March 11 – Online gambling lobbying groups in New Jersey are taking an ‘it-ain’t-over-’til-it’s-over’ approach and looking for ways to push the new gambling bill through – despite the fact that it was vetoed by Governor Chris Christie at the last minute.

The new law will see Atlantic City’s 11 casinos establishing online portals for online casino games and poker, which will be limited to New Jersey residents.

However, the governor expressed his reservations about the wording of the new bill, which could be interpreted to mean that online gambling can also take place in bars and cafes across the state.

Online gambling proponents are viewing the veto as a minor setback, which can be easily fixed.

“Of course it’s a setback, but it does allow us to go back and fix the things that were problematic,” noted the director of the US Online Gaming Association, Melanie Brenner.

“Such as the stipulation that players be New Jersey residents rather than anyone geographically located within the state of New Jersey,” she explained.

Analysts believe that the final decision about the New Jersey online gambling bill will be made by residents themselves through a ballot.

“If you look back at the state and its dealings with gambling, every expansion in the state has required a voter referendum,” explained one expert.

“For example, allowing Sunday horse racing went to vote.

Read the full post >>

A portion of the revenue from the Iowa Lottery and Iowa casinos goes to “nonprofit” organizations tasked with treating problem gambling. A recent state audit, however, found that one such center wasn’t using those funds as directed and criminal prosecution may be in the future.

State auditors found more than $114,000 in alleged misspending by the Eastern Iowa Center for Problem Gambling located in Davenport. The Davenport location closed in June 2008. The problem may have been much bigger than that. Audit

Read the full post >>

Rep. Barney Frank Individual states are making a strong push towards regulated online gambling in the US, but online casinos are for the most part being left out of new proposals. California, Florida, and Iowa are all looking to pass new online gaming laws, but each is only looking to regulate online poker.

For many lawmakers, the distinction between luck and skill plays a major part in whether or not they are in favor of a particular online gambling bill. While many lawmakers consider poker a game of skill, they believe slots are luck.

The distinction, according to several analysts, should not be the main focus of the legislation. Read the full post >>

A new high-stakes poker-themed production featuring a stellar cast is in the works. The film based on the 1974 George V. Higgins national best-selling novel, Jackie Cogan, will be directed by Andrew Dominik and produced by The Weinstein Co.

Read the full post >>

February 11 – The independent player protection and standards body eCOGRA has announced the award of two more Safe and Fair accreditation seals to online gambling sites, bringing to 150 the number of tier one operations that have successfully met eCOGRAs international requirements.

The latest seals were awarded to Red Flush Casino and Casino La Vida by eCOGRAs Independent Directors on January 25 following an extensive on-site inspection and audit process that examined every operational aspect and the financial systems in use.

To ensure continued compliance, Red Flush and Casino La Vida will be consistently monitored through regular onsite reviews and eCOGRAs Total Gaming Transaction Review regime, which involves analysing every live gambling transaction for software fairness.

Read the full post >>

Super Bowl The Super Bowl has arrived after weeks of buildup and on the eve of the big game, online casinos are filled with players who are looking to pass time. Sports books will be packed on Sunday, but tonight the gamblers are at the online casinos.

“I started a tradition with my friends a couple of years ago that we all get together and play poker online the night before the Super Bowl,” said Kevin Bass. “I even won some money last year that I used to bet on the Super Bowl. Hopefully that will happen again.”

Online casinos and poker rooms have become a popular place for gamblers on big celebration days. Read the full post >>

December 25 – As the year come to a close, movie buffs will start to think about next year’s Oscars, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards. Everyone has their favourite and many will like to back their opinions with a bet.

BetUS Sportsbook was just this week announced as our  Best Online Gambling Suite winner for the second year running. Check out our 2010 Awards.

Read the full post >>

December 19 – Net Entertainment has released its latest slot machine game – Boom Brothers.

The new game is a fun 3D video slot game also gives you great animation, and watch out for the winning avalanches, spinning symbols and a game full of animation special effects. Also in the Boom Brothers slot, you get to play the Railtrack game, which wins you extra boom brothers bonus coins and gets you to the big boom brothers bonus game where the crazy mining brothers race to be the first to blast the rock face to win the jackpot.

In Boom Brothers you can play 1 to 20 bet lines at different bet levels. Wild symbols substitute for all symbols except Free spin and bonus symbols.

Read the full post >>

December 11 – Grand Vegas Casino has launched a new tournament feature and instant play flash games.

The casino is part of a group of four online casino operated by the same groups including big US facing sites like Crazy Slots casino. It has now been enhanced to offer the same level of functionality as its sister casinos with the news that players can participate in a massive tournament schedule in December with up to $710,000 in guaranteed online casino tournament prizes.

The major December tournaments include:

• Winter Wonderland slots tournament with $250,000 in prizes
• California Gold tournament worth $75,000
• New Year’s tournament worth $60,000
•  Wednesday tournaments worth $8,888 each
• Friday tournaments worth $30,000 each

The casino has also extended its 100% up to $555 bonus to eligible on more game types.

Read the full post >>

December 3 – Winner Casino is topping off their impressive 2010 slots game release with the exciting new Santa Surprise slot.

The game is sure to gets its customers right into the holiday spirit. Santa Surprise is packed with amazing graphics and a jolly sounding Santa voice over, which accompanies you when spinning the reels.

There are of course all the familiar Christmas sounds in the background and the A game’s symbols are similarly Christmas-themed. There is a bonus game feature where you get to open presents from under a Christmas tree.

Read the full post >>