The United States of America is currently one of the most popular countries in the world when it comes to casino gaming. There are thousands of casinos found throughout the country, and it’s also host to a wide range of popular and reputable online sites that make it a central hub for anyone with a passion for casinos.
America’s Best Land Based Casinos
With almost 2000 casinos to their name, the Unites States of America is home to more casinos than any other country in the world.
While we don’t suggest trying them all – we believe in quality over quantity – we do suggest taking a cross-country trip to visit these 6 best casinos in America.
A Simple Guide To Bingo Strategies
Bingo, much like other casino games is entirely based on chance. This means that every player that’s playing on an online bingo hall has the exact same chance of winning as everyone else. Continue reading “A Simple Guide To Bingo Strategies”
How The US Was Changed By Sports Betting Legalisation
Sports betting and gambling has long been associated with each other, but if you lived within the United States of America, for many years it was illegal to wager money on a sports team or event due to laws that were set in place almost 30 years ago.
While sports in the US were televised nationally and allowed anyone to watch, taking money out using a legitimate bookmaker was against the law, and it was law that saw an extreme amount of illegal gambling to take place.
But things changed during 2018, and the Supreme Court finally ruled that the PASPA law, which was set in place to prohibit sports betting, was repealed, stating that it conflicted with the Tenth Amendment of the United States constitution.
Since the decision was made, the US sports betting market has changed in a dramatic number of ways, and for the most part, it’s been seen as a victory for sports punters from around the country, and sports betting NZ enthusiasts globally.
States That Were Most Affected
Before the PASPA law was changed, only citizens within a handful of the country’s states were legally allowed to put money down on sporting event. These were Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana.
This changed immediately as the law was changed, with a number of states jumping on the bandwagon as soon as they possibly could.
Maryland
Maryland polled 53% of registered voters gave support for legalisation of sports punting within the state, and although there are still some changes to be made, we have begun to see a wider audience within the state.
The issue of sports betting within the state will be addressed during the 2020 elections, where it will most likely become the norm.
Minnesota
Minnesota is one of the few states where the issue of sports wagering has remained undecided. Republican State Representatives announced that a new bill would be put together to reach a consensus on what the general population felt about overall punting.
It showed that around 40.7% of people supported it, although with prevailing popularity throughout the nation, it seems more than likely that this percentage will rise over the next few years until legal sports betting becomes a staple.
New Jersey
New Jersey is well known for its more aggressive approach toward the betting market, and was one of the states that was most active in the PASPA repeal. Since the change, wagering in New Jersey has been totally legalised and can be done at locations throughout the state.
Soon, punters will be able to start betting through online casinos and mobile, which state officials hope will substantially boost the revenue brought in by the open market.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sits alongside New Jersey as a state that is very much for the legalisation of sports punting, and has taken the same steps toward making it more popular.
The state has set a number of regulations since the change, and more bookmakers are expected to make the state their centre of operations.
Pros and Cons of Live Dealer Games
Live Dealer casinos are a great way for players to have the benefit of playing from home and enjoying the thrill, ambience and excitement of a real establishment.
But before playing live dealer casino games, it is good to understand the pros and cons of this form of gaming.
Advantages
A big advantage of live dealer casinos is that you will be able to track your gameplay while online betting. Once you have placed your bet you will be able to follow the action as it plays out as you get to watch everything via real time video feed.
Live dealer games at legitimate sites will make use of technology that ensures that these results are fair and random, even though they are not governed by an RNG.
Live dealer casinos try to ensure that they offer you the best possible gaming experience and will often have a news channel streaming in the background to show you that the action is taking place in real time, and not pre-recorded.
They also offer you the opportunity to interact with the dealers and this is just one way that gaming sites offer you a real time entertainment scenario. You will also hear various sounds from other games that are being played, which further increase the real feel.
Live dealer casinos may vary in their action time, but this will depend on what you are playing. The action may unfold faster or slower than what you are normally used to.
For example, with Roulette there may be between 80 and 100 spins each hour. When playing in real time you may be able to speed up or slow down the action depending on what you prefer.
Sites that offer traditional and live dealer games will also give you two types of bonuses, and often the live options offer generous bonuses, but these will vary between sites, so always check that before you get started.
With a land based casino you may often have to wait for a table or deal with various other issues. When deciding to play online these problems are no longer yours, and you can begin playing as soon as you have signed up.
Disadvantages
Even though live dealer games try to give you the best possible gaming experience there are some players who have said that the sounds from other entertainment on offer sound cold and canned, which do not really give them the real experience.
They have also said that the graphics and announcements do not have the unique brick and mortar experience.
Casinos pay more to run video streamed services, which mean there are only a small range of options such as Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and variations Of Poker. Land based casinos will allow you to move between various games which are more extensive.
Because it is more costly to maintain a live dealer operation you may notice that a minimum bet may be more than a land-based or normal online casino, but the experience coupled with the convenience is well worthwhile.
Sports Betting Legalized in America
A whole new world of wagering has just opened up to gamblers in America, as sports betting has been deemed legal.
In June, the US Supreme Court struck down a Federal law that barred gambling on football, basketball, tennis, rugby and all other sports. By scrapping this law, the court gave each state the right to decide on their own laws, and to legalize sports betting if they so wished.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, or PASPA has been brought in to effect in 1992 and it had barred state-authorized sports betting, with a few small exceptions. Nevada was the only state in which a person could wager on the result of a single game, but other than that, all forms of betting were banned across the board.
Now, the Supreme Court has voted on the ruling, and a 6-3 vote has caused it to be abolished once and for all- or at least for now.
A Bright Betting Future
The state of New Jersey is one of the only states in which online casinos and pokies online have been legalized, and they have followed suit by allowing sports betting too.
A research firm who has been following the lift of the PASPA ban and the betting industry is now estimating that in the next 5 years, 32 states will offer sports betting.
That’s more than half the states in the USA, and many consider it a conservative estimate.
Upon the ban being lifted local and international betting ad gambling firms breathed a sigh of relief, as the market now have the potential to expand legally.
Betting can bring in huge amount of revenue and many betting brands are now backing the development of both land based and online establishments. Big names have already stepped up to the plate, and William Hill accepted the first sports bets in NJ recently.
In the future, we can expect that the sports betting industry will blossom and that Americans will enjoy wagering on just about everything, just like their counterparts around the world.
The Court Decides
The overturning of the PASPA law has left every state open to determine which way they want to turn, and with Congress no longer at the helm, it is up to the heads of each state to decide the way forward.
The Supreme Court had found that the PASPA law was not consistent wit the US constitution, and this was their reasoning for scrapping it.
New Jersey was the driving force behind getting the ruling scrapped and the state has fought for years, and at great expense, to legalize both gambling and sport betting.
They’ve got it right with gambling and now, it looks like they have gotten it right with sportsbetting too.
More than a dozen states threw their weight behind New Jersey and all argued that Congress has exceeded its authority when the original ruling had been passed in 1992.
NJ said that although Congress could pass laws that barred people from wagering on sport, but it cannot require individual states to keep prohibitions on place- and the Supreme Court ultimately agreed.
Learning To Play Online Casinos Safely
The last few decades have been an exciting time for both the world and the casino industry. We’ve been witness to the creation and growth of the Internet, and watched how it’s spread throughout the world and changed the way we interact with each other, and with the kinds of casino games we like to play.
For years, the only way to enjoy a game of slots or poker was to go out and visit the local venue. Sometimes, the local venue was a few hours away, meaning that a lengthy and expensive trip would need to be organised.
This all stopped the moment the internet allowed to us to simply access our games from home, and without ever having to spend more than we need to.
It hasn’t been completely flawless, however, and while crime has always plagued the casino industry, it’s gotten a lot worse for those that like to enjoy their games online.
Cyber criminals are constantly on the prowl, waiting to steal personal and financial information whenever they can, and many of them have targeted online casinos specifically, mostly because of the high volumes of money that casinos deal with every day.
This doesn’t have to affect you, as long as you know how to keep your details safe, and what to look out for in different sites. Make your online betting NZ that much safer with these helpful tips.
Online Casino Regulation
There are international agencies that exist to monitor various, popular casinos that do business online. Agencies like eCOGRA were put in place to ensure that players are never ripped off, and that everything is always kept safe and fair.
Before joining up with a new casino, make sure that they have the eCOGRA badge of approval so that you know the casino is legitimate and won’t make off with your invested money.
Learning To Use SSL
While browsing online, you may have noticed that some websites have the phrase, “SSL” in the URL bar at the top. This stands for Secure Socket Layer, and is a special kind of security meant to protect the details of the people that use that site.
It’s vitally important that whatever casino you use is SSL encrypted, meaning that whenever you type in your personal details, they will be safely locked away.
The easiest way to know is by checking whether the URL bar contains the SSL on the pages where you need to type in login or financial information.
Use Secure Banking Methods
Any casino worth your time will have more than a few types of banking methods, and each one has a different layer of security.
E-wallets, for example, require the same kind of details that you’d give to a casino, but generally are extremely safe to use. If you don’t want to give any of your information to the casino, you can simply use a charge card to load up a specific amount of money to an e-wallet of your choice, keeping your identity completely anonymous from any prying eyes.
With these methods, playing your favourite games can be done in a secure environment, without you having to worry about potential crime.
Exciting Slot Games On The Horizon
We look into our crystal ball and see what new slot releases are looming on the horizon. We also look at if they are worth some hype or if they will be relegated to the corner of the online casino’s dustiest servers.
You won’t have to worry about time on your hands as these releases will come well after Australian Open tennis betting has finished.
Volcano Riches
Coming from Quickspin, Volcano Riches will be released on the 13th of March. So far we know that the reels will be laid out in a 5×4 grid with 40 paylines.
The bonus features are said to also include exploding wild symbols. Quickspin have said the RTP will be around 96%. The screens that have been released make the game look very exciting.
Drums Beast
Also set for a March release, Drums Beast is from the small developer Casino Technology. This new title seems inspired by the Guitar Hero games.
The protagonists seem to be a rock chick but the catch is she has the devil as her drummer.
While this slot’s below average RTP of 95.75% may turn some fans off, this game looks like it is set to be something quite different from the usual slot fair.
It is always great to see more rock themed slots, so let’s hope Drums Beast also has a soundtrack that lives up to the hype.
Easter Island
Perfectly timed for the holiday season, Easter Island will be released near the end of March. This Yggdrasil slot looks incredibly unique.
The reels spin against a backdrop of the famous island but you are also joined by a wide range of Moai statues that come along on your quest for riches.
The reels are also arranged in an unconventional 5×5 grid featuring 27 paylines. Yggdrasil rarely fails to deliver quality slots and this game looks set to be no exception to this rule.
We know from release info that there will be a respin feature and expanding wilds in the bonus features.
The Grid And Spooky 5000
Fantasma Games are looking to expand their catalogue of slot games with two releases set for April. Spooky 5000 and The Grid will both feature standard 5×3 reel layouts with both having 10 paylines.
So far we only know the slots have a horror and a retro theme to them. Anticipation is high though as Fantasma has been releasing some quality titles recently, although rarely aimed at a western audience.
Asgardian Stones
Set for the end of February, Asgardian Stones is a brand new title from NetEnt. This simple yet engaging slot looks packed with small features that all work together.
It is also set to make use of a bonus wheel and giant symbols that can crush smaller symbols below.
Gem Rocks
Also from Yggdrasil, Gem Rocks features giant stone creatures that inhabit the reels. With a 96.3% RTP and 4096 ways to win, this slot looks set to keep Yggdrasil fans very happy.
This company has been delivering quality slot after quality slot so it will be interesting seeing where they go this year.
Speaking of which with excellent games like these to look forward to, it will definitely be a good year.
Busting 5 Popular Online Casino Myths
If you’ve ever told someone that you were interested in trying out an online casino, they probably had plenty to say and it most likely wasn’t positive.
Those unfamiliar with the online casino industry generally have the most to say, and you’ve probably heard things like “all your money is going to get stolen”, “online casinos are rigged”, or “you’re going to get a computer virus”.
However we are here to bust 5 popular online casino myths and set your mind at ease regarding the usage of online casinos.
1. Online Casinos Are Not Secure
We aren’t going to try and sugar coat it and say that bad things don’t happen online – hackers do exist after all – but the online casino industry is well aware of this fact. In fact, distinguished online casinos operate in much the same way as online government banks do, as they implement the same state of the art security and data encryption in order to keep player’s personal and financial information safe.
If you’re still concerned, it’s a good idea to look out for the eCOGRA logo which should be clearly visible on most reputable online casinos.
2. Online Casinos Are Lonely
If you’re under the impression that online casinos are devoid of all human input, you would be completely wrong.
Not only are these sites maintained and operated by a group of highly competent individuals, but players can easily interact with one another should they want to. Live dealer casino games also inject a bit more soul into the games and you are able to interact with both the dealer and other players thanks to live chat.
Of course there is no human interaction with online Slots NZ, but it’s no different with land based slots either!
3. Online Casinos Give Your Computer Viruses
Firstly, while most online casinos will have a wider range of games to enjoy if you do download the online casino software, you don’t have to download the software in order to play and many players opt for the instant play option instead.
Secondly, if you do opt to download the software from the online casino website, you can scan the file with ease using your own virus scanner prior to installing if you’re really concerned.
4. Online Casinos Are Rigged
This is probably the most popular online casino myth of all and is what keeps many from trying out online casinos. People tend to assume that online casinos are rigging their games to cheat players out of their hard-earned money, but this is simply not possible.
Online casinos are subject to the same regulations as brick and mortar casinos and the eCOGRA logo should be enough to set your mind at ease, as this 3rd party casino regulator ensures that the advertised payout percentages of all online casino games on the site are accurate.
5. Online Casinos Are More Expensive
This is the most ludicrous online casino myth of them all as online casinos are actually cheaper than brick and mortar casinos!
Firstly, there are no travel expenses in order to reach the casino destination, there are no high-priced restaurants if you get hungry, the dealer doesn’t require a tip, and the list goes on.
Secondly, the overheads associated with online casinos are also much lower, which means that the house edge on all games is generally more competitive than land based casinos.
Potential Changes in USA Online Gambling Laws
Federal-level online gambling legislation has been all but abandoned in North America, and has been for some time.
Many different states, however, have been focused on developing their own legislation around online gambling and Poker for some time. Now, these efforts seem about to come to fruition.
Arguments for and Against Online Gambling
Proponents of online gambling point to the huge economic benefits that it could have on the different states, while those who are against the idea say that dealing with underage and problem gambling would be much more difficult if more states were allowed to operate online casinos.
While concerns for minors and gambling addicts may be heartfelt and genuine in some cases, in others the motivation could easily be money-grubbing.
Even President Donald Trump, who has long connections with land-based casinos and whose campaign was backed by men with some of the deepest pockets in brick-and-mortar establishments, has tried to halt online gambling by pushing the Restoration of America’s Wire Act, or RAWA. When the Wire Act of 1961 was reversed in 2011, it paved the way for states to pass individual legislation and makes the spread of online gambling in the United States possible, at least in theory.
Exciting New Legislature in Many States
From 2011 to October 2017, Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware were the only 3 states to offer online gambling facilities. Early on in 2017, reports that several states were working on new legislation to allow online Poker or full suites of online casino games to be offered from within their borders began to surface.
From real money slots to thrilling live dealer games, individual governments were looking at what they could bring to enthusiastic players.
Pennsylvania passed a landmark bill at the end of October 2017, making online Poker, casino games and Daily Fantasy Sports legal and becoming the fourth state to legalise and regulate online gambling activities, and several other states could soon follow suite.
This list includes New Hampshire, New York, West Virginia, Michigan, California and Massachusetts.
In addition to all the other money online gambling can generate, New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada have just agreed on a Poker liquidity pool, which will put even more dollar signs into state administrators’ eyes.
The conservative voices that have been against online casinos in the USA from the beginning are also recognising that the issue might be near a tipping point, and have started taking action of their own.
Senators Ask DOJ to “Rethink”
Just weeks after Pennsylvania’s potentially game-changing bill, which could open the floodgates for online gambling across North America, was passed, Senators Dianne Feinstein and Lindsey Graham wrote a letter to the Department of Justice asking for the 2011 opinion that overturned the Wire Act to be reversed.
The loss of income for smaller land-based casino operators, the potential of casino exposure to minors and the easy access that gambling addicts will have to their “drug of choice” are all valid concerns, and work should be done to find solutions for them.
What should not happen is that politicians and fat cats who want to keep lining their pockets use these real issues to hide their own, selfish agendas.