There has been a lot reported on lately about online gambling in the United States. Fortunately, most of the talk has centered around the hearings in Congress which are focused on the possibility of legalizing online gambling and creating a regulation system for the industry within the country. Unfortunately, there has also been reports of those who are still trying to beat the system, process online betting transactions, and getting caught. Sadly, this report is on the first one. For the third time in just a couple of months another person has been charged with offenses that go against the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. A fifty-one year old Kenneth Wienski from Missouri has been charged in a U.S. District Court in Maryland with participating in the conduct of a gambling business and conspiracy to launder the proceeds of a gambling business. He was also charged for violating Maryland’s criminal code by being the middleman in illegal gambling activity.

His offenses come as he has been charged with being a “payment processor.” These processors act as a go between for offshore online casinos and gambling sites and American online gamblers. Since American financial institutions are not allowed to process transactions between Americans and online casinos, operators have those like Wienski do it for them, most of the time by setting up a fake billing company.

In this case undercover agents began making bets on the popular online gambling site Bodog.com. They discovered that there transactions were being processed through Wienski’s Diversified Solutions. He created the fake SNR Medical Billion, Inc. which became the “payment processor.” However, SNR and Diversified were not the only companies involved. Agents received payout checks from several companies including JBL Services, Direct Channel, ZipPayments, and others.

Even though the United States government may be looking into online gambling regulation, it is not here yet. Until then the government will be enforcing UIGEA to the fullest extent of the law. Recent arrests and convictions should attest to the government’s resolve to end the illegal activities.

NetPlay TV is a bit of a phenomenon in the United Kingdom. It is basically a live television broadcast of casino games that players at home can join in participation. It is also, at its heart, an online casino. NetPlay TV has become the United Kingdom’s largest interactive TV gaming company. They also host the popular Super Casino, Challenge Jackpot, and Bingos.co.uk online. NetPlay TV is able to offer its customers a wide variety of online casino games for all types of players. NetPlay TV will recently announced they will be launching their affiliate program. Now they will be able to expand their already popular brand of online gambling action to an even wider audience.

NetPlay TV did not waste anytime getting one of the best online casino affiliate program managers in the business. They went straight to the Income Access While Label software. “Using the Income Access software will allow us to reach out to a greater number of players through an expanding affiliate base, which we will be able to provide with the most powerful tracking and reporting features in the iGaming business,” commented NetPlay TV’s Affiliate Marketing Manager, Dan Hartley. The Income Access White Label product will allow NetPlayTV to customize the Income Access software to fit their needs.

CEO for Income Access, Nicky Senyard, is very pleased about their new relationship with NetPlay TV and their online casino affiliates and sang NetPlay TV’s praises, “NetPlay TV already has an amazing customer service acumen…” She added, “We’re excited about providing them with the ability to open up greater transparency for their affiliates and in-depth tracking software and marketing tools that will make their affiliate program even better.”

With Income Access the online casino provider will be able to offer its affiliates up to 40 percent revenue sharing. With the White Label they will have the full use of the best marketing and tracking software and so much more.

The Windows Online Casino was established in 200 and for the past decade has brought players fun games, exciting promotions, and winnings jackpots. Windows Online Casino is powered by the powerful Playtech software. This allows the online casino to support many languages and currencies. Windows Online Casino offers tournaments with a monthly prize pool of 10,000. They also have a multi-level membership loyalty program for their returning customers. As far as games go they have it all. Windows Online Casino hosts card games such as blackjack, baccarat, and poker; table games like craps, European roulette, and sic bo; and loads of multi-line and single line video slots.

It is their online video slots that are currently grabbing players’ eyes. Slot games in both land based and online casinos have become popular not just for their ease of play but for their fun. Theming and bonus games have drawn in players from all walks of life. Of course, the jackpots that are tied to the slot games are helping attract players also. Some of the most popular themed slot games are modeled after the famous superheroes and villains of Marvel Comics. Some of the slot games based on Marvel Comics include, Blade, DareDevil, Elektra, the Fantastic Four, Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and X-Men. Coupled with images that mimmic the blockbuster movies, they are hits online and on land.

The Windows Online Casino hosts the Marvel Comics online slot games. Not only do they provide superhero fun, but they attach it to super-paying jackpots. All seven of the Marvel Comics slot games at the Windows Online Casino come ready to pay from four levels of progressive jackpots. Players have the opportunity to win from the Power, Extra Power, Super Power and Ultimate Power jackpots. However, that is not all. There is also the mystery jackpot. At random the mystery jackpot can be triggered even without a winning combination. PLayers will have the chance to choose symbols in a bonus game and find out which jackpot they have won.

The online casino, poker, and gambling site, Red Hot Poker, was already a “red hot” favorite with online poker players and online casino goers. They stock their site with exciting poker games and online poker tournaments. They also have a slew of promotions and bonuses giving online poker players even more incentive to play. Attractive offers like a 100 percent first deposit bonus are just the start. Now Red Hot Poker is looking to make even more people in the online casino, poker, and gambling community happy. They have recently announced they are will be creating and launching their own affiliate program.

Those at Red Hot Poker feel they are ready to expand their brand and awareness, and make more than just the online poker players some money. They started on the right foot by turning to Entraction to power both their online casino and online poker products. Their next step was just as successful. Red Hot Poker brought in online gaming affiliate powerhouse, Income Access, to handle the affiliate program and the marketing solutions. “They have a strong business model,” commented Income Access Chief Executive Officer, Nicky Senyard. She added, “Their partnership with Entraction outlines their willingness to present a great product to their players and this new partnership with Income Access shows that they want to give their affiliates the best affiliate software solution available.” This is a very strong endorsement.

Mike Butlin, Commercial Director for Red Hot Poker, stated, “Our ethos is to create an enhanced user experience, whether on or off the tables, with poker being just part of the fun.” Red Hot Poker also released the commission structure for the online affiliates. Affiliates for the online poker site will immediately see a 30 percent revenue share. The can increase that share to 40 percent with referrals from both the online casino and poker products offered by Red Hot Poker. Jessie May of The Poker Show described Red Hot Poker as “filling a niche.” With these programs and great games it is easy to see why.

GTECH G2 is the online and iGaming division of GTECH. GTECH G2 has become one of the most successful and reputable online casino and gambling companies in the industry for over a decade. Their executives are considered to be leaders on the online gaming community and when they speak they are listened to. That is why they are making such big presence at this weeks iGaming Super Show in Prague. Several of their top officials will be speaking and participating in panel groups aimed at multiple facets and areas of the online casino and gambling industry. Their presence alone will bring much attention to an already hyped up online casino industry super convention.

Recently GTECH G2 held a panel discussion/debate on rules, laws, and guidelines for the online gambling industry and the effect discrepancies in these laws throughout Europe and the United Kingdom are having within the market of the European Union. Commercial Director of GTECH G2 will be a member of a panel that will discuss legal reform and prospective changes that are taking place in European Union member nations such as, Denmark, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Other seminars include GTECH G2’s Vice President of Strategic Business Development, William Scott, who will speak on the strategies of structuring an online casino or online gambling company if a buyout is the intended result. GTECH G2 Head of Casino and Games, Dominic Mansour will be a member of the Product-Lead Strategies panel. The focus of this group is to discuss the impact of unique and innovative games on online casino customers.

The big guy, himself, GTECH G2 Chief Executive Officer, Paulo Personeni, will be a part of a panel of other top CEO’s from the online casino and gambling industry. This prestigious panel will discuss the future of the online gaming industry and will include short, medium, and long term plans.

GTECH G2 will also play host to the top executives from the online casino and gambling industry in their VIP lounge. While in the lounge big wigs can enjoy private networking, the VIP Zone lounge, and 24 hour concierge service.

The lingering battle between casino resort operator, MGM Mirage, and the company responsible for building CityCenter, Perini Building Company, is making its way up the political ladder. The dispute is over $90 million that Perini Building feels they are owed and MGM Mirage feels they were short changed on. What is making this dispute so critical is $390 million or close to 80 percent of the money Perini Building wants is set to go to subcontractors hired by Perini. “Get the subs paid,” exclaimed Perini Building Chairman, Ron Tutor. It wasn’t just a remark. Mr. Tutor was speaking to Nevada Governor, Jim Gibbons. Perini Building invited some of its subcontractors to a meeting with the Governor to try to heighten the sense of urgency to the situation. “We would love to get this down to just between us and MGM.”

MGM Mirage has claimed they are willing to pay all the subcontractors and are working hard to do so, but Perini keeps getting in the way with disorganized material. A spokesperson for the casino giant said they were willing and able to pay all the subcontractors and added, “MGM Mirage has never refused to pay the subcontractors the money they are owed.”

Most of the subcontractors who are weighing feel the casino operator is, for the most part, fair, and the ones who worked for MGM Mirage have never had a problem. It seems that their problem isn’t with MGM Mirage just with the money owed. Some of the subcontractors are worried that they might have to fold their businesses if they don’t get paid soon.

Governor Gibbons was very sympathetic to the plight of the subcontractors. He has seen unemployment in Nevada reach 13.7 percent. Unemployment in casino haven, Las Vegas, is 14.2 percent. However, he was not sure that his office was able to do anything specific to help the situation. Sadly, it has to go through the courts, although, MGM Mirage is working to get at least the subcontractors paid, even if they have a major dispute with Perini Building.

These are the kind of stories you love to hear about and I love to report on. Every player hopes to win it big at the casino. Most players dream of striking it big and buying the shiny new sports car, exotic vacation package, or the decked out dream house. Some just want a few bucks to buy a new flat screen TV, new dining room table, or get the air conditioning in their car fixed before the summer heat sets in. Still others just play hoping to supplement their income and know they can live life with no worries. It is that last one that brings us to our winners story this time.

Albert has been working the graveyard shift at a local hospital for the past nineteen years. Now seventy-two, he had hoped to retire by the age of sixty-five. Unfortunately, Albert encountered health problems while in his late fifties and the medical bills mounted up causing him to put off his retirement. “I was just grateful to have a job and be able to still work at my age,” he modestly commented. Like most people, Albert filled out lottery tickets hoping to score a modest win and keep himself on track. He also enjoyed playing slot games in online casinos in his spare time. We all dream, and Albert is no different.

Albert began playing at the popular online casino Casino.com. Just one month shy of his seventy-third birthday he was playing at the online casino. He placed a $20 bet. That $20 bet then became $2,000 and a sum Albert was very happy with. He continued to play and three weeks later hit the jackpot. Albert was able to walk away with $94,377 during during his lunch break (if you can call midnight lunchtime)! Albert has no plans for “anything too extravagant, but he was delighted to say that he will be able to spend more time with his dog, Barbie.

The online casino, Bet365, has been in overdrive getting new games and promotions out to its players for the second half of May. New games are how online casinos keep players returning and are equally as valuable in attracting new players. The Bet365 Games online casino group has it all.

Looking at their promotions the online casino group will have its Tickets Please! promotion on May 26. Fifty cash prizes are up for grabs. Tickets Please! is about as easy as an online casino promotion can get. The more you play the more chances you have to win. Tickets Please! is a drawing. For every 500 a player wagers the receive a ticket into the drawing. There is no limit to how many times a player can enter.

On May 23 the Paris Open tennis tournament started. Online gambling sites throughout the globe are taking bets on the grand slam event. Sports gambler can take their shot at the odds at the Bet365 Sportsbook and Racebook. Banners on the sports betting sites will help keep players abreast and able to update their bets. Of course, bet365’s sportsbook has other exciting events for sports bettors.

Bet365 is giving players the chance to get involved with the European Championship of Online Poker and its $4.5 million of prizes spread over the fourteen events. This year the online casino is offering the Quadric Events which allows players to participate in four tournaments.

For those in love with online bingo, Bet365 is giving players a chance to win fun prizes in their First Class Fever. Players who spend 10 or more on online bingo tickets will receive an invitation to the First Class Lounge.

Online casino goers in the United Kingdom will be excited to see one of their favorite television shows represented online. The Money Drop is based on TV’s Million Pound Drop. Players can spread their winnings strategically out over trap doors and see what stays. They can also risk it all by putting all their cash in one place.

Corporate sponsorship is the name of the game. It is how businesses keep the businesses…“business-ing.” This is especially true in the sports world. All over the globe companies are paying enormous amounts of money to not only have sports stars promote their product, but to have their brand plastered on everything from events to stadiums to teams. The United States has events like the Tostidos Fiesta Bowl, stadiums like Tropicana Field, and teams like the New York Red Bulls. In some soccer leagues in Europe team jerseys feature sponsor names more prominently than team and player names. Even the casino industry has become a major player. Online casinos and sports gambling sites have become some of the most advertised sponsors in European soccer leagues.

Back across the Atlantic, an American casino in California has recently penned a deal with one of the biggest sporting events in the United States, NASCAR auto racing. NASCAR has changed its image from a “good ol’ boy” sport to a one of the most attended sporting events all over the country. A NASCAR event isn’t just one day a week. It becomes an event that lasts almost a whole week in a town and on a raceway. There are several races that take place before the main event.

Enter, the Californian casino. The Thunder Valley Casino will now be the title sponsor for the Saturday race for the K&M Pro Series West event, The Toyota/Save Mart 350 weekend in June. This deal includes hospitality, signage, and the sponsorship of Jason Bowles number 31 car in the race. Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s General Manager, CJ Graham commented, “We are pleased to lend our name to the NASCAR Pro Series West Event and be a part of the tradition of racing at Infineon Raceway.” He added that the partnership is a perfect fit because his casino stands for nonstop action, much like a NASCAR race. Besides, can you think of a better name for a race car event than Thunder Valley?

Las Vegas, Nevada has been the most popular casino, vacation, entertainment, and convention destination for over fifty years. When the general public thinks of the ultimate casino resort town the usual response is, “Vegas, Baby!” It has all the glitz and glamour. However, Leas Vegas is feeling the pressure of the growing market in Asia. Markets like Macau, China and the two new casino resorts in Singapore are making huge waves in the Asian gambling pool. Macau has already become the largest gambling destination in the world, and it is still growing. Chinese laws have recently placed some restrictions on gambling, but these laws will not cramp the Macau style, not take the fun out its “Strip,” Cotai.

There are several big name casino resort companies in the United States that not only have large interests in Macau and the Cotai Strip, but are on the verge of becoming more of Asian based companies than American based. Chief Executive Officers talk more about the Macau properties and developments than Nevadan. (It is rumored that Steve Wynn is spending most of his time in Macau and may move the corporate headquarters of Wynn Resorts there.)

Las Vegas Sands Corporation is one of the biggest players in the Macau market. They have seen some success there, and with the opening of the Marina Bay Sands casino resort in Singapore, are feeling the full effects of the Asian casino market. Las Vegas Sands’ subsidiary in China, Sands China Ltd., has recently announced they will be resuming efforts to develop properties on the Cotai Strip. The announcement came shortly after Sands China was able to secure $1.75 billion in financing.

Sands China will be restarting construction on the Shangri-La, Traders, and Sheraton resort complex. When completed this will expand Sands casino, hotel, and convention presence. Sands CEO, Sheldon Adelson, feels this will help bring not only gambling action, but business and conventions to Macau. He stated the some business have stayed away from Coati because there just wasn’t enough space to hold their conventions. If he has his way not only will business bring their conventions to Macau they will stay in a Sands casino resort.