January 27th, 2012
Zynga Poker is already one of the most popular games in the Facebook universe, offering players the chance to take part in poker games without having to pay real cash in order to buy in. With the tremendous success of this particular application, Zynga has decided to expand its casino offerings. The first new game under the Zynga Casino brand is Zynga Bingo.
The new Zynga Bingo title offers players the ability to socialize with their friends in a brand new way. Since bingo is already a very social game, Zynga had to really improve upon it in order to offer players something new in the Facebook world. As such, the game offers players chance to use the game to interact with their friends. For example, when playing Zynga Bingo, you can see which bingo rooms your friends are playing in and invite them to compete in games.
This is one of the most exciting new games to hit the Facebook world, but it has not been fully unveiled yet. As it stands, only a few Facebook users will be able to access Zynga Bingo. Zynga will allow more users into the application as time progresses.
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January 26th, 2012
Gambling offers local government an additional source of revenue, which can be used to fund a wide range of state programs. As the economic climate continues to worsen across America, individual states are looking at the option of expanding their land-based gambling markets in order to generate much-needed revenue.
The biggest developments seem to be taking place in Florida and New York. In Florida, state senate has approved the construction of 3 new casinos. One casino could possibly be built in Miami, the state’s busiest tourist destination. In New York, Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed an expansion of the aqueduct casino in Queens, in addition to amendment that would allow casino gambling throughout New York.
These developments present a significant threat to Las Vegas, the country’s gambling capital. Should local states continue to invest more money into their gambling markets, fewer tourists will make Las Vegas a destination. This is bad news for the city, as Las Vegas has yet to recover from the recent economic crisis and is still struggling to recover tourism and gambling revenue.
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January 25th, 2012
Various states across the country are working hard to legalize and regulate online gambling, but some states are still working on land-based gambling. Nebraska is one of them, as the state has outlawed gambling for years. Now, Senator Paul Schumacher has proposed a gambling bill that would make the activity legal within the state.
In November, politicians and citizens will vote on the bill. If successful, the state will be able to host casinos and other gambling events. Currently, many Nebraskan residents spend money at casinos in bordering states, and the state government wants to reclaim a portion of that revenue.
The bill proposed that bordering states should share a portion of their profits with the state of Nebraska. Otherwise, the state itself will begin building casinos in order to keep gambling business within the state, causing these casinos to lose out completely.
In Iowa’s Council Bluffs, an area bordering Nebraska, there are nearly 4000 slot machines, which bring in upwards of $800 000 per day from Nebraskans. While Iowa politicians may not believe the new provision is fair, it does seem to make at least a little bit of sense – since Nebraska residents spend so much money at out-of-state casinos.
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January 24th, 2012
Connecticut Governor Dannel P Malloy has announced that he is not interested in bringing online gambling into the state. Although Connecticut has had a difficult time with finances recently, the governor does not believe that it should turn to gambling to solve the problem.
The main concern for the state is that legalizing and regulating online gambling would cut into profits from local lottery retailers, who also contribute to government tax revenue. According to the governor, it would take at least 5% away from these outlets. The government also wants to encourage general sales for local retailers, as lottery customers also use the opportunity to buy tickets to pick up other items.
Governor Malloy also states that keeping underage players from accessing online gambling websites would be a difficult feat. He does not believe that the government would be able to adequately protect these individuals from gambling online and does not want to take the risk at the moment.
Connecticut is one of many states that have adopted this stance on online gambling. It seems that many others have changed their minds about the option of legalizing and regulating online poker.
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January 23rd, 2012
PlayTech has been very busy with the business side of its operations, recently. The company has been working hard to secure a place in the American online gambling market, following in the footsteps of Ladbrokes and Aristocrat.
According to PlayTech CEO Mor Weizer, his company is currently considering several deals with partners currently working in the United States of America. An opportunity to work with these companies would present PlayTech with the chance to enter the American online gambling market in good standing with the local government.
Last year, PlayTech acquired Vegas-based gaming operator Scientific Games. The company works on supplying gaming solutions to local lotteries and casinos, and its partnership with PlayTech gave the online company a foot in the door in America’s gambling market.
Now, PlayTech is looking for more opportunities to expand into the US online gambling market. Should the company partner with other gaming operators, it will have a vast presence in the market, allowing PlayTech a great deal of flexibility in the American online gambling world.
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January 20th, 2012
States across America are racing to launch intrastate online gambling bills, but Iowa has a different idea. Politicians from the state want to introduce a new online gambling bill that would allow players from different states to take part in online poker games together. This seems to be a completely new perspective among America’s gambling market, but it will be interesting to see how it is carried out.
Currently, the Iowa Lottery is part of a multi-state powerball scheme. This means that lottery ticket holders from the state have access to a larger, multi-state lottery prize. Senator Jeff Danielson believes that the same principle would apply to online gambling, and hopes that laws will allow for Iowa to execute a multi-state gambling operation.
Iowa has been considering the option of online poker for quite some time. Just last year, the local government published a report on the benefits of legalizing online poker within the state. It estimated that the endeavour would generate over $60 million in revenue, providing the government with over $13 million in taxes.
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January 19th, 2012
Ever since it was announced that the American government is changing its opinions on online gambling European- and UK-based operators have been trying hard to get their foot in the proverbial door. The American online gambling market presents one of the most lucrative opportunities for online casino operators and companies from around the world want in.
Ladbrokes, a UK-based gambling operator, is the latest company to make an entry into the American gambling market. In order to do so without receiving any legal backlash, the company has spent $3 million in order to acquire Las Vegas’ Stadium Technology Group.
“Stadium Technology is already one of the key software suppliers to casinos in Nevada and Delaware and it has the potential to expand,” says Richard Glynn, Ladbrokes’ chief executive, with regard to the acquisition.
Now, Ladbrokes has a foothold in the American gambling market. This means that, when online gambling is legalized in states like Nevada and Delaware, Ladbrokes will be well-positioned to offer online gambling solutions to local residents.
It is likely that we will see many other operators taking similar steps in the coming months. This strategy presents the safest way for European operators to enter the American market.
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January 18th, 2012
On Christmas Day, the American Department of Justice announced that the Wire Act would no longer apply to most forms of gambling. Leading many states and operators to believe that this would pave the way for legalized online gambling, there was much rejoicing. However, the cracks are now beginning to show, as gaming experts question the decision.
There are still many aspects that remain to be seen. Many experts are wondering what types of online gambling will be legalized and when this will take place. The DoJ may have reversed the Wire Act, but there are still many questions that require answers.
Since the announcement was made on Christmas Day, the DoJ has kept quiet. The department has yet to elaborated on the decision, so state politicians are wary about launching any particular plans. However, that has not stopped some states: Nevada, New Jersey and Iowa are actively looking into the creation of intrastate online gambling, despite the confusion that has arisen from the DoJ’s announcement.
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January 17th, 2012
The American government is finally getting close to legalizing and regulating online gambling. In the month since the announcement was made that the Wire Act no longer applies to most forms of online gambling, individual state governments have been scrambling to get plans together to launch online casinos.
While states are sure to benefit from online gambling in the country, particular companies are also sure to see some great advantages. According to Forbes, Zynga is one of these companies. Zynga recently saw a disappointing IPO , debuting on the stock market for far less than the company had hoped. Now, Zynga has the opportunity to make even more money by entering the online gambling market.
While Zynga is only a Facebook application, and players cannot wager real cash, the company would greatly benefit from launching an actual online casino. It has the existing fan base, the software and the reputation, so Zynga could stand to make a great deal of money.
Zynga has yet to make any plans for the online gambling market in America, but financial analysts are convinced that it would be a good idea.
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January 16th, 2012
Last week, local authorities raided internet cafes in Fremont, cracking down on venues that allowed patrons to take part in online gambling. In the aftermath of the raids, Ohio politicians want to pass a law that would require gaming venues to hold a license in order to offer online gaming.
Mike Dewine, the local Attorney General, believes that venues that offer games with cash prizes should apply for licenses from the state government. This would allow local authorities to monitor the activity that takes place at these locations, helping to control problem gambling rates and ensure that players are not taken advantage of.
Ohio would be one of the first states to pass such a legislation. With the federal government changing its attitude towards online gambling, it becomes important for states to accept that online and other forms of recreational gambling are here to stay.
As it stands, the legislation is only in the proposal stages. It will be quite some time before it is actually implemented as a law. We will keep you updated in the developments of the situation.
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