Here’s a dispatch (from China’s news agencies) that I found incredibly interesting and I want to share it all with you.

I’ve been wild about the World Cup, watching every match I could, while I’m not at work.

China, it seems is going wild over the cup too. Only thing is, they don’t have a team competing in it.

No matter. They are gambling, illegally it would appear, online. In record numbers.

As of this past Saturday, one day into the tournament, Chinese police said they already confiscated $102 million in illegal funds and arrested some 3,600 suspects for illegal gambling in connection with the World Cup. This from a report by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

“The state of our country’s online illegal gambling activities is still a very grim situation,” a police official told reporters, according to the Legal Daily. He largely blamed offshore gambling syndicates for “infiltrating” the country, according to the report.

While Chinese officials like to blame foreigners for the illegal activities, corruption has a long history in Chinese soccer.

Traditionally, national-team hopefuls had to pay tens of thousands of yuan in bribes, said Rowan Simons, author of a book on soccer in China, according to CNN.

“Players have come out and said they can’t play for the national team because they can’t afford it,” he said, according to the report.

Surely, neither China’s soccer skill nor its level of corruption is the worst in the world. In both areas it falls somewhere in the middle: According to FIFA, Chinese soccer ranks 84th in the world, just ahead of Mozambique.

Yeah, China didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but the government is heavily promoting the competition. CCTV, the state-run television network, airs the matches each night along with pre- and post-game commentary, while a number of domestic newspaper reporters have made the long flight to South Africa.

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]

This is awesome news for gamblers like me.

Now we can gamble in New Brunswick, Canada.

This week the province opened its door to casino gambling for the first time.

Of course, it’s always about raising revenues and Casino New Brunswick (as it is called) will likely do just that.

The government is hoping that the casino becomes a big success.

Early estimates are that the casino could generate $25 million annually. That would be beneficial for both the casino developer, Sonco Gaming New Brunswick, Ltd., and the government.

Everybody wins. [Except, probably unlucky players]

Casino New Brunswick took $90 million and several years to develop.

The casino will be home to 500 slot machines and twenty-two table games. And YES, a freaking poker room with eight poker tables will also be available.

“We think it’s going to help to bring some business to New Brunswick, to the Moncton region certainly, and create 400 jobs,” said Marc Belliveau, spokesman for the Department of Finance, as reported by The Canadian Press.

Then, there are the nay sayers.

While the revenue will be great, they say, some believe that the social ills will also be many. The concern is that the casino will lead more people down the path of gambling addiction.

Increased crime is also a possibility, according to opponents.

Casinos have become common in Canada.

With the opening of the New Brunswick casino, only Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are left without casino gambling.

But when they need money and can’t justify raising taxes again…. you watch, casinos will open.

Since my wife and I are planning to move to Vancouver, Canada, I found this bit of news very interesting.

Particularly as someone who loves to play online.

It looks like Canadian provinces are thinking about legally offering online betting. That’s sure to come up at the Canadian Gaming Summit, which is happening in Calgary right now.

At the Summit Canadian operators will be exposed to a massive variety of topics and a large iGaming sector.

At the summit people there will be experts talking about how lucrative online gambling can be. Plus, how to regulate the industry, should they decide to go in that direction.

Explaining how Canada fits into the multi billion dollar internet gambling industry is one topic explored by various regulatory professionals.

It is estimated that Canadians spend about $1 billion a year on electronic gambling.

Provinces will have the challenge of making an e-gaming environment that is safe secure and responsible yet still entertaining and fun.

The Canadian Gaming Summit is the only conference and exhibition in Canada that serves the entire Canadian Gaming Industry.

One of the most interesting topics at the Summit will be online casinos and gambling the newest edition to Canada’s gambling history.

We’ll keep an eye on what comes out of the Summit.

But you all know where I stand. I say let the market be free. If people want to gamble online or anywhere else, let them do so.

The Princess Casino Guyana exposed foreign dignitaries, the business community and the media to its $2 million investment recently. This, after more than a year of preparations.

“Ours was a soft opening and in about a week or two we will have the big one with speeches,” Operations Director Oguz Tayanc,” said.

Anxious to create employment and less dependence on traditional exports like rice, sugar, gold and bauxite, authorities have turned to the hotel and entertainment sector, setting up a gaming authority that said it was giving out two licenses initially.

Locals are barred from gambling at the facility unless they are registered guests at the 150-room hotel but the director acknowledged that marketing the entity in the small South American nation that attracts less than 300,000 tourists annually will be its greatest challenge.

Church groups had railed against the industry saying it will lead to further moral decay but authorities have insisted that safeguards like non-hotel guests will ensure it is only for tourists and foreigners.

I guess it’s OK for the rest of us to sink into moral decay.

But I digress.

The casino has more than 300 slot machines, 11 tables, two roulette tables, seven card games including poker and two Texas Holdems.

Nearby South American countries like Brazil, Venezuela and Surin already have casinos to attract foreign dollars.

This is crazy. Online gambling, online casinos are being created by the hundreds these days.

Good ones. Cools ones.

Honest ones.

In Europe, many countries are making their own laws regarding online gambling, ignoring European Union trade agreements in the process.

Belgium (see their FLAG above) is the country now where legislators have enacted laws in an effort to regulate online gambling in the country.

I’m all for regulation.

Just let me play.

Belgium lawmakers felt that the current Internet gamblingsystem was being corrupted by organized crime. They believe that regulations would keep the crime out of the industry, but what they have come up with is in direct violation of EU agreements.

We’re talking mostly about online poker.

Some of the top online poker players in the world live in Belgium.

With the new laws in place, major poker sites such as PartyPoker, Full Tilt, and PokerStars, would not be permitted to accept players from Belgium.

That means that the top players could only play while putting themselves at risk of arrest.

How crazy is that?

The US, the biggest online gambling market in the world, has been in violation of EU agreements since they enacted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in  2006. U.S. lawmakers, however, are trying to overturn the UIGEA and set up a regulated Internet gambling industry in the country.

I’ll keep you posted on their progress.

The online casino industry has seen the launch of two online casinos recently that have the potential of making an impact on the online gambling industry.

Both sites have unrolled huge promotions, with the intention of attracting a good part of the gambling public who are keen on trying out new products.

Crazy Slots Casino is a newly released site that is operated by the industry leading Golden Casino group. Industry analysts believe that the site has the potential to make it big as it appeals to players from around the globe, and welcomes US gamblers.

The new site is powered by Vegas Technology, and the creators of the online casino have tried to emulate the atmosphere found on a real Las Vegas casino floor. The graphics are bold, colorful and eye-catching, and visitors to this site are immediately drawn to the $12,500 free welcome bonus available to new players.

The site also promises nearly $400K in guaranteed tournaments in November, as well as weekly surprise bonuses.

The games on offer include over 100 slot titles, video poker games and specialty games.

The other site that has caught the attention of the gambling world is the newly launched Cabaret Club Casino, operated by the Palace Group which also runs the reputable Spin Palace online casino.

Powered by Microgaming software group, Cabaret Club casino does not accept US players but is a global facing site with multi language and multi currency options.

As with Crazy Slots casino, Cabaret Club is currently offering attractive bonuses to new and returning players, including a 100% match bonus with up to $150 free. A lucrative loyalty club with 4 VIP levels awards instant rewards from day one.

Cabaret Club boasts Microgaming’s full range of Vegas style games, including slots, roulette, blackjack and baccarat. The site is also linked to this software group’s progressive jackpot network, offering millions of dollars in prize money.

With two new online casinos vying for a part of the already competitive online casino market, it is certainly worth keeping an eye on the tournaments and promotions at these sites.

Get me to Ireland. Fast.

One of the most beautiful countries in the world is now primed to OK a new gambling complex in Tipperary.

According to the Irish Times newspaper, planning permission is being sought for this highly ambitious development, which will include a casino and an all-weather horse track in North Tipperary.

The proposed 800 acre “Tipperary Venue” is being pioneered by a local businessman Richard Quirke, who made his money in Dublin property and was praised today for his “vision” during tough economic times, the newspaper detailed.

While no state money was required for the complex, the development relies on the government passing legislation to allow the opening of casinos.

We’ll keep you posted.

As if I needed any other reason to go to Ireland.

To my European readers, what do you think?

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 remember this blogger friend who wrote a very humorous post comparing Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama. She compared and contrasted the two leaders of the world. I am pretty sure political analysts would have a lot to say about that piece but it just cracked me up. Anyhow, I got to thinking about that because of this piece of news that I just heard about – Putin is banning gambling in his homeland!

As you may very well know, when the Soviet Union crumbled, the prohibitions in the states also disappeared. Some actually like to say that with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, many things sprouted like mushrooms – gambling establishments being one of them. Truth be told, since that fateful day, there have been hundreds and hundreds of gambling establishments set up in Russia.

Then again, we cannot ignore another result of that dissolution – Putin. He may not be the president of the country anymore, but he is still considered to be one of the most powerful politicians in the country. And he showed just what he can do – early this month, he was able to pass a law banning ALL gambling in Russia, except in four special zones.

This was no idle threat either. Law enforcement agents have been sweeping through the country, cleaning up gambling dens and other similar establishments. Naturally, this has caused quite a stir. Patrons who have learned to enjoy the fruits of capitalism and workers who have benefited from the industry are all upset about the developments. For now, they can’t do anything about it but go to the four special gambling zones. I’m glad I am not in Russia.