PartyGaming executives are optimistic the company is close to resolving its longtime feud with the US government over gambling play the company accepted from US citizens. PartyGaming's US operations were mostly based on online poker and shut down after the passage of the UIGEA in 2006. Still, the US Department of Justice persists in investigating the online casino operator, creating the necessity for a settlement.

US law, as set by court decisions, holds that only Internet sports gambling is illegal, while no statutes address online casino gambling or Internet poker. But the DoJ insists that all online gambling is illegal, and has harassed PartyGaming executives and other online gambling operators.

While PartyGaming never engaged in US sports wagering, the company has found the pressure from DoJ efforts to be quite wearying. Company co-founder Anurag Dikshit paid an astounding $300 million fine and is awaiting a possible prison term because he could no longer handle the US persecution.

Still, no criminal charges have been filed, and PartyGaming CEO Jim Ryan says no present company personnel will admit criminal activity. Martin Weingold, PartyGaming finance director, expects to settle for roughly $150 million.

Despite never having broken laws, PartyGaming officials feel the resolution with the US is the best move for the company's future. Stock value has rallied since the announcement of a possible deal with the US.

Further, by clearing their company name now, PartyGaming management positions the online gaming operator to better handle a re-opening of the US market. Companies in good standing with the US government are expected to receive favorable treatment when licensing of Internet casinos is underway.

source::onlinecasinoadvisory.com

Ireland is establishing a committee under the Minister of Justice to license and regulate casino gambling. The new branch will create a bill setting a new national gambling code, which will oversee private clubs hosting gaming as well as online casinos.

Minister Dermot Ahearn told the Irish Times the government wants to ward against problem gambling, money laundering, and child involvement, while still writing “a modern, responsive code that recognizes the fact that some people gamble and enjoy gambling”.

One part of the proposal would establish rules and regulations for the fifty or more private clubs that act as de facto casinos. The methods and laws for online casinos will be decided once a review of possible opportunities can be conducted by the committee.

Reports from studies done by the gaming industry and the government indicate Ireland could create as many as 13,000 jobs with a well-regulated and legalized Internet casino industry. As much as $350 million in revenue might be available.

Internet gambling observers noted the government's acceptance of the reality of people's desire to gamble, both online and at casinos. The goal of a transparent, honest gaming system devoid of crime was hailed by several commentators as praiseworthy compared to such blunders as the US UIGEA.

source: onlinecasinoadvisory.com

Twenty people were given prison sentences today in China for having owned and run online casino gambling sites. A court in Shanghai dished out sentences from one to six years for running an online site that took sports gambling wagers during the World Cup of soccer.

The leaders of the ring opened accounts on international gambling and UK casino sites, and then developed a network that ran through their accounts. Qian Baochun, considered the leader of the gambling operation, was given six years in prison and a fine of $735,000.

Estimates are that the three organizers earned about $250,000 over the year or so from the spring of 2006 until July of 2007. Bets handled by the syndicate amounted to almost a billion dollars.

Other suspects had helped recruit gamblers, ran the operation on a daily basis, and received commission on profits. Even after paying the edge to the existing casinos websites, the Chinese conspirators were able to realize strong profits.

A spokesman for the court in Shanghai noted the case as China's most notable involving online gambling, and added it marked a continuing of a policy not to tolerate Internet gambling along with other basic human rights.

source: onlinecasinoadvisory.com

The latest issue for online gambling sites is the use of bots disguised as regular players to foresee odds. According to a report by SC magazine, an online publication for Internet technology security experts, hackers have begun using bots to mine information from online casino revealing patterns in payouts.

Using the information that has been gathered with web-scraping techniques, scammers can compute through arbitration systems when bets are more likely to win. The bots are hard to track or prevent by casino security because they run off scripts set to simulate live gambler play.

Guri Geva, regional director for Radware at Israel, Northern Europe and the United Kingdom, says, "The hacker can use the bot to manipulate the odds to improve the winning margin; it can also measure times so it can hit the site when it is at its busiest, going as undetected as possible.”

Geva recommends sites prepare for hacker attacks by employing software that analyzes user behavior in transparent real time. He sees the number and complexity of attacks only growing, as estimates are that the online UK casino industry will generate $125 billion by 2015.

The security adviser stated, "Webscraping is going on all of the time; it can steal information from a website, put the details on to another and redirect people to it. This can lead to fraud and even phishing, you could blacklist IP addresses but that will require a lot of time."

source:onlinecasinoadvisory.com

By testing and reviewing the filtering systems employed by Internet casino game the commission has forced sites lagging in protective measures to address their shortcomings. Without the oversight and diligence of the regulatory agency, lax defenses would go unnoticed.

British law requires Internet online gambling operators to verify patrons' personal information, including name, date of birth, address, and payment information. Software designed to intercept underage and problem gamblers must be used.



While many casinos were found to be needing improvement, the majority of online bingo games sites passed the stringent test. The UK Minister of Culture, Gerry Sutcliffe, told the Telegraph, "The majority of the tests showed that policies and procedures to prevent children from gambling on remote sites are effectively in place."

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission found a large minority of best casino have inadequate measures to screen out children, demonstrating once again the value of strong regulation. According to the Telegraph, the commission conducted an undercover investigation using debit cards registered to adolescents, and found exploitable loopholes in the blocks set up at online gambling sites to deter youths.

Meanwhile, US children are totally vulnerable, without the benefit of any independent oversight or regulation of online casinos to ensure due diligence toward preventing underage gambling is performed.

The launch of the YA888YA online casino is the latest step in the Alsart Group`s strategy of expanding the range of gambling services it offers in Russia and the CIS.

YA888YA offers its visitors a rich games portfolio consisting of over 120 games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, sic bo, progressive jackpots and more. The software utilises a sophisticated random number generator that ensures a random outcome for all automated online casinos games.

The RNG software has been checked by Technical Systems Testing, an internationally recognised and respected accredited testing facility. As a reflection of its dedication to fair and responsible gaming, YA888YA provides grand game and transactions histories, displaying all cash-outs and deposits. Players can check every bet, including its date and time, bet and win amounts and game results.

All the games and financial transactions of casinos UK clients are secured by 128-bit encryption; a built-in electronic cashier provides compatibility with a number of electronic payment services and banking institutes.

YA888YA features generous bonus programs. While making their first deposit players get an unmatched 300 per cent bonus and an 80 per cent bonus for the second deposit. Moreover, loyal players are rewarded with free daily bonuses, special prizes and an unrivaled complimentary points program.

YA888YA offers up to 30 per cent bonus per deposit made with Neteller, Click2Pay, MoneyBookers, Paysafe Card, wire transfer or bank draft. Game modes available at YA888YA include auto-play, as well as the option of multiplayer tables and private multiplayer tables with live chat. Adjustable features enable players to modify game speed, sounds, volume and zoom on all gaming tables and slot machines.

Designed in the style of a European land-based casino and hosted by experienced European dealers, the platform employs cutting edge technology to create broadcasts that simulate the quality of high-definition television viewing. Players can chat live with the dealer and give real-time tips.

source:intergameonline.com