Therefore, you can place a wager on various sports like basketball, baseball, football and so on. The idea is to place a wager on the outcome of the sports event while the game is still on, called in-play bets. There are many sites that offer this betting structure. Here are a few top tips that will help you to increase your chances of winning the game.

Tip 1:

Only opt For Reputed Sites: When you are indulging in wagering of any form on an online platform, it is crucial that the website chosen by you is reputable, with a proven record of customer care. Remember, in such betting games there is money involved in terms of pay offs. The idea is to do a bit of research and zero in on the website that has the most credibility, is licensed and regulated. Do your research, there are many sites online that can lure you into a false sense of security.

Tip 2:

Opt for live streaming: When you are placing a bet on the outcome of an event, it is but obvious, that you are playing on a real time basis. In other words, the game and your bet have to be placed at the same time. In such cases, it is prudent to look for a website that allows you to place a wager instantly. Remember, even a few seconds of delay in placing your bet might turn to be disastrous for you. Hence, it is important that you look for a site that is fast to upgrade and update it in terms of showing the game results to you on a real time basis. Moreover, it should also allow you to place a wager.

Tip 3:

Look for Online Bonuses: Just like the casino games, play gambling sites also lure players by providing them attractive bonuses and schemes. Look out for special bonus offers from them on early bird registrations for specific games. If you have a strong gut feeling about the outcome of a specific can game, then the best way is to opt for these early bird registrations, the bonus amount is huge and prove to be handy in future.

Tip 4:

Do not give into temptation: The biggest challenge in gambling of any form is to abstain from temptation. As a player, it is extremely important that you do not give into temptation of any kind what so ever. Keep a budget for yourself and stick to it no matter what happens.

Tip 5:

Ask Opinion: when on the lookout for a genuine gambling site, ensure that you ask around to find the one that your peers find the most credible. Take opinions before making the plunge.

The above tips will help you to keep your head high and emerge as a winner in online gambling sites.

Authors Bio: Meg Andrews is known for her norsk betting expertise. She is famous in the field of online gambling and has enough experience to guide one through the world of online betting. Her basic idea is to make sure that one reads all pertinent information about gambling before entering into it.

*Please note that CS Report is not affiliated with the links provided in this article, its contents are based purely on the opinions of the author.

U.S. Republican Congressman Peter King offered a bill Thursday to license online gambling at the federal level. King, a member of the House of Representatives since 1993, introduced his Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act 2013, the stated intention of the bill, to regulate Internet gambling, to provide consumer protections, and for other purposes.

“A common federal standard will ensure strong protections for consumers, protect against problem and underage gambling and make it easier for businesses, players, lawmakers and regulators to navigate and freely participate,” said King.

The aim of the bill would give states/Native American tribes the right to opt-out of a federal system and keep their own internal gaming practices. It would also let states hold online lotteries, a measure that might win support from states that oppose other online gaming legislation.

Nevada Online Gambling

Over in Nevada, Governor Brian Sandoval has been granted permission, to act on behalf of the state, to enter into agreements with other licensed jurisdictions, including U.S. states, tribal and foreign governments in related to online gambling compacts.

The recent approvals fall under the amendments in Assembly Bill 360 (AB360), it defines eligible compact partners as “any governmental unit of a national, state or local body exercising governmental functions, other than the United States Government. This term includes, without limitation, any such governmental unit that has authority over gaming and gambling activities.”

EU, Consumer Protections

The European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection voted 32-3 in favour of stricter guidelines and stronger consumer protection within the online gambling industry this past week.

“Gambling is an economic activity of a special nature, where restrictions are needed for consumer protection, fraud prevention, the fight against money laundering and the preservation of public order and public health,” EPP group spokeswoman Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP said.

There will be a “reliable electronic identification” to protect players on a higher level as well as minors, and to help prevent money laundering.

“Simultaneously, common principles of consumer protection have to be improved,” she added. “Online gambling may involve a greater risk of addiction than traditional offline gambling. Therefore any customer self-excluding or surpassing their gambling limits from one gambling operator should have the option to be automatically self-excluded from all other licensed gambling operators.” 

Gambling Market – Spain

Over is Spain, the economic crisis battled on as reports came in stating that the Spanish internet gambling market has shown a significant decline in the first quarter of 2013.

Gross gaming revenue (GGR) on all products fell to €60.84m for the three month period, a quarter-on-quarter decline of 1%, while turnover dropped 0.7% to €1.37bn. In the same period official figures released by the government said the economy shrank by 0.5% and unemployment hit 27%.

Sports betting was the all out leader in the market, responsible for 49.7% of GGR and 34% of amounts wagered. Poker was up 19.6% with tournaments’ revenue share growing to 9.9%. Casino slots, table games etc, made up another 20.6% of amounts wagered, and 13.8% of total market GGR with the launch of online slots.

Social Gaming

In social gaming news, Zynga cut back almost 20% of its workforce in a move they are calling “substantial cost reductions”. The layoffs of 520 workers are spread across their Los Angeles, Dallas and New York offices.

Zynga’s anticipated second-quarter loss of $28.5 million to $39 million and the tumbling shares of 12%, to $2.99 is what experts are claiming is the reason for the layoffs. This is Zynga’s largest cutback in over 6 years.

Zynga CEO Mark Pincus revealed in an email to employees, “None of us ever expected to face a day like today, especially when so much of our culture has been about growth,” “But I think we all know this is necessary to move forward. “The scale that served us so well in building and delivering the leading social-gaming service on the Web is now making it hard to successfully lead across mobile and multiplatform, which is where social games are going to be played.”

Belgian Gambling Commission

In Belgium there are currently 74 sites that the Belgian Gambling Commission has added to their internet domains of blacklisted illegal online gambling operators. The latest are BetVictor, the 60 year old online gambling operator formerly known as Victor Chandler, UK operated TVMUK Ltd’s Casino GrandLuxe and MonaCasino – both operated by UK-registered company TVMUK Ltd, Curaçao licensees City Club Casino and RoyaalCasino.

Be sure to post your comments, feedback and opinions below, we love to her you voice on these matter!

Let’s take a look at few points which can prove to be helpful if you choose to gamble at an online casino.

Casino’s License

Every online casino operates with a license, you can easily find this license number on their website (in their-about us section). Some online casinos do not accept players from the United States, as these casinos do not have the license to operate in the United States. It is advisable to note down the casino’s license number and check its validity using search engines like – Google, Bing, AOL, etc.

Download casino’s software or play using your computer’s web browser

Almost all the online casinos offer two options to their users for playing games and gambling. Users can either download the casino’s software on his/her PC, or play directly using the computer’s web browser. Casinos’ advise users to download their software for playing, as it offers better quality of graphics and sound. Players need to register, and open an account with the online casino. When playing for real money it is required by casinos for the player to make a initial deposit payment in order to gamble at their establishment.

Payment methods

Most online casinos offer various payment methods, so that players can easily make their deposit. Some of the most widely used payment methods are- credit and debit cards, PayPal, e- wallet, and direct bank transfers, etc.

Customer service

Customer service is another important aspect which should be considered when selecting an online casino. These days, most of the online casinos offer 24Hr chat and email helpline. However, most of the casinos have mentioned in their user terms and conditions that they might take 2 to 4 working days to answer customers’ emails or queries. There are very few casinos which offer helpline via telephone, and in most cases, these numbers are premium rate international numbers. This means that calls to these numbers are charges as per call rates for international calls.

Types of complaints against online casinos

Most of the complaints against online casinos are about the delay in depositing the winnings in the players’ account. There are some complaints about the delay in answering customer queries as well. Licensed and regulated online casino have strict standards they must adhere to by regulating and governing agencies, these agencies are there to protect both player and online operator, they provide dispute resolution services as a median between player and operator should their services be required.

How to select the right casino?

There are hundreds of online casinos to select from. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the casinos terms and conditions, making sure you understand what is required. Almost all the casinos offer some bonus points to new payers for making their initial deposits. However, there might be many terms and conditions related to the bonus amount offered to the new players/users.

It is advisable to visit various casino guide websites which offer information and reviews about various casinos. There is no point in making a decision based on the free bonus amount that the casino is offering to new players/ users. You should also check the number of complaints and the type of complaints against the casino which you have selected.

A coin has two sides. There are thousands of user complaints against online casinos, but there are many winning stories as well. If you trust your luck and have enough knowledge about online casinos, you should definitely try your luck with online slot machines.

Author’s Bio: Sofia is an award winning writer, she writes for websites, blogs and magazines. She keeps on visiting several online casinos and has written a review about many of them. Sofia has considerable amount of fan following as she always believes in writing from the customer’s point of view, she also writes for- norskcasinoguide.com.

*Please note that CS Report is not affiliated with the links provided in this article, its contents are based purely on the opinions of the author.

We’ve all heard of someone being conned of their hard earned dollar, it can be from a complete stranger or someone we know, like a family member. Such is the case with Eliot Short, self proclaimed “King of Betfair” who has been found guilty of conning family and friends on a gambling system that would yield “extremely high returns.”

Eliot Short promised family and friends what he could not deliver, he also claimed he netted him more than £21million, ‘extremely high returns’ using a system on gambling website Betfair. He convinced not only family and friends of this complete and utter lie, but somehow convinced News of the World to run a feature on his successful system and that he obtained his £21million from this betting system as a former City trader.

The twenty-six year old had impressive offices office in Knightsbridge, a chauffeured luxury automobile, designer suits and an extravagant lifestyle.

Judge Peter Testar sentenced Short whom he said, ‘lied shamefully through his teeth’, and that he was ‘potentially dangerous as far as the financial interests of others are concerned.’

The jury convicted him of nine counts of fraud including an additional count for supplying an article for use in fraud. The victims have been reported to have given Short over £400,000.

Betting Scams of Winning Tips

In similar events, This is Money has written a several articles detailing the gambling systems offered by Colin Davey of Spinacoin.

Last June, an article featured in the online paper went into details of how a math teacher, John Howard of Sanderling Way in Stowmarket “promised rich pickings from a gambling website.” The mailshot asked interested parties to send out a percentage of winnings in return for the roulette system he had devised some 25 year prior.

After an investigation in what seemed a “to good to be true” offer, the reporter found that the interested parties were introduced to the website Spinacoin and that the address of supposed retired math teacher was actually the home of Miss Serena Davey and the Spinacoin website was set up bySovereign Group UK Limited, whose director is Mr Colin Davey.

Forward now to one year later and it seems as though these mailshots from tipsters are now being introduced once again from a fully licensed online gambling website called Spinacoin.

The mailshot claimed,

‘This method could find you just three or four bets per week, with nearly every one winning at prices up to 6/1.’ And this guaranteed money-making machine is yours for just £27, payable to Davey’s company, Sovereign Group (UK) Limited.

Further probing by the reporter found that the address in Stowmarket was indeed the home of Serena Davey, a relative of Colin Davey and company secretary of Sovereign Group (UK) Limited.

Contacting the Suffolk County Council Trading Standards, the news reporter says evidence provided went to an investigation that lead to nowhere. A council spokeswoman responded: ‘We are working with Mr Davey in a proportionate manner to ensure his future advertising is fully compliant with trading standards law and are continuing to monitor the situation.’ Anyone who wanted to complain about him should ring Citizens’ Advice.

Colin Davey along with Serena Davey declined to comment on behalf of the reporters invitation to refute his claims of a betting scam.

An investigation that involved over 150 investigators from the Dutch Prosecuting Authority, the gaming authority KSA and the tax authority lead charge in a raid against a group of individuals centered around drug trafficking, money laundering and illegal gambling charges.

Seven online casinos were shut down, bank accounts and assets were seized following raids at Bubble Group BV premises in Eindhoven. Two brothers, Maurice and Michel Gregoire along with Stijn Flapper, part owners online payments company Teletick BV, are alleged to have involved with dealing drugs and operating seven online gambling sites.

The casino involved are AmsterdamsCasino, AmsterdamsPoker, JackpotRed, TripleGold, Golden10Casino, Tanzoo and FruitLuck.

Its been reported that the Alderney Gambling Control Commission has launched a special investigation into one of its licensees, online casino games developer Sheriff Gaming. Sheriff Gaming has been under a watchful eye following allegations that certain individuals connected to Sheriff’s parent company Bubble Group NV may have been involved.

Sheriff Gaming has issued the following statement in response to this recent series of events.

“Until now the justice department has not given any inside information on the evidence on which the allegations in the press are based. Therefore it is still uncertain whether there are any (direct) links between the allegations and Sheriff Gaming/Bubble Group. We have requested the justice department to provide more information regarding the position of Sheriff Gaming/Bubble Group. We are confident that Sheriff Gaming/Bubble Group will soon be fully discharged of all possible accusations.”

Unregulated Gambling Enterprises

In other news, Liberty Reserve has US authorities accusing the Costa Rica-based digital currency purveyors of laundering more than $6bn (£4bn) in criminal cash. The DOJ has called Liberty Reserve the “largest international money-laundering prosecution in history”, accuses the group of acting as “the bank of choice for the criminal underworld.”

Allegations include seven people involved in running the operation set up the digital cash service as a “criminal business venture” designed specifically to “help criminals conduct illegal transactions and launder the proceeds of their crimes” that include credit card fraud, identity theft, investment fraud, computer hacking, child pornography, narcotics trafficking and “unregulated gambling enterprises.”

The DOJ has said that 45 bank accounts used by Liberty Reserve have been seized and action has been taken to take over the assets of 35 other sites that fed funds to Liberty Reserve for laundering.

Illegal Gambling Proceeds

In South Florida, four individuals were arrested in a federal gambling and money laundering investigation as U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian brought charges against Philip Gurian, Michele Lasso, Jay Goldman, and Alan Gould. Gurian and Lasso were charged with conspiracy to launder money while Goldman and Gould were charged with transmission of wagering information.

Authorities report the group ran an Internet sports betting operation, Gurian has been said to give illegal gambling proceeds to owners of gambling websites, amassed about $150,000 per day from October through December 2012. Lasso helped Gurian move gambling money between the United States and Panama where Lasso owns beauty salons.

Authorities intercepted phone conversations between the two she allegedly agreed to wire $4 million to a bank in Panama. Gurian and Lasso could face up to 20 years in prison.

Sportsbetting Monopoly

According to a report from the Reuters news service, Stanleybet has accused Greece of rejecting a request it filed in 2004 to offer sports-betting in Greece and now intends to seek damages for lost revenues amounting to approximately €240 million ($311.5 million). The lawsuit stems from a long-running legal battle over the monopoly of gaming firm OPAP.

“The Greek authorities seem resolved to maintain an illegal framework benefiting a company that is not 99 percent private,” Stanleybet’s Chief Operating Officer John Whittaker said in a statement. “With this action (Stanleybet) is legitimately stating its intention to claim its legal rights to be compensated.”

Closing this weeks recap, we turn to the APCW and J Todd as they bring you news on “Regulators in New Jersey roll out the first draft of online gambling rules, while The Netherlands plans to end their stats-run gambling monopoly by 2015.”

Until next week, “Play Smart from the Start” and remember to read the terms and conditions as they DO apply!

Administrative Law Judge Catherine Frink made no bones about her ruling deeming the CEO as “evasive and, in some instances, intentionally dishonest.”

The Las Vegas manufacturer of casino table games, was denied the right to doing business in California due to a lengthy and ongoing investigation calling into question several unsavory business practices that could have an unfavorable outcome of the companies Nevada gaming license.

Saucier is under scrutiny for misleading and misrepresentation of information regarding business ventures, signing unapproved licensing deals with California tribal casinos, lawsuits and even information that may have been false about his own personal past.

In 2002 Saucer applied for a gaming license with Tule River Tribe Gaming Commission, at that time the Commission began an investigation with the help of the Bureau of Gaming Control. The investigation uncovered that Saucier did not give full disclosure of very pertinent facts and what could be harmful business ventures that are very relevant to approval by the state of California.

According to the 2002 report Saucier list of information that was never disclosed included:

• Failure to mention an order to pay a $1.5 million judgment to Sherron Associates, a creditor in a hotel-casino project.
• Failed to reveal gambling taxes owed to City of Spokane in WA State by his Mars Hotel and Casino, a hotel that eventually failed.
• Misrepresented his past drunk driving conviction stating it was dismissed
• Failed to list a valid address. He filed his personal federal income tax returns in Washington, listed a condominium in Mexico as his home and had a license for a home-based business in Las Vegas.
• Failed to disclose multiple businesses: Galaxy Gaming of Nevada, LLC; Galaxy Gaming of Oregon, LLC; Bonus Blackjack, LLC; Intergalactic; and others.
• Failed to mention gaming licenses from other states, including Washington and Nevada.
• Did not reveal that he pays child support.
• Did not disclose his involvement in past lawsuits. For instance, he sued the Mars Hotel for $1.6 million in 1998. “In essence, he sued himself and received a default judgment,” Frink wrote.
• Failed to mention a foreclosed house and two personal credit card bills that were sent to collections.
• Had no Nevada business license, as required, from 2001 to 2004. He blamed the missing license on an “oversight by staff.”
• Claimed to have graduated from UNR, but he did not.

“In a highly regulated industry such as gaming, the failure to be forthcoming with relevant information was inexcusable,” commented Frink.

Saucier’s case was assigned to the Attorney General’s Office in 2007 for prosecution and is still pending further investigation. Mired in lawsuits and controversy, it still seems as though that Saucier may not have to answer to his past when it comes to his Nevada.

Apparently different states in the US have vastly different laws and regulatory standards. Nevada’s Gaming Control Board chairman, Burnett stated,

“Other states sometimes have vastly different laws and regulatory standards than we do.”  “There are cases when a ‘denial’ doesn’t mean the same thing as it does in Nevada. For example, in some states in the Midwest, there have been denial proceedings but they’re for various transactions and don’t necessarily relate to the integrity or the suitability of the company itself.”

After the Rational Group failed to meet the deadline in the proposed agreement set by Colony Capital, the owner of the Atlantic Club Casino, both parties decided to get down and dirty with restraining orders and civil lawsuits.

All this “tit for tat” came about when PokerStars missed the deadline, Stars called foul and felt they were being taken advantage of with an $15 million investment going down the tubes.

Colony Capital played the ignorance card claiming they knew nothing of PokerStars involvement with “serious criminal activities more extensive and unresolved than previously disclosed,” this pertains to Black Friday and the involvement of

All this back and forth tug of war ended with PokerStars on their butts in the mud with hopes of attaining a foothold into New Jersey’s newly regulated online gaming market squashed, however temporarily.

But if you read a very detailed and convincing argument to PokerStars benefit, “PokerStars raised two primary arguments in its initial Complaint and Motion for TRO:  a) Breach of Contract—claiming that the contract termination date was void pursuant to gaming laws requiring a 120-day window between submission of a gaming license application and the closing date for a casino purchase agreement, and b) Promissory Estoppel / Unjust Enrichment—claiming that the Atlantic Club knew the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) would not rule on PokerStars gaming license application prior to the contract’s termination date, and yet the Atlantic Club nonetheless improperly misled PokerStars into believing the Atlantic Club had agreed to extend the deadline for PokerStars to obtain its license.“

In other online gambling news, Atlantic City gaming regulators released a draft of proposed regulations where it states that casinos are required to apply to the Division for an Internet Gaming Permit Application. This permit allows the casino ttto offer all types of casino gaming through an Internet casino site, as well as mobile gaming within their casino property and simulcast live-table gaming over the Internet.

Players 21 and older, this includes residents and non residents, must be registered and can only play within New Jersey with an authorized and verified password protected log in.

Deposits to player accounts can be funded through the onsite casino cage by cash, check, money transfer or with online deposits using a debit, credit or prepaid card, or a transfer from the player’s casino deposit account. Withdrawals must be first done as a credit to any credit or debit card used to deposit, up to the amount deposited.

The casino must hold all player account balances in a New Jersey bank account “independent from all other operating accounts of the licensee.” Casinos must pay the Governor Christie imposed 15% taxes on gross revenue (rake, fees, etc.). They also pay a permit fee of “not less than” $400,000 the first year and “not less than” $250,000 yearly thereafter, as well as a Responsible Internet Gaming Fee of $250,000 per year.

For poker players, W2-G reports currently are only required for tournament net winnings which exceed $5000. There is also a player protection and gambling awareness set of rules implemented that help to protect players.

And to round things up well turn all this over to J. Todd where he weighs in on “the drama in New Jersey between PokerStars and the Atlantic Club Casino drags on. Meanwhile in Nevada, Ultimate Poker hits its first snag.”

Players that opt to play online, gain access to the biggest bonuses, newest games and the convenience of gambling via their laptop or mobile device from just about anywhere in the world with a dependable connection to the worldwide web.

If you want to try your luck online, the choice of casino list is seemingly endless. The majority of reputable online casinos are licensed in Antiqua and its sister island Barbuda. More than 25 percent of the online casinos worldwide are licensed and process their transactions from Barbuda and Antiqua. Still others are based in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Costa Rica, Australia and the West Indies. Knowledgeable players approach online casinos licensed in Eastern Europe with trepidation and caution. These Eastern bloc based casinos have earned a reputation for questionable dealings, operating without valid licenses and slow payout percentages. If you are new to Internet gambling, experienced players advise to avoid these sites and beware of scams, hustlers and others who would part you from your funds fraudulently.

With such a smorgasbord of casinos to choose from, you may ask how do I go about finding a trustworthy casino that offers the games and customer service that I’m looking for? The best advice from seasoned players: read reviews published in open forums by other players. There are several factors to consider when determining which online casino is right for you. Ask questions until you find a casino that inspires confidence and meets your expectations.

Security

Players are requested to provide a diverse array of personal information when registering at an online casino. Question the measures offered to ensure credit card data, bank routing information and confidential data remains safe and secure from scam artists and hackers with fraudulent intent.

Language

Select an online casino presented in your native language. A quick Internet search will quickly locate a site that suits your needs. The majority of online gambling sites are presented in English. If English is not your native language, a quick Goggle search will help you locate one presented in your language. The bonuses, terms of agreement and casino rules can be confusing. Savvy players read and thoroughly understand the rules and odds of each game prior to placing a be

Bonuses

Online casinos entice players with intriguing promotions including sign-up bonuses. The online casino industry is highly competitive and they are focused on the bottom line. The majority offer bonus to new members as a main part of their strategic marketing strategy. They may match your initial deposit up to a maximum amount. Be wary of the fine print: sites impose a minimum wager to use the bonuses or bonuses are restricted to designated games you may not want to play. Review the tiny agreement print carefully and scrutinize requirements needed to activate bonuses.

Reputation

In the gaming industry, reputation is gold. The most reputable Internet casinos display an established and verifiable history of honest financial deals, accurate payout rates, a high level of player satisfaction, friendly customer service, prompt processing of transactions and a minimum of unsatisfied customer complaints. Ask if the casino has been fined, sanctioned, blackballed or banned for any reason including slow payout processing, deceptive advertising, unethical business practices, unresponsive to customer complaints, confiscation of winnings or operating with an invalid license.

Game Options

There are scores of different casino games available to play online. Examine the odds and take your choice. Choose a casino that offers diversity and includes all your favorite games. Many sites offer free games to play to allow you to familiarize yourself with the game prior to placing a wager.

Deposit Options

Granted, the laws are confusing, but it remains legal for U.S. residents to gamble online except in states where it is a felony to make a wager on the Internet. If in doubt, always check the laws of your state. However, despite their legal status, U.S. players can encounter difficulty when transferring funds. The most reputable online casinos provide a wide assortment of banking options including debit and credit card processing, bank drafts, certified checks and international bank wire transfers.

Customer Service And Support

The choice online casinos consistently offer friendly customer service 27/7 where you can speak to a “live” operator and communicate by phone, chat or e-mail. House rules are presented and the casino provides online access to independent audits and clearly identifies the country where the casino is registered and licensed.

Winning Withdrawals

When it’s time to cash out, withdrawing winnings is meant be simple and hassle free. All the best casinos offer to promptly deposit payments to the player’s debit or credit card or pay directly by certified check or international bank wire transfer.

About the Author: Marlene Affeld is a guest blogger and writes about online casinos and blogs among others.

*Please note that CS Report is not affiliated with the links provided in this article, its contents are based purely on the opinions of the author.

Blacklists

Fortunately, there are many sites which help to promote these rogue casinos and players by publishing public blacklists, reviews and reports. Considerations which these lists take into account include poor or non-existent payment histories, poor handling of customers and complaints and suspicious software.

Do your research

Always play at trusted, reputable poker sites which are established and well known within the gambling community as well as the general media. Simply looking at a site’s content, style and related media can lead you in the right direction. Larger, more successful companies will have the resources to put together ad campaigns, a plush website and a catalogue of services and features such as Golden Palace Texas Hold’em rooms. Avoid sites which are new and look basic and unprofessional.

 SEO

Many reputable companies will have climbed the search engine rankings through years of good service, a large fan base and marketing initiatives such as link building and pay per click advertisements. Therefore, if you are wary of scammers, stick to the sites which are listed first on major search engines.

Check the features

If in doubt, check the services and features which are on offer such as a helpline and other contact details. Sites which offer programs and incentives that help you win in any way such as reading hands are not to be trusted. Obviously a good poker site should entice you into playing; however, it should not make promises or deals which guarantee a win. You should also make sure that your own safety features are up to date on your computer or PC. Good anti-virus and anti-spyware software will protect you from a barrage of online threats.

Personal information

It may seem obvious to not disclose personal information such as passwords and bank details to an unknown source. However, many players are caught out by fraudulent emails and extra registration forms. Rather than following the links provided, go directly to the website which should be provided in the email. If a website is not included within the email, hit delete straight away.

Report it

If you have been scammed or you suspect a site is being dishonest, there are a range of services for players to voice their concerns either online or via the telephone such as Action Fraud. You should also report individual behaviour as well as websites and emails as these players can target others to part with their money or hack into accounts.

About the Author: Adriana Frederick is a guest blogger and writes about online poker and blogs among others.

First up, Ho Gaming, Asia’s leading provider of Live Casino platforms has been shown favor from Italy’s (Amministrazione Autonoma Monopoli di Stato) granting operators the opportunity to provide their players the developers suite on online casino games, which includes individually-branded suite of Live Dealer games, as well as the ability to stream Live Dealer games in Italian straight from their own casinos.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to show European operators that we’re serious when it comes to offering them opportunities that were previously exclusive to the top Asian providers. Our Live Casino is scrupulously fair and completely secure, and we’ve ensured that the range of games, the quality of the stream and the reliability of the platform are unmatched anywhere in the world,” said HoGaming’s CEO, Peter Kjaer.

Ho Gaming are promising that their services are top notch with “scrupulously fair and completely secure” range of games, and one of the most seamless experiences possible when it comes to player connectivity unrivalled by competitors.

Over in Nevada, the Shoshone Nation’s Chief William Bills and Gerry Ghionet founder of GEObet Network are set to launch E-Gaming Casino Worldwide with the signing of their partnership deal.

The partnership will see both parties working together to achieve online gaming licensing for the Shoshoni Tribes by the first part of May 2013, as both Gionet and Chief William Bills are looking to explore the “full play for money online Casino.”

The parties are looking to bring the tribe into a commercial business online to avoid investing into something that does not make money and is not proven.

In case you missed our previous report, Zynga has taken the step into real money gambling with ZyngaPlusPoker and ZyngaPlusCasino now live for players in the UK. Both sites are in development with bwin.party. Zynga has been interested in the online gambling market for some time now, even being rumored as to wanting to purchase bwin’s Ongame poker network.

Betfair confirmed that the UK online bookmaker had acquired certain assets of online sportsbook operator Blue Square Bet from Rank Group. Confirmation of the acquisition came from a spokeperson who stated, “strategy of growing its sportsbook and gaming operations alongside its core exchange product”.

Betfair hopes with its acquasition of Blue square will further Betfair’s focus in regulated markets, as CEO Breon Corcoran has made significant changes to Betfair including removing the company from grey markets that include, Greece, Germany and Cyprus.