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  1. Willy Wonka opened up a world of imagination where we believed bubblegum had food-like flavours, jaw-breakers would never grow small, and ice cream would never melt. For many years, we read books about a marvellously big chocolate factory, watched movies about a golden ticket, and saw musicals filled with Oompa Loompas. Now, Willy Wonka adds another exciting addition to the Chocolate Factory franchise and allows us to travel back to the World of Wonka with one more trick up his sleeve. Grab your candy bars, and get ready for another jaw-dropping experience with Game developers Light & Wonder as we prepare for the launch of the new Willy Wonka: World of Wonka slot! A Delicious Start Roald Dahl shared his vision of the largest and most extravagant chocolate factory with people worldwide. His book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was released in 1964 and enabled us to dream about winning a golden ticket. After great success, he released a second book 1972 called Charlie and the Glass Elevator. His books have always been out-of-this-world, crazy, unimaginable, and entertaining. The books did so well that people from all over the world demanded Willy Wonka candy; if they can dream it, they can make it happen, and so it did. The popular book suddenly became a franchise, and everyone wanted a piece of the chocolate pie. Wonka Brought To Life Roald Dahl's imagination came to life when a live-action movie launched before his second book in 1971. The film opened up our eyes to a world of imagination, Oompa Loompas, candy cane trees, and chocolate everything! The release of the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie came out at the same time they launched Wonka Candy through a Swiss-owned candy company we know today as Nestle. A live-action movie, Wonka candy, and a second book; the franchise was booming! In 1985, a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory video game launched, and an updated game also came out 20 years later, in 2005. Along with the popular video games, Disneyland released a whole ride dedicated to the chocolate factory, which operated from 2006 to 2015. Re-opening the Chocolate Factory Willy Wonka re-opened his factory doors in 2005 when Warner Bros released a second making of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with popular actors. Once again, the world was reminded of the magic that happened within the factory. Nearly 35 years after the first book's release, the second movie brought the magic back to life with enhanced technology and special effects. To keep the magic alive, two musicals started, namely Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka in 2004 and Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. Both music tours spread the wonder to various countries, once again bringing the magic alive through music and art while popularising songs from both movies. More Wonka Magic After a well-developed and loved Wonka franchise from 1964 to 2015, the never-ending gobstoppers got old. Wonka Candy ended production in 2015 and closed its doors after 44 good years of producing confectionaries from the popular books and movies. It seems people started to forget. So what was next in store for Mr Wonka and the magical chocolate factory? In 2021, Warner Bros released a teasing taste of their brand new movie: Wonka, a film about the young Willie Wonka and how his adventure begins. As the Wonka franchise does, they enjoy providing fans with an array of surprises. Other forms of entertainment that were themed around Willy Wonka include a game by Zynga called Wonka’s World of Candy, land-based video slot machines, and even a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Monopoly board game. Also released in 2023 is a new Willie Wonka: World of Wonka video slot! Just like the never-ending gobstopper, this franchise will never end; there is always a new adventure that waits. Willie Wonka: World of Wonka Slot The exciting new slot, proudly developed by Light & Wonder, has been announced for the world to enjoy. L&W successfully turns games into expansive entertainment by enticing players with characters, themes, and storylines they enjoy and know. Here’s some more information about the latest addition to the Wonka universe: ✓ Theme and Soundtrack The video slot hits you with nostalgia like a ton of chocolate bricks by bringing back the original film in 1972. The slot's soundtrack is the popular Pure Imagination song from the original film, and to further tantalise your taste buds, all symbols, high and low, are characters from the original movie. ✓ Slot Gameplay Willie Wonka: World of Wonka has a 6x4 reel grid with an RTP of 96% and medium volatility. Punters can bet as little as £0.10 and a maximum of £100.00 per bet. Punters can select the auto-play or super-speed option for a more relaxed and faster gaming experience. ✓ Game Symbols The video slot is full of special features, including special symbols like an Oompa Loompa Wild and sugar crystal Scatter. High-paying symbols are all our favourite characters from the original movie, including Willy Wonka, Charlie, Grandpa Joe, Veruca, Sam and Violet. Low-paying symbols include several colourful candies. ✓ Special Features The Oompa Loompa randomly triggers, stretching the reels to 8 or 10 columns and adding additional paylines. All wins in this setting are multiplied by x2. Furthermore, 3 or more scatters trigger the wheel feature where punters receive 1 award from the following list: the bet multiplier of 5x - 80x, up to 12 Free Spins, up to 7 individual picks of bet multipliers, or a single selection from a field of options. During Free spins, up to 3 Willy Wonka symbols may land and are naturally oversized, increasing the payout amount. After receiving your reward from the wheel, you’ll get a golden ticket. This feature awards you with a Wonka bar, revealing either a credit prize of up to 10x, nothing, or the jackpot amount of 500x the bet. Wonka's Next Big Idea Light & Wonder providers are not quite done yet; in fact, they have only just begun. The developers project a series of further Wonka-themed titles scheduled within the next few months, which may include a live casino game for the online market. The VP game Developer at Light and Wonder, Rob Procter said: As we prepare ourselves for a year filled with excitement and imagination, let's take a moment to thank the late Roald Dahl for his impeccable imagination that made us believe anything was possible. Thank you for the last 60 years; we're as excited as jumping jelly-beans for the next 60 years to come!
  2. Over the last two decades, punters have experienced so much change in the look of online casino games. Technological advancements have allowed developers to create unimaginable features for online gambling entertainment. The most recent buzz in the tech world is NVIDIA, with its 40 series graphic cards and the insane capabilities it enables. NVIDIA innovations drive gaming features to the next level and allow for super realistic CGI results, but the newest addition to its collection has unlimited potential. The exciting new revelations present incredible opportunities to software developers in the iGaming industry, and if all goes well, online gambling will never be the same. NVIDIA: Changing the Way We Play If we take a moment to reminisce about how far graphics have come and how it changed the face of gaming since the days of arcade cabinets, we have a lot to talk about. From pixelated 8-Bit technology to high-quality CGI, rendering requires mind-boggling innovation, which is what tech professionals did. Throw in the advancements in AI, and we have an altogether unthinkable improvement in how players experience their favourite games. Tech company NVIDIA recently revealed their new Ada Lovelace GPU architecture to power insane CGI capabilities and cloud service innovations that transform standard smart devices into unthinkable gaming machines. But how will this innovation allow software providers in iGaming to take online casinos to the next level? Ada Lovelace GPU and Cloud Gaming At this year's GTC conference, where everything AI and developer-related takes centre stage, NVIDIA revealed its latest GPU, named after the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace. This 3rd generation RTX microchip changes how artists create games and players experience them. The company's CEO, Jensen Huang, explained how the Ada Lovelace GPU technology improves processing capabilities by 70%. The newest addition to the NVIDIA RTX collection comes with highly advanced shader capabilities. In layman’s terms, this means animated graphics with never-before-seen lighting and movement to provide super realistic images. Artists can work magic without limitations thanks to the programmable shading technology that combines animation, geometry, lighting, materials, and physics. What sets this technology apart from any GPU before it is the cloud computing capabilities. NVIDIA revolutionised 3D graphics by allowing cloud processing, which means players no longer need massive high-tech devices to enjoy games like Witcher 3. It takes interactive gaming to the next level, and artists don't have to hold back when creating games. Ultra Realistic Gaming on Mobile Devices Until recently, Game developers experienced limitations if they wanted to reach the masses with their creations because most consumers own devices incapable of processing high-level graphics. Certain technological advancements, like HTML, allow us to enjoy exciting titles on our mobile devices. However, these still face limits because the devices can only process so much at any given time. AI technology already exists in the iGaming space and has improved so many aspects of the industry for gamblers and providers, but NVIDIA takes machine learning to a different dimension. The company launched its RTX Neural Rendering technology in 2018, where real-time ray tracing and deep learning AI broadened software providers' horizons. However, the newest deep learning super-resolution capabilities take this further with real-time frame rendering. The AI generates entirely new frames, based on past and current frames, in real-time and the technology includes features like a super low latency pipeline. According to Huang, these advancements, coupled with the cloud gaming experience, boost performance up to 4 times. NVIDIA's innovations transform gaming from a pre-baked world into highly interactive simulations. Breaking the Mold So, what does this technology mean for iGaming? How can simulations and cloud services change the online gambling industry, and what are the effects punters will experience because of it? Besides a few titles from a select group of software providers, online gambling games tend to fall short in the graphics and realism categories. This shortcoming is mainly because providers must consider accessibility and user-friendly games. From Niche to Mainstream Niche relates to specific and smaller market segments, and the greater part of the consumer market either can't afford devices that process advanced games or aren't interested in them. However, statistics show that 1.6 billion people gamble, and the remote segment continuously increases in popularity, which is a massive opportunity. In the UK alone, 17% of all gambling occurs online, and recent studies confirmed that 48% of all consumers use smartphones. Currently, most online casino games function because a smart device needs to process the game's visual features. With NVIDIA's recent innovations, developers in iGaming can break the barriers and create mind-blowing gambling experiences. Because of the cloud streaming and processing capabilities, players don’t need special graphic cards or high-tech computers. They only need a solid internet connection and a smart device to have a full experience of a game with insanely realistic graphics. This is a ground-breaking innovation for all industries, especially gaming and online casinos. Realistic Remote Casino Experiences NVIDIA takes immersive iGaming to a completely new level. Imagine an online casino lobby rendered in CGI software as described above. This allows players to use their mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet, to walk through the casino platform as they would through a casino floor without using VR goggles. Once iGaming software providers leverage this technology in new games, augmented reality and simulations offer punters online gambling like never experienced before. Cloud gaming also enables tremendous ease of access because no downloads are necessary. Gone are the days when movie-quality game graphics are inaccessible for players who don't have high-tech computers. Soon, any gamer with a smart device and reliable internet connection can take advantage of cloud gaming and experience the joy of AI-rendered imagery and interactive simulations. These innovations allow developers to create video casino games that portray live scenarios because players are no longer tied to the processing capabilities of their devices. Online casino games can change completely, and we are certain developers' imaginations have already started running free. Software development now becomes limitless, and providers can design without constantly considering barriers experienced by end-users. Taking Excellent iGaming to the World An essential change this technology brings about is accessibility for the masses. The fact that we can now use smartphones and other mobile devices while experiencing ultra-realistic graphics has unthinkable implications. What NVIDIA did for the tech industry with its Ada Lovelace GPU and deep learning AI applications will only come into focus in the next few months and years. One thing is certain, gaming will never be the same, and we can't wait to see what the iGaming industry comes up with because of it.
  3. Some online gambling platforms have the secret, and through consistent efforts with continued improvements, they provide punters with unsurpassed remote gambling. Others choose shortcuts, and it shows in the results. Let’s unpack the essence of a successful online casino and discover what it takes to present players with the best gambling entertainment available. A Spoon Full of Insight Although some think so, not every Tom, Dick, and Harry can create a thriving online casino. Core requirements for an igaming platform’s success lie beneath coding skills and game titles. The company must have the industry know-how and understand its players. Location is the obvious difference between land-based casinos and remote gambling platforms, but other factors differentiate the two as well. Loyal fans of land-based gambling facilities prefer the sights, sounds, and smells of a physical casino. Land-based casinos are vehicles of entertainment experiences that surpass mere gambling. On the contrary, online gamblers enjoy having their favourite casino games at their fingertips instead of travelling to a far-off destination. If an online casino founder understands their target audience at a much deeper level, it allows them to attract loyal players. Every detail, from graphic work to regulatory compliance, is key in hosting the best online gambling and those who get it right land on lists like GamblersPick Select. Time to Get Technical Soft skills are essential to lay a solid foundation for establishing a top-tier casino, but tech innovation led to the first and best online casinos. Those who apply it correctly end up on the road to success. ✓ Buckets of Tech Talent online casinos rely on two senses - sight and hearing - although the latter is not as crucial as the former. With this in mind, platform providers must tap into the creative-tech employee pool and build the best possible design team they can afford. Platform design has so much to do with a casino’s success, and proper talent can help set it apart from the rest. ✓ A Generous Amount of Design Work The landing page of an online casino is akin to window displays in retail stores. Well-thought-through branding, colour schemes, and language that speaks to the target audience are key ingredients for this section of the casino. If mixed correctly, it attracts the right players and helps to grow the casino’s following. What a customer experiences after the landing page are just as important and will determine whether they sign up and become a loyal player. Thanks to continuous improvements in technology, casino developers can create platforms that perform at optimum speed. Along with speed, a user-friendly interface leads to successful sign-ups. Easy-to-use websites have much higher conversion rates than complicated ones. The basic rule is that when players find it easy to navigate the platform, they enjoy it more and are likely to return. So, if it looks good and the layout enables easy navigation, chances are it will succeed. ✓ Blend In Trusted Payment Solutions Land-based casinos accept various payment methods like cash, debit, and credit cards. Online casinos have the added advantage of various payment solutions like e-wallets and cryptocurrency. Because online gambling is a global phenomenon, operators must take care to select reputable payment providers and ensure the players in their area have enough options to choose from. Verified payment methods that make it easy for players to deposit money to their profiles lead to customer satisfaction. Reputable online casinos offer players deposit solutions according to the region they are in, and most countries allow debit cards, EFT, and e-wallet solutions. One area where many platform providers see their creation fall flat is when players need to make a withdrawal. Withdrawal options must be straightforward with no unnecessary delays, and Ts & Cs should not limit players in this area. Before depositing money with any casino, read through their payment terms. Here is a list of various payment methods. Casino providers must offer players payment solutions in their local currency. Therefore, the platform must accept all currencies from the various jurisdictions it provides services to. This means that the platform needs robust software. Cryptocurrency is a recent addition in this area, and certain punters prefer this above all. Savvy operators accept payments and withdrawals in Bitcoin and altcoins. These are our top-rated bitcoin casinos. ✓ Combine with Reliable Security Regulations stipulate that gambling platforms need to follow specific customer verification protocols. This means that players divulge sensitive and personal information during the sign-up process. It is essential that operators use the highest level of security on their websites, and encryption is one factor that helps with this. All licensed casinos must maintain specific security levels or forfeit their legal status. This includes SSL certification, represented by the HTTPS in front of a website name. Games securities are very important as well, and we cover that a little later in this article. The Secret Ingredient Without this, online casinos should not exist, and players must avoid unlicensed platforms at all costs. ✓ Reputable Licensing Once a gambling company has all the above ingredients, it needs a valid license to operate in jurisdictions where online gambling is allowed. Although some areas still prohibit remote gambling, many global regions allow licensed operators to provide games of chance. The most reputable gambling authorities include, among others, the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, and more regional inspectorates. Depending on the area the casino will focus on, it may need regional licensing like those from the Dutch gambling authority or the Swedish inspectorate. GamblersPick can help you find the best option with our list of licensed casinos in your area. Creating a Wager Sensation With innovative and talented staff on board, excellent design work done, and the correct licences in place, an operator can nearly launch the website. One essential ingredient still missing is a games library. Here, the right software providers lead the way. ✓ Stir in Excellent Content There are many software providers in the igaming industry, but some enjoy much more fame than others. This is either because they have a knack for creating excellent content or because they have been around the block. Remote gambling veterans spot the best Game developers through experience with their casino titles, but novice players must sift through the massive variety to find the best options. The best online casino platforms ensure a solid mix between quantity and quality to provide a variety of enjoyable games. Variety speaks to different personalities and allows the operators to cater for a broader audience. By purposefully picking the best software providers, operators also make sure the RNG technology is sound and verified. This provides peace of mind to players and ensures fair gameplay. With the success of the igaming industry over the last two decades, we are spoilt for choice with top software providers. Depending on the games a player prefers, the best content developers include NetEnt, Playson, Evolution Gaming, Evoplay, and Microgaming, and the list continues. Take Extra Care with These Although essential to the platform’s success, these ingredients set an excellent operator apart from the mediocre and terrible ones. ✓ Social Responsibility Although a small part of the gambling community suffers from compulsive gambling disorders, one instance of gambling harm is too many. Because of this, gambling regulators expect a certain level of social responsibility from their licensees to ensure player protection is a priority. The most common feature in this area is a self-exclusion option, but certain regions enforce wager, deposit, and loss limits as well. Operators must do everything in their power to minimise gambling-related harm, and this includes reaching out to players who display risky gambling behaviour. ✓ A Touch of Customer Support Because most reputable gambling operators provide services across the globe, multi-lingual customer support with 24-hour accessibility is a key ingredient to building lasting relationships with patrons. The best platforms have effective solutions in this area where friendly service agents solve any reasonable challenges a customer might have. Quick solutions like AI-powered live chats or agent support via a live pop-up streamline the process and allows players to get what they came for, gambling entertainment. Customer service is a make-or-break area for any business, but because of the variety of platforms players can choose from, this is even more crucial for online casinos. ✓ Drench in Attractive Marketing Marketing includes smart ads accessible to the target audience, and exciting bonus offers to get them started. Here, operators need to comply with individual regulators’ specs. Regardless of how many offers a player can get, the quality of the marketing tools allows online casinos to increase their market share and rewards players for supporting them. Have Your Cake, and Eat It When an online gambling platform has all the above features, it makes for the perfect remote casino experience. At GamblersPick, we only recommend the best providers in the industry and help punters avoid disappointment with dicey businesses. Reputable casinos will have good ratings and will always have the right licenses in place. By checking for the right things, punters can enjoy unsurpassed gambling and perhaps win big.
  4. Online gambling is a fantastic hobby. With its wide variety of themed online slots, strategic table games and jackpot potential, it is no surprise that it is enjoyed in every corner of the world. Here are 12 well-known gambling quotes from deep thinkers, movie stars and people from all walks of life that delve into the heart of what we love and hate about the pastime. Whether the quote is simply a pithy comment or a world-weary analysis, there is always something to be learned from the observations of others. Take Time to Learn the Games and Their Rules ✓"Remember this. The house doesn’t beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself." - Nick Dandolos (aka Nick the Greek) ✓"The majority of casino players leave too much to chance when playing in a casino. To put it bluntly, they don't have a clue as to how to play." - Henry Tamburin This is a staple lesson that we often share here on GamblersPick. With the prevalence of special features, game variants and bonus terms you will encounter when gambling online, it is essential to read the rules and terms. In the short term, it might feel like jumping into the action is the best thing to do. However, in the long run, knowing how everything works will allow you to fully enjoy any casino game and make the most of that casino promotion. There Is No Sure Thing in Gambling ✓"If there weren't luck involved, I would win every time." - Phil Hellmuth ✓"Your best chance to get a Royal Flush in a casino is in the bathroom." - Terrance Murphy (aka V.P. Pappy) ✓"Depend on the rabbit’s foot if you will but remember it didn’t work for the rabbit." - R.E. Shay In any discussion of safer gambling, you will see this repeated repeatedly. Gambling is inherently risky, do not use it to earn a salary, make up for short payments or meet any other urgent financial need. Playing your favourite online slot or enjoying a few hands of live dealer blackjack should be seen as entertainment. If you are in a position where you are feeling pressured financially, speak to your loved ones or a financial manager to get financial advice. Do not leave your future in the hands of a game of chance. Gamble for Enjoyment, Not Profit ✓"The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket." - Kin Hubbard ✓"In gambling, the many must lose in order that the few may win." - George Bernard Shaw ✓"Las Vegas is the only place I know where money really talks. It says goodbye." - Frank Sinatra We follow a simple rule here at GamblersPick if Franky says we believe it. Adages exist for a reason, and we have all heard "the house always wins". This is not a joke. The mathematical design of any casino game gives the house an edge, which means that in the end, they will always be the ones making money. We recommend that you approach gambling like you approach going to your favourite restaurant, going to the movies, or buying nice shoes. Think about it, budget for it, and do it because you enjoy it. Have a Positive Outlook ✓"If I lose today, I can look forward to winning tomorrow, and if I win today, I can expect to lose tomorrow. A sure thing is no fun." - Leonard Marx ✓"Quit while you're ahead. All the best gamblers do." - Baltasar Gracian Never visit an online casino when you are sad or in a bad mood, as it can lead to reckless betting and significant losses. Gambling responsibly means managing your bankroll, managing your time, and not letting your emotions run wild. All of this is best achieved when you are in a positive frame of mind. To be sure, go to your favourite online casino or mobile casino if you're on the move with a positive attitude. That way, you are guaranteed to have a good time, whether you win or lose. Self-Evaluations Are Important. Understand Your Motivations ✓"A dollar picked up in the road is more satisfaction to us than the 99 which we had to work for, and the money won at Faro or in the stock market snuggles into our hearts in the same way." - Mark Twain ✓"I love blackjack. But I'm not addicted to gambling. I'm addicted to sitting in a semi-circle." - Mitch Hedberg While their approaches are very different, both quotes speak to the idea of understanding your reasons for gambling. It is essential to evaluate your reasons for playing, the time you have set aside and even if your budget still works. If you are finding that you can't go without gambling or are willing to spend money you cannot afford to lose, we recommend speaking to a gambling helpline as you may be at risk of becoming a compulsive gambler.
  5. Technology is a force of nature, and when embraced, it can lead to spectacular things. The same can be said for the online casino industry and all it releases. From the launch of the first online casino, well before its time, to the online casino games we have today, evolution and innovation are always the key terms. Let's take a walk down memory lane and relive the exciting moments through the history of online slot technology. ✓ 1994 – Online Slots Are Born Thanks to Microgaming In 1994, the world of casinos and gambling changed forever. Games of chance and gambling games have been around for millennia, but online casinos were born thanks to Microgaming. In a time when the average household didn't have quick and easy to the internet, Microgaming took a chance and released online casinos along with the first online slot. ✓ 1998 – First Progressive Jackpot Slot Always looking to lead the way, Microgaming took the crown for another industry first with the release of the first progressive jackpot slot – Cash Splash. This single innovative game feature secured Microgaming as one of the most-wanted software providers in the world. Today, progressive jackpot slots are highly popular, and Microgaming remains one of the best providers in the business. Did you know? Online casinos started out as single provider sites where all of the games were provided by one game creator. This later changed when multi-platform casinos were launched. ✓ 2008 – Casino Apps Arrive on the Market Jumping forward a few years, the world is very different from when online casinos first launched. Mobile devices are becoming more popular, and people look for new ways to play. Several prominent online casinos released casino apps. Clunky and slow, these apps used Flash to run online slots, which could easily crash or lose your game when the signal was low. They also required a download which took up valuable space on older model mobile devices. ✓ 2014 – Spin on the Smartwatch When online casinos realised that players wanted more ways to play, they stopped at nothing to create something new and something that would grab the attention of the masses. When smartwatches started making their way onto the scene, software providers jumped at the opportunity to create tiny versions of their most popular games. Because who wouldn't want to hit SPIN on their watch, right? Thankfully, this trend didn't really take off, and it quickly became a fun gimmick, along with being able to play casino games on your smart TV and smart fridge. ✓ 2014 – Welcome the First Bitcoin Casino In 2014, Bitcoin was just starting to become known to those outside of the world of blockchains and cryptocurrencies. In order to cash in on this rising star, Bitcasino.io was born and took its place as the first Bitcoin casino. Today, many online casinos welcome the use of cryptocurrency, while others are still wary of the volatile virtual currency. Along with the first Bitcoin casino came the ability to gamble on the blockchain, play provably fair games, and use crypto to bet and win while playing online slots. ✓ 2014 - Interactive Online Slots More than just another theme for online slots to incorporate, interactive online slots have become very popular, with almost every well-known provider releasing a video game-style creation. These games began with releases such as Castle Builder by Microgaming, where the aim is to win while doing more than just spinning reels. Instead, interactive games slam together online slots and video games for very exciting ways to land a winning combination. Fun Fact: Many players may not know this, but the first online casinos didn't offer deposits and withdrawals online. Players had to phone casino call centres and make manual deposits using a credit card machine. ✓ 2016 – Megaways Slots Take Centre Stage Invented by Australian-based software provider Big Time Gaming, the Megaways game mechanic took the online casino world by storm. This feature, which is now incorporated into more than 200 online slots, gives casino games the ability to run more than 100,000 paylines at a time. This lets players win big regularly, with multipliers on Megaways slots climbing up to 50,000x your bet. ✓ 2017 – Virtual Reality by NetEnt For many years, gamblers looked to technology as a way to increase their chances of winning. While technology can't do this, it can make playing online casinos far more exciting. In 2017, NetEnt took matters into its own hands by releasing the first VR online slot. The popular software provider took the beloved Gonzo's Quest online slot and transformed it into a VR fairytale. While VR may not be everyone's cup of tea, it still remains a fun way to play, even if only for a short time. ✓ 2017 – The Bonus Buy Feature Always aiming to stay ahead of their competition, Big Time Gaming once again released a phenomenal online slot feature. This time, the addition of the Bonus Buy feature left many punters with their jaws on the ground. You no longer have to wait for a bonus to trigger on its own. Instead, the Bonus Buy feature allows you to purchase a bonus round for instant gratification. The first Bonus Buy online slot was White Rabbit, an innovative creation that is still exciting to play. Did you know? Free spins may be the most popular form of casino bonus today, but it wasn't always an option. When online casinos first launched, rewards were almost always in the form of cash or deposit bonuses. ✓ 2020 - HTML5 Mobile Casinos After threatening for years to shut down Flash, Adobe finally bit the bullet in 2020, welcoming the era of HTML5. While HTML5 had existed for many years before 2020, the final closing of Flash games meant that online casinos were forced to fully embrace HTML5. This allows for a seamless and instant way to gamble on the go. Mobile apps are no longer required to enjoy your favourite online slot. Instead, you can load up via your mobile browser and play. ✓ 2022 - Big and Better As time goes on, the world of online slots continues to expand. Software providers are always looking for new ways to entertain users, and the fun simply continues to grow. Themes are more exciting, progressive jackpots are getting bigger by the day, technology continues to evolve, and online slots are still a favourite. With the growth of mobile technology and access to online casino games, we can only begin to imagine what the future holds. Will we finally see the release of an AR online slot? Will Bitcoin casino games grow or fall flat? One thing we know for sure is that the online gambling market will be ready to embrace, innovate and explore without missing a beat.
  6. Systems and strategies. Some gamblers use these two words interchangeably, making punters feel that there is a way to beat the house. In reality, gambling remains a risk, and the house edge is not a myth. Some strategies have advantages and may put gamblers in a better position for a win or minimise losses at best. Casino games have rules, betting structures, and that dreaded house edge. Successful punters know these by heart. We unveil gambling strategies that claim to work and delve into game-specific approaches. It's a Gamble: Wing It or Strategise? Whether you enjoy an occasional flutter or gamble on a more regular basis, the goal should remain the same - having fun! The chances are that you, like most gamblers, want to win some money while having fun. The first step would be to choose your game. Some strategies are better suited to specific casino games, while others could work across the board. The second step for successful gambling is having a budget and sticking to it. Don't stake what you can't lose, and don't fall into the trap of trying to make up for losses. With your game of choice ready and a level-headed bankroll budget, the following strategies add to your gameplay, and some claim to work. Take note: The following strategies and systems may CLAIM to work, but winning is always up to the luck of the draw. Use the following strategies at your own risk. General Gambling Systems ✓ Bankroll Strength Apart from setting a session, daily, and monthly budget, your aim must be to strengthen your bankroll, even if it is at a steady and slow pace. A part of achieving this goal is to set a loss limit for yourself and decide what percentage of your winnings to wager before walking away. Wise bankroll management allows for stress-free gambling and keeps you focused even when you are down during a session. Walk away while you are winning. While this may sound counter-intuitive, the chances of losing all your gains in the long run are big, so walking away as a winner is the best call. ✓ Fixed Wagers vs Fractional Wagers The most straightforward strategy is to pick a fixed stake amount and stick to it. This strategy is a safe choice with certain games, but it could hold you back with games like blackjack and poker. With slot games and any non-advantage gamble, it is a wise strategy to follow and makes it easy to keep track of your spending. Fractional wagers are the best way to minimise your risks. The system suggests stakes of no less than 1% and no more than 3% of your current bankroll. Naturally, the lower you choose to go, the better. This way, punters bet less while losing and increase stakes as they win. ✓ Positive and Negative Progression Strategies Most mathematical betting systems relate to either a positive bet progression or a negative progression. Simply put, this means players either increase their bets after losing or increase their bets after winning. An example of a negative progression system is the original Martingale system. This system is an excellent way to break the bank, and we advise against this type of gambling. If managed according to your budget and only if you have a big bankroll, positive progression systems work well for balanced odds. When only playing a few hands and staking on red/black at the roulette table (or the banker in baccarat), this strategy claims to help players win. ✓ Take Note of House Edge The danger of using a strategy is falling into the trap of thinking you can beat the house. As mentioned, the house always wins. Putting yourself ahead by understanding the game rules has its advantages. You lose less if you choose games and bets with a lower house edge. With online casino games, this relates directly to RTP. The higher the Return to Player percentage, the lower the house edge. Games with the lowest house edge are traditionally table games, with blackjack at the top of the list and baccarat in second place. It's a good idea to always stake your money on the bets with the lowest house edge. Game-Specific Strategies These are brief versions of strategies suited to specific games. Take a look at our guides section for more in-depth tips to improve your gameplay. ✓ Top Slot Strategies Playing slots is a lot of fun, and it is by far the most popular casino game. Oddly enough, it is the game with the highest house edge, but punters enjoy the instant wins, simple rules, and entertaining themes of the spinning reels. So how do you win in slots? Is there a winning strategy? The short answer here is no. However, there are ways to make your slot experience more fun and increase the chances of better prizes. With slots, punters should consider more than just the RTP. Bonus features, volatility, and betting limits come into the equation when finding the best slot to play. The best slot offers a combination of these along with an acceptable RTP. Wise players match the volatility with their budget. Slots remain a game of luck, and punters can maximise their gameplay with solid bankroll management. Lower your bets when you are not winning and set limits to track your session spend because slots are games of chance; one of the smartest moves is knowing when to walk away. ✓ Video Poker Strategies Playing varieties of 5-card poker online is extremely popular, and video poker is second only to slot games in the igaming industry. Most video poker players use hunches or play streaks, but some strategies claim to increase winning odds. Depending on which 5-card draw you choose, following tips from strategy charts, universal strategies, and game-specific card choices could increase your chances of winning. A fact to keep in mind is that only mathematically derived strategies bring the best returns. A top tip for winning in video poker is choosing the game with the highest return. In other words, full-pay games. You can recognise these games by a 9/6 description. If possible, place the max bet and have strategy charts within reach, as these help players decide to hold or fold. ✓ Best Blackjack Strategies Undoubtedly, the top strategy to win at blackjack is card counting. This practice dates back decades and has a stigma attached to it, but this strategy doesn't work with online blackjack, as Random Number Generators drive online games. Essentially, each hand comes from a reshuffled deck. Fear not, as the game of 21 has many other strategies, and most are not as involved as counting cards. The most basic of these is to know when to make which betting call. By making a strategic decision on when to hit, stand, split, and double down, it is possible to reduce the house edge. When the dealer has face-up cards showing 2 to 6, and you have 12 to 16, rather stand as the dealer may go bust. In the same instance, if the dealer's cards are 7 to Ace, take a hit. Experts advise splitting Aces and 8s for the best chance of winning and to double down on 11 when the dealer has 2 to 10. ✓ Roulette Strategies Although roulette outcomes are random and betting on the exact number the ball will land on is pure luck, there are mathematical strategies that offer punters better chances of winning. Between American and European roulette, the latter is the strategic choice because the house edge is much lower. Outside bets offer players a higher probability of winning. These include column bets, dozen bets, colour bets, odd or even bets, and low or high bets. Most of these options are even bets, meaning you will only double your bet if you win. However, you can enjoy prolonged play with general wagering strategies in place. ✓ Strategies for Online Craps If you are keen to shoot some dice, the exciting and much-loved game of craps is a must. In line with games like roulette, craps outcomes are luck-based, so punters must play the odds instead. With a game of craps, you must choose the bet that makes the house edge as low as possible, and sometimes, it can drop below 1. Bets to avoid while shooting dice are single-roll bets, considering the house edge with these can exceed 10%. Using pass and come bets in a craps game is the best strategy as the house edge is 1.41% when doing so. An infrequent occurrence is the opportunity to take and lay odds. Experts advise that when craps players get the chance to do this, they should. House edge drops to a negligible 0.02% if you do. With a come or pass bet in place, this bet becomes an option if the shooter rolls his come-out roll. ✓ Baccarat Systems This sophisticated game is one of the most popular casino games, and contrary to popular belief, it is one of the simplest. Although it is an option, avoid the tie bet at all costs. House edge on a tie bet is 14.36%, and it will flatten your bankroll in no time as it has the worst odds of winning. One of the most straightforward strategies to follow in a game of baccarat is to only bet on the banker. The simple reason for this is, once again, house edge. The positive progression systems may be a good call for players who want to add a system on top of the banker-bet strategy. ✓ Poker Strategies Poker is a game of skill, and during the 20th century, the card game, and specific variations of it, became extremely popular. Thanks to this, there are more than enough strategies for poker players, but they must first grasp the game's rules. A simple rule in all poker variations is to know whether or not your starting hand is good. The next obvious strategy is to fold if your cards present a low to no chance of winning. You could attempt a bluff, but consider your opponent's skill level before choosing that route. Because of the many options with poker, we are not detailing strategies for each game today. You can find brilliant poker betting systems for popular variations in our guides. Hone Your Skills Punters should hone their game skills for the best experience and chances of walking away as a winner. Play free versions and read up on the rules and odds to increase your knowledge. This is the safest bet at the end of the day.
  7. The online casino industry is always trying to find new ways to stay ahead of the game. By staying one step ahead of the crowd, casino operators and innovators bloomed and cemented themselves in the online world very quickly. Recently, there have been those in the industry calling for online casinos to make a change to how they function and the question has been asked: Why aren’t online casinos more social? Social Casinos: A Stellar Rise in Popularity Free casinos (or social casinos) are very popular around the world. Every day, more people sign up to join these anonymous sites and apps where free versions of popular casino games can be enjoyed with tokens or free cash. More than just a way to play casino games without the risk of losing real money, social casinos have a unique aspect that players seem to be searching for: chatrooms. Whether in the form of chatrooms in an app or via forums, being able to connect with other players makes the experience of free casinos that much more appealing. Does it mean that these casinos are perfect or free from any issues? Definitely not, but being able to chat to friends you’ve made across the globe while playing free casino games has a certain appeal. Often done using anonymous usernames and random images as profile pictures, chatting via free play apps is a huge hit. There are moderators present to ensure that the conversations stay safe and that there is no spam. Players greet each other like old friends and often connect each day when they log in to collect daily rewards while playing their favourite games. Having experienced this myself, the conversations in these chatrooms are often not related to the games being played at all. Instead, questions about the weather, what kind of nightlife can be found in different cities and even checking in on more personal aspects of each other’s lives can be seen. Of course, there are those just popping in to ask for a quick referral code but for the most part, the social aspect of these apps can be a lot of fun. Do Online Casinos Need a Social Aspect? As more people begin to wonder why online casinos aren’t open to adding this level of social connectivity, the question of whether it’s needed or wanted comes to mind. When we consider how popular live dealer casino games have become, and the social aspect they bring to the virtual table, it seems that real-money players are also looking for a connection. But could a chatroom at an online casino cause more harm than good? Let’s take a look at the possible arguments that could pop up. ✓ Possible Con: Would chatrooms encourage players to spend more time at online casinos? This is a real concern for regulators and those who advocate for stricter responsible gambling rules at online casinos. And for good reason, of course. The chance that chatrooms and more social features could encourage more time spent at a casino is a factor that must be considered. However, if the chatrooms functioned as they do at many free casinos, chatting only takes place outside of gameplay in a separate part of the site or app. This means that while players may spend more time at the casino, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll be spending more money. ✓ Possible Pro: Could a social connection reduce problem gambling? In 2019, GambleAware and the Gambling Commission published a report that revealed the connection between problem gambling, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. The report showed that “problem gamblers were more likely to feel lonely and isolated from other people.” Another study done via a survey of US residents revealed that those who play games online can forge deep relationships as they do so. While this study focused on regular video games, the fact remains that humans are sociable by nature and connecting when playing is totally normal. It stands to reason then that having a social chat function in an online casino could in fact reduce problem gambling as players use their time to chat, rather than to gamble. If someone who struggles with impulse control had a space to chat safely with online friends instead of making another deposit, would that not be better than having them log off only to visit a different online casino and keep playing? Moderators in chatrooms could also use the space as a way to remind players to take a break, reiterate using responsible gambling tools, and even offer assistance to those who may need a link or phone number for an organisation that can help. Many online gamblers do so from the comfort of their homes while alone. Chatrooms could be a social outlet that can provide companionship and a needed distraction. And it would be an interesting addition to the online gambling experience. Looking to the Future The online casino industry is always looking to the future. Whether it’s considering the possibilities of AI or VR or finding new ways to make online casino games more immersive, there’s always something new on the horizon. While online chatrooms and forums are not a new idea, adding them to online casinos could make a huge impact. Whether or not operators will agree and begin to implement more social ways to play remains to be seen. Hopefully, the popularity of live dealer casino games and the social outlets they provide will prompt operators to attempt something new in the industry and allow players to be more than just numbers and letters but provide a virtual voice to the casino conversation waiting to be had.
  8. The Spanish gaming company, MGA Games, understands consumers on a level that very few other software providers do. Tapping into our social nature and understanding our basic human need to belong, they create gambling titles that provide familiarity. Licensed and regulated in the most renowned jurisdictions globally, punters can find MGA titles on many of the largest online casino platforms. Their peers and loyal following of players recognise MGA games for their unique animations, of which many take region-specific shapes and MGA offers over 100 games suited to all kinds of punters. They even push the envelope by running promotions where they release new games every day for a week to keep players entertained. One more feather in their content-leader cap. We delve into the inspiring company’s history and look at what they’ve achieved in the past 20 years. We’ll also reveal some of the innovative plans they have for the year ahead and we’ll discuss exciting new titles. Keep reading and learn about one of the top content developers in the igaming industry and what you can look forward to. MGA Games: Two Decades in the Making The talented team at MGA games has extensive experience in creating localised content for punters from various regions. Established in 2001, it is safe to say that they have clocked their 10,000 hours and mastered their art. With an established core team comprising over thirty individuals and their high-tech headquarters in Barcelona, they present unsurpassed video slots, video bingo, and table games to casino platforms around the globe. MGA already has a stellar content library with a series dedicated to Spanish, Columbian, and Portuguese celebrities. Their partnerships with over 40 international casino brands, such as 888Casino, William Hill, LeoVegas, and others, position MGA as the software provider for every player out there. Punters will find their content in Mexico, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, France, Spain, and Portugal. Players from LATAM can enjoy MGA games from platforms available to Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Argentina, and Brazil. In 2022, the team sets out to conquer new markets in regulated parts of Europe and some of these are the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and Italy. Peers classify them as a ‘different and special’ developer as they present gamblers with a wagering experience like no other. More than 100 games have the MGA-unique touch, and they ensure these speak to very specific market segments. They enhance their localised content by collaborating with the likes of Playtech, pariplay, and most recently, Microgaming. Reel Celebrity Crushes Possibly the most notable work from MGA games includes their celebrity adaptations. Their content library includes a collection of local celebrity series, and they intend to expand this exciting range further during 2022. There are a few software providers who offer punters branded online casino games to gamble with their favourite artists or sports stars, but MGA takes the throne. Spanish, Columbian, and Portuguese players adore MGA games, and for good reason. The developers bring their favourite local celebrities to their gaming screens. MGA has a unique take on branded casino games, as they use digitally rendered 3D versions of local stars and adapt their games for each market. Their Lucky Wave 5-reel slot game presents Carolina Mendes for the Portuguese market and Lucía Martiño for the Spanish market. This unmatched adaptability presents the perfect complement to platforms that focus on specific market segments and want the content to achieve their goals. In 2022, the team will release celebrity titles for their new markets, including Denmark, Sweden, Italy, and more Dutch titles for the Netherlands. As part of their celebrity roll-out for this year, they launched the Magnificent 7 drive. From 3 March until 10 March MGA games introduce a new celebrity game every day. That’s 7 games in 7 days! Other plans for this year include titles with Megaways mechanics and a total of 50 licensed international titles. 7 Magnificent Celebrity Games If you appreciate excellent animation with unique themes and top-notch graphics, you will love MGA titles. These entertaining slots, video bingo, and table games present punters with everything they can hope for while brilliant maths enables lucrative wins. The following slots are new ones to try out and only a small part of their impressive library. ✓ Ruleta Grand Croupier El Dioni This somewhat controversial Spanish celebrity is the most famous ex-security guard in the region. Ruleta Grand Croupier El Dioni is MGA’s Spanish celebrity roulette title and players spin the red and black wheel with the Spanish celebrity. El Dioni’s animated persona takes you on a roulette experience like no other. Punters can place minimum bets of €0.10 and maximum bets of €2,000 in this low variance game, enjoying small frequent wins. Find the roulette table positioned on the deck of a secluded island bar with El Dioni as your host and the life of the party. The thatched bar sits above crystal clear waters and your host spins the roulette wheel for your chance of winning the €28,800 pot. ✓ Amarna Miller Cleopatra The ever-expanding Cleopatra series has a new face from the Spanish celebrity series. Amarna Miller Cleopatra is a 5-reel online slot with the famous performer, artist, and content creator named in the title. Amarna Miller’s drive and determination make her the perfect match for this power-women series. As a fan-favourite, the Cleopatra series comes with attractive bonus features and medium volatility. Stakes range between €0.20 and €25 with a maximum prize worth €14,765. A limestone backdrop covered in carved reliefs surrounds the slot grid with two pharaoh statues on either side of the reels. Access 4 mini-games by landing bonus symbols and experience video slot entertainment like only MGA can give. ✓ Pocholo In the three-reel Spanish celebrity series, the MGA team presents Jose María Martínez-Bordíu, affectionately known by his fans as Pocholo. The crazy, unpredictable, and hilarious Ibiza star opens the floor for vibey spinners in his very own slot titled, Pocholo. Spin with him to the party capital of Europe and explore the exciting bonus features in this colourful game. Take a shot at the maximum prize of €15,000 by wagering at least €0.20 or go all-in with a maximum bet of €15. Energising Ibiza sounds play in the background and, at first glance, this medium-variance slot has a retro, arcade-like design. Five mini-games, side-bet options, and manual reel nudges ensure punters will enjoy a unique slot experience. ✓ King Africa Get moving with the Argentine dance project, King Africa, and MGA’s slot dedicated to the entertainer. This is a very colourful slot with crazy changes in scenery and the Latin star accompanies you all the way. King Africa shows up in his eccentric outfits and the backgrounds bear similarities to some of his music videos. Find the bet levels either on the side of the reels or above it, depending on which game you choose. Place a bet between €0.20 and €15 and see how the visible dynamic paytable adjusts to show your potential wins. Enter the bonus multiplier game with the click of a button and experience the heat with the Argentinian singer’s luck. ✓ Daniela Blume Golden Throne This spin-off on the TV hit Game of Thrones is one of MGA’s most loved 5-reel slots. Joining the Golden Throne series is Daniela Blume, with her fearless persona defending the last dragon egg at all costs. In this Golden Throne instalment, she appears as her celebrity presenter persona and under her stage name. Daniele Blume Golden Throne is a volatile game and punters should manage their bankroll carefully in this fiery online slot. Stakes range between €0.30 and €6, where the possibility of winning €38,100 exists. Four mini-games present brilliant entertainment value and higher possible wins in the ancient kingdom of the Golden Throne. Experience heroism at its best when you spin on this explosive slot game. ✓ Popeye Cazatesoros Time for an adventure with a genuine hero. MGA presents the opportunity for punters to reunite with a childhood favourite and embark on a journey with the video slot, Popeye Cazatesoros. The pipe-smoking sailor is the star of the show on this three-reel slot, and it wouldn’t be complete without Olive Oyl, and Bluto. Spin this medium variance game with excellent sound effects, perfect illustrations, and four mini-games. The bottom value for a bet is €0.20 and the top wager amount is €15. Collect bonus symbols and select the bonus game at will where canned spinach and multipliers combine for a powerful win. ✓ El Cartel Become part of the continuous war against smuggling in Columbia and spin on this crime-fighting adventure slot to win the fight. Characters from either side of the war keep players company from next to the reels, with the base game positioned on the sidewalk of a corner shop and the main bonus screen on the upper level of the shop. Place your bets between 5 and 75 credits with one credit equal to €0.20 and make sure you are on the right side when bullets take flight. Enjoy true Columbian scenery and icons with the possibility of 5 bonus features and base game enhancers to make this dangerous mission an attractive prospect. The MGA Games Magic This 20-year-old company is anything but slowing down and one to keep your eyes on. As they embark on an expansive journey into more regulated markets, MGA and their celebrity series will soon be the talk of the igaming town.
  9. Reflection is key to gratitude, and hindsight sometimes generates powerful realisations and inspires innovative change. Let’s take stock of what technology and the brilliant developers in the igaming industry have given us since remote gambling first became available. Modern punters probably take most of these innovations for granted, but the truth is the past two decades have brought about massive changes for online gambling. Gambling anywhere you find yourself is a very recent development and the level of entertainment available has improved unthinkably since the 90s. Basic features like 3D graphics, animated characters, streaming, and many others are the norm in 2022, so let’s look at 8 advancements developers brought to the table since the inception of online gambling. ✓ 1. Innovations for Slot Mechanics Video slots are by far the most popular choice for online gamblers and, thanks to the popularity of these games, software providers invest intensely in their innovations. The first feature is so common today that it is virtually unthinkable that it wasn’t always there. Free Spins, and other bonus features for that matter, were not always part of online slots. Original video slots were like one-arm-bandits where punters simply clicked spin and hoped for a line win. This feature shows how far technology has brought us. From slots that have 1 line for a winning combination to Megaways that offer over 117,000 ways to win. This slot mechanic broke the mould and Big Time Gaming’s innovation ensured that the industry will never be the same again. Countless brands have since signed agreements with BTG to incorporate this popular concept into their video slots. The Megaways structure opened developers’ minds to what might be possible and this gave rise to plenty more payline innovations. Thinking outside the paylines, developers soon introduced a Cluster Pay system, where lines no longer mattered. As long as matching symbols land next to each other in cluster formations, it awards a win. This feature led to other interesting developments, like uniquely shaped slot grids. Mega Clusters are the amped-up version of cluster pays presented by BTG and combine cluster pays with split symbols. InfiniReels mechanics only recently arrived on the scene when NetEnt did what most only dreamed of. The brilliant design team developed a mechanic with infinite payways and the rules are rather straightforward. Every win generates a new reel to the right of the grid and this continues for an unlimited win sequence. ReelPlay has the same mechanic, called Infinity Reels. Yggdrasil is another team of genius developers and they brought us massive icons to spice up the reels. Gigablox can drop in sizes of 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, and humongous 6x6, taking up most of the slot grid. These symbols make winning combinations more lucrative, and other developers have since unveiled their own versions. Yggdrasil also presented Splitz where one symbol splits in two for more winning potential. With providers feeding off each other’s innovative ideas, we can go on with this list for a while, but it’s clear that slots are better than ever and players can spin their hearts out. ✓ 2. Progressive Jackpots Something the internet does for us which we may take for granted is that it brings a level of connectedness that never existed. Linking the great big world like never before brought on the wonderful thing that gamblers love, called Progressive Jackpots. These eye-watering, life-changing prizes comprise the tally of wagers in a selected game throughout the provider’s network. The progressive nature of these pots means that the prize increases with each bet placed on that game. These are not just limited to online slots and some exciting card and table games incorporate it too. The favourites include Mega Moolah, the Microgaming hit slot, Roulette Royale, and Caribbean Stud Poker. ✓ 3. Live Dealer Games Another hint that we are indeed living in the golden age of online gambling is the fact that we no longer need to visit a land-based casino to experience the thrill of human interaction. Thanks to incredible internet speed and innovative providers, we can enjoy live dealer games streamed from casino studios. Evolution Gaming is a forerunner in the Live Dealer sphere of online gambling and their games are tremendously popular. Interact with the croupier as they spin the roulette wheel, deal your hopeful 21, or flip the cards to reveal your Hold’em fate. Presenters dressed in colourful and themed attire spin the wheel of fortune for you, and punters have online social spaces to interact with peers. Live dealer technology literally brings the casino to you and they fill casino libraries with interesting takes on traditional games as developers ensure their content is unique and exciting. ✓ 4. Tournaments and Multiplayer Games If you feel you are ready to take your igaming to the next level, tournaments and multiplayer games should be on your list. Play with and against gamblers from all over the world in the best kind of social experience you will find in remote gambling. As mentioned, with live dealer games, you have the option of interacting with other players by chatting with them, but tournaments bring a more competitive edge to the table. Casino Races is one form of a tournament where players opt-in to take part in free point-based competitions. These usually run for a set time and at the end of the race, the players with the most points win cash prizes. Games included in these tournaments are usually a collection of slots and table games. Most online casinos offer blackjack and poker tournaments to seasoned players and these winner-takes-all competitions can get really exciting. ✓ 5. Mobile Gambling and Omni-Channel Gradually mobile phones became an appendix we never knew we needed but now can’t be without. The onset of HTML5 technology combined with fast internet made it possible for developers to adapt website interfaces to work seamlessly on mobile devices. Software providers then introduced omnichannel technology that allows players to move between devices on a single user profile, which is partially the reason for the mobile gambling industry boom. Mobile gambling is now the most popular way to wager, and it is strange to think that a while ago, we needed individual profiles for each device we played on. Smartphone technology allows punters to enjoy the immersive experience of live casinos, as some devices have better processors than computers, and the development of mobile gambling has made games of chance accessible to everyone. One more advantage of mobile gambling is the security it offers with payment apps that link directly to the casino and cut out the need for you to link banking details. All around, mobile technology is a massive game-changer for gambling. ✓ 6. VR Technology One of the most exciting advances in gaming is Virtual Reality and, with the looks of it, we have seen nothing yet when it comes to virtual entertainment. VR games transport players to worlds beyond our imagination and certain games will allow you to recreate yourself as an avatar. Enjoy the company of other players who take part with their virtual version of themselves and forget all about the world around you for a while. Evolution gaming incorporated this technology into one of their live games, Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt. This live game allows players to switch to VR mode, using a headset and controller, and experience the most immersive treasure hunt with the Spanish conquistador everyone loves. ✓ 7. Cryptocurrency The unprecedented growth in the online gambling sector makes it an obvious target for chancers. Electronic transactions fill the money web while players and platforms need to find the most trustworthy manner of operating the process. Although many fiat currency processes exist that are highly secure and most punters use them, the undeniable security offered by blockchain has opened the industry’s mind to cryptocurrency. Online casinos like 7Bit Casino focus solely on Bitcoin and offer remote gambling in cryptocurrency, and many top platforms encourage and reward punters for using crypto as their wagering currency of choice. Advantages include guaranteed anonymity, ease of access, and super-fast processing. Cryptocurrency is not the easiest to come by and, for this reason, many avoid it. It is also a seriously volatile currency, and this is probably why many people still think it is too risky. ✓ 8. Provably Fair Blockchain Gambling Apart from the security blockchain technology provides with payments in cryptocurrency, the node-driven tech presents a list of other advantages for igaming. A concern that some punters have is that the casino may cheat them by rigging the game software. Although it is highly unlikely for random number generator games to be rigged, provably fair blockchain technology is a lot more secure. Some Bitcoin casinos now offer players the opportunity to verify the fairness of each round of the game if they want to. Because of the nature of blockchain technology, it is immutable, in other words unchangeable, and this grants unmatched transparency with the game’s randomness. If a casino has games built on blockchain, players will have the peace of mind that it is designed to be provably fair and they can check the data should they wish to.
  10. With gambling success stories, many tend to believe that luck has a lot to do with the win. We all know that casino games usually stack odds against the gambler and the house mainly wins. For this reason, countless punters believe that charms may add to their fortune and, with some games, players can use all the luck they can get. Certain gambling games require a level of skill to win, but even these skilled punters have superstitions and carry talismans for added luck. Others may even have a ritual they perform before playing their game of choice. Let’s take a look at the interesting lucky charms people believe in around the globe and explore where some of these amulets originated. Some are well-known beliefs while others have questionable roots, but some believe these charms to bring fortune to the wearer. ✓ American Charms Thanks to the media, American traditions seem to be some of the most well-known ideologies in the world. This rings true for superstitions and good luck charms as well. One of the most popular amulets is the horseshoe. This belief stems from folklore about Saint Dunstan, who struck a deal with the devil and from there on out the horseshoe wards off evil and brings luck. Be sure to position your charm in the right direction though as the u-shape will catch the luck for you if pointed up, but lose it if pointed down. The Rabbits Foot is another well-known lucky charm that America seemed to have put on the map. Its origin is debatable but said to be linked with the European mid-century practice of the ‘hand-of-glory’. As it is not the most upbeat of tales, we suggest you rather focus on the luck of the rabbit’s foot. Not to worry, as you do not need to capture and injure a real bunny. Faux rabbit’s foot charms are available, and you can always have one made in silver or gold. If you want a real one though, be sure it is the left hind foot of a rabbit caught in a cemetery at night. Animals seem to play a big role in the realm of superstitions and one more American folk tale states that alligator teeth are a talisman that will bring the wearer luck and money. It is not surprising that American gamblers wear these odd trophies to ensure big wins then. Alligators have better luck than bunnies though, as their teeth fall out periodically, so gator slaughtering isn’t necessary for these trinkets. Moving toward the more ancient parts of America, Peru has a national symbol represented by an ornate ceremonial axe. It is also a lucky charm in Peruvian culture. The origin of this charm is a little strange though as it used to be a ceremonial axe used to perform religious sacrifices and trepanation. The latter is an ancient Incan surgery performed to remove a piece of the skull. Today, they wear it for fortune and hang it on walls of homes to ward off evil. ✓ European and British Lucky Trinkets Beliefs from the European and British continents seem to be well-known ones too like the four-leaf clover everyone hopes to find. The clover symbol is so well-known as a lucky charm that we can find it in many casino games and although the rare four-leafed version is scarce, clovers have a positive meaning. The inspiration comes from the Christian faith of the Holy Trinity and when there is a fourth leaf; it represents God’s grace. In Britain and certain parts of Europe, they believe an acorn to be the symbol of prosperity, wisdom, fertility, and youth. Legend has it that the Norse god Odin hung himself from an oak tree to get wisdom and from there on, people wear the tiny nut for good fortune. The acorn does not need to be real. Simply pick from a variety of jewellery items made with this symbol. Some European traditions are not that well-known and these two smaller countries have unique amulets they believe will bring luck to the wearer. In Poland, it is a tradition to eat carp for Christmas, but the meal includes some scales from the fish. Superstitious Poles then carry a few of these scales in their wallet for the rest of the year to attract wealth, prosperity, and good luck. Swedes carry a Dala horse which originates from the 18th century. Soldiers would carve these horses out of wood and trade them for food. Since then, it represents luck, perseverance, and good fortune. When it comes to luck, many believe that the key is not just to attract it, but also to ward off evil omens. Nazar Boncugu, aka the Turkish evil-eye bead, is for exactly that reason. The name seems counter-intuitive, but many believe this cobalt blue symbol has the power to ward off curses and ill intentions from other’s staring eyes. People from all over the world place these glass beads on key chains, in their cars, their homes, or wear them as jewellery. It is especially lucky to wear while gambling, as opponents could not block your luck. ✓ African and Middle Eastern Amulets for Luck The very popular Hamsa Hand is now found in most western cultures as a universal sign of protection, but it found its origins in the Middle East and North Africa. It is predominantly a Jewish and Islamic symbol with similar meanings in the religions. Also known as Hamesh, Chamsa, or Khamsa, this charm is a hand with five fingers, but the two outside fingers are often symmetrical thumbs. Linked with the meaning of the number five, it wards off evil and brings the wearer happiness, luck, health, and good fortune. Ancient Egypt had a language made up of symbols, so it is easy to find meaning within the cultural signs, but some symbols carry significant weight. All Egyptians wore the Scarab Beetle to protect them and guide them, even in the afterlife. Punters will recognise the symbol, as many slot games have Egyptian inspiration and the beetle is present, more often than not. In Ghana, West Africa, the age-old tradition of Adinkra symbols originates and the Ghanaian people have a symbol for almost everything. They create their beautiful textiles with these symbols printed on them and wear traditional clothes made from them. Wrap yourself in cloth covered with Mmusuyidee to remove bad luck and attract good fortune. It is not uncommon for these traditional prints to show up in high-end fashion collections, so you might even find a scarf or purse to carry along when you place your bets. ✓ Eastern Money Charms In the East, they usually ordain their homes and businesses with gold and red ornaments and symbols, and in Chinese culture, one will find the luckiest charms of all. Laughing Buddha, also known as ‘Hotai’ or ‘Pu-Tai’, is a figurine of Buddhist origin. A version of this chubby figurine holds a pot of gold or gold nugget, and this represents prosperity and wealth, befitting for gambling luck. Best you rub the smiling figurine’s belly so that his luck can rub off on you. Don’t worry, there is no need to carry a statue into the casino. Because he is such a popular charm, laughing Buddha is available in many sizes and in a keyring shape to travel with you. A Chinese money frog, often found at the entrance of a business or Chinese family home, known as Jin Chan is a three-legged gold bullfrog. He has red eyes, a coin in his mouth, and sitting on a pile of traditional Chinese coins. Chinese folklore tells how the golden toad appears near homes or businesses during a full moon to announce the coming of good fortune and wealth. Be sure to place it in the correct direction, as the frog must face inward to bring money. According to tradition, if it faces outward, the money will flow away from you. The colour red is the national colour of China and represents happiness, beauty, vitality, good luck, success, and good fortune. Most Chinese charms and symbols display this colour, and it is a tradition that children receive a red envelope filled with Chinese coins for New Year to bring fortune. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure added luck when placing your stake. Wear something red for added fortune to beat the odds. Maneki Neko is a Japanese talisman known as the beckoning cat. This figurine comes in different colours and always has one front paw waving. Depending on which paw is up and what colour the cat is, the owner will experience different fortunes. It dates to the 17th century and often one will see it at the entrance of Japanese or Chinese businesses. Some of these charms are available with a mechanical paw that waves at you and others come in luxury materials like jade or precious metals. Look for a Maneki Neko that has a coin in its paw and a koi fish, as this charm will bring fortune and wealth. With a raised right paw, it attracts good luck and wealth. This is the feline to accompany you to a gambling outing. ✓ No Charms? Here are Other Tricks for Luck Seasoned gamblers have their charms of choice, although some choose not to carry a trinket for luck. You may wonder what you can do if you don’t have any of the above talismans, and the following tricks will help. Carrying a momento that is sacred to your family is an age-old manner to carry luck around. Many successful gamblers wear an item of clothing they wore when they first won big, so dig out those lucky socks before you place your bets. Craps players sometimes set up their dice with certain numbers facing up and others blow on the dice for luck to transfer on the die. Astrology followers can visit their gambling horoscope to see whether the planets align for their big win to roll in. Finally, you can always bet on 7, the luckiest number, or in increments of it. ✓ Feeling Lucky? At the end of the day, all forms of gambling come down to odds and in some games the numbers are great, but in others not so much. Whether you knock on wood or cross your fingers, the fact remains that the house always wins. Carrying charms should add to the fun of the game and applying wisdom and limits to your betting ensures that the fun doesn’t transform into a negative experience.
  11. If you are looking for a new hobby and online gambling is the option, here are a few pointers to make it an enjoyable experience every time. For seasoned gamblers, these may be obvious, and the wisdom may have come with expensive lessons, but even experienced punters forget the basics. With land-based casinos closed for long stretches over the last two years, many countries finally saw the importance of a regulated online gambling market as their citizens turned to igaming. Now that we see many new regulated markets and platform providers popping up from everywhere, it is more important than ever to keep your head cool when taking part in remote betting activities. Especially if you are new at this. Online casinos offer bonus deals to attract players to their platform and developers do their best to make their games stand out. With all the flashing lights and “Free” banners popping up, would-be punters as well as experienced gamblers can easily get carried away. So, before you get caught up in the moment, implement these 5 steps to ensure a relaxing and entertaining online gambling time. ✓ 1. Do Your Homework We get it. If reading was your thing, you would curl up on a sofa and get lost in your favourite book. The thing with reading casino and game reviews, though, is that it saves you a lot of time and unnecessary frustration. How so? Experienced players do the grunt work for you by checking all the important facts to consider when picking your gambling platform and which games you will wager your money on. If you pick a reputable source, you can rest assured that the casinos they write about and suggest to their visitors have the correct licenses in place. It is very important to only gamble at online casinos that are regulated within your country, as this ensures your right to recourse if you are dissatisfied with the service you received. On top of that, licensed and regulated platform providers need to adhere to strict gambling laws to maintain their licensed status within their respective jurisdictions. This ensures that players’ safety is a top priority to the casino and their staff. A good review will include factors such as payment solutions, available currencies, available languages for customers, and the level of customer service provided. With online casinos, punters need to know how long they will wait for their withdrawal as well. Most good review sites will include details on bonus deals from all the leading licensed operators, but always be sure to read the terms and conditions for yourself, to ensure you understand them. Review sites will help you choose the best game for your preferences too. With the multitude of slot games available, rather read a couple of reviews and play demos, if available, before you place your first bet. The important statistics will be on the review as well as the theme and rules. Should slots not interest you, all other casino games will have reviews too. Where your hard-earned money is involved, it is always better to have a good understanding of the game rules. ✓ 2. Manage Your Most Precious Resources: Money and Time Cash-flow mismanagement is the quickest way to get yourself into trouble with gambling and bring an abrupt end to the fun. The habit of setting a monthly and a session budget should be part of your gambling strategy to ensure that you don’t overestimate your betting allowance. Always make sure that you stick to what your budget allows and never overspend. Breaking this rule, even once, is a slippery slope to problematic gambling habits. Another golden rule of money management for gambling is to never wager with borrowed money. Some you win, some you lose. Take this to heart and walk away from your losses. Borrowing money to place a ‘sure bet’ or to cover your losses is a certain trap and one that you should avoid at all costs. Money is not the only precious commodity you own. The mentioned budgets should go further than currency to include how much time you spend on gambling. Time management is just as important, if not more so, and knowing when to stop even if you must ‘end on a high’ or walk away from a big loss will set you up for success in the long run. This, in turn, creates a winning mindset, which is a key component in every successful punter’s arsenal. Make sure that your time spent gambling fits in with your daily schedule and does not take away from other priorities, such as family time, work, etc. If you find it challenging to stick within the budget(s) you set for yourself, consider talking to someone about these challenges. Impulsive gambling can lead to detrimental consequences. ✓ 3. Make Use of Deposit and Time Limits The third point ties in with our discussion above and will make it so much easier to manage your bankroll. Online casinos and gambling regulators created this tool to help punters stick within their means and budgets. This is a great tool that promotes responsible gambling and helps you live to wager another day. Utilising the deposit limit application takes one more thing off your mind, as you only need to focus on the game and your betting strategy. Most veteran gamblers have learnt that it is too easy to give in to temptation and make that extra deposit in the hopes that the tides will turn or that the table is about to turn hot. In the heat of the moment, you may believe that the next spin or hand will bring your fortune but sticking to your budget is a skill to hone and setting a deposit limit helps you do exactly that. Regulators require online casinos to offer punters the deposit limit tool and, in most instances, you can limit yourself in different forms. Daily, weekly, and monthly limits will make it easy to structure your budget. ✓ 4. Check the RTP and Variance RTP, the acronym for Return to Player, refers to the amount the game pays back to the player over thousands of spins. They normally display this value in percentages. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, it will give back 95c for every €1 spent. Essentially, this statistic communicates how much you can expect to lose. The % difference is the house’s edge, which translates to the percentage of player bets retained by the game in the long run. Although it is a theoretical amount, the fact remains that the house always wins. Some games have better return values and lower house edge and naturally, these should be the ones you play. The accepted average RTP for online slot games is around 95.5% but some slots can go as low as 85% as certain regulators allow for it. Finding out what the game’s RTP is will empower you to make better game choices for greater winning potential. Slot games have one more vital element to consider and that is the payout variance, also referred to as the game’s volatility. They rate it from low to high and it has a tremendous impact on how you should manage your bankroll. A low variance game will pay out often, but the returns are usually small. High variance games have erratic payout structures and spinners can experience dry spells and sudden big wins. These games are popular for the big wins but understand that they can stretch your bankroll with wins awarded seldom. ✓ 5. Ignoring Betting Lines on Games Understanding the mechanics of the game you are playing is key to the success of any prospective punter. Betting lines, also known as paylines, are a line-up of specific symbols on which they will reward a payout. Traditional slot machines used to have only one betting line running through the middle of the reels, but most modern slot games can have anything from five to hundreds of paylines with winning combinations in all types of patterns. Some video slot developers allow the player to decide how many lines they want to bet on before the spin and more lines mean more winning opportunities. Most of these slot games have a set number of lines you would need to bet on, so adjust your bet amount accordingly. Usually, there are two different bet settings. One for the currency you bet on and one for how many coins you will use per spin. This mechanic may confuse punters and others may just ignore the fact, but this can push your bet up without you realising it. If you find that your total bet displayed on the game’s dashboard is more than the bet amount you entered, chances are the structure of ‘bet per line’ is in place. These details are available in the paytable menu or the game rules, another point that many punters forget to explore before spinning away. Here you will see what individual symbols will reward you and how many need to match for a pay-out. The payline structure will explain how stakes apply and wins are split. If your bet amount is split between lines, they calculate your payout according to line wager. For example, a €3 bet on a 30-line slot means you are only betting 10c per line and would pay out relative to this. As the saying goes, different strokes for different folks. So always check the mechanics of the game before playing and find a game best suited for your betting style. When the Fun Stops, So Should You Having fun while gambling is about staying in control of the situation. Incorporating the above steps can help gamblers to focus on the entertainment factor while practising responsible gambling habits. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our recommended and reviewed GamblersPick online casinos.
  12. At GamblersPick we are committed to bringing you coverage of the online gambling industry that puts you first. Whether it’s revealing a new online slot, discussing an important industry news event, or reviewing an online casino we look at it all through the lens of what it means to the player. This player-centric mentality was the driving force behind the creation of the GamblersPick Seal of Approval. Most importantly this Seal of Approval cannot be bought, any of the recommended casinos featuring the emblem have earned it! Our vetting process scrutinises the gambling site looking at five key criteria: their trustworthiness, the quality of their customer service, how they secure your private information, available banking options and their library of casino games. These review criteria were not chosen at random but rather because they covered the most important questions players around the world are asking about gambling. Join us as we specifically answer the 20 most frequently asked questions about online casinos and gambling in general: Trustworthiness ✓Are online gambling sites rigged? This is a very valid question given that a casino could rig games in their favour. This is why recommend always playing at a regulated online. Licensed casinos have their payouts and games tested by third-party auditors as part of their licensing agreement which ensures your safety. ✓Which online casinos are best? This all depends on what you like in an online casino. We always recommend playing where you can use your local currency, transact via a local banking option, and get games from your preferred providers - we cover all this information in our casino reviews. Start your journey with our already vetted list of GamblersPick Select casinos. ✓Who regulates online gambling? The online gambling industry now boasts a host of licensed and regulated gambling jurisdictions. These gambling authorities ensure that online casinos operating in their region follow strict safety and fair play guidelines. For a full list of gambling regulators visit our section on licenses. ✓Where is online gambling illegal? This is a broad question as there is a fine line between illegal and unregulated. Some countries do not offer licensed online gambling but still allow citizens to gambling online without fear of prosecution. We recommend checking the legality of online gambling with a local legal professional to avoid any problems. Customer Experience ✓Are gambling winnings taxable? There is no universal law on whether gambling winnings are taxable. We recommend speaking to a local tax professional or visiting the website of your national revenue service to ensure you are complying with local laws. ✓Can gambling affect your credit score? Interestingly it is not gambling that affects your credit score but where you are seen to be spending your money. Gambling is considered a high-risk activity that could cause your credit score to be adjusted down. However, since it is only a fraction of your income or net worth the impact should be negligible. ✓Can gambling make you rich? For a few lucky gamblers winning a progressive jackpot or big poker tournament has made them rich. However, gambling is not a guaranteed way to make money rather it should be seen as a hobby. Gamble for the entertainment factor, and should you hit a big win consider it a stroke of good luck. ✓How do casino odds work? Whenever you play an online casino game there is the chance that you will win despite there being a House edge that ultimately favours the casino. This is expressed as the game's RTP% (return to player percentage). Should a slot offer an RTP of 96% it means that over time that slot will return 96% of the staked amount to players leaving the House with a 4% margin. There is not guarantee that you will get your money back, however, which is why some lose while others win. ✓Do online gamblers ever win? Yes, there are many stories of online gamblers winning big jackpots. The Microgaming progressive jackpot network for example has paid out over €1.4 billion in prize money. However, the real question is not whether players win but how many players win more than spend. We always recommend playing with a budget that you can afford to lose which ensures you will have a good time regardless of the outcome. ✓Where can I find the best online casino welcome bonuses? With so many online casinos on the market, we have taken the time to both review them and give you detailed information on the available welcome bonuses that you could claim. Visit our Bonuses section for access to nearly 300 welcome offers. ✓What is a no deposit bonus at online casinos? When you claim a welcome bonus when joining a new casino, you generally receive bonus credits or spins once you make a minimum deposit. In the case of a no deposit bonus, you will get these credits or free spins without having to deposit. ✓Are online casino bonuses worth it? When an online casino bonus meets your needs, it is. If you’re looking to test a casino without risking your own money or want to boost your bankroll to extend your playtime, they are great. Some players do not like having to meet wagering requirements before making a withdrawal and in that case, it is better to only play with your own money. Safety ✓Is it safe to play at online casinos? It is safest to play at licensed online casinos as you are guaranteed that they employ the latest online security and encryption measures to protect your personal and banking information. When visiting a gambling site always look for the “lock” symbol in the web address bar as this shows that the site is secure. ✓Can online casinos cheat? The honest answer is that they can. To avoid this play at a reputable online casino that offers games by well-known game developers and is audited by recognised third-party auditing firms. This ensures multiple levels of compliance and gives you the best chance of a safe and secure experience. Payments ✓Which gambling sites accept PayPal? If you’re looking for a GamblersPick Select PayPal site to gamble with we can recommend visiting PlayOJO casino. That being said we offer insights into more than 400 payment methods and the casino who offer them to help you find the best banking options and casino partners. ✓Can online casinos refuse to pay out winnings? Not legally no. If you have legitimately won, then the casino owes you your payout as part of the agreement you entered when joining their site. The only caveat to this is if there is an error that occurred in the game which invalidates the win. Should this happen, a reputable online casino will provide proof of the error and in some cases provide some measure of compensation to ease the loss of a big win. Casino Games ✓Where did gambling originate? Nobody knows if early cavemen placed bets on who could take down the biggest woolly mammoth, but historians have found examples of six-sided dice which could be dated back to 3000 BC. It has also been proven that early Chinese civilisation held lotteries as far back as 2300 BC. However, casinos, as we know them today first, appeared in Italy in the 17th century. ✓Which online gambling game has the best odds? The three casino games with the best odds for players are without doubt baccarat, roulette and craps which have a House edge of 1.06%, 1.35% and 1.4% respectively. Slots are the most prolific online casino game type but generally hold a 3%-5% advantage for the casino. ✓What are the different types of gambling? The term “gambling” covers a wide variety of activities, which not only includes games of chance like slots, roulette and even lottery but also games of skill like poker and sports betting. ✓Are online casino games fair? Casino games from reputable providers like Microgaming, Playtech, Evolution and others use random number generators which use the law of probability to ensure random and therefore fair outcomes. As part of their licensing agreement, these providers are audited by third parties which adds an additional layer of accountability and security.
  13. While the adage "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" would have you believe that there is no real difference between gambling online or at your local casino, that simply is not true. While land-based casinos do offer certain benefits like the potential to get free drinks, be comped a meal, and the experience of a night out “on the town”, playing at an online casino offers far more benefits for both experienced and beginner gamblers to enjoy. Why Gambling Online is the Best Here are 10 reasons why we believe online casinos trump their land-based peers every day of the week: 1. Perfect Environment for New Players Most online casinos offer free to play versions of the real money games they have on offer. This is the perfect way for new players to get to grips with the mechanics, features and bet sizes of any game they intend to play for real money later. Not only can you play these games for free, but each game comes with handy in-game hints and a detailed help file that explains everything from what each button does to how wins are determined and the games specific return to player percentage. 2. Online Casinos Offer Better Payouts The simple fact of the matter is that the House always has an advantage, whether playing online or at a land-based gambling venue – the trick is optimising that advantage as best possible. This is where online casinos beat out their brick and mortar counterpart’s hands down. Land-based casinos must cover the costs of running sprawling complexes which include restaurants, bars, clubs and all the staff to man these various activities. Online casinos only have support staff and tech-related costs which cost a fraction of what it takes to run an offline casino. This is why online casinos offer payouts of around 96%, this means the average house edge is as low as 4%. 3. Incredibly Range of Online Slots Slot machines are by far the most popular game type whether you choose to play online or offline, this is due to their wide range of themes, interactive features, payline options and jackpot win potential. Plus, individual developers each offer something unique to give their slots even more appeal. Big Time Gaming created their Megaways system offering up to 117,649 ways to win, Microgaming offers incredible progressive jackpot wins on their Mega Moolah slots and so much more. 4. Gamble When It Suits You Unlike online casinos which are open all year round, not all local casinos offer 24/7 access to their games. By playing online you can hop onto your favourite slot machine or play a few hands of blackjack whenever it is best for you. Oftentimes it is also simply not possible to coordinate getting to a casino venue at conventional times given the demands placed on our time by work, travel, family and more. In this instance being able to relax over a cup of coffee and a few spins of the reels when you have downtime available to you is an important feature. When you add this to the fact that you can play on your mobile device online gambling offers the most comprehensive, customer-first, gambling experience you could hope for. 5. Live and Play on Your Mobile The mobile device is far more than just a phone these days, we all run our lives from these tiny handheld computers. Online casinos understand this and offer an engaging gambling experience right there in the palm of your hand. Best of all thanks to high-quality apps and HTML5 these casinos offer the same entertainment on your device as they do when you play on your laptop or desktop computer. Allowing you to gamble whenever and wherever you want to. 6. There is Always a Seat for You A very real downside to gambling at a land-based venue, especially in smaller towns, is limited seating or access to popular games. At an online casino, whether you are playing at peak traffic times or in the middle of the night, your favourite casino table or online slot will be waiting for you to dive right in. This is equally true of buying additional casino chips while playing your favourite game. Online casinos allow you to easily top your chip stack from within the game you are playing rather than expecting you to get out of the action to go get more chips as you would at your local casino. 7. Fantastic Casino Bonus Selection Receiving bonuses at a land-based casino is highly unlikely for a new player. All new players at reputable online casinos will receive some form of welcome bonus. This bonus acts both as a gift basket to make you feel at home and as a safety net with which you can test out casino games without risking your own money. These casino bonuses will include deposit match bonuses, free spins, no deposit bonuses, wager free bonuses or a combination of these. Once you are a regular at the casino you will be able to avail yourself of reload bonuses, cashback and Loyalty bonuses. 8. Choose When to Play with Others A big part of ensuring your mental health though, especially during lockdowns is having the choice to play with others when you need contact and give yourself space when that is more important. One of the fastest-growing niches within the online gaming industry is the live casino sector. This allows players to step away from purely RNG casino games to enjoy the experience of interacting with a live dealer and the players around the table. As the market appetite for live games has grown so developers like Evolution Gaming have stepped up to grow their selection beyond traditional games like blackjack, roulette, and craps, to include custom games like Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal Live and Mega Ball. 9. Protect Your Privacy with Bitcoin For players who are looking to further enhance the privacy and security offered by online gambling, there is the option to gamble at a Bitcoin casino. These sites are built on the blockchain, offer provably fair gambling, and ensure that your transactions are hidden from prying eyes thanks to Bitcoin’s incredible encryption. This is over and above any other measures, one can take online to protect their search histories and online banking by using virtual private networks (VPN) to connect to the internet. 10. Safety First When making the decision whether to play online or go to a local casino one must consider the potential health risks. Given the current situation we all find ourselves in, it is prudent to avoid crowds of people and rather play from home. With the ease of access to multiple casinos and swathes of cutting edge casino games, not to mention the bonuses and 24/7 personal support, there is very little reason to play at a land-based casino when with the click of a button you can enjoy world-class entertainment from the comfort of your home.
  14. The online gambling world is a massive industry worldwide and probably one of the most competitive digital markets around. With tons of content released each year at online gambling sites, picking a game as a new player can soon become an overwhelming task. Of course, some of the more prominent industry leaders tend to set the trends, but with the advances in technology of late, even the smaller companies can punch way above their weight. Every now and then, one gaming studio pushes the envelope just that little bit further than their competitors to introduce a game that stands a class apart from the rest. These innovative marvels demand royal mention and their providers deserve praise. It is here that the industry’s gaming awards associations play their part in giving credit, where it is due. Industry Instigators The three foremost gaming awards organisations in the iGaming market are the EGR (eGaming Review) Awards, the IGA (International Gaming Awards), and the Global Gaming Awards (GGA). Should a game provider or casino operator walk away with an acknowledgement of excellence from any of these icons, you can assume that they have dared to venture into the realms of cutting-edge development, service, and innovation. Remembering the Remarkable In an attempt to remember the best entertainment the online casino industry has brought our way, we’ve gathered a list of the most remarkable award-winning games to feature on our desktops and mobile phones in the past 20 years. The following games have proven to be leaders in their time, many of which have received legendary status in the industry and are still widely played today. ✓ King Kong Cash by Atronic (IGA Slot Game of 2008) King Kong Cash deserves an honourable mention here. The game was a VLT phenomenon that boasted new and innovative concepts within the branded slot genre. It was trendy on European casino floors thanks to its 4-level progressive jackpot and a free spin round that were based off scenes from the iconic 2005 King Kong movie. While Altonic no longer exists, their legacy was carried on by GTECH, which is now an IGT subsidiary. ✓ Book of Ra by Novamatic (IGA Slot Game of 2009) This Egyptian-themed game is probably the most popular title of its genre. It has inspired so many copycat versions over the years, such as Book of Dead by Play’n GO. Even so, players keep flocking back to the original. It won its award based off the back of its fabulous Scatter/Wild symbol, which when triggering the free spin bonus, selects a random symbol to become a special expanding icon for that feature round. Each time a symbol lands on the reels and can complete a winning combo, it will expand to cover its reel, thereby providing more winning chances. Combine that bonus round with a Gamble Feature, and Scatter wins, and you have a recipe for success. ✓ Big Bad Wolf by Quickspin (EGR Game of the Year 2013) Quickspin rose to the occasion in 2013 with this title. It has since become their flagship game, having won the EGR award based on the fantastic visual design and animated involvement from the characters on screen. It truly is a stunning sight. Based on the story of the Three Little Pigs, this title offers a flurry of features, including Big Bad Wolf Free Spins, where the K-9 foe attempts to blow down your house. Most notable, however, is the cascading/tumbling reel feature after every win. While many slots use this mechanic today, it was a new concept back in 2013. ✓ Immersive Roulette by Evolution Gaming (EGR Game of the Year 2014) Live Dealer casino games only gained traction around 2009, with the growing momentum of Evolution Gaming. The introduction of Immersive Roulette celebrates one of their award-winning milestones, and it has redefined the immersive quality and innovation of Live Casino games forever. Unlike their other standard Roulette game versions at the time, this one uses multiple close-up camera angles to immerse the player into every action taking place in a single game round. This was an innovative feature unheard of in the gaming world at the time. Not only is each movement captured, but it is rendered in High Definition for the clearest shots around. ✓ Spinata Grande by NetEnt (EGR Game of the Year 2015) NetEnt needs no introduction to online casino gaming enthusiasts. This beautiful Mexican-themed game got the attention of millions of players around the globe in 2015 and continues to thrill gamblers today. The awesome soundtracks, effects, and animations are very engaging. It truly feels like you are standing on a dusty road in a Mexican village playing for money. The dogs barking, passers-by whistling, sounds of pick-up trucks driving by, and the guitar playing the distance are fully immersive Of course, true to NetEnt’s style, the visuals are not the only award-worthy detail. The features are harnessing too. These include Colossal Symbol wins, a Mini-Slot feature, and Free Spins. Just like a pinata, this game contains many surprises when opened. ✓ Jurassic Park by Microgaming (GGA Digital Product of the Year 2015) The Steven Spielberg movie is a cult classic that has driven the franchise to produce a series of great films based on its storyline. Trust Microgaming to bring it alive on the gambling screen and scoop up the accolades at the same time! All your favourite cast members and dinosaurs are available in full view for you to see. You can relive the cinematics of the movie through the energetic soundtrack and vivid visuals presented in the game. As you play, the screen moves through the forest in search of wild and dangerous sights with winning combo animations bringing each dinosaur alive. The game is no slouch in the bonus game department either, which may have been a real catalyst in the decision-making process for the award. There are 5 distinct free spin rounds based on 5 different dinosaurs from the movie. They all provide free games with different add-on modifiers, such as Wild Reels, Multiplier Wilds, Running Wilds, Mystery Multipliers, and Winning Wilds. Welcome to Jurassic Park! ✓ Guns ‘n Roses by NetEnt (EGR Game of the Year 2016) Arguably one of the best rock bands in history is immortalised on the reels of this slot by NetEnt. Yes, there are tremendous features when playing Guns ‘n Roses, such as Appetite for Destruction Wilds, Legend Spins, Solo Multiplier, Encore Free Spins, and a Crowd Pleaser Bonus. But we all know why this game won the game of the year award in 2016 – BECAUSE THE SOUNDTRACK ROCKS! Set before a stage, while you roll the reels, you can select one of 5 of the band’s best songs to play along with you. Once a track is done, and your foot tapping has warmed up, or your air guitar is in tune, you can select another song to rock along to. You simply won’t want to stop playing until you have heard all the jams. Enjoy songs like Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child of Mine, Paradise City, November Rain, and Chinese Democracy. Here is one hint if you are going to give it a go – wear headphones and crank up the volume! ✓ Wild Toro by Elk Studios (EGR Game of the Year 2017) Elk Studios turns the brutal sport of bullfighting on its head in this humorous and quirky slot game. That’s right, in this game the bull always wins, which is probably why it has so many fans and walked away with the game of the year award only 3 years ago. Designed with real Spanish flavour, the game transports you across Europe to enjoy the bull defeat the matador in a flurry of features. These include Walking Wilds, Extra Wilds, and bonus Re-spins of the reels. The mix of authentic sounds and visuals combined with a great maths model and feature selection made this game the winning contender in its class and a firm favourite in the Elk Studios library to this day. ✓ Lighting Roulette by Evolution Gaming (EGR Game of the Year 2018) Innovations in Live Dealer gaming has dominated the online industry in the last few years. Lightning Roulette has seen great success since its introduction to the market because it combines the table gaming world with RNG jackpot entertainment. No longer is 35:1 the best reward for a straight-up bet. If the lightning selects the winning number prior to the spin, and your chips are in place, you could be looking at rewards of between 50x and 500x your stake in prizes. This unique concept is a crowd favourite, earning it the game award by EGR in 2018. ✓ Monopoly Live by Evolution Gaming (IGA Game of the Year 2020) Everyone’s favourite Hasbro board game, Monopoly, came to the Live Casino world thanks to a partnership between the game maker and Evolution Gaming. The new gambling variant is a remake of the famous Dreamcatcher wheel game with unique Monopoly game elements. This innovation combines the two worlds of live game action and augmented reality to produce something that players had never seen before. It is evident by Evolution’s actions, that boldness and chance-taking can lead to significant payoffs, as this game scooped up the International Gaming Award in 2020. Ponder the Pedigree For the ultimate in online casino action, we recommend that you revisit some of these iconic game selections to remind yourself of what true ingenuity and quality is like on the market. Feel free to play some of these titles at one of our Gambler’s Pick partner casinos for a safe and secure gaming experience.
  15. The world can be divided into two categories: The known and the unknown. In the unknown category, you’ll find a range of impossible and strange occurrences and experiences. One of these is the existence of Aliens and their strange relations with humankind. The term UFO was coined in 1953 by the United States Air Force, and this term has become one that runs hand in hand with the existence of aliens and extraterrestrial beings. The presence of aliens and the conspiracy theories surrounding them are all linked to UFOs and in a sense, the United States. A significant source of theory and speculation is the infamous Area 51 located in the Nevada desert. This location is “top-secret” and used by the military for unknown operations. Over the years, rumours have arisen, leading many to believe that aliens can be found within this secret space. To this day, it is still unclear what really happens in Area 51 as it was only formally acknowledged in 2013. In essence, the CIA was looking for a secure location to test the Lockheed U-2 spy plane in 1955. The location afterwards became known as Area 51. About a decade earlier, there were 2,000 UFO sightings reported worldwide. However, these reports were mainly made by the Swedish Military. Welcome to Roswell You may have heard mention of the infamous Roswell in New Mexico. Made famous by an incident where a rancher, Max Brazzle, went out to check his pasture and came across debris that had crashed there. He allegedly discovered unusual materials and bodies that were not human on the ground. According to some, the technology available to us today is made possible due to reverse engineering from that strange occurrence. Sure, technology is out of this world but could it really be linked to Roswell? Strangely, a week before Brazzle found the debris in his field, the first UFO sighting took place in the US on June 24, 1947. Three years later, Area 51 was created, and in the ’90s the Air Force published records acknowledging the events connected to Roswell, New Mexico. According to reports, it was nuclear test surveillance balloons and not UFOs. For years, Area 51 remained known as a training base for the Air Force, but this didn’t stop the reporting of strange sightings. No More Denial Year after year, UFO sighting after UFO sighting, there was always another story or excuse to deny the existence of aliens and UFOs. To this day, Pentagon’s once covert program to investigate unidentified flying objects remains underway. The program has been renamed and buried in the Office of Naval Intelligence where any strange encounters with unidentified aerial vehicles continue to be studied. While the program is not up for discussion, the existence thereof has sparked excitement within many. With government resources going to this program, many have strengthened their belief in the presence of beings that live in a world outside of our own. Despite the excitement, Pentagon Officials have stated that the main reason for the program is to collect and report on sightings of unidentified aerial vehicles. Some of these findings must be shared with the public every six months by the Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon Task Force. According to Former US Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, the focus of the program is to seek out any potential threats via breakout aviation technology. While there is hope to find evidence of vehicles from other worlds, the program was mainly created for protection. The program is no longer classified, but the information and activity still are. Aliens, UFOs and Abductions Aliens and UFOs are all the rage, and over the years there have even been stories of abductions. In 1957, Antonio Vilas Boas claimed he was abducted from his farm in Minas Gerais, Brazil. According to Boas, he was examined by humanoid aliens and had relations with an alien woman aboard an egg-shaped UFO. In the same year, several people in Levelland, Texas reported sightings of a large, bright, egg-shaped object. During the sighting, about 10 cars experienced issues with their lights and engines. Another reported abduction was that of Betty and Barney Hill in 1961. The two were abducted South of Lancaster on Route 3 in New Hampshire. According to the Hills, they were abducted and medically examined by small aliens after they saw their spacecraft. In 1965, two police officers from Pretoria, South Africa noticed a shiny, copper-coloured craft landing on the street. At the same time, their patrol car up and flew away while witnesses state they saw a red ball and a bright light in the sky. One of the most significant sightings was in 1965 in Pennsylvania when thousands saw a large fireball in six states and Canada. It caused sonic booms near Pittsburgh, and the US military recovered the object with much secrecy from the town of Kecksberg. In 1966, cameraman Leman Hanson managed to get 10 seconds of colour footage of a UFO on the Catalina Island of the coast of California. In 2006, a saucer-shaped, unit craft was seen hovering over a Chicago O’Hare Airport Terminal. It’s said to have shot up at a speed that left a clear blue hole in the clouds. Betting on UFOs Over the years, there have been many strange sightings and, in most cases, logical or bizarre explanations. For most, the existence of aliens is an idea, a belief, or a fantasy that needs to be a reality. It’s something that we want to believe in, even if we haven’t seen it with our own eyes. Any strange occurrence or object is immediately linked to aliens or extraterrestrial life. Maybe the biggest reason is that we don’t want to be alone, or we want to know that there are more life forces out there. The unfortunate reality is that we might never get an answer, living only with the possibility or belief of UFOs and alien existence for the days to come. This seems to be enough for most as many take advantages of this and even place bets at top sportsbooks! Some, such as Paddy Power, enable you to place bets on the likelihood of discovering alien life. Not only do you get to embrace the theories and conspiracies surrounding extraterrestrial life, but you could also beat the odds and grab a significant cash out too. Out of this World Entertainment While there are many films, video games, and TV series that revolve around aliens and the unknown, there’s no need to miss out on the fun at your favourite casino. Several great space-themed online slots will capture the imagination and give you the chance to win big with every spin. ✓ Cosmic Fortune by NetEnt - Blast off with this 2014 slot release that features an adorable space adventurer. Designed with 5 reels and 15 paylines, you’ll have access to free spins and impressive bonus rounds thanks to NetEnt. ✓ Max Damage by Microgaming – If aliens get a little too close for comfort, you can count on Max Damage to protect planet Earth! Action-packed and filled with fun ways to win, this slot has 243 ways to win as well as free spins. ✓ Galacnica by Spinmatic – Reels filled with colourful aliens on a planet far, far away is the playground found on this online slot. Create combinations filled with crazy aliens and win both ways while you spin the reels. Visit any of our top online casinos and play extraterrestrial casino games for out-of-this-world fun!
  16. Gambling has an interesting past and has been prevalent around the world since ancient times. As long as people have been competitive, crude ways of gambling have been around. Casino gaming is only a few hundred years old and has undergone many facets of change over the years. Commercial casinos are usually tied back to the USA eventually. American gambling culture is like no other in the world. Gambling in the Old West, in grubby saloons, has become a stereotypical image of traditional Americana but travel a little way south and you will find that paddlewheel riverboats provide a succinct betting pictorial as well. Famous movies, like Mel Gibson’s 1994 film Maverick, pays tribute to the riverboat casino world and provides a great picture of the sort of shady environment that was attached to the industry in its earlier days. While paddlewheel boats represent a vintage era in American history, they are still found in number along the Mississippi River, providing gambling entertainment in the modern era. They generate hundreds of millions of dollars in state tax revenues in six states along the river lines, including Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and Missouri. History of Riverboat Casinos In the 19th Century, there was a strong trade route established between the towns lying across America’s longest river – the Mississippi. As a result, the waterways were busy with traditional paddlewheel vessels, which traders and passengers would use to commute effortlessly along the trade route. They accommodated mostly wealthy merchants and businessmen in the beginning, though professional gamblers soon made these vessels their marketplace. Gambling was first introduced to the vessels as a cure for boredom on the often tediously long journeys up the waterway. Passengers would use their available spare time to engage in games of chance, like poker and other card offerings. The presence of money and the need for entertainment made gambling the natural choice among the elite. As these gambling pastimes became more prevalent, it started attracting professional gamblers from far and wide. Gambling professionals were not well tolerated though and were regarded largely as cheats. Because the waters were not regulated, it allowed for gamblers to move around unchecked. This resulted in strong reactions from the public who were commonly bamboozled out of their money. It is understood that ‘lynch-law’ was used to deal with alleged transgressors at the time. The Decline in Riverboat usage Towards the end of the 19th century, railroads superseded boat travel as a mode of transport. Train travel was far faster and proved more convenient for business. That along with the American Civil war stymied the riverboat transport business in the states. As a result, the riverboat industry turned towards the leisure market, offering travellers the opportunity of taking cruises – a form of escape from the mundanities of life. The gambling affiliation attached to the boats never died out though and gambling became a primary form of entertainment on these cruises. The Laws Many states started outlawing gambling within their regions to protect their residents from problem gambling and to curb gambling associated crimes. Because the riverways were effectively a borderline between states, the boats would take advantage of the fact that they were treated like a no man’s land which provided the perfect grey area jurisdiction for betting trade. Gambling was practiced with no interference from the authorities. Most forms of gambling were outlawed in the USA by the end of the Second World War and it wasn’t until the 1980s before the first states started legalising gambling over waterways. Iowa was the pioneer for the introduction of this form of regulated gambling in 1989 but was followed by Illinois and Louisiana in 1991 and Mississippi, Indiana, and Missouri by the end of 1993. In each of these areas, casino gaming was expressly forbidden on land. Only boats on areas of water could offer this form of play. Initially, they could only offer slots and table games while the boats were cruising on the waterways, but later on, it was decided that docked boats could offer gaming too, which was far safer and more secure for the consumers. The purpose of restricting gambling to boats on waterways was done to limit the geographic and economic scope of gambling within the states. This way, the industry could be better controlled. Unfortunately, there is a lack of uniformity in the industry from one border to the next. Areas in the laws that vary include things such as: The appearance of the boats and the technical requirements: In Louisiana, the boats must resemble the traditional paddlewheel vessels of the 19th century and must be driven either fully or partially by a paddlewheel mechanism. The number of passengers the vessel must be able to carry also varies greatly from one region to the next. Betting Restrictions: Bet limits and loss limits are set by each state independently and may vary greatly. Geographical Restrictions: In most of the states, it is only lawful for gambling to take place while the boat is in transit, however, some have questioned the safety of this and allow the ships to be docked at the time of game commencement as long as the boat is still on the water. Licenses: The number of authorised casinos is set independently by each state. Where Louisiana will not license more than 15 casinos, Illinois will only grant up to 10 permits. Each of the 6 states that have legalised Riverboat gambling have done so independently which has led to these differences and variations. Riverboat Casinos Today Over three decades in and the riverboat casino industry is still thriving and producing strong revenues for each state. They remain a great avenue for job creation while providing an iconic traditional American experience – one that speaks to the heritage of the country. As of 2018, there are 63 Riverboat Casinos in 6 states. This includes both docked boats and those that traverse the rivers while gaming is at hand. These are however not the only form of River Casinos available anymore. Several casinos are located on boats situated in a moat or a waterway that has adjacent access to the main waterway. The government has turned a blind eye to these, as they prove lucrative for the coffers. In some areas, the government has allowed water-based casinos to move away from boats. These operators have been allowed to build their casino establishments on stilts above the river, as long as they are situated over the water as stated in the legislation. Perhaps the biggest factor for the change in the scope of riverboat casinos was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm winds destroyed most of the riverboat casinos and their facilities along the Gulf Coast of the country. In some states, such as Mississippi, the legislation was changed to allow the casinos to be rebuilt on land if they were within proximity to the waterway. Most of the destroyed operators have rebuilt their casinos. One of a Kind Experience The old-school atmosphere of Riverboat casinos provides players with a totally unique gambling experience, allowing them to traverse back in time and experience true American history. The traditional architecture ensures that all gamers can experience what it was like to gamble over 100 years ago. You’ve seen it in the movies, but you can experience it in real life, too. The boats offer luxury amenities, including bars, restaurants, spas, gyms, hotels, and access to hundreds of slot games and skill-based gaming tables, like poker, blackjack, and roulette. Online Riverboat Dream Such is the premium experience of Riverboat gambling that the theme has managed to traverse the realms of the physical and has found a place to wow digital casino gamers via the internet at online casino sites like the River Belle. If you cannot travel to the United States at this time, the online casino owners have made sure that you can enjoy the next best thing from the comfort of your own home. River Belle has been around since 1997 and was designed with the authentic riverboat feel in place. It provides all the modern perks you have come to expect from online casinos, such as improved return to player ratios, competitive bonuses, and modern, engaging slots and virtual table games. Ride the River to the End The riverboat legacy holds a special place in the hearts of sentimental Americans and there is no evidence that this type of casino experience will die out any time soon. While the legislation on this form of gambling seems to evolve every few years, the base values remain intact, in a well-regulated and now safe gambling environment. The industry seeks to maintain its heritage in one hand while grasping for modern convenience in the other, ensuring customer satisfaction all the way.
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