Following the recent agreement with the Argentinian platform and game development company Vibra Gaming, Pragmatic Play, a top-tier content provider to the iGaming industry, has released the slot game Club Tropicana ™  to further strengthen its presence in both the booming South American market and worldwide.

Collection reinforced:

Club Tropicana is added to Pragmatic Play’s library of more than 300 exclusive titles. The game follows recent hits like Fire Archer™, Monster Superlanche™, and Fish Eye™ to reinforce the collection of slots recently which has already been received with enormous success in multiple Latin American jurisdictions.

Exotic-themed title:

The latest game is in line with the company’s 2023 expansion strategy to bring an unbeatable experience to a growing number of operators in this region. Club Tropicana also smells like South America for it abundantly depicts exotic drinks, fruit, inflatables, and umbrellas as the symbols within the 5×4 set up. However, the game is also flavored with 12 pay lines to reward players matching the winning combinations with the sweet taste of victory served from the gaming bar full of exotic drinks in Club Tropicana.

Huge win potential:

The reels display money symbols with instant cash prizes which can only be unlocked in the free spins round. When at least three scatter symbols are landed in the base game, players initially get ten free spins, with additional scatters awarding up to a maximum of 20 free spins. During the game, wilds are landed across the reels to aggregate all instant cash prizes present on the board. When the fourth wild is collected, ten additional spins are triggered again to increase the win potential and multiplier to a total of 10x.

Packed with volatility:

 Irina Cornides, Chief Operating Officer at Pragmatic Play, said: “In need of a highly volatile vacation? Then look no further than Club Tropicana™ where vibrant aesthetics are only outshone by the big win potential in our colorful new slot. Showcasing fan-favorite mechanics seen in hit titles like Big Bass Bonanza™, Club Tropicana™ has a free spins round where players upgrade multipliers and re-trigger free spins by collecting instant cash prizes which culminate in some huge wins.

Club Tropicana boasts flawless mechanics and high volatility to offer players the chance to comfortably indulge in the exotic tropical experience and collect huge wins and cash prizes along the way. Cornides also said: ”Additionally, there is a 4,000x instant cash prize found on the reels that truly demonstrates the volatility we have packed into this release.” 

No trial

A retired Flint police chief has pleaded no contest to gambling violations and firearms charges and now faces up to five years in prison for allegedly operating an illegal gambling scheme. William-Bradford Barksdale filed his plea on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the Michigan Attorney General’s office.

sentencing for the former police chief will take place on April 14

Barksdale was charged with gambling violations, which can be a five-year felony, as well as a misdemeanor charge for the reckless use of a firearm. The sentencing for the former police chief will take place on April 14 at the Genesee County Circuit Court.

The illegal operation

The 70-year-old’s co-accused are Adam Crossnoe and his father Alvin, who all ran the West Point Arcade in Flint. They were initially charged back in 2018. Adam Crossnoe pleaded guilty in October 2021 to a single count of gambling violations and got two years’ probation. Alvin Crossnoe pled guilty to a single count of attempted gambling violations.

suspected that illegal gambling was taking place at the premises

Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) regulation officers suspected that illegal gambling was taking place at the arcade. They visited the property multiple times in 2017 and were able to use computer stations to play casino-style games, with winnings paid out as generic gift cards. Undercover footage showed Adam Crossnoe instructing an officer on how to play the games.

This type of operation fell within the definition of gambling and the arcade did not have a license to offer such gambling services. Officials obtained a search warrant and found 80 firearms, eight of which were sawed-off shotguns.

A long-running relationship

MGCB executive director Henry Williams commented on the case, underlining the importance of eliminating all forms of illegal gambling operations in the state. He said that they “do not belong in our neighborhoods, where they bring unwanted crime and prey on senior citizens and other vulnerable people. We are pleased with the outcome of this investigation.”

Barksdale retired as Flint police chief in 2004. He seemingly had a long-standing relationship with the Crossnoes, being a regular player at the Palace Poker Room, which they owned. In 2009, Barksdale was at the poker room when he shot and killed a masked intruder who was allegedly attempting to rob the property. The former police chief was not charged with any wrongdoing in that particular case.

The post Former Michigan Police Chief Faces Up to Five Years in Prison Over Illegal Gambling Operation appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

Source link

In this article, we’re going to explore one of the most powerful sleights available to crooked poker dealers or croupiers.

Knowing just a single card can provide an unbeatable advantage; there are dozens of methods to get a glimpse of a card and in the hands of expert players, a simple peek can reap enormous rewards.

Secret Knowledge

I’m always suspicious when casinos use technology to know the order of a deck they’re about to deal and past systems that used cameras and computers in conjunction with automatic shufflers were subject to all kinds of shenanigans if the casino or developers were so inclined to make adjustments to how those machines worked.

I’ll get into the problems and possibilities of this kind of scenario another time but just having information that could lead to an unfair advantage is dangerous if it can inform or change game procedure.

The way I like to put it to my friends on the other side of table is: If players are not permitted to know what cards are about to be dealt, why should the house have that information?

Knowing what card is about to be dealt could make an enormous difference to a player sitting at first base on a blackjack table who knows for certain that the first card out of the shoe will be an ace.

Equally, if a machine were to change its procedure according to the order of the deck, this could give the house an unfair advantage against the players.

Shuffling and dealing procedures are so important to protect everybody from everybody else and one of the key considerations when shuffling or dealing cards in a gambling situation is to ensure none of cards are accidentally or deliberately revealed.

Imagine sitting at a table while a dealer shuffles eight decks by hand, then knowing exactly what the first 10 or 12 cards are going to be. Or playing Texas Hold ‘Em and knowing whether or not you’re about to hit the flop.

How big an advantage would you have if you could deal a good card to yourself and a bad card to your opponent?

All of this without the aid of a marked deck.

The following examples presume a crooked dealer (a mechanic) working with one or more players against the balance of the table but these same moves can be used in many situations including when a cheater is working “single-o”.

From Bubbles To Greeks

The following dealer peeks are used to either gain information that could be used against other players or in conjunction with a second deal to manipulate cards into the perfect position; here we’ll look at some of the most common (and most effective) methods to get that glimpse.

The heel or “Greek Peek” is used as the dealer gestures with the left hand, which is holding the deck.

The top card is lifted at the inner left side by pressure exerted from the base of the left thumb.

There is a distinct knack to this that takes a while to accomplish but once the muscle is trained and the action reduced to a minimum, it’s possible to make multiple peeks as cards are dealt from the top of the deck.

Continuous glimpses while dealing is truly limited to a handful of experts who both know the secret and have dedicated hundreds of hours to perfecting it.

Yet the easier, single peek has proven more dangerous to players and casinos, whether used by crooked dealers to avoid busting a partner’s hand or by bust-out dealers (in the bad old days) to make sure they killed a player’s hand!

The “Bubble Peek” is more appropriate for games where the dealer is required to necktie or guard their hand when not dealing, which both protects cards from some moves but makes them more vulnerable to others.

The Bubble is so called because the left thumb pushes the top card to the right against the tips of the left finger, which prevents the card from moving and forcing the card to buckle at the outer right corner, exposing the card’s index if the deck is held at the right angle (perfectly aided by many casinos’ dealing procedure).

This is an excellent way to peek a card, but care must be taken not to leave a distinct bend in the card and the peek happens in an instant, the “Bubble” popping up and down in just a fraction of a second.

Variations on the Bubble Peek bend the cards in different directions depending on game procedure and a particularly subtle version only bends the back of the card just enough to see if the dealer has a “paint” on top (a court card), which can be more than enough information.

Left-handed dealers have their own methods for these peeks since they tend to deal from the right hand and the techniques just described would only reveal a blank corner!

Down Into The Deck

Similar moves exist to peek the bottom of the deck with the cards being slightly buckled as they’re picked up, allowing a glimpse of the bottom inside index.

Another glimpse requires the bottom card to be squeezed backwards, buckling it until the dealer can see the index; this may seem crude but performed correctly it is completely invisible to everyone but the crooked dealer.

More advanced sleights allow the dealer to catch a glimpse of any card near the top or even a card in the middle.

Players can also glimpse cards during common table procedures with a particularly devious glimpse happening under cover of a cut.

In a loose game (in terms of procedure), when the dealer passes the deck, the cheating player cuts with two hands, estimating enough cards from the bottom for all the players plus one or two more.

If the bottom card is glimpsed before the cut, the player now knows a card that’s sure to hit the flop!

The danger with such a move is the bottom glimpse (which is hard to take when other players may be watching the cut), but there’s a little-known secret called the “Shutter Peek” where the top card is lifted at the inner end as the bottom half of the deck is being slapped on top of it.

Performed correctly, the previous top card is lifted at the very instant it becomes buried under the bottom half and is only exposed for a fraction of a second.

So long as the number of cards placed on top allow for all the players plus a burn card, the glimpsed card is sure to reappear with the community cards.

The “shutter” is a fantastic move and knowing one card that’s coming in the flop is a powerful advantage but games that allow players to cut – especially with two hands – are much rarer these days.

Deeper Deceptions

These are just a handful of the most powerful and common ways to peek cards before they are dealt but when a crooked dealer is working in cahoots with players there are many more sophisticated strategies that can beat almost any game.

These methods have stolen millions from casino table games and even more from players in private games.

In my next article, I’ll discuss how these simple peeks evolved to create an unbeatable advantage.

Lead image: Shutterstock

A controversial bill

A congressman from New York is determined to ban sports betting ads across the country. Representative Paul Tonko introduced a new bill on Thursday titled “Betting on Our Future Act” that aims to ban all forms of electronic and online sports betting advertising. He believes that sports betting-related ads can lure people, particularly young people, into developing an addiction.

only allow operators to advertise through more traditional methods

Tonko labeled the current advertising practices of online sportsbooks as “excessive” and “uncensored.” The basis of the bill is a federal law that banned cigarette ads. If the bill becomes law, it would only allow operators to advertise through more traditional methods like mail, billboards, and print media, which would have huge consequences for the entire industry.

Concerns over the impact of ads

Congressman Tonko has serious concerns about the impact sports betting ads have on young and vulnerable people. An information sheet about the bill cited a study from the International Center for Youth Gambling Programs & High-Risk Behaviors that stated 60%-80% of high school students have said they’ve gambled for real money.

According to a forecast last August by BIA Advisory Services, online gambling companies were on track to spend about $1.8bn in 2022 on local advertising in the US.

Calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network are also on the rise, with the network receiving a total of 270,000 calls in 2021, a 45% year-on-year increase. According to estimates, about seven million people in the US have some form of gambling addiction.

Operators treading a fine line

Some sportsbook operators have gotten in hot water for their advertising practices. The Ohio Casino Control Commission has issued a number of fines since launching its legal sports betting sector in January. Penn Sports Interactive, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook were all found to have violated state regulations.

concern about sportsbook operators targeting young people

Regulators generally have particular concern about sportsbook operators targeting young people, specifically those in college. Some sportsbooks have marketing deals in place with colleges like Michigan State University and the University of Colorado.

A lot of sports betting ads feature former athletes or high-profile celebrities, which can appeal to a young audience, in particular. Many countries with more established sports betting sectors have significantly curtailed the showcasing of celebrities or athletes in sports betting ads. The NBA also recently said that it will be banning its partner sports betting operators from using the term “risk-free” in any ads across team or league-controlled platforms.

The post New York Congressman Aiming to Ban Online Sports Betting Ads appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

Source link

Toppling the King

In a historic moment for the US casino hub, Las Vegas surpassed Macau in annual gaming revenue in 2022. It’s the first time that Macau has lost out to its American counterpart in 18 years, with Las Vegas last beating Macau by around $200m in 2005.

Nevada enjoyed its 22nd straight month of $1bn+ revenue

Both regions recently announced their full-year revenue results for 2022 and they paint a very different picture of pandemic recovery. Nevada enjoyed its 22nd straight month of $1bn+ revenue in December, bringing the state total to an annual record of $14.8bn. Las Vegas, the state’s leading performer, earned $8.28bn of that total, up 17% from 2021.

Meanwhile, in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Macau, things aren’t looking quite so rosy. It recorded GGR of MOP$42.2bn (US$5.3bn) in 2022, down around 51% from 2021 and the lowest single-year total since 2004. The result knocked Macau off the gambling hub top spot, with its total around 40% lower than Las Vegas.

Pandemic struggles

Las Vegas has regained its title with a little help from pandemic-related restrictions that continue to plague Macau’s casino operators. We can see the dramatic rise and fall of the Asian gambling hub by following its GGR from 2005 until 2022:

Casinos in Las Vegas closed in March 2020 following the onset of the pandemic and remained closed until June 2020, when they were able to reopen at reduced capacities. By mid-2021, most of the casinos were more or less back to full capacity. Visitor numbers and casino revenues rose sharply after the reopening, in contrast to what happened in Macau.

In February 2020, casinos in Macau closed for 15 days. They then remained open during the rest of the pandemic, aside from a short period in July 2022 when COVID-19 cases were on the rise.

Despite the limited closures, revenues fell to rock-bottom lows as severe travel restrictions cut off the region from its key customers. Between the start of the pandemic and January 2023, the travel limitations meant that it was not viable for people to visit Macau for mainland China, Hong Kong, or overseas. This led to very poor revenue figures for casinos, with numerous operators having to borrow money to boost liquidity due to mounting losses.

What does the future hold?

While Las Vegas beat Macau’s full-year GGR for the first time in 18 years, many people will wonder if this is just an outlier or if it will be the new norm. Analysts believe that it was just a one-off, as Macau is primed to rebound strongly following the easing of travel restrictions last month.

The Macau government has estimated that GGR in 2023 will be MOP$130bn (US$16.17bn). In January, GGR for the region was MOP$11.6bn (US$1.43bn), so if this level of monthly GGR continues, then the full-year results will surpass estimates, putting Macau ahead of Nevada’s 2022 GGR.

appears unlikely that it will surpass Macau again

While analysts are bullish that Las Vegas will have a strong 2023, it appears unlikely that it will surpass Macau again. Sin City will benefit from continuing increases in convention visitors, but concerns also exist about a potential economic slowdown. As such, many experts believe that significant double-digit growth percentages won’t be as forthcoming this year in Las Vegas.

The post VSO Analysis: Las Vegas Full-Year GGR Higher Than Macau for First Time Since 2005 appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

Source link

As you can see in the table below, Dragonara Casino in Malta is the first topic of this blog post. This is a great destination where gamblers can experience true real casino atmosphere in a centuries-old building. Next, we introduce the online version of the casino, available to all online players. Last is our presentation of the Westin Dragonara Resort, where the brick-and-mortar casino is located, and several frequently asked questions.

Dragonara Casino – Amazing Land-Based Gambling Venue

The history of the casino Dragonara Malta began with the construction of the Dragonara Palace in the 1870s. The building is located on the tip of the peninsula “Tad-Dragun”, St. Julian’s, Malta, and even today is one of the most memorable and extraordinary private properties on the island.

Emmanuele Scicluna’s family summer home was converted into a hospital during WWI, and in WWII, the family took in over 100 refugees. The Dragonara Casino opened in 1964 when the Kursaal Company Limited rented the palace and its grounds. The first casino in Malta immediately drew attention and became a gathering place for gamblers from around the globe.

Between 2010 and 2012, the land-based casino was operated and managed by Dragonara Gaming Limited (DGL), a Novomatic AG and Peninsula Gaming Group cooperation. After that, the Peninsula bought out the casino and became the first fully owned Maltese company with the right to manage and operate the venue. Here are details about the present-day casino:

Even though this article is not a detailed Dragonara Casino review, we can’t skip mentioning the amazing Dragonara Palace and the ancient dragon legend. The legend goes that long ago, a dragon inhabited the San Ġiljan peninsula. His roar could be heard day and night and terrified the residents. The name of the building – “Dragonara Palace” – was inspired by the legend, even though by that time, the people knew that the powerful roar was created by the waves colliding with the shore.

Despite the many innovations and renovations, the latest one was recently completed, and the original architecture of the palace was preserved. During the last years, the Dragonara Palace loosened the black-tie policy and approved the smart casual Dragonara Casino dress code. This way, players can enjoy their time and feel comfortable without worrying about casino dress code and outfit ideas.

One of the latest innovations in this dragon-inspired casino is entering the invisible realms of the Internet. The Dragonara Casino Malta online version has been a hit since its release. Players who can’t visit the land-based location can always try the online variation.

Casino Dragonara – Gambling Games & Sports Betting in Malta

The Dragonara Palace casino is open 24/7 and offers some of the most popular live dealer casino games. Any tourists or foreigner in Malta over the age of 18 years can walk in and play, while the Maltese locals must wait until they turn 25 years to enjoy the casino entertainment. Once inside, gamblers can place wagers as low as €2 on roulette or €5 on card games. Here are the games you can enjoy at Dragonara in Malta:

The operator has created tournaments with different cash prizes and rewards, so participate if you can. All sports wagering fans can visit Dragonara Sports Bar and Grill, place a wager on their favourite competition or team, and enjoy a tasty meal while waiting for the results. Another extra available on Dragonara Casino’s website is the guides for playing various games including the Dragonara Roulette created by Evolution for this operator.

Casino Promotions & Players’ Club

Dragonara Casino in Malta may not have a strict casino etiquette, but it is expected all players be in a good mood. To help them with this even more, the operator has created a Player Loyalty Programme of Dragonara Casino with Red, Silver, and Gold levels. Players collect points while playing slots and table games and exchange them for comps and prizes.

Apart from the players club, there are various promotions and boosts for players, which makes the casino equal to the top 5 gambling destinations in Europe. The initial boost is the First Visit Promotion available to all newcomers. After that, there are Happy Birthday and other offers for special occasions. Daily and weekly offers like Weekend Cash Lottery and Xtra Play are fine extras to take advantage of.

Dragonara’s Drinking & Dining Options

The Dragonara Casino restaurant Dragonara Brasserie is led by executive chef Claudio Schiavone and inspired by Italian and Maltese cuisine with a modern twist. An alternative is the Dragonara Sports Bar and Grill, where players can enjoy delicious food and watch the games.

If you intend to enjoy your gaming time holding one of the top-rated casino drinks, then the Club Lounge and the Dragonara Casino VIP room are the places to be. The bar menu holds over 50 cocktails, a variety of fine alcohol, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Dragonara Casino Online – An Unforgettable Gambling Experience

The years of gambling at the brick-and-mortar casino in the Dragonara Palace are not enough to satisfy players’ desire for wagering. Since not all gamblers can visit the legendary gambling venue, the operator decided to bring the casino to them by creating Dragonara Casino’s online version. Here is what you need to know about this modern gambling website:

This is not a detailed Dragonara online casino review, but the information below will give you an idea why many players label it equal to the best online casino sites in Malta for 2023. The online Dragonara Casino in Malta appeared in 2015 to bring the excellence and experience achieved after over 60 years in the gambling industry into the iGaming world.

The online version of the casino palace offers even more games, promotions, and the freedom to play anytime and anywhere. In the next paragraphs, we will share what makes this gambling site stand out.

Dragonara Online Casino Games

The titles catalogue covers Dragonara Casino live games, RNG table games, slots, and other wagering options. Below you can see brief information about the game selection. To discover the full variety, it is best to explore online casinos. Here is what we found there:

One of the most popular entertainments in land-based and online casinos is the Dragonara Casino poker tournaments. If you also intend to play a Dragonara Casino poker cash game, it will be useful first to check the Malta online poker guide. Refreshing your memory about the rules and strategies of the poker variations will be beneficial in a real money game.

Casino Games Providers

The casino Dragonara in Malta and its online variation offer games by the best software developers you have heard of. The online Dragonara Casino relies on 30+ providers to delight players with diverse gambling options. Here are some of the most popular brands you can choose from:

The Dragonara Casino Malta live casino is amaing, but players who like to diversify their experience can head to the sports betting section offered by IZI Bet online sportsbook and has a special section at the gambling site. Take your time to explore the wagering opportunities, and don’t miss checking on the bonuses we will mention in the next section.

Dragonara Casino’s Online Promotions

The Dragonara Casino in Malta has different deals than the Dragonara Casino promotions for online players. Once you confirm your registration at the online casino, you will have access to the welcome bonus. After that, players can choose from reload bonus, daily or weekly promotions, free spins offer, and more boosts. The Loyalty Club allows players to accumulate Dragonara Coins, which can be exchanged for rewards or real money (100 points = €1 in redeemable money).

Online Payment Methods

The casino Dragonara online offers various secure payment methods to its registered players. Right now, this is not one of the top Bitcoin casinos in Malta because the operator does not offer cryptocurrencies. Here are the diverse payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw:

The transfers are fast, safe, and follow easy to complete. The option to choose between card, eWallet, and bank transfer is extremely useful and handy to different players. Take your time to check the alternatives and choose the one that suits you best.

Westin Dragonara Resort – Home of Dragonara Casino

The Dragonara Casino online is perfect for all players who like quality gambling but can’t visit the land-based venue. If you vacation in Malta, visit the 74,000-square-meter peninsula surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and stay at Marriot’s 5-star hotel Westin Dragonara Resort, Malta. The facilities are newly renovated to follow the green initiative of reducing carbon, water, and food waste and using renewable energy. Check out the resort’s details:

The casino Malta Dragonara is not the only reason people visit. The Westin Dragonara Resort has won multiple prestigious awards, including the “Travelers Choice Award” from TripAdvisor for 2022 and the “Leading Resort in Malta” by World Travel Awards in 2021. Choosing to stay at the excellent resort may also bring unexpected rewards like meeting celebrities or seeing the world’s biggest yacht costing $800 million that also has its casino.

Dragonara Casino Interesting Questions

Knowing all there is to know about Dragonara Casino is interesting and beneficial to anyone intending to play at the online casino or visit the Dragonara Palace casino. To help even more with this, we selected and answered several interesting questions you may use to choose which version of the casino suits you best.