Most of the first quarter reports coming in from the casino and online casino industry are fairly dismal. Most do not seem to as bad as the last year or so, but net losses are still stinging the business. There are many factors, economy, weather, I’m sure someone will find a way to blame it on the volcano in Iceland. However, there are some casino companies that are starting to do well. They are seeing the effects of cost cutting measures and new casino openings in the thriving Asian market as the jump start they needed. International Game Technology, one of the world leaders in gaming and casino software might have seen staggering numbers (on the plus side) had it not been for some outlying matters.

Had it not been for the cost of closing its Japanese division and some restructuring charges the Reno based casino game provider would have seen better than the 7 percent increase in net income than it did. IGT was able to report that the first three months of 2010 saw a net income of $35.9 million. This translates to about a 12 cent increase per share. For the record it cost close to $7 million to close the Japanese facilities, and close to $16 million in restructuring and $1.9 million write down of outdated equipment.

Experts are saying that land based casinos are finally sending out for new and updated games. This was a huge help in getting the merchandise out the door and on to the casino floor, and once one casino does it neighboring ones have to keep up. While the majority of the revenue came from shared revenue with customers, 43 percent came from sales. They know the road ahead is not completely smooth. IGT’s Chief Executive Officer, Patti Hart admitted that the climate remains ‘challenging,’ but the recent results are something worth smiling over, and perhaps a momentum builder.

Late last year a scandal surfaced in Poland that involved some national politicians and casinos. Allegedly there were some Polish lawmakers that were opposed to tax increases on land based casinos due to their association with the casinos’ owners. This was viewed as highly unpopular with the Polish voter and other politicians. In an attempt to divert attention lawmakers turned to online casinos and gambling as a “look what good I did for the health of out country,” statement. The Polish government hastily passed through legislation that outright banned online gambling in Poland. While this was welcome news for anti-gambling groups and conservatives who feel that online gambling and casinos promote problem and underage gambling as well as crime, others like the European Commission and gambling rights groups like Right2Bet held strong objections to the hurried bill.

Right2Bet, which is Europe’s most vocal gambling right to choose group, was disappointed in the law. They know that integrity and moral conduct is on the line, and it should be upheld. However, they feel that the responsibility lies with the consumer who should have the right to choose if they want to gamble or not, or even where and how they choose to gamble. They also want the principles of the European Union charter upheld, and allow online gambling to be considered a border-less trade or service.

The European Commission also voiced displeasure. Upon hearing this the Polish government amended the bill to allow online pari-mutual sports betting, but this is likely not to be enough to satisfy online gambling enthusiasts. Never satisfied, Right2Bet has offered to be the European Commissions first line of defense. They have set up an online petition on the website for Europeans, to sign. Most feel that online casino operators are upstanding business people who enjoy the climate of being respectable and highly regulated. Online gambling activist groups feel their industry is tarnished but those lawmakers who are out to score political points.

The economic condition in the United States has been fairly grim. The banking and housing collapse have forced many people out of their jobs and out of their houses in foreclosure. The unemployment rate in most states is nearing all time highs. To help combat this states and some companies and industries have been hosting job fairs. The idea is to consolidate where job seekers can look, apply and interview for jobs. There is also a slight notion that the economy may have bottomed out and that a slow growth may start to take shape. This can be the cause and the result of the job fairs. What was once just a chance for job hunters to pass out resumes, may now be a legitimate forum on putting people back to work.

The land based casino industry has been held a few job fairs this spring. Just this week casino operators in Atlantic City in association with the area’s community college held a job fair they hoped would put residents of Atlantic City back to work and help trim down the close to 13 percent unemployment rate in the area. Heading out west two casino operators will be holding job fairs to look for future employees.

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort will be hosting a job fair on Monday for several positions. Not only are they looking for dealers for their casino, but for resort positions as well. Valets, food and beverage, banquet servers, beach and pool concierge, spa attendants and an on call massage therapist are some of the openings, the Hyatt is looking to fill. Information may be found at www.laketahoe.hyatt.com

The Golden Casino Group is holding a two day job fair on Monday and Tuesday. They are looking for a variety of casino positions for some of their Colorado properties. They are looking to fill full time positions such as dealers and supervisors. They are very interested in those with experience in craps, roulette, and/or blackjack. Information can be found by calling 303-582-5600

Two highly anticipated online casinos are set to open this spring. This is good news in this economic environment. It means someone is seeing the possibility of some growth. But let us not get caught up in the economics right now. There is enough of that floating around. Let us, instead, focus on the fun. Isn’t that why we enjoy casinos and online casinos to begin with?

Jackpot Games holds a Class 1 license from the coveted Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Malta. They are already hosting over 80 instant play games. The online casino is powered by NetEnt, which is one of the fastest growing online casino software developers and suppliers in the industry. NetEnt is well used throughout the industry, but Jackpot Games is the first online casino to dedicate themselves to NetEnt’s product. Jackpot Games also features one click gaming which gets the player up and on to their favorite games in the quickest way possible. It is, “a truly seamless casino experience,” stated casino manager Ramon Azzopardi. This plays to their major focus which on complete entertainment. Marketing Manager, Aaron O’Sullivan said, “…with promotions designed to reward instantly, fairly and indefinitely, including a double your money sign-up bonus, loyalty points, monthly refill bonus and more.” Jackpot Games features blackjack, roulette, video poker, video slots, and various other games, bonuses and promotions.

Not to be out done Rich Casino opened its virtual doors. They are being powered by the TOP Games software system which most players find easy to download. Rich Casino is also proud of their high tech 3D graphics which they feel will enhance players’ enjoyment. They are also offering a full selection of games that include slots, poker, blackjack, and other table games along with bonuses and promotions. One bonus gives a player $3,333 to play with.

With these two new online casinos opening, players around the world have more selection then they ever had before. Maybe these are signs that consumer confidence is returning and the world is making an economic rebound. (Sorry, I brought it back to the economy.)

When the government in Singapore granted the notion of allowing two casino resorts in 2005, the hope was to bolster their economy and tourism. They made a point of stipulating that the properties had to be much more than jut a casino. In fact, while both Resorts World and the Marina Bay Sands are both casino resorts, the actual square footage of the casinos makes up only a small portion of the properties. So far the plan has worked. Both resort areas have come up with innovative ideas in presesntaion, architecture, and fun for casino resorts. There are theme parks, sky parks, theaters, aquariums, museums, and the list goes on and on. They have changed the landscape of the modern casino resort, and turned the whole resort into a family fun destination spot.

All of this fun will no doubt have an effect on the other Asian gambling markets. According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the new casino resort openings in Singapore may “poach” some of the high rollers in the Asian market. The cliental the Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World is after is the same that frequent the Crown Melbourne, and the casinos in Macau. Some casino operators feel that Singapore’s status as a financial hub makes it an attractive gambling spot for those who have lots of cash to drop in a casino. When this is coupled with some of the high rollers are Singaporean it makes established casino operators nervous. The Crown Melbourne has recently spent over $200 million upgrading its VIP facilities.

However, those from Las Vegas Sands Corp. who own and operate the Marina Bay Sands don’t feel the new casino resort will take away from their other Asian properties, especially in Asia’s Las Vegas, Macau. “Some of our big players will go to Macau and Singapore for different purposes,” said Las Vegas Sands President, Michael Leven. He added, “Some of Macau’s business will move, but it won’t be permanent. Macau has a much bigger market potential than Singapore because of mainland China.”

Still those who have lots of money to spend in casinos have lots of money to spend on other things, like theme parks, sky parks, theaters, aquariums, museums…you get the idea. They can also enjoy the gambling while their family enjoys The Lion King or Shrek 3D.

Even though some experts believe the economic recession that has plagued the United States my be coming to an end, the possibility of a booming economy returning is still a little far fetched. The casino and casino resort industry has been affected by this recession in the worst way. Several of the big name companies, regional, national, and global, have dealt with falling numbers that have forced some to cut costs, some to sell off some properties, and, sadly, some to declare bankruptcy. The news has been filled lately with casino operators bidding and jockeying for properties to either unload, acquire, or unload and reacquire in one swoop. Some have done so successfully. Some have entered into fierce legal battles. Some have managed to go through their finances and avoid getting lost in the money pit.

Harrah’s Entertainment has been successful in weathering the storm. Harrah’s Entertainment was able to stay out of the bankruptcy courts by a series of debt exchanges. They were able to divert some of their near-term debt maturities for several years to come. At the same time they were able to acquire the near defunct Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino and take control of an entire block on the Las Vegas Strip.

Station Casinos have not been so lucky. They have been entangled in a highly publicized fight over their bankruptcy. Competitor, Boyd Gaming, has tried to buy the company as a whole and have been rejected. Then Boyd Gaming bought up some of the debt. However, Station Casinos’ operators, The Fertitta family, devised a scheme that would see them keep some of their most valuable assets under a new casino groups headed by their newly formed Fertitta Gaming. Most gaming analysts feel it will be difficult for the Fertittas to hold on to their properties.

Other individuals who are not usually associated with the casino community have been able to make out with some good deals during this time. Corporate Raider, Carl Icahn, has been able to buy the Tropicana in Atlantic City and the unfinished Fountainebleau. The latter property was once valued at $3 billion. Mr. Icahn paid about $150 million.

Online bingo really is becoming one of the world’s most popular online gambling activity. It may not be as playful as a 3D online slot machine or as thought provoking as online sports wagering, or as sexy as online poker. It may not even be as easy as an online, instant win scratch off game. However in community recreation halls, cruise ships and church basements it has stood the test of time with players. Even the big name casinos have keno rooms. Isn’t keno basically just a big game of bingo? In any case, online bingo is here to stay. It is just as easy to play online as it is live, and now online bingo sites are offering chat rooms so players can experience that community feel that enjoy so much. Two new additions have been made to the online bingo world in the last few days furthering the expansion and growth of the game.

The online bingo site, Bingo Day, expanded its borders to Sweden with the launch of its online bingo software in Swedish. The popular site was already available in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Now they will be able to offer their exciting games, enticing promotions, and over £100,000 in prizes and cash to even more of the European online gambling community.

Not to be outdone the independent B2B division of online gambling leader 888 Holdings, Dragonfish, recently announced they will be launching a stand alone online bingo network called Bingo Hollywood. The new online bingo network is aimed at players in the United Kingdom, and an aggressive television ad campaign is planned to coincide with its launch. “The online bingo market in the UK is continuing to grow, and there remain opportunities for exciting brands to obtain significant market share,” said, Dragonfish’s Managing Director, Gabi Campos.

Online bingo play is one of the fastest growing enterprises in the online casino and gambling world. These two recent launches are just a drop in the bucket as to what the online bingo market has seen and, surely, what is to be seen.

Those who oppose gambling in any form have many reasons to object to the activity, and on paper their reasons are legitimate. They are scared that gambling will create problems such as compulsive or problem gambling. Some of these believers feel that gambling is as addictive as drugs or alcohol. To go along with with these problems some feel that those who are underage will take up gambling before they are emotionally responsible. Again, creating much of the same problem as alcohol. Of course, all gambling opponents feel that allowing gambling institutions in their area raises crime, as those who have problems will do anything to support their habit.

One of the biggest problems most have against online gambling, especially sports gambling, is the heightened chance that the higher volume and ease of access to betting on sports teams and events will create an even more fertile environment for fixing games and matches. Match fixing in association with known gamblers is nothing new. The famous Black Sox scandal was started when a famous gangster wanted to make good on some high priced bets. The good news is those who take bets on sporting events are becoming wiser about spotting trends that could possibly lead to questionable activity.

Such was the case, recently, when sports bookmakers in the United Kingdom noticed an odd gambling pattern over the Irish Football League. It wan enough of an oddity that one of the teams involved has launched a internal inquiry. An unseasonal numbers of high bets were placed on a match between two of the leagues soccer teams. To add, most of the bets came from people who don’t normally make a bet. When casual gamblers make a bet it tends to be modest, and they don’t make high bets for late season matches in this league. Bookmakers did the right thing and suspended betting. Even though no offenses have been formally charged, the gambling industry took self policing measures that says good things about its industry.

Ok, the first quarter numbers are coming in and they are fair at best. Believe it or not some companies in the casino and online casino industry are starting to see a resurgence. However, there are still several that are posting net losses and are in the throws of trying to rebuild, restructure, and rebound. Here is the good news! This article is not dedicated to any financial news or quarterly reports. This is not dedicated to restructuring or bankruptcy hearings. There are no statistics on who owes what and how that compares to the same three months of the previous three years. This article is dedicated to the reason we enjoy casinos and online casinos to begin with, winners!

Winners are fun, and in the span of just under two days the online casino Hopa.com saw two winners take home close to a life changing jackpot, and in global fashion. A retired French woman was playing one of Hopa.com’s online instant win scratch games when she won a much appreciated €20,000. She kept thanking the online casino, “Thank you very much, thank you for your games, thank you, thank you.” She went on to say that her heart raced when she realized how much she had won. She plans to take her husband on a trip.

Not long after in a land far, far away, an Australian winner struck another €20,000 jackpot on the same online casino. “Wow! A second win, this is amazing!” Second win? That’s right. Only weeks before she scored a six figure jackpot! Even thought she admitted to being “speechless” she said she would use the money to help her family members “as they truly need it.”

The moral of the story. Don’t worry so much about casino companies and their quarterly report. Go out to a casino and have fun. Jump on an online casino and have fun. You could do wonders for your own quarterly report.

The online casino, iNetBet is celebrating their eleventh anniversary this month. What are they doing? They’re going to party like it’s 1999 with tons of promotions. Since being launched in April of that last year of the millennium, they have gone on to build a solid reputation receive awards and seals of approval from organizations like, Casinomeister (including two Best Casino Manager awards), Gambling Online Magazine, and, of course, winners! They are proud to cater to every type of online casino player from casual online gamers to online high rollers. They host every type of game from blackjack, to roulette, to video slots and poker. They even have a variety within their online slot selection. They boast three reel, five reel, jackpot, progressive jackpot, multi play lines and on and on. Most games have a progressive jackpot. However it is the random jackpots on the Reel Series slot games that allow the player to win a jackpot at anytime with any size bet.

iNetBet Online Casino has a lot to offer. However, let’s get back to the birthday party. This weekend they are offering an $11 slot tournament. There is an $11 Challenge where players can win a free $11 coupon to play with. There are also several Lobby Slot Specials.

The online casino is also offering “birthday presents” of free iPod Nanos for certain winners. One can be won in a drawing and others can be won for the first winers to hit progressive jackpots of over $750 in selected online slot games. There will also be addition promotions through May that will give away more fabulous iPod prizes like Nanos and Touches. One of their most fun online birthday presents will be the hidden gifts. Players who find them could win up to 111 percent deposit bonuses and more iPod products.

Those at the iNetBet Online Casino are very proud of offering there high class product for eleven years and thankful to their patrons. They want as many of their players to take advantages of all the birthday fun during the next few weeks.