Blog Posts

Casino revenue falling?

November 2nd, 2010 by Carl

It is never an easy thing to combat lethargy. It is like a disease that once it gets hold of you then it is very difficult to get out of it again. In my other sports betting blog on bwin I remarked about the plight of horse racing in the UK that was struggling because of falling prize money. This highlights for me the problem with how online gambling has affected the global betting market. Land based casinos basically had it all their own way years ago in terms of their own particular brand of business.

If you wanted to go to gamble then you either had casinos, bingo, the football pools or betting shops. But now the rise and rise of online betting and even the facility for people to do so from their own televisions has had an affect on casino attendances. The casinos in the UK are in a similar situation to horse race meetings in so much that they depend on people getting off their own backsides and going out of their own homes to visit them.

I believe that as the older generation is replaced by a younger and more lethargic generation then this problem will increase and get worse. Land based casinos are going to need to come up with clever and innovative ways just to keep parity but once again we have a problem of too much choice. Do not get me wrong, too much choice is a good thing for the public but a bad thing for each individual outlet. If you are a land based casino which makes a profit of £200,000 per year and you drop to £100,000 per year then £50,000 per year then that is a worrying trend. But an online casino that made a profit of £10,000 per year from scratch is doing well.

Treating gambling with respect

September 28th, 2010 by Carl

I have never liked the word “gambling” and feel that it is used incorrectly by nearly everyone that uses it. To gamble essentially means to take a risk on an outcome that is uncertain. But yet it is the misconception by many people that people who participate in gambling have some sort of problem which really sticks in my throat. At the end of the day, whether you participate in playing roulette, blackjack or any other casino game or betting activity then you are merely paying for entertainment.

That entertainment needs to be treated with respect by both the people on the outside who are voicing uneducated opinions and also by the people on the inside who are using money down these avenues. The concept of addiction needs looking at closely because everyone has the ability to become addicted to something. Addiction basically starts off by you liking something. It really does not matter what it is but if you have done something and then liked it then it is only natural that you want to replicate this and do the same thing again.

We tend to want to do things that we enjoy doing again and shy away from things that we don’t enjoy doing or what do not give us good feelings. It is very difficult to become addicted to something that we do not like or which does not give us pleasure. So by sheer definition then, when we like something then we are more at risk to become addicted to it. So this always has to be treated with respect.

Online Gambling Etiquette

July 28th, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

With beginners coming into the online casino industry every single day, it cannot be stressed enough for someone to be properly prepared with online gambling etiquette.

Understand the Law

Online gambling is illegal in many countries and the consequences can be harsh so it is best to review your country’s and your state’s law regarding online gambling to ensure that it is a safe bet.

Know That You’ll Lose

One thing that many people tend to forget and throw out the door when taking part in online gambling is that you are going to lose at some point in time.  It’s a matter of time before you lose if you are on a winning streak.  It’s inevitable so there is no use fighting it.  Just know before you start gambling online that there are going to be times that you lose because you can’t win all the time.

Never Spend More Than You Can Afford

This is a MUST!  Never, and I mean never, spend more money that you can actually afford to lose.  If you have bills to pay such as rent or you electricity bill, do not gamble with that money.  Pay your bills first as these should be your priority.  If you have some money left after paying the necessities then you can use some of that money.  Set a limit, stick to it, and be sure that it is one that you and your family can actually afford realistically.

Take Time to Learn Rules and Strategies

You should always take the time to learn the rules and strategies of any game that you are partaking in.  It is important to know the rules of the game so that you can keep up with the game and understand what’s going on.  Strategies will help you win and are worth the time researching and reading.

Understand and Trust the Game Odds

The odds are there for a reason – they are real and proven to be true.  Every single casino games, online or offline, is based off of some type of probabilities and odds.

Be Polite and Play Sensible

When you are gambling online, most games have chat rooms that allow you to converse with the other players.  If you do so, try to be polite.  In addition, play sensibly in terms of time.  If you need to go to the restroom, grab a snack, or something of the like, just use the button to sit out the next hand.  You can return when you are ready and get back into the game without making your opponents wait on your maximum hand time to run out so that the next player can play.

Hopefully, the above online gambling etiquette will help you get started in the online gambling world.  There are newbies embarking on the online gambling journey every single day so don’t think that you are the only one out there.  Good luck!

Beginners Guide to Online Gambling

February 23rd, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

Online gambling continues to grow in popularity, and with the ability it grants for punters to place bets and persue odds in the comfort of their own homes, it is easy to see why this option continues to prove popular with experienced and new gamblers alike. There are, however, several things for the beginner online gambler to bear in mind as they get ready to place their first online bet.

The number one factor is to find a suitable and decent online bookmaker with whom to place your bet. This is probably the most important aspect of the guide, as getting this right will enable every step taken afterwards to go that much more smoothly. As with any decision involving such a wide choice as people are faced with when considering online bookmakers, it is highly advisable for prospective gamblers to do their research on all potential and respective bookmakers. Remember that the internet is replete with all kinds of information, and ratings of online bookmakers are no exception.

Check out the online gambling forums where punters evaluate and report on the numerous online bookmakers. Make sure that the web sites and forums are independent, and you can be sure that you will get many forthright and honest opinions. You can also post questions on the forums and get advice from experienced gamblers as to which bookmakers have the best reputation and which always pay out as well as get advice on which casinos to avoid.

Also, ensure that the bookmaker offers betting on all the sports that you want to bet on, as it is pretty pointless to pay a deposit to a bookmaker that doesn’t allow betting on your favorite sports. Also, make sure that the web site can accept payments easily with regards to your deposit and bet payments. A lot of bookmaking websites will have various payment options, from credit to debit cards and also a variety of electronic payments, such as PayPal, Neteller and Moneybookers.

Once you have done all of these things, you will need to decide what type of bet to place, how much and on whom or which team. Perhaps the two most common types of bet are the money line and the points spread. The money line is the most widely observed, and it is a good, basic place to start. Simply, the person or team you bet on must win in order for you to win your bet, and if you choose to bet on an underdog in a game or event, you can expect a much more significant payout, due to the fact that favorites are expected to win in all events and sports.

As far as how much to bet, this must be a personal choice, based on your personal experiences. It may be a good idea to set up a PayPal account with limited funds at first, as this does not require you to share any of your card details. Once you establish confidence in your online bookmaker, you can then use your card if you wish. Also, do your research on teams and individuals you are looking to bet on, as this will provide you an edge when it comes to possible results.

Top Five Tips for Online Casinos

February 22nd, 2010 by bwin Casino Blog

Online gambling can be a great deal of fun, and can have a number of advantages over the traditional land-based casino for both new and experienced gamblers. Online casinos have become huge business over the past few years as they have made full use of online technology and people’s willingness to play online. So, just what are some of the top tips for potential online gamblers looking at the possibility of playing online?

First, and probably the most important of all tips, is to make sure that you always do your research regarding any casino that you are thinking of playing at. It is well worth remembering that, as the online casino and gaming industry has boomed in recent years, the Internet has seen a veritable influx of online casinos, and not all of them are legitimate. Many see the boom as a chance to make a quick buck before either disappearing or changing their operating name. Therefore, the first thing a potential online gambler should do is research the casino. Go to online gaming forums and read the reviews written by past and current gamers. They will be very straightforward about their experiences and will not shirk when they feel that they have been poorly treated. Make sure also that you are reading an independently-written review, as some review sites are ‘affiliate’ sites that write favorable reviews in return for a profit percentage of users clicking on casino links on the site.

Tip two is don’t pay any money or give any financial details at all until you have carried out all of your research and you are totally happy with the casino. Remember also that the vast majority of online casinos will offer free games, and this can be a great way, not only of getting to grips with the casino itself, but also to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the various games on offer. This can be particularly good for those new to gambling or casino games.

Tip three is to just slow it down! Remember, you are not in a frenetic, fast-paced land-based casino, and as such, you have the advantage of time being on your side. Slow your play down and take your time – don’t be rushed. There is no time limit at online casinos, and no one is sitting around trying to rush you into making a call or decision. Use this fact to your advantage.

Tip four – just as it is not advisable to drink too much in land-based casinos, you should not be lulled into a false sense of security just because you are playing at home. Drinking at either type of casino will have an adverse effect on your judgment, and you will most likely lose more money. Remember, the casino still wants your money, even if you cannot see any of your opponents.

Tip five – Make sure that, on the casinos web site, you can see a button for online help, 24/7, and test it with a couple of questions before betting any money. Hopefully, you won’t ever need the service, but you will be very grateful indeed that it is there if problems ever do arise.

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