Issue N17, 2009
May 1, 2009
Online Casino Celebrates First Win
It is not easy for new online casinos to make their way in the current industry. There is serious competition among existing sites, and a casino needs to be able to offer something considerably more attractive in order to survive out there. One of the newest sites available, RoyalJoker.com has received a push start in the industry for two reasons.
The first is that it recently celebrated its first major win after a relatively short period of existence. After a mere few weeks, the Microgaming powered site paid one lucky player out nearly $100K after playing the Break da Bank slot game. For only $20, the player took home a massive life changing amount!
In addition, RoyalJoker.com is operated by one of the oldest casino sites in the industry, InterTops, which has earned itself a reputation as a unique and solid casino. “Running one of the first online casinos for eleven years, we've learned a lot about giving players what they want,” said Michel Posch of InterTops. “RoyalJoker.com gives us a chance to try out some new ideas and to give players another opportunity to win big.”
Suspicious Betting Patterns Reported by Bookies
A game played out between two UK soccer teams – Forest Green Rovers and Grays Athletics – involved an unusual type of wagering pattern, causing UK bookies, William Hill and Blue Square, to stop accepting bets on the game and report their suspicions to the Football Association. A high number of bets were placed on the odds of the Grays trailing at half time and winning at full time. While the team had no points at half time, two goals – in a space of 90 seconds between them – were scored in the second half.
“We saw a most unusual betting pattern on this match involving a large number of requests for bets on Grays to be losing at half time and winning at full time,” said Graham Sharpe, a spokesman for William Hill. “The odds for that eventuality were cut from 22/1 to under half of that price, yet people wanted to back that outcome.”
William Hill and Blue Square did not pay out bets for the game, and the Football Association will investigate the matter and make its comments known.
California Moving Towards Legal Online Poker
The draft for a bill that will legalize and regulate intrastate online poker in the State of California has been published, leading to cautious optimism that residents will finally be able to enjoy this form of entertainment without risk of prosecution. The bill calls for online poker to be made available to Californian players within the state only and as long as the operators work within the state as well.
The draft explains the importance of the bill, mainly due to the need for regulation: “The State of California currently maintains and enforces substantial regulatory and law enforcement efforts to protect thousands of Californians who play poker for money live in licensed California card rooms,” it reads, “yet provides no licensing requirements, regulatory structure or law enforcement tools to protect millions of Californians who play exactly the same games daily for money online.”
There is widespread support for this type of bill. Besides the enormous amounts of money California will make from taxation and licensing fees, online poker players back the bill for the freedom it will finally bring them. “This could be the start to allowing us the freedom to do what we want with our free time and gamble online,” said one observer. “If California shows that online gambling can be successfully regulated, then other states may follow.”
Betfair Shows Support for Internet Gambling in Australia
The global leading online gambling group, Betfair, has done its bit to support the industry in Australia, by submitting its comments to the government’s Productivity Commission. This body requested that all interested parties submit their opinions about legalizing internet gambling in the country, while public hearings will be held soon afterwards. The Commission will submit its report to the government in November 2009. Thus far, over 200 interested parties – Betfair included – have put in their opinions.
“It is illegal to offer online poker to Australian residents, but that hasn't prevented several large international operators from creating an enormous customer base here, assisted by promotional activities featuring high profile Australians and cross selling through 'play for free' sites,” said Betfair in its submission to the government’s Productivity Commission. “It is estimated that more than $300 million is bet by Australians annually on online poker - and it's a figure that is rapidly growing.”
“Betfair advocates an approach based on regulation, rather than attempts to prohibit the activity,” continued the group. “Only through regulation can effective player protection be enforced in the online environment.”
The government is considering making changes to its current Interactive Gambling Act of 2001.