Betstopper Aims to Make the Web Kid Friendly

Pretty soon parents can prevent their kids from gaining access to online gambling sites even if they are not there watching. This software is predicted to be so successful that an agreement is already in place between the software development company and the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.

BetStopper, is the first of its kind to completely block online gambling and pretty soon porn, other adult web content, as well as other social networking sites. The application aims to monitor and moderate the children's online activity since BetStopper also enables parents to schedule days and times that kids can gain access to the internet. The best thing about it is that its FREE.

With Betstopper soon to be out and about in every child's computer, some would say that the UIGEA Bill is now outdated. The main arguement used by the supporters of this bill is that children are able to potentially gamble using their parent's account - and BetStopper eliminates this problem.

Currently, the software is only available for download in Nova Scotia, Canada. This region served as the pilot testing grounds for the software since they have alarming rates of underage gamblers. If and when BetStopper proves to be a big success in Nova Scotia, it is hope that it will then be extended to rest of the world.

So far the results of the test were extremely positive:

• 80% found the software easy to use
• 88% say they are more aware of the risks of online youth gambling
• 78% were motivated to talk to their children about the risks of online gambling
• 92% think BetStopper is an effective youth gambling prevention tool
• 99% believe it is important that NSGC make the software available to Nova Scotian families

CEO of Internetsafety.com said, “In ten years of specializing in helping parents shield their children from the unsavory side of the Internet, this is the first time we have been asked to create a project specifically to address underage gambling.”

For more information, visit their website at http://www.betstopper.ca/

Online Gambling Law Trailblazers Are Doing a Rethink

They blazed a legislative trail shortly after the turn of the millennium and now find themselves wondering whether they took right path. Governments that thought they could control how, where and with whom their residents chose to gamble with on the internet are now having to rethink their online gambling strategy.

One of the best case studies in this regard is the Australian experience.

In 2001 the Australian Government surprised many industry observers when they passed the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 ("the Act"). The Act took a prohibitive approach to online gambling, rendering it illegal for offshore operators to offer their product to Australian residents, as well as limiting the nature of bets that locally licensed operators could offer. 'In-play' sports bets were a notable bet type that Australian licensed sports books could not offer.

It was a bold law with clear intent; to limit Australian resident access to gambling sites that were not licensed in Australia. But from its release many believed that the government was being overly optimistic regarding their ability to effectively police the provisions of the Act. One blaringly obvious issue was that those who the legislation was primarily aimed at - offshore online gambling sites, were beyond the jurisdiction of the Australian judiciary and therefore unlikely to change their operating practices because of the law.

Another key difficulty was the fact that the law would have no real impact on either Australian's propensity to gamble, or their ability to access the sites which the legislation was supposed to prohibit.

Nevertheless, lawmakers thought the Act would make a difference and curb 'illegal' online gambling. But the reality 8 years down the track is that the number of Australians gambling online at websites prohibited by the Act can be counted in the hundreds of thousands. Locally licensed operators are now complaining that they can't compete with their offshore counterparts and the government is seeing millions of dollars in potential tax revenue flowing out of the country.

As a result, the Australian Government is now undertaking a consultation process to study gambling reform. This is government speak for 'we got it wrong the first time round and are now going to have to do an about face.

And the Australians are not alone. France is another country that went down the online gambling ban path, only to do an about face years later and announce their intentions to enact new laws opening up their online gambling market and licensing processes. Of course France has the added incentive of having to please the European Commission and not breach freedom of provision of services laws. But that's another story altogether.

Video Poker Quick Playing Tips

Like to play video poker machines? Step into any casino in Las Vegas and one thing you will quickly notice is that the casinos spend a lot of layout space on machines. Much of that layout goes to Video Poker. If you have played Video Poker for any amount of time, you know that not all machines where created equal. As the years have gone by, more and more "specialty" video poker machines have come into being. Today, I will share some of my Video Poker tips , I hope you will enjoy them.

Tip One: Finding a good machine

Finding a good machine is as simple as looking at the payout schedule. You really want to stay away from specialty pay machines that have larger top payouts, but negate the lower payouts. For example, a machine might pay a little more on four of a kind, but will pay less on two pair, flushes and full houses. Since you will rack up lower scale payouts often, because of the probability of receiving these hands, you want a strong lower scale payout system.

Tip Two: Playing strategy

Learning how to play properly (optimally) is a must. Your playing strategy will, in the end, determine your average return, and your final bankroll amount. Knowing what to do in a situation where you have, for example, two Kings, but four to the flush is vital. Do you keep the Kings and the guaranteed money or roll the dice for the harder to hit flush? Playing a good machine with a good strategy will give you a great opportunity to win money over the long run.

Tip Three: It's random

Over the years, I have watched people play Video Poker in Las Vegas using all sorts of superstitious movements. Some will only use cold coins to play, some will push the buttons extra hard, some will tap the machine with their money before playing and the list goes on and on. Each hand is setup by a RNG (Random Number Generator). The moment you start to play, the hand is set in stone. The machine will randomly select all the cards from a 52-card deck and deal them out.

Tip Four: There's no memory

This is a big one. Many players believe that if they start to see hands with three of a kind, four to the royal and so forth that the bigger hands are due any moment. This is simply wrong. As explained in tip three, the system uses a RNG to setup the hands. The system has no memory. It does not know that you have not had a full house in 400 hands or that you just received three four-of-a-kind hands in a row. It's possible to go 100,000 hands without a four of a kind and it's possible to get ten in a row. The machine does not keep track, because in the end, the numbers work out.

I hope these tips have helped you grow as a Video Poker player. Misconceptions on how the game works can be far more deadly than simply playing wrong. I have watched people spend (and lose) hundreds of dollars on a machine simply because they believed the machine had a memory and was "due" to hit. Don't fall into traps like this. Understand that Video Poker is random and needs to be played properly. Now, go have some fun.

Why There Should be Rules...

The reasons why online gambling should be regulated include a broad range of ideas. The most compelling one is regulations and rules create order and fewer problems. Because the industry in the USA is not regulated by any American government agencies, it is difficult to know what problems exist and how prevalent they are.

Computer hackers, for example, who illegally gain entry into computer systems, are also a problem for the online gambling industry, as in all Internet-based industries. Operators of gambling Web sites say that hackers try to break into their financial databases and take information or manipulate gaming software in their favour. Online gambling sites are very secure as far as hackers are concerned and the established casinos and information portals are there because they have earned good reputations for security.

Studies have shown that a lack of trust is a major factor keeping many traditional gamblers away from Internet sites. People worry that the games are "fixed" or that winnings will not be paid. It should be kept in mind that many financial analysts believe the risk is low when credit cards are used because credit-card transactions are closely monitored and recorded. Without regulation there is a fear that other, less traceable payment methods will become popular, as credit-card use is increasingly being blocked at online gambling sites. Something that could be solved with regulation.

Without federal or state regulation of online gambling sites, no measures are taken to prevent underage gamblers from participating. Research into human behaviour says we like to be entertained and online gambling can provide a great deal of fun. Teens are naturally attracted to fun. To have a regulated system for online gaming gives youth a fair shake. Regulation costs something as everyone knows but not regulating has costs too. Legalization means we can be better equipped to keep it safe and fair for all who want to play.

Stop Online Gambling Addiction

The gambling business has always been a big business with high turnover of millions of money involved. At present, online gambling addiction has become a very common problem for many people of different ages. The presence of over 1700 gambling websites on the Internet, through interactive television and mobile phones, have caused a significant increase in online gambling addictions. In other words, the convenience of gambling at home and the ease of setting up a gambling account, have given online gambling an extremely seductive and attractive nature.

Generally, gambling habits that begins as a recreation will eventually turn into a harmful gambling addiction. Gambling can be for leisure and entertainment, however, where money is involved, greed will be formed. And addiction often derived from the root of greed.
When you have online gambling addiction, you will eventually be numb to your feelings, putting you in your own world and preventing you from being authentic and honest with yourself.

The symptoms of online gambling addiction?

1. Low cash flow
2. Loss of interest
3. Less contact with the outside world
4. Loss of motivation
5. Absence in work
6. Anti-social
7. Dishonest
8. Debts
9. Begging for loans

How To Stop Online Gambling Addiction?

Online Gambling addiction is widely common in the world today. Many has tried but failed in quitting the addiction. It has been made so easy to access into the Internet today that convenience has made quitting extremely difficult for gamblers. Self help books aren't great quitting tools as well because they take a one-size-fits-all approach and words on a page aren't taking you anywhere. One of the effective approaches is by prohibiting the ease of access to gambling online. It can be done by installing an effective web filter, so that you can block out betting websites from your computer. Apart from this method, there is a new method through audio programs. This allows user to quit gambling progressively and it has been proven effective through tests.

One of the effective approaches is by prohibiting the ease of access to gambling online. It can be done by installing an effective web filter, so that you can block out betting websites from your computer. Apart from this method, there is a new method through audio programs. This allows user to quit gambling progressively and it has been proven effective through tests.

Online Bingo Myths

Bingo, as with all other gambling activity, has its fair share of myths and legends that accompany the game. The growth in popularity of the online version of the game has contributed to the tale telling and many of these are quite untrue. Because of the fact that bingo is now available online, many people who have never played bingo before have had their interest piqued and want to try the game.

One myth that needs to be dispersed regarding playing bingo online is that bingo websites are unsafe. This is absolutely not true, fears are varied and include losing your deposited money, crooks being able to access your credit card details, having your computer bombarded with spyware or viruses and being unable to claim any prizes you have won

Online bingo sites use the most state-of-the-art encryption devices available today; this is part of their license requirements. This essentially means that any information you share with the bingo site will not be able to be accessed by anyone with devious aims. When it comes to viruses and spyware, all responsible computer owners have virus software that can counter the effects of this type of threat.

One of the most prolific myths is that online bingo players can’t win cash prizes and that any other online players are created by the website to entice them to play. Also completely untrue! The only way a good online bingo site will attract other players to the site is by having winner, it is the best form of promotion for the site. If a bingo site was ever rigged, there would be huge complaints and it would be immediately shut down.

Another silly myth is that online bingo sites to not have large jackpots, this is also not true, there are regular big winners online, not only in bingo, but in the slots games that often accompany bingo sites. If no jackpots were ever won in online sites, people would stop playing there and the online site would go belly up.

It has also been said that online bingo players who regularly win are using some kind of secret method of beating the system, the probability of this is absolutely nil, just as the land based form of the game is fair and randomized, so too is online bingo. It is just a case of sheer good luck, people who believe that they are lucky are generally good winners.

Doyle's Room is switching to a more US friendly casino software

Doyle's Room may be at the lead of a new trend in online gambling, as the Internet poker room has decided to switch online poker software providers to allow a return to the US market. Doyle's Room sent e-mails to patrons this week alerting them to massive change on the site, expected to focus on a shift from Microgaming to Cake Poker.

Microgaming decided in November to withdraw from the US market to avoid further legal hassles like the Kentucky online casino domain name case. At that time, all sites powered by Microgaming were required to follow suit and stop accepting new US players. But studies have shown that as much as half of all online gambling involves US players, and a fledgling site like Doyle's needs that base to draw upon.

Therefore, Doyle's will become a member of the Cake Poker network. While Cake has blocked Kentucky players in a protective response to the ongoing court case, players from other states are still welcome. No word has been released about potential returns to prior service by either Microgaming or Cake in light of the appellate victory in Kentucky by online gambling sites.

Meanwhile, rumors persist that other online casinos may choose, or be forced economically, to follow Doyle's move to switch software providers that are still accepting US players. Playboy Casino, which expected to exploit the brand name so well-known in the US, has announced it will shut down next week after two years of struggling to survive following software provider Cryptologic's dropping of US players after the passing of the UIGEA.

More Internet casinos are sure to conclude their best path for survival and growth may lie in placing their companies with software companies still serving the US. With the arrival of new gambling solutions from Rival Gaming and Wizard Gaming, there are a growing number of high-quality, innovative programs to choose from.

Women should indulge in online gambling because...

Here is an interesting fact. Although men dominate the online poker segment, in online gambling as a whole, women have the bigger number. So why should we indulge ourselves in a little online gambling? Below are 8 of the top reasons.

1. Women can ultimately impress their man by showing that they too can kick-ass at online poker, blackjack or backgammon. You can show your man that you can not only play but can earn more money than him as well.
   
2. Online gambling let's you play at the comforts of our home even if you're just in our pajamas. You can focus more in the game since there are no distractions unlike in it's land-based counterpart. Playing online poker from home, rather than dealing with the noise and lights in actual casinos, gives you time to think and concentrate. This helps you play better, which in return helps you win.
3. The payout rates in online gambling sites are higher compared to its land-based counterpart. Higher payout means more profit for you.
   
4. Online gambling sites are more tailored to get better odds. The computer software itself are ruled by Random Number Generator system and is meant to give all the players a fair chance.
   
5. Playing at online gambling sites is easier for you to win. Since you don't have to deal with people and you don't need to put up your poker face to the test. You can smile, you can frown and no one will be there to analyze each and every twitch your eyes made during the game.
6. If you're not as good to start wagering your money, you can always practice using an online gambling site's free play feature.
   
7. Since women are sociable well-beings, you can immerse yourself with different cultures as you mingle with other online players.
   
8. Women can spare themselves being mugged in casino parking lots since online gambling sites have several payment options to choose from.
   

Online Gambling's - UIGEA

The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) is a part of the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act of 2006, or commonly known as the SAFE Port Act. The SAFE Port Act was enacted to cover online gambling and the U.S ports in relation with the continuous threat of terrorism. Title VIII of this Act has covered online gambling and is also commonly known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. This title prohibits the transfer of funds from a financial institution to an Internet gambling site, with the notable exceptions of fantasy sports, online lotteries, and horse/harness racing. Title VIII's main objective is to prevent money laundering by terrorist organizations.

Surprise spread quickly over the online gambling industry when the UIGEA was passed by Congress in 2006. Several publicly listed members of the gambling industry took it so seriously that they ceased taking bets from American players even before having read the Statute. The UIGEA faced severe criticism both internationally and from the online gambling players community in the U.S. The international community that was critically affected by the loss of the players from the US, has pressed the matter that UIGEA has violated WTO standards. Antigua who is a major online gambling destination, has claimed $ 3.4 billion after it has obtained a ruling from WTO. Despite all the protests and criticism, the US authorities remain silent and continue to ignore the issue.

The opposition within the online gambling community is more effective. Online poker players, together, formed the coalition, Poker Players Alliance aiming to speak with one voice in order to promote poker, and to protect their rights as players. Online casino players have also organized the group Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (IMEGA) that aims to foster cooperation between the online industry and government at all levels, and to promote innovation, openness and freedom on the Internet.

The iMEGA went to court in March 2008 on behalf of a client against the UIGEA. The judge rejected the petition but acknowledged that there were deficiencies in the UIGEA that were best addressed by higher courts. The iMEGA has filed an appeal in the higher courts. The Internet gambling industry has challenged the UIGEA on several counts. The foremost is that it violates the fundamental rights of privacy, speech, expression, and conduct. Another important argument is that the UIGEA discriminates against Internet gambling as compared to land-based gambling. There are several arguments that are technical rather than fundamental. The most forceful of these is that the UIGEA does not define Internet gambling and is therefore vague. Several legislative challenges have been initiated against the UIGEA as well. The bill HR 6870 seeks suspension of the UIGEA till all issues raised against the UIGEA have been satisfactorily addressed. The bill S 3616 seeks to identify poker as a game of skill and therefore take it out of the purview of the UIGEA.

The online gambling community has come to terms with the fact that if it wants prohibition of Internet gambling removed then it will have to accept regulation. In fact many have begun to advocate regulation. In addition to the issue of money laundering regulation will address issues like underage, problem gambling and tax avoidance that will therefore increase the credibility of the online gambling industry.

News Clippings: Norway Now Bans Online Gambling

I was actually on my way to bed when I saw this news at OnlineCasinoTopic. It seems that Norway is now on the same page on US' stand against online gambling and casinos. So far the enactment of the law has caused an indignation of the several sectors.

It looks like the country of Norway has decided to take a page from the United States’ book on online casinos and banning them. In 2006 the United States passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). The bill was cleverly concealed inside a bill that supported port security against terrorist acts and it was never debated or investigated by the members of Congress before it was passed. The law has since caused havoc with online casinos and poker rooms, causing legitimate businesses in the online casino community to withdraw from the American market and depriving American citizens of the joy of playing. Instead a black market online casino industry has emerged and it is preying on American citizens and growing by leaps and bounds.

Norway has decided to pass a similar law to the UIGEA that makes assisting any online gambling sites a violation of the law, including processing transactions. So far the reaction to the new law has been met with outrage from every sector regarding the way the program has been implemented. The Norwegian financial institutions have stated that the law is ‘unworkable’ and a ‘competitive disadvantage’. Civil libertarians are completely horrified by it.

Additionally, global law experts feel that the law may be violating or conflicting with the national obligations as set by the European Union. Already a complaint about the law has been filed with the European Free Trade Association by the Remote Gambling Alliance. The measure as it currently stands makes any assistance to the online gambling sites illegal and says that the only ‘legal’ online gambling in the country are through sites that are state owned which includes the lottery.

You can view the whole article here.