A couple of months ago it was reported that English bookmakers and online sports gambling sites might be pulling for their national team to not do so well in the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa. English soccer fans love their national team and would probably bet against the odds for the team to win. The bad news for the English and the good news for online bookmakers is the English team made it out of group play but that was it. The online gambling site William Hill was able to say that these results were one of the leading reasons why the 2010 World Cup was their most successful World Cup in forty years.

The online sports gambling site’s Chief Executive Officer, Ralph Topping, was proud to make the announcement just short of releasing the company’s official progress report which comes out next month. William Hill was able to take on near record numbers in wagers during June as the World Cup captivated the world. There were a great number of upsets and surprises that were not only exciting for the fans but profitable for the online sports bookmakers. Right of the bat, England played to a draw with the United States. Other favorites such as France and Italy failed to win any games. The big upset of Holland beating always favored Brazil saw even more money roll in for the online gambling sites. Of course, the unlikely final match of Holland and Spain (both without World Cup titles until this year) was one of the most wagered up on games.

There were also new bets for the online sports gambling sites. Not only were sites taking bets on the outcome of matches, but online gambling sites also offered in-match bets. Bets such as who would score first or next, as well as being able to update their outcome bets were extremely popular. There were also whimsical bets like who would draw the first yellow card, and what sports cliche would be used the most frequently.

Keno has been a casino staple for decades. The game has become such a mainstay because of its ease of play. Games are held at constant, regular intervals. Players pick a certain amount of numbers and then numbers are drawn. It is the casino’s version of the lottery. It took a while for keno to make it into the online casino scene, but now it is coming on strong. The popular online casino, Win A Day, has recently added keno to its portfolio of online casino games.

When it was first launched Win A Day Online Casino, and it s sister site Slotland, only hosted online slots and video poker games. However, the online casino’s players, while still loyal to the slots, wanted a little more action. Win A Day then added Roulette 5 which was a combination of online slots and roulette. “Many of our players play only slots but many have told us over the years that they also enjoy other casino games like Roulette and Keno,” commented Win A Day Casino Manager, Michael Hilary. Keno is the second non-slots game the online casino has added to its list, all since April of this year.

The online casinos new keno games starts off with a futuristic sound track that draws players to the drama of the game. From then its the basic keno that casino goers are familiar with and love. Patrons who play keno at Win A Day will be able to pick their own set of 15 numbers or allow the computer to generate a quick pick. They will be able to play seven cards per game and can even play sections of numbers. Then all they have to do is wait and see if their numbers come up. Win A Day is hoping they will enjoy their other online casino games while they wait. The online casino is even allowing their players to try keno out for free before they start making real money bets.

The House Committee on Financial Services also took a serious look on how online gambling would fall under tax laws. Some framework laws are in place, but with online gambling a relatively new entity in United States gambling there would need to be new laws and tax guidelines established. Washington Representative, Jim McDermott proposed House Resolution 4976, the Internet gambling Regulation and Tax Enforcement Act of 2010. His bill focused on how states and the federal government could collect taxes and fees from companies who wish to set up online gambling operations within the United States. The bill has met some debate, but it is a major step to clearing a large hurdle when it comes to online gambling regulation. Online gambling could generate close to $42 billion for the federal government and $30 billion for the states in a matter of ten years. With the economy slow to recover these numbers are attractive.

Those who will vote on the issue of taking the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act to the floor, and those who will, hopefully, vote on it, will have to take into consideration the Consumer Protection side. This not only means protecting the public’s identity and financial information, but from the pitfalls of gambling itself. Online gambling would ease the access to gambling to under age gamblers and those who have gambling addictions. The government has to make sure they protect against an unscrupulous online gambling company from taking advantage of these groups.

That being said, most would feel that the committee’s hearings were successful. Many professionals with varied backgrounds and expert experience gave their thoughts on the legalization of online gambling in the United States. Lawmakers are in a position where online gambling isn’t that other thing they have to think about. It is real and the bill could be a good bill. The United States could see major leaps forward in the months ahead when it comes to legalizing and regulating online gambling.

The Native American tribes and nations are large operators of casinos in America. They enjoy a certain amount of sovereignty which allows them to operate casinos, but still pay taxes and fees to the states. They would also be some of the first to benefit from online gambling. Tribal Chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe, Lynn Malerba testified at the committee hearings and thanked Chairman Frank and his committee for showing respect “…for tribal sovereignty by actively seeking the input of tribes.” All Native American organizations wish to ensure that they are treated fairly should the Congress pass a bill legalizing online gambling. Continuing the committee’s thoughts on fairness, Frank’s bill accounted for state’s rights. His legislation would allow each state to decide for itself on whether or not to allow online gambling.

The Committee also heard from professional poker player, Annie Duke. She was there to represent the Poker Players’ Alliance. The PPA is the leading gambling rights activist group. They have watched the development of this bill from its inception, and have stood by the legalization of online gambling. Ms. Duke advocated for the rights of the American people to decide what is right for them. “This Committee and this Congress should not tolerate laws that seek to prevent responsible adults from playing a game we find stimulating, challenging and entertaining.” She hammered home her point by saying, “However you might feel about gambling on the Internet, I would suggest that gambling with freedom is far more risky.”

Of course, there was testimonies from the financial side of online gambling. Congress is very concerned about the pitfalls of so much money being passed around over the internet. Currently, financial institutions can not allow transactions between Americans and online gambling sites. They have contended that this is extremely difficult to regulate under the UIGEA. Ed Williams is a member of the Board of Directors for the Credit Union National Association. He testified that legalizing online gambling would help his institutions while still complying with parts of the UIGEA.

This year the United States Congress has been taking a serious look at legalizing online gambling within its borders. The Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2006 flat out made online gambling illegal. It also restricted American financial institutions from completing transactions between American online gamblers and online gambling sites. Still, Americans found a way to gamble online and millions of dollars went overseas. Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, Barney Frank of Massachusetts, found this to be ridiculous and introduced House Resolution 2267 or the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act. Since then his committee has studied the possible effects of online gambling and heard testimonies both for and against. Chairman Frank’s bill would legalize and regulate online gambling as well as require those who seek an online gambling license to install safeguards to protect against underage and problem gambling.

Since the introduction of the online gambling bill the House Committee on Financial Services has been preoccupied with the massive financial reform that has swept the nation. However, earlier this week President Obama signed that bill into law and freed up the committee to study other issues. Michael Waxman of the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative commented, “With the recent passage of financial reform legislation, it’s great to see the Financial Services Committee now with the opportunity to focus its attention on other issues such as internet gambling regulation.” On July 21 the committee held a serious hearing that could help propel the Frank’s bill out of committee and onto the House floor. “We’re optimistic that this hearing will give the Committee the final push it needs to schedule a vote on the bill,” continued Waxman.

The committee hearings featured representatives from almost every facet of the gambling industry including members of Native American tribes, poker communities, ad financial institutions. Some of the biggest names were there to lend their feelings of how online gambling should be regulated in the United States.

Any casino operator (or in business owner for that matter) will tell you that talk isn’t cheap. When something is said enough people begin to believe it, especially when it comes from the nation’s leaders. There are some that believe that the recession is lingering longer than it is supposed to because everyone is scared. Why are they scared? The news reporters and the politicians have been telling the public and each other that the country is in bad shape economically. This causes the American public to not go out and spend, which trickles up to businesses and corporations which then trickles back down to the American consumer. With the midterm elections going into all out war mode, the rhetoric being passed back and forth between candidates could be doing just as much harm.

Deutsche Bank gaming and casino analyst, Andrew Zarnett, believes just that. He has been keeping tabs on the political sparring that has been taking place between Nevada Senator and Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Republican challenger for his U.S. Senate Seat, former Assemblywoman Sharron Angle. The exchanges between them have become a bit heated and sometimes nasty. Mr. Zarnett believes that their arguments over unemployment could be scaring the Nevada public and keeping them from spending, especially in the casinos.

Mr. Zarnett told investors this week that “We see no upside to a harsh campaign that reinforces the poor condition of the local economy and aggressively reminds residents of the economic crisis that afflicts their economy.” He strongly believes that the more people are reminded they are not doing well, the less likely they are to go out and spend, which would be helpful to the economy. This could have a profound effect on the locals market in areas like Las Vegas and Reno. Many casinos in Nevada are dependent on the locals market. While the tourists go to the big name strip casino resorts the locals tend to visit the smaller locally owned casinos.

Gamblers have fun betting on the outcomes of sporting events, rolls of the dice, the deal of the cards, and just about anything else. The thrill of the chance makes any slightly predictable, but unknown probability exciting. Strange bets have been made. Online sports gambling sites had a field day with this year’s World Cup soccer tournament. Of course, there were bets placed on the outcomes of the matches, but it did not stop there. Some sites offered bets on who would score first, who would score most often, who would draw the first red card, even which sports cliche would be used the most. When used in moderation gambling can be exciting and even a bit whimsical.

The popular online gambling site, PaddyPower, is having one of those fun, whimsical bets. Well, it is fun and whimsical to everyone except the subject. As the whole world watched the British Petroleum’s off shore drilling platform, the Deep Sea Horizon, suffered a tragic explosion that killed several members of the drilling team. For the pas few months the well that was drilled has been leaking millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico threatening wildlife and the coasts of Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana. This has placed British Petroleum’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Hayward, on the hot seat, and the target of inflamed debates. Some are calling for his job.

That is where the online gambling sites come in. Sites, like PaddyPower, are offering odds to their players on whether or not Mr. Hayward will resign. Some sites are taking bets on if he will resign or be fired. So far there have been no move at British Petroleum to indicate that he will step down. Then again, there has been no indication that he will not. As if it is not bad enough for Mr. Hayward, PaddyPower is also taking bets on who would become Mr. Hayward’s successor should he step down or be asked to leave.

When Las Vegas casino resort giant, MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International) decided they wanted a non-gambling, all private residential building at their new CityCenter complex they knew they couldn’t just have any run-of-mill building. They wanted something that would catch eyes and encompass the heart of one of the most exciting cities and streets of the world. When they hired award winning architect Helmet Jahn to create plans for the building they knew he felt the same. “There are enough straight buildings in this world,” said Jahn’s partner, Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido. Their firm immediately set out to produce something that was functional, slightly traditional, but still would be innovative and beautiful.

Las Vegas has strict zoning laws, and the design team, along with MGM Mirage’s executives realized that one building would not be enough. They came up with twin towers that would rise to thirty-seven stories and sit ninety feet apart. Here is where the fun kicked in, the non-casino, all residential buildings would each lean 5 degrees in opposite directions. The gave the buildings the look of passing each other. “I don’t know if a building like this could have worked in New York City,” continued Gonzalez-pulido, “Because of its location on the Strip, the design gives the towers life and movement and a tremendous energy.” That is exactly what MGM Mirage was looking for.

While the designers and the casino resort company were excited about the plans, builders were a bit skeptical. Twin buildings of this sort have never really been built before. The tilt was made successful by constructing the towers with several dozen circular support pillars made from concrete and steel. Executive President for MGM Resorts International’s CityCenter Residential Division stated, “You’re not going to find a residential building like this anywhere else in the world.” The only public areas of the Veer Towers is the lobby which is filled with natural light and art. However, residents have full access to the casino and other areas of CityCenter.

Casino providers like Shuffle Master Gaming have always found Pennsylvania to be a good state for them. They have provided slot style games (or table games that are slots games in technicality) for years. “Pennsylvania was always a fantastic jurisdiction for us prior to table games being approved,” commented Shuffle Master Gaming Chief Operating Officer, David Lopez. He continued, “Now it’s an even better market. Not only does Shuffle Master provide games and all the accessories but electronic shufflers and chip counters.

Chief Executive Officer for Gaming Partners International, Greg Gronau, said of the Keystone State, “Pennsylvania is kind of the mother lode.” Gaming Partners International and other casino providers have been looking for a booster shot to get their businesses rolling again. A big help came this past december when CityCenter in Las Vegas opened its centerpiece and only casino Aria. Pennsylvania’s casinos would be the equivalent of five Arias. This is obviously a huge boost for casino gaming providers. “From a volume perspective, we haven’t seen an opportunity like this in quite some time,” Mr. Gronau continued.

All of the casino providers are jumping at the chance to get into the Pennsylvanian market. For most it will be the chance to get in at ground level to a fresh market. “It is a true startup market, but it also allows us to get our product out there for other casino operators to see,” said Chief Operating Officer for VisuaLimits, Ryan McClellan. His company was able to sure up contracts to provide table game management systems for the Parx Casino in Bensalem and the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Their systems allow casino managers to keep tabs on the activities taking place at their table games and in their pits. McClellan added, “We can see that Pennsylvania is a market that will continue to grow and change quickly.” Governor Rendell stated, that casinos would be good for Pennsylvania. It looks as though it could trigger business for many companies throughout the United States.

The state of Pennsylvania is doing its best to stimulate its own economy. It has been hit hard by the current economic recession. Like most of the United States foreclosures and unemployment are up and jobs and spending is down. And like several other states, Pennsylvania has looked toward their gambling laws to help fill the widening gaps in their budget. Pennsylvania’s answer was to add table games to their casinos. This was met with much excitement from both casino operators and the casino going public who enjoy playing slots in their casinos, but had to travel to gambling hot spots like Atlantic City to play games like craps, roulette, blackjack, poker and others.

For starters the new casino table games should keep Pennsylvania’s gambling public within the state and spending money at home. The casinos will be able to, not only retain customers who travel out of state to play table games, but attract new customers who want more out of a casino than just slots and video poker. The state will also be making money of the new table games. In order for the casinos to host the games they have to pay fees and, of course, taxes. This should help bring badly needed revenue into the state budget. There are also new jobs being added to the market.

Where the new casino table games is having another great affect is for casino and gaming companies that are located throughout the rest of the country. The casinos that wish to host the able games have to acquire them from somewhere. This is where the gaming companies, most of which are based in Las Vegas or the rest of Nevada, come into play. The gaming companies are able to provide the Pennsylvanian casinos with tables, felt gaming tops, dice, cards, and other accessories. After the games are delivered there is upkeep, maintenance upgrades and replacements that will need to be made.