Casino gambling games

Posted in June 5th, 2008

3 strikes deal with Probability for in-built gambling

Gambling software developer Probability has signed a deal with Hutchison 3G UK, owner of 3 the mobile operator, to pre-load their gambling games into new 3G mobile phone.

Two million new phones will have the feature, which will allow users to play bingo, poker and slot games straight from their mobile, by linking to Probability’s LadyLuck website. Newer phone models with bigger screens and greater functionality make it much easier to surf the Internet, as well as play online games, which is contributing to a rise in internet features for mobile phones.

This is a huge boost for the mobile gaming market. Although the global mobile gambling market is expected to reach $16 billion by 2011, the uptake has been slow in the UK. Mobile gambling is the fastest growing gambling trend in Europe and Asia Pacific. The slower growth in the UK is in part due to the fact that many consumers do not take full advantage of all the features on their 3G phones, and some kind of educational campaign from mobile companies may be needed. In 2007, a survey by the Gambling Commission showed that only 2.7% of those who are involved in remote gaming had played on their mobile phone.

Probability is confident that they can reach a wide market of both new and old casino players. With the LadyLuck games linked in their phone, many users are likely to try out mobile slots or poker, even if they have never played online. Users can access the gambling games via an icon on the games menu, which links to the LadyLuck website through the phone’s internet connection.

LadyLuck will be the only gambling link to feature on the 3 handsets, meaning that for some, Probability will be their first taste of online poker or slots. It remains to be seen whether these customers will actually use the link and play the games, or whether for the majority, the feature will lay dormant and unused in their handsets.

The new handsets will be available from June 2008 to new Three customers and those requesting an upgrade.

Three is the UK’s largest mobile network with approximately 4 million customers.

Barney Frank Is Still an Online Gambling Advocate

Posted in June 4th, 2008

What do you get when you a take a governmental representative who believed in the tax-and-spend big-government Democrats and turn them into someone who is championing the freedom of choice and objecting loudly to government set restrictions? Why, Barney Frank, of course.

Anyone who is familiar with the status of the online gambling initiative and ban in the United States knows the name, but for those who don’t, Barney Frank is one of the biggest voices fighting for online gambling. He has never agreed with the UIGEA of 2006 and has continually been a leader in having that act overturned. More and more people are supporting his effort to get the act banned itself and there are others in the government who are willing to co-sponsor a bill in Congress to do it.

For the uninitiated, the 2006 UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) states that financial institutions cannot fund or receive money from any online establishment that is related to an online casino, sports book, poker room, or other gambling business. Frank is a proponent to allow people to make the choice to gamble online on their own and face the consequences of their actions. He’s also a proponent of legalized marijuana.

Radical thinker? Not necessarily. Barney Frank’s politics is based on the idea that the citizens of the United States have the ‘right and freedom to choose their own paths’. This is one of the most fundamental building blocks of American society. Plus, many feel that it’s not right for the government to try and tell people what is and isn’t good for them, subsequently removing all decisions from the citizens hands.

Frank is also practical and a student of history. He understands that trying to enforce any form of prohibition is only going to make matters worse and people usually find a way around it. This tends to lead to corruption and a criminal element that will cost as much, if not more, money to contend with than legalized online gambling will. The war on drugs is probably the best example of how spending millions of dollars on prevention has done absolutely nothing.

Barney Frank’s fans are growing by leaps and bounds and anyone who supports free choice would do well to support this politician. Voters are encouraged to contact their state congressmen and senators to let them know just how important these issues really.