The news from the casinos and casino resorts in Atlantic City has not been great. The gambling industry there has been in decline for a number of years and the weak economy in the United States has made matters even worse. But let’s not deal with that right now. Instead let’s focus on the fun. Atlantic City still has much to offer the casino lover. For example, one of the most popular casino resorts, aptly named Resorts Casino Hotel, has just added new slot games to its casino floor. The new games come from casino game developer Konami Gaming. Resorts Casino Hotel is now the debut host for ‘Advantage Revolution.’ The new slot games can be found at the Boardwalk Entrance of the casino resort.

The new casino games are three reel, penny slots with a maximum bet of $2.60. The slot games are tied to a progressive jackpot that has four levels, Mini, Major, Mega, and Maxi. Each theme in Advantage Revolution also offers a second chance feature. It is randomly triggered at the end of each primary game. The second chance offers players various bonus rounds depending on which theme they are playing. This bonus is what gives the game its name. A reel that pivots and revolves gives players their bonus chances.

There are four bonus themes available on the casino slot game. They are Atlantic Adventure, Diamond Safari, Dragon Hurricane, and Heat Engine. Atlantic Adventure gives players three progressive levels during the Prime Cash bonus round which features Prime Cash, Treasure Map Wheel, or Voyage Reels. Nine diamond icons on the Diamond Safari bonus can send players to the Grand Cash, Ruins Wheel or Jungle Wheel. Dragon Hurricane has a Big Money, Thunder Wheel or a Lightning Wheel. Heat Engine also has a Big Money feature and a Fire Wheel and a Blazing Wheel. All of the revolution bonuses have the opportunity for casino goers to walk out with a padded pocket.

A popular trend right now with online casino and poker sites is to host celebrities to play on their site. These celebrities are often top notch, poker personalities. However, they can also be names from any other industry. Some online gambling sites have used movie stars, sports stars, and other big names. The online gambling site, Ladbrokes, has recently announced they have signed up another famous personality to play on their site. Snooker is a popular game in the United Kingdom. While the United States adores billiards and pool players, snooker has always been one of the gentlemen sports for the British. One of the most well know snooker players of the current era is six time, world champion, Steve Davis. Mr. Davis will be appearing on Ladbrokes.

Besides being the best snooker player in the world, Mr. Davis is an accomplished poker player. Beginning on August 18, Davis will be playing evening games on the online gambling site. The man known as “The Ginger Magician” will be playing in sit and go tournaments. He will also be playing at some cash tables. The player who is able to knock Davis out will be awarded £200 in cash. “Steve will play in a special bounty tournament at the start of the evening so get those snooker and poker questions ready to fire at him in the chat,” read a statement from Ladbrokes.

Even after he eliminated from the cash tables, Davis will continue to play is sit and go tournaments. There he will be able to reward one online poker players with tickets to Ladbrokes’ Poker Cruise Tournament. The Poker Cruise sets sail in January and the winner of the tournament will take home £4,000. The statement continued, “Remember to turn on your poker room messages. We will send system messages to let you know which cash or sit-and-go tables Steve joins and the successful players who join the table will get a £13 Cruise Steps Tournament ticket credited to their accounts.” This is an exciting time for the online gambling site. So much to give away and so much fun to have while doing it. Davis will be competing under the name 5K2.

Gambling is fun. It is meant as an entertainment. When handled responsibly it can bring hours of fun, and possibly a little extra cash. Unfortunately, though, gambling also has its pitfalls. Studies have shown that gambling can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol. It can also be as destructive. Those who are addicted to the highs created by gambling can find themselves in a bind they may not be able to come out of. They can accumulate serious debts that could destroy their lifestyle as well as get them in trouble with some pretty bad people.

The United Kingdom has recently seen two cases that show how an online gambling addiction can ruin lives. Anthony Demarco had racked up so much debt to an online casino that he had relegated himself to taking up loans with some pretty unscrupulous loan sharks. Reports suggest that Demarco had accumulated close to £1 million in debts to the loan sharks. They were ready for their money, and were not afraid to go to extreme measures to drive their point home. A hit was put out of Demarco’s life. Sadly, Demarco’s dad was literally caught in the cross fire. He suffered gunshot wounds to the head. Thankfully he has survived, and, thankfully, those responsible were sent to jail. However, his son’s addiction still needs to be addressed as he has also ripped of two companies in attempt to settle the debt.

Christopher Proudfoot is a 26 year old credit controller (ironically enough) for a reputable financial firm. He also fell victim to the pitfalls of gambling addiction, so much o that it is reported that he was wagering close to £6,000 a week. This got him in a little trouble so he started taking money from the firm’s communication accounts. He has admitted to embezzling well over 900,000. The judge found this to be “criminally irresponsible” and sentenced Proudfoot to forty months in prison, suggesting that Proudfoot should be thankful that no one lost their job because of his actions.

Gambling is fun. It is meant as an entertainment. When handled responsibly it can bring hours of fun, and possibly a little extra cash. Unfortunately, though, gambling also has its pitfalls. Studies have shown that gambling can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol. It can also be as destructive. Those who are addicted to the highs created by gambling can find themselves in a bind they may not be able to come out of. They can accumulate serious debts that could destroy their lifestyle as well as get them in trouble with some pretty bad people.

The United Kingdom has recently seen two cases that show how an online gambling addiction can ruin lives. Anthony Demarco had racked up so much debt to an online casino that he had relegated himself to taking up loans with some pretty unscrupulous loan sharks. Reports suggest that Demarco had accumulated close to £1 million in debts to the loan sharks. They were ready for their money, and were not afraid to go to extreme measures to drive their point home. A hit was put out of Demarco’s life. Sadly, Demarco’s dad was literally caught in the cross fire. He suffered gunshot wounds to the head. Thankfully he has survived, and, thankfully, those responsible were sent to jail. However, his son’s addiction still needs to be addressed as he has also ripped of two companies in attempt to settle the debt.

Christopher Proudfoot is a 26 year old credit controller (ironically enough) for a reputable financial firm. He also fell victim to the pitfalls of gambling addiction, so much o that it is reported that he was wagering close to £6,000 a week. This got him in a little trouble so he started taking money from the firm’s communication accounts. He has admitted to embezzling well over 900,000. The judge found this to be “criminally irresponsible” and sentenced Proudfoot to forty months in prison, suggesting that Proudfoot should be thankful that no one lost their job because of his actions.

Lawmakers in Delaware, as in some other states, turned toward their gambling and casino laws to help bring in badly needed revenue. State budgets are showing gaps and expanding gambling laws are one to help fill those gaps. Delaware passed a bill that would allow some of their casinos to host table games. Those games are now up and running. However, the revenue generated by the new casino games are falling short of what was predicted. The three casinos that host table games are bringing about $398,000 a week. The predicted number was closet to $558,000. Those in the gambling business, especially those that pushed for the table games, are saying not to worry. There are several reasons why the numbers are low, and there is plenty of time to correct itself.

Some are saying that not all the casinos were able to send in numbers that reflected an entire month. Others say it is ti early to predict what season the gamblers will make it to the table games. (For the record some think it will be fall.) Some feel that they just have not had a chance to hit their full potential. “We’ve felt all along that it’s going to take a good two or three months to really hit our stride,” commented Peter Bradley who is head of casino operations at Dover Downs.

One reason for this comes from the tables themselves. Delaware does not have a full compliment of dealers. This is leaving some tables unused and, obviously, unable to generate revenue. “We’re experiencing in the Northeast a shortage of dealers. It’s at each property in Delaware and I know my brethren in Pennsylvania are having headaches, too,” stated Bill Fasy, Delaware Park President. Then there are the dealers themselves. They have not had a chance to really hone their skills. As time goes on they will get more efficient, deal more hands, and generate more revenue.

With the economy in the United States taking a tumble, so to do the casino, betting and gambling industry. It has been widely reported that casinos and casino hotels across the nation have been taking major losses. Some of them have been forced into bankruptcy. New Jersey’s Atlantic City casino hotels have been really taking a hit. They were in a bit of a decline before the recession. Now it looks even worse. However, New Jersey’s horse racing industry is dangerously close to disappearing. Over the past two years numbers at race tracks like The Meadowlands have seen revenues drop dramatically, and most predict that it will be even worse this year.

It has gotten so bad that New Jersey’s governor, Chris Christie, assembled a special commission to look into the decline of numbers at the race tracks. The Governor’s concern is great because the race tracks employs thousands of people across the state. Not only in the equine and gambling industry, but is restaurants, cleaning and maintenance, and other various positions. The seven member panel is headed by a for mer chairman of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Jon F. Hanson. The commission is not just looking into the racing industry, but the Xanadu entertainment complex which has been a stand still for far too long and costing the state money.

The problem with horse racing in New Jersey, and the rest of the country, is it has lost the interest of the public. President of the Association of Racing Commissioners International, Ed Martin, said, “The nature of the game has changed. Racing in general has not been growing.” As the crowds who enjoy racing get older, they stop going out to the track as often. Younger gamblers make their way to the casinos to play more popular games like poker. Attendance figures have dropped in tracks like the Meadowlands by staggering numbers. Hopefully, the commission will be able to find a suitable lifeline for the industry.

The first quarter reports coming in from the American casino and casino resort industry continue to confirm what most already know. The country is still under the grips of a recession. There are some casino industry companies that are making headway, and even some that have managed to turn a small profit, but the over all feeling is that net losses are still the trend as America deals with getting back on its economic feet. One of America’s most notable casino resort companies, Harrah’s Entertainment, have released their report, and it confirms the trend of first quarter losses.

Harrah’s Entertainment owns some of the biggest casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip including Harrah’s Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, Bally’s, and the newly acquired Planet Hollywood Resort. They also own several off-strip properties like the Rio and the Flamingo. All of this is tied in with casinos and casino hotel spread throughout the country in regional markets. Their report on the first three months of 2010 saw the casino resort company take a loss of close to $195.6 million. This was a staggering increase of 47.4 percent from the same quarter of the previous year. This includes a 13 percent drop in quarter on quarter revenues from $2.54 billion to $2.19 billion.

Several factors played into the Harrah’s Entertainment taking another loss this quarter. Of course, the biggest blame was put on the economic condition. It seems that Americans are not quite ready to spend their money traveling to and in the casinos yet. The lack of visitors forced most casino hotels in Las Vegas to lower room rates. Some blame is also being placed on the unseasonal harsh weather that hit the northeast and the midwest at the beginning of spring forcing people to stay close to home. Harrah’s Entertainment is also in the throngs of paying of debt. While the action is responsible and should be commended it is pulling cash away from their bottom line.

The battle over Gettysburg has become quite fierce. Of course we are long past the bloody battle that claimed more American lives than any other battle fought on United States soil, thank goodness. The battle is over a proposed casino hotel near the historic battlefield and national park. David LeVan believes that a casino hotel on the site of an old convention center is exactly what the community needs to get its economic wheels turning again. He sees it as a saving grace for jobs in the town. Of course, others see it as an encroachment to the point of blasphemy on one of America’s most revered and sacred sights. The fight has become intense with ecstatic leaders and excitable followers.

Mr. Levan insists that the casino is far enough away from the national park that it would not be a threat to its reverence. Mr. Levan is a Gettysburg native who feels the new casino license would suit his area better than other Pennsylvania communities that are already saturated with gambling halls. He also feels that the sites proximity to Washington DC and Baltimore are great assets.

The battle over the casino has brought charges of theft, harassments and apologies from some major players. Both sides have lawn signs that express views over the casino. Both sides have had lawn signs mysteriously disappear. Hollywood director, Ronald Maxwell, who directed the film Gettysburg. He spoke harsh words in revival style against the building of a casino. “There are hundreds of casinos; there is only one Gettysburg.” He claimed that the group proposing the casino were trying to,”…rape and exploit the battlefield!” The meeting included a “No Casino!” chant. Mr. Maxwell later apologized for his “rape” comment by writing a letter to the Gettysburg Times.

Even though preservationist feel that a casino will forever change the landscape of the area, supporters of the casino are just as passionate about their history. However, most feel that the land will not be spoiled. Most agree that economically something has to be done, and that building a casino would be that, ‘shot in the arm.’

Both sides make strong arguments. Both sides make strong arguments, strongly. The fight over a proposed casino near such a historic landmark should not be taken lightly. As one can tell by the two different points being expressed, taking the issue lightly isn’t an option.

The Off Track Betting sites in New York City have seen the recession in the United States and increases in online gambling severely diminish their profits. They have been asking the state government in Albany to help bail them out after facing record losses. The government has not responded in kind. Off Track Betting officials have already stated they plan to close some of their New York City locations and lay off workers, but without help from the government they would have to shut down all together. They even went as far as to pose a deadline of last Sunday, March 25, after which they would close their doors, unless they were granted a temporary waiver on certain fees to the racing industry. This would have meant a $2 million reduction in payments to local horsemen and the Empire Resorts’ Monticello Casino and Raceway.

However, some lawmakers in Albany thought the New York gambling company was exaggerating or even bluffing on the threat of closure. Turns out those lawmakers might have been right. After the end of the business day on Friday lawmakers went home for the weekend without making any attempt to rescue OTB. OTB responded by announcing they would stay open for at least a year and would not go through with the proposed 1,300 job layoffs.

Assemblywoman, Aileen Gunter, who was initially concerned about the closing of gambling sites voiced her opinion when she said, “What a tremendous waste of time and energy. She went on to say that the credibility of the OTB’s operators is shot. She even added that OTB “…manufactured a crisis…” It seems everyone is mad at OTB. Empire Resorts is adamantly opposing any reduction in fees owed. They also are upset that OTB feels they can, “…unilaterally defer other payments without the permission of the court.” They added that they would work with the bankruptcy court to find a solution that would be fair to the creditors.

Players who frequent online casinos and gambling sites are looking for two things, fun and a safe and fair environment in which to gamble. The fun can be as tricky as anything else. Players’ tastes change and evolve. Online gambling sites have moved on from simple online slot games to sports gambling, poker and other table games. This was and still is fun, but online gamblers are still looking for more. They love being able to play in their homes, but they miss the live interactions and the sights and sounds of casinos. Some online casinos are now offering live dealers and games. Players are treated to video of games currently being offered live. The dealer hands out real blackjack cards, the roulette wheel is real.

The safe part of the online casino goers requirement has also been addressed. Their are watchdog companies now that monitor how online casinos operate. They impose a strict set of rules that insure the online casino is being operated fairly. In return the online casino gets to advertise their status in much the same way a hotel would advertise how many diamonds they were awarded by AAA. Online casinos have to jump through a lot of hoops to get a seal of approval from a company like eCOGRA. Live online casinos have to jump through even more.

That is why it was very special for Evolution Gaming to receive the eCOGRA Certified Live Dealer Seal. eCOGRA runs a very tight ship, and Evolution Gaming had to deal with even more than the usual criteria. eCOGRA took a look at anti money laundering, staff training (it’s live after all), staff access to sensitive areas, video recordings of all sessions, operator probity, player information security, collusion controls and overall game statistical performance on the table games offered. eCOGRA was very pleased with the operations within Evolution Gaming. This new seal will solidify them as a first rate online casino and gambling site.