Casinos in 3D
February 20, 2009
The internet presents a world of endless possibilities, especially when it comes to entertainment and online casinos. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone brings out something that takes the industry by storm and that is exactly what is happening with the advent of 3D online casinos.
When it comes to these properties, gone are the days of flat, boring graphics as you explore their lifelike casino lobbies and enjoy the games in a way that you never could before.
In fact, this possibilites presented by 3D platforms are so attractive that even French land-based casino operator Lucien Barriere Hotels and Casinos recently announced that they would be entering the UK online casino market next month with its very own 3D offering. The casino will allow players to create customised virtual characters from a selection of life-like avatars in the site’s Dressing Room before going on to enjoy a night of casino action while chatting to other players as they go.
But what will truly set this property apart from existing offerings is that it will be the first online casino to mirror a real-life casino and will be the online version of the company’s own land based casino, and the games offering will be comprised of exact replicas of those found at its venue in Deauville.
This is sure to spark some fierce competition amidst existing online casino operators and players can expect to see some pretty novel and exciting ideas emerging as the technology just keeps getting better at their favourite places to play.
Player Cruises - what you really need to know
January 12, 2009
It is not uncommon for casinos to hold real life functions where they gather their VIP players from across the globe at a venue or on a cruise for some serious online casino action with a more human touch and personal interaction.
In fact, casinos in the Fortune Lounge, Bellerock and Vegas Partner Lounge fold offer free regular Player cruises to exotic destinations, filled with non-stop entertainment, tournaments, prize money and action…sounds perfect doesn’t it?
While the concept is an excellent one, just be aware that these trips aren’t necessarily “free” because the casinos feel like treating you out of the goodness of their hearts. They are businesses and as such, nothing is entirely for nothing! Yes, your cruise, accommodation, drinks and meals as well as your tournament entry may be complimentary (always check the Terms and Conditions carefully just to be sure), but the mere fact that you are invited to one of these functions means you have spent enough at the casino beforehand to warrant the invitation. Also, in-between tournament you will have time on your hands…LOTS of it and because there’s nothing much else to do on board the ship, you’ll end up gambling quite a bit!
That’s where the catch comes in and where it can get really expensive for you if you don’t control yourself. In fact, the casino groups bank on the fact that you will spend most, if not all of your time in the casinos on board and even have arrangements with the tour operators running the cruises and get a substantial “kick back” on the revenue generated from the gambling you do in your leisure time (all part of business of course), so they are actually making money on these things instead of laying it out on a “free holiday” for their valued guests.
Of course there is nothing wrong with these kind of promotions at all, and many are a great deal of fun and offer a nice change and a bit of social interaction as you enjoy your favourite pastime, it just pays to be aware that this is not just a “freebie” if you spend your leisure time gambling. If you do want to do that however, make sure you save and budget accordingly beforehand, just as you would for usual online casino entertainment to ensure that you really enjoy your time away and don’t regret it when you get home.
UK Online Gambling on the rise
November 20, 2008
The Gambling Act 2005 not only introduced reform to gambling in the United Kingdom, but infused the industry with life through less stringent advertising restrictions which have led to the syndication of mass media campaigns across the country and seen a vast increase in both traffic and player numbers as well increased competition between gaming operations for their share of the pie.
Players are benefitting from the current competitive environment as casinos vie for their attention and patronage with impressive sign-up bonuses and generous promotions. Add to this the fact that the UK has one of the widest distributions of broadband internet access and it is not difficult to see why online gaming is growing at a rapid rate in the country.
Recent reports indicate that was once a shunned hobby is now becoming one of the most popular pastimes for adults across the UK and there is something for everyone from online casinos which offer all of the land based casino and table games as well as a few arcade games, to the dedicated poker rooms, sports books and bingo halls, each with bigger and better offerings and features than the next. In addition to these, there are numerous review sites which assist players in choosing the right casino for them as well as warning against those that are not up to scratch. With the majority of households equipped with broadband access, all of this information and the ability to access one’s favourite online casino, poker or bingo room is at the tip of one’s fingertips 24/7 and is proving to be an attractive entertainment option for many citizens.
It is no wonder then that major casinos operating in the UK market are positive about the future projections and continued growth in the market.
All Slots makes Slots Tournament History
November 20, 2008
All Slots is making online casino history with the launch of its $500,000 World Series of Slots tournament, which is the largest online slots tournament to ever be held to date.
The tournament will be held between September 1st and November 10th, offering a record-breaking half a million dollars in cash prizes. Differing from the usual Slots Tournament Model, players will have access to daily Free feeder tournaments with large cash prizes being rewarded each week rather than at the conclusion of the tournament, these include $25,000 Weekly Finals, a $100,000 Semi-Final at the beginning of October, and the $200,000 Grand Final taking place in November, featuring a 1st place prize of $100,000.
With this being All Slots third exclusive free slots tournament , the casino has a great deal of experience behind them and it’s sure to be evident throughout this competition as they once again offer both old and new players alike the opportunity to win unrivalled weekly cash prizes while playing for free.
Microgaming Casinos now recruiting their 14th Millionaire
November 20, 2008
Microgaming is famous for its Progressive Jackpot Network which is the biggest on the net with 21 progressive games to choose from, a large number of participating casino operators and thousands of players across the globe who contribute to the various jackpots which grow by the second.
To date, $250 million has been paid out in progressive winnings to over 6,500 winners (13 of which were made instant millionaires) and the numbers just keep ticking away with current jackpots totalling over $/€/£ 6,300,000 and counting.
Here’s a quick look at the most popular progressives and the staggering jackpots that are up for grabs (winnings are paid out in the currency in which you play):
- Mega Moolah - $/€/£ 3,7 million
- Roulette Royale - $/€/£ 909,000
- King Cashalot - $/€/£ 625,000
- CyberStud - $/€/£ 226,000
And there are many more to choose from! So if you’re feeling lucky, visit your favourite Microgaming powered casino today and you may just be the 14th millionaire on their ever increasing list of winners.
Not so Desperate Housewives
November 20, 2008
The children are at school, all the household chores have been taken care of and instead of popping out to tea with “the girls” or curling up on the couch with a good book, thousands of well-to-do British women are glued to their computers enjoying the guilty pleasure of spending an hour or two at their favourite online bingo rooms.
This phenomenon is re-shaping the face of bingo, in fact its giving it a facelift altogether! While land based bingo halls across the UK are stereotypically packed with chain-smoking, blue haired grannies that play slots in between bout, the online bingo crowd is decidedly different. Young, empowered, financially sound and up for a bit of fun in the comfort of their own homes these women play and even meet new friends online in the bingo chat rooms, all with the off-chance of winning some extra cash. This is not to say that the older bingo crowd won’t be joining in though, with increased closures on land based halls due to the smoking ban, restrictions on £500 slot machines and the fact that they are facing payments on both gross profits and VAT, they very well may be but the online environment is just a whole lot different than what they are used to!
One thing is for sure though, with Bingo Halls reporting double player figures in the past year, we’re sure to see the industry grow phenomenally in future and before you know it, instead of meeting for tea, all “the girls” may just be meeting up at their favourite Bingo Room for a chat and some afternoon fun.
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April 8, 2008
