While Kentucky is foolishly fighting online gambling (how else but) by grabbing up domain names, over in British Columbia (where lies my all time favorite city, Vancouver), is enjoying mega success through legalized online gambling and is reaping enormous financial rewards.

Can the states be far behind? Can they afford NOT to do this? I’m telling you, it’s only a matter of time and the clock is ticking.

The British Columbia Lotter Corporation had launched its controversial online gambling site,  PlayNow.com last week and was shut down by the initial spike of traffic.

It’s been an overwhelming success, said Michael Graydon, president of the BC Corporation.      

“So we decided to close the site down for a half a day, add some new hardware and servers to the system to be able to accommodate it. We’re in the process of doing that. Our IT people are working very hard to get it up and running.”

The site is still offline today.

But it will include casino games, bingo, sports, lotteries and other games and is expected to generate about $100 million in revenue.

Did you read that U.S. legislators…$100 million in revnue. In Canada. Can you imagine what it would bring in here?

Don’t you just love google?

As some who enjoys real life gambling … and someone who occasionally goes to online sites, google is introducing a site that will make finding the best online casinos easier.

The google TV feature is launched with Sony and Logitech as partners. Viewers will be able to  combine their television experience with the easy access of the Internet.

The special devices will enable web browser Google Chrome to be accessed via the television, opening up access to the entire web rather than just restricting customers to the usual range of TV channels.

Sure, this will be TV viewing (and choices) easier. But the truth is, it will also enable a new and improved online gambling experience – on a high definition television.

The Google TV announcement comes not long after the company resumed accepting advertisement for online casinos on their search engine.

Television gambling is already available in some countries, such as the United Kingdom, where interactive television gaming company Netplay already offers their product.

If Google TV really takes off (and it will, given their track record), the phenomenon should spread to millions of people around the globe.

According to Google, the Google TV device should be on sale in the United States by this fall, and will be compatible with televisions, Blu-ray players and companion boxes.

Awesome man.

I mean, don’t you just freaking love google? [I know...I repeated myself]

The fear, that is…of not being re-elected if they raise taxes.

So what is a legislator to do? Cut programs? Well…how about legalizing more gambling.

Which is exactly what Texas is considering.

Texas is currently facing big budget short falls.

The budget is facing cuts, cuts which will affect prison programs, education programs, and state mental hospitals.

Tax hikes are out. For the reason stated above.

Prison officials have cautioned legislators over the risk of cutting programs to prisons.

Estimates say that lay offs would remove over 3,000 employees and remove drug and alcohol treatment programs. In a state with relatively low recidivism rates compared to the national average, it is likely that Texas legislators will aim to solve budget woes before being forced to cut budgets.

Education cuts are also likely to take place in the event that the budget gap is not filled.

Grants, the lifeblood of education,  might have to be slashed.

The gambling expansion being considered is would bring slot machines at racetracks or, in a full blown expansion, large casinos that entail all forms of casino gambling.

These casinos could generated billions of dollars a year, which would help to fill the gap in the budget.

Frankly, having lived in Houston and Austin, I KNOW that people would love it.

An unexplored opportunity is that of online gambling.  Unfortunately, no regulatory body exists for the collection of taxes on online gambling, which could generate an estimated $80 billion over a period of ten years.

So legislators are looking to the Pennsylvania or Florida model…where gambling revenue has (somewhat) eased the tax burden. I say somewhat, because Pennsylvanians still call their state Taxsylvania.

I’ll keep an eye on the Lone Star state for you.

I ran across this warning from onlinecasino.com and I thought it was important news to get out there.

It’s about March Madness. You know, the NCAA basketball tournament.

Everyone I know at work plays the brackets… it’s great fun and money can be won.

But, as March Madness approaches this week, sportsbetters should be aware of threats that target the online gambling industry.

What we like is the passion and drive of the players, which creates a stir among sportsbetters, who are looking for more thrilling events than those involving often-complacent professional players.

As a result, the online sportsbetting industry experiences one of the biggest influxes of wagers around this time every year, rivaling such popular events as The World Cup (I can’t wait for that, in a few months) and The SuperBowl.

However, it is very easy to get caught up in the excitement of March Madness, and forget about the dangers lurking online.

Although most online casinos are safe and reputable places to spend your money, hackers and other scam artists take advantage of the busy season, so players should be on the lookout for suspicious behavior.

So watch out.
Players should be aware of websites that simulate online casinos.

During March Madness, it is not uncommon for new websites to be launched, claiming that they are certified online casinos.

These websites will spread viruses and other malware that can steal the registrants personal information. This is why players must always do their research, checking out sites that review online casinos.

To combat these threats, software developers are also doing their part. BitDefender, for example, is stepping up its game during this year’s March Madness, with new offerings to help protect sportsbetters.

Players should examine all of their options before registering, to ensure a safe and prosperous experience.

Get it? Great.

Now go play.

Now, I’ve heard everything.

Some idiot scientist now claims that a pre-disposition to gambling (which I enjoy, by the way) may be caused by a gene.

This was recently reported on CNN.

The scientist is calling the gene D-2 receptor. And it is said that the gene is stimulated by the use of substances beyond moderation.

Drinking, maybe I can believe. But a love of gambling. C’mon.

This is the stuff that pisses me off. Let scientists discover a cure for cancer, OK?

I think they’re pushing towards considering problem gambling a treatable disorder, like the flu or something.

Scientists are already postulating a relationship between dopamine production and compulsive gambling. The new study goes even further to alleviate concern that online gambling or the proliferation of gaming outlets and casinos leads to increasing numbers of problem gamblers, and makes those asserting that certain forms of gaming are “the crack cocaine” of gambling to appear the fool.

Translation: if you have the gene then you are predisposed to heavy gambling. If not, have a ball. Don’t worry, be happy.

What a bunch of crap.

What do you think?

I am pretty sure that it would slightly turn me off but not totally, and definitely not in the long run. If I were encountering traffic jam problems because of gambling, I would be sure to find a work around. I don’t know about you, but that is what I think.

Apparently, though, some anti-gambling groups have thought of using horrific traffic jams to prove a point AND to turn voters against gambling. Online Casino Advisory has the story:

Opponents of casino gambling purposely caused traffic congestion in Palmer, Massachusetts Saturday to protest proposals to place a casino there. Gaming foes who claim a casino in the city would snarl traffic and lower the quality of life there decided to try to approximate what they expect if gambling comes to town.

As many as seventy-five cars participated in the planned disturbance. Several of the drivers involved posted signs in car windows reading “casino traffic,” hoping that irritated residents would make the connection.

Did the protesters get the results they were aiming for? It’s too early to tell. However, there is one point that they might not have considered very much: if casinos were to be built in the area, surely traffic would be taken into consideration? Surely the developers would include that in the planning and putting up of the necessary infrastructure? If I were the protesters, I would find some other point of argument. While creating traffic jams might be sensational, it might not really hold water.

In a surprise move, the government banned all gambling establishments in the Ukraine. The Parliament approved this ban, which covers both gambling AND gaming business throughout the country, and states that the ban shall hold until another law is passed. And what is this law? It is supposed to deal with the allowing of gaming and gambling only in specific zones in the country.

Intergame Online has this report:

Licences granted under the previous regime have effectively been cancelled, with the new law outlining heavy fines and the confiscation of equipment for those who violate the regulations. The special law creating gambling zones is expected to be drawn up within the next three months.

In light of the decision, Olympic Entertainment Group has suspended trading at its Ukrainian subsidiary’s properties and its employees have been sent on holiday without pay. The company said it was doing everything possible to open its casinos again as soon as possible, arguing that the move to suspend gambling contravenes a number of other laws.

Naturally, the move has drawn a lot of attention and protests. Businessmen involved in gambling and gaming operations, together with their employees are making moves to make their voices heard. The employees, in particular, are holding rallies to protest the move, which is basically robbing them of their jobs. Slogans such as “Don’t deprive us of work!” can be seen in these protests.

This move will not go uncontested and it may even be repealed, from what I am seeing.

Florida governor Charlie Crist has long been known to be a friend to the gambling sector. Who could forget that pact he made with the Indians to allow them huge liberties in their activities? While this was welcomed by many, it didn’t sit well with just as many other people.

He has been quite active recently in promoting gambling as a good source of revenue for the state. In fact, he visited a school and spoke about his point of view. The Miami Herald has this story:

Facing resistance from lawmakers to a $1.1 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe, Gov. Charlie Crist ditched Tallahassee Thursday to visit a struggling Little Havana school he said would benefit from the money.

Crist didn’t make his pitch directly to the Riverside Elementary Community School teachers or students. He made it to a troop of television cameras.

”It will put more money into education for this hard-working principal and, more importantly than that, for the children at this school and others around the state,” he told a media gaggle after climbing the school’s steps. “We need to make sure we continue to make progress in education in Florida, and the opportunity to adequately fund great schools like this one today is the way to do it.”

To be honest with you, I do not quite agree with his tactics. He is politicizing gambling, which I think should just be left to the discretion of the individual. Then again, can we expect anything else? Politicians will always attach themselves to a cause. In any case, we shall see how the people of Florida react to this. Are you from there? Any opinions?

It is not called March Madness for nothing. Every year, when the time for the NCAA finals come about, there seems to be a frenzy regarding the whole thing. And I am not talking only about the basketball fans and school loyal school fans. Those of us who are into sports betting also feel this kind of frenzy at this time of the year. Indeed, March Madness is one of the most exciting events in the sports betting world.

This year’s Final Four have been decided, and they will meet up together in Detroit this weekend. Who are they? New Online Casinos has a feature on this. Snippets for your information below.

North Carolina has been made the favorite to win the title of the remaining teams. Louisville was originally favored, but their tournament ended after a stunning loss to Michigan State on Sunday. The Spartans have made the Final Four for the fifth time in coach Tom Izzo’s eleven years.

Connecticut is one of the number one seeds in this years tournament that has flown under the radar, even as a number one seed.

Villanova is the only other college basketball team that will be in action this weekend.

This year’s Final Four is not really a surprise although the number 1 seeds did not make it! Still, this means an exciting weekend for all of us. Perhaps one of the most popular bets would be on who would be the remaining two teams to vie for the championship. Who are your bets?

I am not predicting anything with a hundred percent guarantee but online gambling in the US just might get a break soon.  I am sure that you have been following the news and that you have been hearing about Obama’s stimulus package that is aimed at helping the US economy recover from the blows it has been suffering.  One of the main points of this stimulus package is the pushing forward of American products and services.  “Buy American” is now the battle cry of the administration and it is sounding good to many people.

In the realm of online casinos, it seems that the experts are smelling the wind of change as well.  Online Casino Advisory recently published a report along the same lines – that online casinos might be allowed in the US once again.

The new economic stimulus package being advanced by the Obama administration utilizes a “Buy American” provision that makes casino industry analysts wonder if US  gaming companies will get advantages in licensing over established foreign online gambling sites. According to a report by CNN Money, the $819 billion package encourages protectionism of American products against overseas competitors.

The European Commission, which has been investigating claims of such discriminatory practices against online casinos as raised by the Remote Gaming Association, now faces a broader attempt b y the US to favor domestic products. The Commission announced on Thursday the intent to challenge the provision if it becomes law.

They can dicker all they want – we only want to know one thing.  Will online gambling in the US be restored?