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Vegas Palms online casino recently released its list of the hottest games for June 2011. Blackjack variants significantly grew in popularity during the month which is not surprising since the game has the lowest house edge. The two hottest blackjack variants are European Blackjack and Classic Blackjack Gold.

European Blackjack and Classic Blackjack Gold

The dealer in both versions of the game does not check for blackjack until after all cards are dealt. This is a disadvantage because if a player doubles or splits and the dealer acquires blackjack, the player will lose more than just their original wager. Classic Blackjack Gold is also popular due to being the only variant in the industry played with a single deck. This gives the player a significant advantage.

Live Dealer Roulette

The casino offers live dealer games where casino operations are conducted and streamed across the Internet. Since Roulette is one of the most popular games at land casinos, Live Dealer Roulette is also one of the hottest games in June at the casino.

Popular Online Slot Games

The remaining game types on the list are online slots. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Thunderstruck II are two of the most popular games at all Microgaming-powered casinos. Released in the summer of 2010, both games have drawn a significant amount of traffic since. Another popular game on the list is Gold Factory which was only released last month by has become an instant classic due to the multi-level bonus game.

Surprising Games

Whenever the list is released, there is always a game that surprises the casino and public. In this instance, Burning Desire and Big Top are the two surprises. Burning Desire is a Valentine’s Day-theme game. However, since the list is for June, it is unexpected. However, the game is historically important as it was the first to introduce the 243 ways to win concept which defined the online slot game industry.

Big Top is also a major surprise because it is an early release from Microgaming with only nine paylines and no bonus round or free spins game. The only redeeming feature that has confirmed its popularity is the circus theme.

As part of the Fortune Lounge group, Vegas Palms is offers players a variety of games. Many of the most popular games on the list for June 2011 came as no surprise while others were shocking. However, the list proves that Vegas Palms continues to be a flourishing online gaming entity.

Virgin Casino recently ended its pirate-themed promotion entitled, “Pirate Treasure Promotion”, which was announced with the tagline, “Jackpots Ahoy! Come on board our latest Slot Game, Chest of Plenty, coming this Wednesday, and grab a share of the pirate treasure – up to £650 Cash!”

Promotional Rules

The format for the event was familiar to Virgin Casino players. They were required to wager between GBP 500 and GBP 25,000 on the new slot game, “Chest of Plenty” and several other slots during the promotional time period. Those who achieved one of the amounts would receive a corresponding cash reward. There are ten tiers set by the casino.

Wagering Requirements

On the high end, to acquire GBP 650, players had to wager at least GBP 25,000. On the opposite end, those that bet GBP 500 would receive GBP 10. The promotion began on July 4^th, 2011 and ended July 10^th, 2011 with all credits being awarded the following day.

Double Diamond Slot Games

The list of acceptable games that applied to the promotion ranged from action to classic three-reel slots. One three-reel slot game that boasted the theme of riches was Double Diamond from WagerWorks. If the Double Diamond symbol matched any other icon, it doubles the payout. Two Double Diamond icons equated to the payout time four. Finally, three Double Diamond characters equaled the top jackpot reward.

Da Vinci Diamonds

Another similar featured game was Da Vinci Diamonds, also developed by WagerWorks. The theme of this game is Renaissance art and period paintings which acted as the symbols. The best aspect of the game is Tumbling Reels in which the symbols fall from the top of the screen as opposed to spinning. Winning combinations disappear while new symbols roll down the reels.

Other Eligible Slot Games

Other popular slot games on the list that were eligible for the promotion included 100,000 Pyramid, Crocodopolis, Wolf Run, Star Trek, Cleopatra, Wipeout and the War of the Worlds. All games on the list were developed by WagerWorks. Virgin online casino is licensed and regulated by the Alderney Gambling Control Commission.

Since Virgin Casino is not specific to any specific third-party online gaming supplier, they are able to provide players with a variety of games from various vendors. This allows for a large amount of diversity and selection for players. Therefore, when the casino offers promotions, they have the luxury of focusing on specific types of games.

Rome Casino occasionally releases a list of its most popular games. The details of the games can be accessed from the Hot Game button at the top of the casino screen. This feature was added to the casino to help players branch out to try new games. The current hot list at Rome casino features four slot games which include:

• Daytona Gold
• Fruit Slot
• Kings and Queens
• Viking and Striking

The first most played game is Daytona Gold which boasts a 15 line, motor racing-themed online slot game. The symbols in the game include car keys, mirror, steering wheel, shift gear and a variety of other car accessories. The racetrack represents the wild symbol which offers a jackpot of 12,000 coins. Other interesting features are the Speedway Bonus Game and Free Turbo Spins competition.

Fruit Slot is the second featured game which boasts 25 lines. The symbols are crafted like appetizing fruit in a sketch format. The icons include kiwis, grapes, apples, peaches, plums, pears and bananas. The cherries symbol acts as the scatter icon which awards a maximum of 30 free spins. Also, the pineapple represents the bonus which awards up to 2,920 bonus points. Finally, the lemon character is the wild symbol.

The third most popular game is Kings and Queens which only feature 3 lines due to the classic 3-reel slot format. The wild symbol is represented by the king which provides a payout of 6,000 coins when three king icons appear on the reels. Other important symbols include the queen and four aces which equates to a large payout. Additional symbols include single, double and triple bars.

The final game is Viking and Striking which possesses a massive 25 paylines. The icons include five Viking warriors (one of which is female), helmet, axe, sword, mace and hammer. The shield represents the wild symbols which features the Viking warrior jumping onto the screen when part of an active payline. The rune is the bonus icon requiring the player to find hidden runes.

Each game has many benefits which is why they are so popular. The detailed list of games has successfully advertised other slot games at the casino which has significantly increased traffic and allowed players to try a variety of competitions. Stop by Rome online casino today to try your luck at one of the many popular (and less popular) online slot games.

Developed by Rival Gaming, Back Nine is a golf-themed online slot game that is the sequel to the popular Hole in Won. The progress of software technology between the two installments of games is quite apparent. The symbols crafted in the Back nine are larger, more detailed and attractive. When the reels spin the symbols become translucent revealing a sand trap on a golf course in the background.

The introductory clip features a golfer hitting a hole-in-one which proceeds to introduce many of the symbols. All symbols boast some type of animation throughout the game.

As expected, the symbols are all representative of various aspects of golf. These include:

• Trophy
• Flag
• Male golfer
• Female golfer
• Golf cart
• Golf bag
• Golf clubs
• Back Nine logo

The symbol for the jackpot is a trophy which pays out 750 coins when five are aligned on an active payline. The flag represents the wild symbols which only appears on the second, third and fourth reels. The symbol then expands to fill an entire reel. After the expansion, the animation is depicted by a golfer driving the ball across a fairway.

The bonus symbol is represented by the male golfer. When three or more appear on the reels, the bonus game is activated. Unlike many other bonus rounds, this is a skill-based game. The first time the bonus game is activated the player is transported to the first hole. After, the software automatically takes the player to the next hole until nine are completed.

Also, a score sheet is maintained for all completed holes. The sheet displays the hole number, par, number of strokes taken and the amount above or below par. For every hole completed, players receive bonus credits based on the number of strokes taken to complete the hole. If the player hits a hole-in-one, the top payout is awarded. The amount of payouts is also reflected by the number of scatter symbols acquired in the spin.

Back Nine is a 15 payline i-slot game that allows players to wager a maximum of five coins per payline. The coin designation ranges from $0.01 to $1.00 for a total bet of $45. Back Nine is one of the best golf-themed online slot games currently available. Rival Gaming did not spare any detail to give players the golfing experience of their dreams.

On April 15^th, 2011, the top three American online poker rooms were indicted and subsequently shut down by the Department of Justice. This sudden elimination of these poker powerhouses came as a shock to the online gambling community. It had such a profound impact that the day has been dubbed, “Black Friday.” Poker Stars, Absolute Poker and Full Tilt Poker immediately enacted damaged control to safeguard their gaming reputation and operations.

Effects of the Indictment

Unfortunately, Full Tilt Poker has not been able to withstand the impact of the indictment. As a result, the casino recently suspended all operations which affect players across the globe. Following the indictments on Black Friday, the licensing authority of Full Tilt Poker (the Alderney Gambling Control Commission) announced it would review the situation.

The Alderney Commission Investigation

Almost three months later, the Alderney Commission released the findings of its investigation and determined that it was necessary to suspend Full Tilt Poker’s license which inevitably suspends all operations. During the investigation, the Commission found that Full Tilt Poker was operating contrary to Alderney legislation.

Full Tilt Poker’s Current Activities

Currently, Full Tilt Poker’s servers are inactive and all play on the site has been immobilized. There is however plenty of chatter regarding the incident at the poker forums. The common reactions are of resignation, not anger. The Full Tilt website simply states the system is shut down due to maintenance and advises players to check back at a later date.

Return of Deposits

This suspension could not have occurred at a worse time for the poker site. Following the indictment, the poker room progressed to the advanced stages of negotiations with a third-party financier that would allow the company to return all deposits made by online American players since they were no longer able to play at the site.

PokerStars Reaction

The other leading American online poker room, PokerStars, reacted to the recent new about Full Tilt and assured the online gambling community that it does not face the same complications. More specifically, representatives announced that operations would continue as usual and all funds in player accounts are safe and available for withdrawal at any time. Also, the Isle of Man Gaming Commission remains intact and PokerStars is in full compliance with licensing requirements.

Not surprisingly, traffic on PokerStars has increased by five percent following the Full Tilt suspension. To become available, Full Tilt Poker may have to switch regulatory bodies which could take many months to become approved. Unfortunately this move by the Department of Justice could cripple Full Tilt Poker.

Canada Day is celebrated in the country on July 1^st of each year. In 2011, Omni Casino decided to with all Canadian players a happy and safe Canada Day by awarding them a special bonus. For the special day, Canadian players were eligible to receive a 100 percent matching bonus up to $100 on their initial deposit of $10 or more.

Canada Day Promotion

At the same time as the announcement of the Canada Day promotion, the Omni Times newsletter also previewed other major promotions for July 2011. First, the Crazy Cash Table Games event is expected to add many more players to the various table games offered by the casino operator. The event will offer cash back features mini contests and deposit bonuses. The dates of the promotion have not yet been released.

Beat the Heat Tournament

Another upcoming promotion is the Beat the Heat online slot tournament which will begin on July 15^th and end July 31^st. The guaranteed prize pool is set at $9,999 with more details to come as the event approaches. The Christmas in July promotion will begin on July 25^th and end July 29^th. Like the Beat the Heat tournament, further details of Christmas in July will be announced in the near future.

Sizzling Summer Cash Bonus

Additionally, Omni Casino recently introduced the Sizzling Summer Cash bonus which will begin July 6^th and end the following day. The casino will match 120 percent of the deposit with a minimum of $30 and a maximum of $80. The giveaway is available on the first deposit made on July 6^th and the first on July 7^th. Other regular bonuses are also available such as the Super Value bonus on July 5^th.

No New Releases

The most recent edition of the Omni Times did not mention the release of any new game in July. However, the industry rumor is that Playtech has several new games line up for release. Currently, Top Trumps Celebs is the most popular game at the casino followed by Pharaoh’s Secrets and Kong.

These upcoming promotions will be an excellent opportunity for players to pad their pockets. Tournaments, bonuses and other events are expected to be extremely exciting and improve the amount of traffic at the casino. Since no new games are scheduled to be launched in July, this is an excellent opportunity for players to add money to their wallet by playing on games they are familiar with.

Powered by Microgaming software, Jackpot City is an online casino that provides a variety of slot games and tournaments. One of the most popular is the upcoming blackjack tournament entitled “Survivor.” The first 250 players to register will receive a seat to participate. Although unlikely, if less than 14 players enroll, the tournament will be canceled.

Prize Pool

The tournament will be playing six deck European Blackjack with an entry fee of $20 and a guaranteed prize pool of $280 which will be shared by the top three winners. The first place prize is $130, second place will receive $90 and third place will be awarded $60. Although there are not large prizes, the competition is only 249 other players.

Survivor Blackjack Tournament Structure

The event is played over three rounds with only ten players surviving the first round. Each player will begin with 2,500 chips with a minimum wager of 10 chips and a maximum of 250 chips. The first round consists of only eight hands. In the second round, the top six players will advance. Each player begins with 3,500 chips with a minimum wager of 50 chips and a maximum of 500 chips. The second round is also comprised of only eight hands.

As expected, the final round has the most fierce competition among players. Only six hands are played throughout the entire round. Players begin with 5,000 chips and the minimum wager is 100 chips with a maximum wager of 1,000 chips. The top three players in this round will share the entire prize pool.

Double Exposure

For those blackjack players that do no like tournaments, there are a variety of other blackjack variants available at Jackpot City Casino. For instance, Double Exposure is a version that is easy for newcomers because both of the dealer’s cards are face-up. This makes for a much easier decision. However, to compensate for this edge, blackjack only pays even money.

Pontoon

A more challenging blackjack variant is Pontoon. This version is the exact opposite of Double Exposure in that both of the dealer’s cards are face-down. However, the player is compensated with blackjack that pays 2-to-1.

The Survivor Blackjack Tournament at Jackpot City online casino always draws the maximum 250 people due to the chances of winning. Stop by the casino today to try your luck at the tournament or one of the many other blackjack variants.

Neteller released a statement to its customers via blog posting indicated that it will be revamping its website. The message specifically read, “We’re in the process of tuning up our website to make it easier than ever to find out how to get the most out of your Neteller eWallet, Net+ Prepaid MasterCard and all our other services. As part of this, our sign-in page has a new look and feel to it.” Furthermore, signing in will be as simple as before.

Customer Profile Section

One of the greatest changes was that Neteller users would be prompted to view and updated their information within the customer profile section. By ensuring contact information is current; Neteller will be better able to keep online players informed about giveaways, promotions, bonuses, improvements and other important news.

Other Benefits

The website has been redeveloped so it is more intuitive, gives account holders better navigation and is more aesthetically pleasing. The ease-of-use and navigation has been significantly improved as a result of the new layout. The most important user items are displayed on the left side of the web page. Also, after the user signs in, their account balance is always visible. Furthermore, a search bar has been added so users can find important details.

Collaboration of Utilities

Essentially, every utility needed by the average customer is now available in a single location including, funding online casinos and other accounts, learning how to manage affiliate accounts and utilizing a Net+ Prepaid MasterCard.

Customer Support Team

Additionally, the website has improved the communication between the customer and support team. Neteller highly recommends acquiring support from the email support form which is the most efficient method of alerting the support team of an issue. The process begins by clicking the “Ask a question” link on the support page which requires users to input their email address, subject ad question.

The system will then access its internal database to ensure it has the email address on file. For first time users, they will need to create a contact record in order to access help.  Once the system finds the email address it searches for a match to the inquiry in the FAQ area. If the answer is available, the user will be automatically directed to it. If not the user must finish submitting the question which will instantly be sent to the support team with a corresponding reference number.

The website is fast, efficient and easy-to-use, three of the most important aspects of a website. Users trying the site for the first time will be pleasantly surprised. The site should help Neteller continue to grow at a rapid rate.

Over the past several weeks, many concerns have risen with regards to the initiative of the Washington, D.C. council to introduce regulated online gambling. One of the greatest concerns was regarding the conflict of interest from an independent councilor who was employed by a legal firm with their hand in online gambling. The other major issue was the silence that Congress has maintained on the passing of a gambling bill.

Implementing an Online Gambling System

Regardless of these two concerns, the D.C. Lottery has decided to proceed with plans for implementing an online system for those living in the District. In a report released by the Washington Times, six online casino games will initially be offered which include, blackjack, Texas Hold’em and bingo. At first, the games will be available in demonstration mode to allow players get acquainted with the system.

Initial Point System for Wagering

The games will feature a point system in lieu of monetary wagering. This will also give developers the chance to tweak the software. The real money games will then be available four to six weeks following the implementation of demonstration mode. The games will initially only be available at public terminals known as platinum sponsors. To be eligible, players must be at least 19 and log in from within the city limits.

Streamlining the Process

Furthermore, the typical online gambling industry prohibitions of creating more than a single account and giving others access to that account will apply. Supporters of the gaming have stated that it is extremely critical to get the technology right the first time. This includes preventing players from logging in from outside of Washington, D.C.

Adding Revenue to the City Budget

The legalization and implementation of the system will bring millions of dollars in revenue to the city. For many cities, this revenue could make a significant difference. Future additions include additional online poker games, random number games, electronic instant tickets and Victory at Sea, a Battleship-type online wagering game.

On June 29^th, 2011, the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and Revenue will be involved in a hearing on future plans. This meeting is vital because the online gambling measure was added to the budget without public vetting. Therefore, the District’s CFO, Attorney General and other important parties will be briefed on how the system will work and why Washington is the first city to undertake the task.

Launched in 2007 as a non-profit organization, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) consist of leading members of the online gaming industry. The group’s objective is to develop a uniform online sector in Europe so operators will be able to provide competitive services throughout various nations. Recently, EGBA has been met with resistance from various European governments that are attempting to monopolize or eradicate in the activity.

Social Evil

Each of the aforementioned anti-online gambling governments view the activity as a social evil or propose it will slowly become one if not regulated properly by only the government. To counter these ideas, the EGBA has developed a “Myth-busting” webpage with regards to debunking the most common myths associated with online gambling.

Problem Gambling

One of the most important accusations against the industry is that it nurtures problem gambling by making it easier for players to wager more than they can afford. The EGBA deferred to several recent studies that proved problem gaming has remained stable at around one percent over the past decade, even with the development of online gambling. Furthermore, licensed operators promote safe and responsible gaming.

There are even various tools that customers can access such as setting deposit limits, creating cool off periods, activating self-exclusion options and engaging self check tests. Additionally, the most reputable online operators partner with problem gambling groups so anyone who needs help can access the agencies immediately.

Responsibility

Another myth disseminated by several European governments is that state or federally-run online gambling monopolies are more responsible than privately-licensed operators and therefore better protect online players. In 2008, safe and fair play leader, eCOGRA released a study indicated that licensed private casino operators do more to implement responsible and fair gambling standards than governments.

Lower Payback Ratio

Another contention in favor of state monopolies is the lower payback ratio offered which deters excessive gambling. This argument was countered by stating that when governments limit private online casino operators to provide more competitive products and services, they are ensuring their operators remain profitable-only.

Money Laundering

The final point consistently argued is the concern of money laundering. Many believe online gambling is an easy target for terrorists, crime families and others who are transferring unaccounted funds for despicable actions. This was the primary rationale for the passage of the UIGEA in the United States. However, money trails in online gambling are transparent and traceable due to the highly regulated nature of the business.

EGBA has clearly busted many of these common misconceptions. When online gambling was first implemented, these ideas may have been accurate; however, since regulation, fair and safe play certificates and rigid standards have been implemented the industry is on the straight and narrow.