both the western states of California and Colorado are also growing. In Colorado keep an eye on Black Hawk casinos. The riverboats of Illinois and Indiana continue to thrive and most recently you will find Pennsylvania casinos making a place for them on the map and other U.S. states are rapidly expanding their gaming horizons.

Pari-mutuel facilities are available in the U.S. and host events like jai alai, horse racing and greyhound races to bet on.

 

Canadian casinos and gambling seems to be picking up all over the country which now houses over 100 casinos and growing every year. Make sure you mark Canada casinos on your map. The casinos in Canada can range from medium-sized to incredibly large casinos. You’ll find slots, craps, roulette, keno, blackjack, baccarat and much more available. B.C. casinos are a very popular destination for Canadians and gamblers from the Pacific Northwest area of the United States. You’ll find the fine dining available in these casinos a real treat and the service impeccable.

 

Mexican casinos have not caught on quite yet - a couple opened in 2006 but are no longer open and from our reports there are no current re-openings yet scheduled. It looked for a moment in 2006 like things were going to be worked out but with the restrictions put on casino gambling by the Mexican government in 1935 they seem to be stuck… for now. We hope that we will see legalized casinos throughout the country soon.

World Casino Directory gives full attention to the most active casino continent in the world. With only three countries in it, North America has more casinos than any other continent.

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By: Gambling Guide

About the Author:

Legal minds turned to Internet gambling laws as a specialty when the industry went beyond growth and exploded into the public mind. “The law surrounding Internet gambling in the United States has been murky, to say the least,” according to Lawrence G. Walters, one of the attorneys working with www.gameattorneys.com.

In contrast, Internet gambling laws in the U.K. have made the lives of providers and players a bit easier. The passage of the Gambling Act of 2005 has basically legalized and regulated online play in the U.K.

With the objectives of keeping gambling from promoting “crime or disorder” the U.K. act attempts to keep gambling fair, in addition to protecting younger citizens and others who may be victimized by gambling operation. Unlike the United States, which still clings to the 1961 Wire Wager Act, the U.K. significantly relaxed regulations that are decades old. A gambling commission was established to enforce the code and license operators.

A Whole Other Country

According to Walters and many other observers of the Internet gambling laws scene, the United States Department of Justice continues to view all gambling on the Internet as illegal under the Wire Act. But there are details in the federal law that defy attempts to throw a blanket over all online gambling.

The Wire Wager Act forms the basis for federal action on Internet gambling laws in the United States. The law was meant to complement and support laws in the various states, focusing primarily on “being engaged in the business of betting or wagering” using wire communication to place bets or wagers on sporting events or similar contests. The law also comments on receiving money or credit that results from such a wager. The keys are “business,” “money or credit” and “wire communication facility.”

But as many attorneys and proponents of fair Internet gambling laws emphasize, the federal law does not specifically address other forms of gambling. This has left the law open to interpretation when it comes to online casinos specifically and using the World Wide Web to play online games.

October 13, 2006 is a crucial date in the controversy surrounding the legalization of gambling. For anyone wishing to understand Internet gambling laws, the federal law passed on that day is essential knowledge. President George W. Bush signed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA), which is intended to limit some “financial transactions” used for online gambling.

But even if current federal gambling laws can clearly define something as simple as a legal gambling age, the newer UIGEA has not settled all the dust raised around the issue of online gambling. Attorneys such as Walters (and many others) have pointed out that the UIGEA seems to refer only to financial transactions and wagers that are illegal where the wager or transaction is made. Some wagers may be legal while others may not be legal. It’s as simple as that.

The UIGEA had some effect on Internet gambling, in that many successful companies got out of the business, at least in the United States. In fact, with the passage of the law in 2006, most U.S. online players found they could not play at an online casino or poker room, for a short time. Many of the gambling providers found ways to establish offices and servers outside of the U.S. so that could invite United States players back in.

Break Time

It’s now time to stop, take a deep breath and turn to Internet gambling laws in the various states. Some have passed their own rules and regulations (before and after UIGEA). In a few states, companies cannot operate an online gambling business. In other states it is illegal for an individual to place a bet using the Web. Some legal experts argue that these individual-state rules are unconstitutional since commerce across state lines should only be regulated by federal law, not state law. Commercial online gambling businesses don’t operate in the United States, however. If you want to visit their “home offices” you may have to travel to Malta, Gibraltar or Curacoa.

The 2005 U.K. law generally allows remote sites such as these. The rules are not so relaxed in the U.S. However, a recent appellate court ruling in the U.S. states that, in at least one case, an Web-based gambling site did not violate states laws. Most legal minds urge gamblers and others interested in the issue to stay tuned.

Some have given their attention to finding benefits of legalized gambling, noting that this huge industry might be a key to economic recovery in the United States. At the heart of their argument are examples such as established lotteries run by various states, in addition to the government revenues that flow in to state coffers from riverboats and land-based casinos.

Part of this effort rests on the shoulders of more than 100 legal representatives working for common sense in Internet gambling laws. This hoard of attorneys has the task of trying to keep the World Wide Web/Internet free from government intervention.

Bob Ciaffone is considered one of the experts on the subject of gambling and poker in general, and on the transition to online gambling. He suggests that any regulation of Web-based gambling should reduce competition from outside the U.S., so that the citizens of the U.S. would benefit in legal gambling states. His detailed plan would parallel the U.K. situation since that country passed its 2005 rules. Ciaffone also strongly urges U.S. lawmakers to keep Internet gambling laws separate from the 40-year-old Wire Act, which was passed to control illegal gambling over the telephone.

In essence, Ciaffone writes that the UIGEA attempted to do the right thing, but does it in all the wrong ways. The restrictions have severely handicapped what could be a great revenue source with proper regulation, according to Ciaffone.

Consider a statement on the UIGEA from the most-recognizable poker player in the world, Doyle Brunson. Though is comments apply to his favorite game of poker, they can easily relate to all Internet gambling laws. He said, in essence, that his company received good legal advice that indicates Internet poker is not “expressly” illegal. He encourages U.S. players to learn the laws of their own state.

While this brief summary touches only the high points of a huge and complex subject, there are sources that have already compiled details for the various states. Check these sites:

www.gambling-law-us.com/

http://www.gambling-law-us.com/State-Law-Summary/

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/



By: Jim Hale

About the Author:

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.

Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.

What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.

Am I a Compulsive Gambler?

1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?

2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?

3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?

4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?

5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?

6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?

7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?

If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.

Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?

Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.

How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?

1) Group Therapy:

Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.

2) Individual Therapy:

Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.

3) Psychiatric Medication:

It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.



By: Jack Reider

About the Author:

Gambling addiction is an obsessive and compulsive behaviour which involves a person being addicted to gambling. Whether the gambling involves betting on horse racing, casino black jack tables or slot machines, the sufferer falls victim to compulsively seeking the ‘high’ gained from gambling.

Why do people become addicted to gambling?

Gambling addiction is like any other addiction. As with drug addicts and alcoholics, gambling addicts suffer from a disease - it is incurable and progressive. Yet with treatment and a daily programme of recovery, it can be arrested and maintained.

When a gambling addict engages in gambling and the related behaviours that go with it, they experience an escape from their feelings. Addicts are individuals who very often do not know how to cope with their feelings and emotions. Thus follows behaviour to take them away from the present, leaving their emotional capacity hollow. The disease of addiction can be described as a “hole in the soul” - a spiritual void which gambling addicts attempt to fill with destructive behaviour and short-term highs.

Surprisingly, many gambling addicts describe the pull of gambling addiction as involving losing at gambling more than winning, although winning does provide an incredible high. The loss of money and possessions fills them with a desperate need for hope of gaining control again, leading them to act out compulsively on gambling behaviour over and over again.

What happens when a person is addicted to gambling?

Unable to control their obsessive and compulsive gambling, addicts are taken to a very dark place, which grows increasingly worse over time. Losing families, jobs, houses, cars and all other possessions, but mostly self respect, the gambling addict is left in a place of total unmanageability where their life has suffered complete destruction. Suicide is common amongst gambling addicts as they see no other solution to their habit and loss of livelihood. Even though they want nothing more than to be free of their compulsion to gamble, they cannot stop, they do not know how to stop, and cannot see a life free of gambling.

How does a gambling addict recover?

As with any addiction, for a person who is a gambling addict to begin recovery, they will need to stop their gambling behaviours in order for healing to begin. However, the problems which a gambling addict needs to deal with are in fact, not gambling. The obsessive and compulsive behaviours are not the problem – they are a symptom of the disease of addiction, revealing that something is very wrong within the person. As with drug addicts and alcoholics, the behaviour is caused by the addiction. The behaviour is not the cause. Yet a gambling addict will need to stop the behaviours to begin recovery, as the behaviours provide the escape from their problems which they seek, allowing them to avoid the true problem.

Moving to other cities or locations (known as geographicals), staying away from casinos and other places associated with their addiction and other external elements which can be blamed may seem the right route to wellness. But the addiction is within the gambling addict and will surface wherever they are, no matter what they do, unless they treat the underlying problems and issues.

Gambling addiction and rehabilitation centres

Many gambling addicts are admitted to in-patient treatment facilities or out patient therapy programmes, depending on the severity of their problem. One on one therapy and group therapy in a nurturing environment is a highly successful treatment method for gambling addiction, allowing the gambling addict to address their underlying issues.

Treatment in a rehab facility is also beneficial as they are able to heal in a nurturing environment with other sufferers who can provide support, insight and relate to their problems and feelings. In a treatment facility, a gambling addict is able to learn a new way of life, without the need to use gambling as a way of escaping their problems.

However, learning a new way of life in a facility is just one part of recovery from gambling addiction. For a gambling addict to maintain abstinence from gambling, a programme of recover needs to be adhered to on a daily basis. As mentioned before, gambling addiction is an incurable and progressive disease. It will not ‘go away; but can be arrested and maintained through daily recovery and vigilance.

The Twelve Steps of Gamblers Anonymous

The use of a Twelve Step Programme as used in the Twelve Step fellowship dealing with gambling addiction Gamblers Anonymous (GA), as well as intensive therapy is a highly successful method of treating gambling addiction, whilst allowing the sufferer the introduction to continued recovery and abstinence they need. Relapses do happen, but with a Twelve Step programme of recovery, a gambling addict is able to harness tools to help them cope with daily life, the problems and feelings they have been avoiding and difficult times without reverting to the destructive obsessive and compulsive behaviours which accompany gambling addiction.



By: Rosemary Grace Brooks

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