Staggering figures

More than one in four people in the UK are actively gambling online, according to numbers released by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).

44% of UK residents are betting in person, just missing out on the pre-pandemic mark

While 27% of people are gambling online, 44% of UK residents are betting in person, just missing out on the pre-pandemic mark of 47% from September 2019. The proliferating gambling market has caused both pride and concern for different entities.

With the recent change in prime minister, there could be updates to gambling laws coming soon. Regardless, it is safe to say that the UK will continue growing its fruitful market with or without new legislation.

Breakdown of UK gambling

The Commission’s study was analyzed by the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT), which found that the 25-34-year-old age group saw the largest increase in participation. 43% of people in the age range had gambled at least once in the past four weeks, a 5% increase from the same period the year prior.

The 35-44 age group showed the largest increase in online gambling, rising from 29% to 32%. UKAT also shared that every age group minus the 65+ bracket increased its online gambling participation.

UKAT also revealed an increase in problem gambling rates. The 16-24 age group showed the largest increase, leaping up to 1.4% from 0.4% the year prior. 

Problem gambling has been an ever-present danger for the UKGC. There were encouraging signs earlier this year when the National Lottery reported an increase in total sales and a decrease in problem gambling rates, but the recent reveal contradicts their findings.

Nuno Albuquerque, the consultant treatment lead at UKAT, is pressing the government to publish its overdue white paper on gambling reform.

we’re still waiting for the Government’s 2005 Gambling Act reform White Paper”

“Online gambling is on the rise yet again and we’re still waiting for the Government’s 2005 Gambling Act reform White Paper—the situation is becoming dangerous,” he said. “Yes, there has been political turmoil, but we really need to see the outcomes to this long-awaited reform so that we can better protect those who gamble.”

Changes at the top

The UK’s gambling market, despite its large success, is in a decisive period. There is pressure on the English Premier League and EFL to end their affiliations with betting operators, while government oversight has been polluted by the constant changing of prime ministers.

Former PM Boris Johnson said that he would hear a white paper on gambling reform, but stepped down before he could complete his promise. Replacement Liz Truss showed no interest in the matter.

The onus is now on Rishi Sunak, who was officially waved through on Tuesday morning. However, he seems more focused on other areas in the short term.

“I will place economic stability and confidence at the heart of this government’s agenda,” Sunak said in his first comments as the country’s 57th PM. “That work begins immediately.”

According to Finder, roughly £1.27bn ($1.46bn) is gambled in the UK annually. This year’s total could easily exceed that mark with the allure of the upcoming Qatar World Cup.

The post UK Online Gambling at Record High as Overall Gambling Rates Continue to Climb appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

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The first slot machine, the so-called Liberty Bell, was invented in 1894 in San Francisco by Charles Fey. It included three reels, one pay line, and an automated payout system. Year after year, slots began to include more reels and pay lines, and rigging some of them was a common activity that still exists today.

Unfortunately, illegal activity will always exist. This leads us to believe that indeed there are slots that are configurated to make the player lose. Moreover, with the increasing online casino world, it seems easier than ever to rig virtual slots by modifying the games’ software. However, it would be a mistake to make the assertion that ‘all online slots are rigged’.

How to Know If Online Slots Are Rigged

The answer to the question ‘Are online casino slots rigged?’ is ‘it depends’. Most online casino games follow strict rules and regulations by prominent entities that would never allow malpractice or any other form of casino hacking. Also, regulators grant licences to online casinos as long as they follow their strict criteria to avoid irresponsible gambling and cheating, whether these come from the operator or the players.

Of course, if you are not careful enough, you could end up on a scam page where slots are rigged. In order for this not to happen, in the following extracts, we will inform you about what steps to take so as to play on a legit platform where you and your money will be safe.

Legit online slots which can be played on legal online casino sites are not rigged. Results are generated randomly, but it is frequent to see players who think that the results are rigged when they start losing. Whereas some unlicensed online casino platforms may be rigging their slots, there are plenty of safe online slots that are not put up.

How Does the Slots Software Work?

Online slots are quite different from physical slots because they work with a series of codes and algorithms. They are designed to imitate the reels from the old days, but with unique features and impressive graphics. The games are lines of codes which can be played on the screen. Let’s have a look at how video slots’ software works.

The return to player rate, or RTP, is the theoretical indicator of how much the machine will return to players in the long run. Frequently, the RTP of a slot ranges from 80% to 99%. The higher the percentage, the more a player should expect to win after a long period of time. Then we have the variance, which tells you how often you could hit a specific combination.

Slots that don’t land winning combinations very often but could pay big rewards are referred to as high-variance slots. On the contrary, if the game offers small winnings, but on a frequent basis, it is said that it has a low variance. Another significant factor to take into account is the RNG (Random Number Generator).

The RNG is a code written into the architecture of the game. RNG codes are not designed to work in a certain manner, but they randomly generate results via the algorithms while the slot reels are spinning. The fair aspect of RNG is that the outcome of the game cannot be predicted.

The slots’ systems don’t have memory, which means that they cannot dictate when to allow a win or a loss. Another aspect that cannot be changed in a legit slot is how much a player can get. This is precisely something that also happens in the best payout slots, where the jackpot could be hit anytime, and sometimes, more than once.

Main Gambling Regulators

The iGaming industry is remarkably controlled by regulators. These are entities such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gambling Association, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and many others around the globe. They make sure that fair play is carried out effectively and grant licences only to the operators that tick all the right boxes.

Then, there are RNG testing agencies such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs who inspect the games and provide certificates of online gaming software to ensure fair play. An important certificate for an operator to get is an RNG certificate, which is a seal of approval from a certified testing body that confirms that an online gambling platform adheres to RNG standards.

Among all the requirements that they demand are the RTP and RNG mentioned before in this article, which they can verify by inspecting the games. Also, they have the power to investigate iGaming companies if there is suspicion of money laundering. They also look into responsible gambling partnerships and the restriction tools the casino has.

Regulators also oversee software developers. Online casinos are usually partnered with game developers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Red Tiger. All in all, it would be remarkably hard to skip the regulators’ rules for legit iGaming companies. That’s why we always recommend looking for the regulators’ logos at the bottom of the operators’ sites.

Responsible Gambling – Habits, Actions and Main Organisations

Now we will introduce you to responsible gambling. RG is a compulsory element in every gambling enterprise. This department prevents gambling addiction and underage usage. You can also find the RG logos of the organisations partnered with the casino at the bottom of its page. Two associations who are also partnered with the UK’s top online slot casinos are GamStop and BeGambleAware.

A useful tool that any online casino’s customer can use is the self-restriction instrument. By setting up spending limitations and temporary self-restrictions, you will keep your gaming habits under control. Furthermore, when you sign up for a legal gambling site, you’ll most likely be asked to provide information about your job, income, and other aspects that will make you eligible or not to play online.

In the case a player has been spending more than what their monthly income suggests, the responsible gambling department gets in touch with this person immediately to study their case. If addiction evidence is spotted, the customer could be temporarily or even indefinitely banned. Keep in mind that the last one interested in promoting addictions is the operator since they could face notorious fines.

Tips to Play Online Slots Safely

In order for you to avoid online slots that are rigged, we have created a series of tips which we hope you will find helpful. Even though winning when playing online slots could seem hard sometimes, it is not impossible as long as you follow the right tips. Check them out in the chart below:

Summing up, there are several main aspects to watch out for when looking for online slots to play safely. Now that you have better criteria to distinguish between a legit gambling site from another that is not, we can give a better response to two questions:

In conclusion, there might be a few fraudulent online slots that don’t use RNG technology. Nonetheless, casinos have trustworthy auditors who test their RNGs and payout percentages. We recommend looking at the internet scam blacklists so as to spot cheating online slots. Make sure you play on a licensed platform because they will never intend to rig their slots.

One last time, answering the question ‘Are online slots rigged?’, we confidently say that most are not, but you could always encounter the exception to the norm, so watch out. Take your time to broaden your knowledge of how these games work by reading articles like this one. Finally, make sure you play regulated titles powered by top software developers at legit casino platforms.

FAQ

This article on online slots has come to an end. However, we have taken some time to prepare a few frequently asked questions in case you have been left with doubts. We have tried to be short and clear in our answers, but keep in mind that they also jump to the specific paragraph for you to get deep into the topic.

The first slot machine, the so-called Liberty Bell, was invented in 1894 in San Francisco by Charles Fey. It included three reels, one pay line, and an automated payout system. Year after year, slots began to include more reels and pay lines, and rigging some of them was a common activity that still exists today.

Unfortunately, illegal activity will always exist. This leads us to believe that indeed there are slots that are configurated to make the player lose. Moreover, with the increasing online casino world, it seems easier than ever to rig virtual slots by modifying the games’ software. However, it would be a mistake to make the assertion that ‘all online slots are rigged’.

How to Know If Online Slots Are Rigged

The answer to the question ‘Are online casino slots rigged?’ is ‘it depends’. Most online casino games follow strict rules and regulations by prominent entities that would never allow malpractice or any other form of casino hacking. Also, regulators grant licences to online casinos as long as they follow their strict criteria to avoid irresponsible gambling and cheating, whether these come from the operator or the players.

Of course, if you are not careful enough, you could end up on a scam page where slots are rigged. In order for this not to happen, in the following extracts, we will inform you about what steps to take so as to play on a legit platform where you and your money will be safe.

Legit online slots which can be played on legal online casino sites are not rigged. Results are generated randomly, but it is frequent to see players who think that the results are rigged when they start losing. Whereas some unlicensed online casino platforms may be rigging their slots, there are plenty of safe online slots that are not put up.

How Does the Slots Software Work?

Online slots are quite different from physical slots because they work with a series of codes and algorithms. They are designed to imitate the reels from the old days, but with unique features and impressive graphics. The games are lines of codes which can be played on the screen. Let’s have a look at how video slots’ software works.

The return to player rate, or RTP, is the theoretical indicator of how much the machine will return to players in the long run. Frequently, the RTP of a slot ranges from 80% to 99%. The higher the percentage, the more a player should expect to win after a long period of time. Then we have the variance, which tells you how often you could hit a specific combination.

Slots that don’t land winning combinations very often but could pay big rewards are referred to as high-variance slots. On the contrary, if the game offers small winnings, but on a frequent basis, it is said that it has a low variance. Another significant factor to take into account is the RNG (Random Number Generator).

The RNG is a code written into the architecture of the game. RNG codes are not designed to work in a certain manner, but they randomly generate results via the algorithms while the slot reels are spinning. The fair aspect of RNG is that the outcome of the game cannot be predicted.

The slots’ systems don’t have memory, which means that they cannot dictate when to allow a win or a loss. Another aspect that cannot be changed in a legit slot is how much a player can get. This is precisely something that also happens in the best payout slots, where the jackpot could be hit anytime, and sometimes, more than once.

Main Gambling Regulators

The iGaming industry is remarkably controlled by regulators. These are entities such as the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gambling Association, the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and many others around the globe. They make sure that fair play is carried out effectively and grant licences only to the operators that tick all the right boxes.

Then, there are RNG testing agencies such as eCOGRA and iTech Labs who inspect the games and provide certificates of online gaming software to ensure fair play. An important certificate for an operator to get is an RNG certificate, which is a seal of approval from a certified testing body that confirms that an online gambling platform adheres to RNG standards.

Among all the requirements that they demand are the RTP and RNG mentioned before in this article, which they can verify by inspecting the games. Also, they have the power to investigate iGaming companies if there is suspicion of money laundering. They also look into responsible gambling partnerships and the restriction tools the casino has.

Regulators also oversee software developers. Online casinos are usually partnered with game developers such as Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Red Tiger. All in all, it would be remarkably hard to skip the regulators’ rules for legit iGaming companies. That’s why we always recommend looking for the regulators’ logos at the bottom of the operators’ sites.

Responsible Gambling – Habits, Actions and Main Organisations

Now we will introduce you to responsible gambling. RG is a compulsory element in every gambling enterprise. This department prevents gambling addiction and underage usage. You can also find the RG logos of the organisations partnered with the casino at the bottom of its page. Two associations who are also partnered with the UK’s top online slot casinos are GamStop and BeGambleAware.

A useful tool that any online casino’s customer can use is the self-restriction instrument. By setting up spending limitations and temporary self-restrictions, you will keep your gaming habits under control. Furthermore, when you sign up for a legal gambling site, you’ll most likely be asked to provide information about your job, income, and other aspects that will make you eligible or not to play online.

In the case a player has been spending more than what their monthly income suggests, the responsible gambling department gets in touch with this person immediately to study their case. If addiction evidence is spotted, the customer could be temporarily or even indefinitely banned. Keep in mind that the last one interested in promoting addictions is the operator since they could face notorious fines.

Tips to Play Online Slots Safely

In order for you to avoid online slots that are rigged, we have created a series of tips which we hope you will find helpful. Even though winning when playing online slots could seem hard sometimes, it is not impossible as long as you follow the right tips. Check them out in the chart below:

Summing up, there are several main aspects to watch out for when looking for online slots to play safely. Now that you have better criteria to distinguish between a legit gambling site from another that is not, we can give a better response to two questions:

In conclusion, there might be a few fraudulent online slots that don’t use RNG technology. Nonetheless, casinos have trustworthy auditors who test their RNGs and payout percentages. We recommend looking at the internet scam blacklists so as to spot cheating online slots. Make sure you play on a licensed platform because they will never intend to rig their slots.

One last time, answering the question ‘Are online slots rigged?’, we confidently say that most are not, but you could always encounter the exception to the norm, so watch out. Take your time to broaden your knowledge of how these games work by reading articles like this one. Finally, make sure you play regulated titles powered by top software developers at legit casino platforms.

FAQ

This article on online slots has come to an end. However, we have taken some time to prepare a few frequently asked questions in case you have been left with doubts. We have tried to be short and clear in our answers, but keep in mind that they also jump to the specific paragraph for you to get deep into the topic.

If you’re looking for Plinko games online that you can play using Bitcoin or other crypto coins, then you’ve come to the right place. Many online casinos have this game in their library, and most of the Plinko games are specifically designed for crypto-betting.

Here are five crypto-friendly Plinko games that you should play online:

#1 Plinko by Crypto-Games.net

Crypto-Games.net is popular among cryptocurrency bettors because of its eight provably fair games. Plinko is one of these games and can be played using any of the 10 accepted cryptocurrencies: BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, XMR, BCH, ETC, DASH, NEO, and STRAT.

This game has a total of 16 fixed rows. But unlike the typical version, Crypto-Games.net’s Plinko game lets players choose from the four levels they wish to play. Each level comes with different multipliers, with the green level having the lowest multipliers and the yellow level the highest.

Players can also choose the Automated Betting option. They will just need to specify their preferred bet amount, color or level, number of balls, and other parameters.

Since this game is an original creation by Crypto-Games.net, it is not available in other online casinos, but can be played on a smartphone or a tablet.

#2 Plinko by FortuneJack

FortuneJack is another crypto-only casino that has a wide range of casino games and a sportsbook. But this casino also has a few provably fair games, including Plinko.

Its version of Plinko is different from the one on Crypto-Games.net in terms of design and mechanics. For instance, FortuneJack players can choose from three Risk Multipliers (Low, Medium, High). They can also specify their preferred number of pins (rows), from eight to 16. The multipliers change accordingly based on the number of pins.

Moreover, as if already a staple in provably fair games, this Plinko, which is perfect for mobile betting, also supports Auto Betting. Use BTC, LTC, DOGGE, ETH, ZCASH, DASH, BCH, or XMR to play this Plinko game.

#3 Plinko by Stake

Stake.com is a big hit among cryptocurrency players, and this can be attributed to its services and good reputation in the crypto betting community. Its mobile-friendly Plinko game is one of the 12 provably fair games on board, and rightfully deserves a spot on this list.

Plinko by Stake.com has similar features with FortuneJack’s version. It lets players choose between Manual and Auto betting, as well as play using BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE, and BCH. There are three Risk Levels here — Low, Medium, High — all of which comes with their respective multipliers. Similarly, there are 16 rows available, which can be adjusted up to eight rows as the least.

#4 Plinko by BGaming

This Plinko game is the only one on this list that was not created by a crypto-friendly casino. BGaming, a game developer under SoftSwiss, created its new Plinko game that will be available to operators beginning June 28, 2019.

BGaming’s Plinko game also has three Risk Levels, up to 16 rows, and the option to play manually or in auto. It runs smoothly even on mobile devices, and it can be played using both fiat money and cryptocurrencies, depending on the online casino.

#5 Plinko by Bitvest

Crypto-only casino Bitvest.io also has its own provably fair Plinko game. It also comes with different Risk Levels, but it offers a total of six levels, which is more than what Crypto-Games.net’s Plinko has.

Unlike the other four games on this list, however, Bitvest’s version gives players the power to customize the multipliers for every Risk Level. The rule, though, is for the custom multipliers to have a maximum of 98.30% RTP and for the prize to be 1250x at the most.

The Plinko game in this casino is mobile-friendly and works with BTC, ETH, LTC, BCH, and DOGE.

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Check out other casino games you’ll like! Click  and Play Games Bitcoin. 

By Henry Tamburin Ph.D

Not all blackjack games are created equal. Depending on the playing conditions, the best strategy for playing and betting might be different from one blackjack game to another. In this article, I’ll use the term “playing conditions” to include the list in the Table of Contents below.

1 – Soft 17 Rule
Some casinos implement the soft 17 rule, meaning, dealers must hit soft 17 rather than stand. This rather innocuous rule doesn’t appear to be a big deal to most players but, in fact, it is.

(Note: A soft 17 is any hand that contains an ace counted as an 11. Examples are Ace-6, Ace-4-2, and Ace-2-Ace-3.)

To continue reading this article, please visit: https://www.888casino.com/blog/blackjack-playing-conditions

Philip Rivers has such a big family that
in November 2019, the bookies were offering odds on his future.

Would he retire from the NFL, or have
another baby first?

Well, as we all know, Rivers left the NFL in January 2021, after playing 16 seasons for the Chargers and one for the Colts.

But has he ruled out having any more
kids? 

The former NFL star and his wife,
Tiffany, have never put a number on how many they want so there could be even
more on the way…

Philip Rivers’s Children

Philip Rivers has nine kids.

NINE!

That’s seven girls and two boys, ranging in ages from three to 20 years:

• Halle (20)
• Caroline (17)
• Grace (16)
• Gunner (14)
• Sarah (12)
• Peter (11)
• Rebecca (8)
• Clare (6)
• Anna (3)

During his playing days, Rivers went
to extreme lengths to create time to see his kids, including converting the
back of his car into a mobile film room.

This meant he could watch film on his two-hour commute home and still make it back for family dinner time.

Now that he’s retired, he fortunately gets to spend a lot more time with his whole family at their home in Alabama.

He is currently a coach at St.
Michael Catholic High School, where one of his children, Gunner, plays
quarterback. 

St. Michael 8th grade quarterback Gunner Rivers, son of longtime NFL quarterback/Cardinal head coach Philip Rivers, threw a 50+ yard touchdown pass and 2-pt conversion in the team’s 45-8 win tonight! Throwing motion like his daddy! @StMichaelFB pic.twitter.com/ovA0DeA1Fa

— Simone Eli (@SimoneEli_TV) September 17, 2022

The most recent addition to this
family is little Anna, born in March 2019.

As the ninth little one of their
crew, there were jokes on Twitter
that, if they included mom and dad, the Rivers could
field a whole offense!

How Philip Rivers Met Tiffany Goodwin

With an ever-growing family of beautiful kids we’re all dying to know how Philip Rivers met his beloved wife, Tiffany.

It’s a classic childhood sweetheart kinda story.

They started dating in middle school and ended up marrying whilst at college at NC State.

Philip was just 19 years old, and Tiffany converted to his faith, Catholicism, the night before their big day.

Their first child, Halle, was born the summer before Philip’s senior year of college. 

Both Philip and Tiffany are devout
Catholics; the church and their faith having only deepened their bond.

And it’s their refusal to use contraception, opting instead to use the Natural Family Planning technique that probably has a lot to do with their large family.

The Future Is Bright

Being a father to nine children and the
head coach of a football team means that, even in retirement, Philip Rivers is
kept busy.

However, being busy has never stopped
the Rivers from having children in the past.

So, don’t rule out the possibility of
baby number 10 being announced sometime soon.