Online Slots Players Have Regional Preferences & Global Favourites

Slotland.com Survey Shows 'Lucky Stars' Most Popular Online Slot Machine in America, Britain, Europe & Australia

A recent player survey at Slotland.com shows that online slot machine players may have regional preferences, but they also have universal favourites. While some games are more popular in America and others in Europe or Asia or Australia, one in particular is a favourite with players around the world. “Lucky Stars” is Slotland.com’s most popular mobile game with customers everywhere.

“Sometimes it’s hard to understand why people are attracted to one game over another,” said Hannah Morante at Slotland.com. “Lucky Stars isn’t our only multi-line slot, and all of our games are tied into the same progressive jackpots – even the mobile games. So that’s not why it’s so universally popular. I guess people just think the little space man is cute!”

Analysts may not always know why people choose one game over another, but there are a few things that can be quantified. It seems that the “Booster”, a three-wheel, single-payline slot machine where you can “boost” your bet, is more popular with American players than in Britain where “fruit machine” players seem to prefer more classic slot machines like the “Golden 8”, a 9-wheel 8-payline slot machine that features the largest slot wheels ever on the Internet. Although there are slot machines in every Pachinko parlour in Japan and the casinos in Macau are adding them as fast as they can, Asian players still tend to play video poker more than slots.

So far about a third of Slotland.com players play on both their computer and their mobile phone. Since Slotland is continually adding new games to its mobile suite (“Striking 7s” mobile launched just last month) that’s one statistic that’s likely to change.

Neteller is another global preference. Although Slotland.com offers other banking options, players everywhere use Neteller more than the others, especially now that the Neteller Card enables almost instant withdrawals at ATMs around the world.

“It’s such a small world,” wrote one Slotland player in a story written for the Slotland.com community Newsletter. “It’s funny to think that while I’m playing slots or video poker on my WebTV in California, there’s people playing the same game on their phone in London or their laptop in Tokyo!”

With nine unique slot machines and video poker games on their web site and now four also available on mobile phones and PDAs, Slotland.com is one of the most innovative and trustworthy online casinos in the world.

Asian Poker Classic the Main Draw for Goa in 2007

The inaugural Asian Poker Classic, March 1-5, will be the biggest event held in Goa, India this year!

The Asian Poker Classic (APC) is the first professional poker tournament to be held in India. It will be sponsored by MaharajahClub.com and offer one of Asia’s richest ever poker prize pool – a guaranteed $1 million. The three-day APC main event marks poker’s arrival to the big time in India.

Goa is the perfect venue. The resort has become the new ‘it’ spot for people seeking luxury surroundings in India. Spectacular New Year celebrations promise to attract tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world as Goa changes its image into one of glitz and glamour.

Goa is set to transform itself into a gambling mecca over the next 12 months, which underlines that the APC is being held in exactly the right place at the right time. Plans are afoot to build a series of luxury casinos in Goa starting in 2007, so that the venue will eventually rival Macao as Asia’s number one gambling destination.

A further coup for the APC is hiring Thomas Kremser as tournament director. The Austrian poker expert has run numerous festivals around the world and played a central role in establishing poker on television across the globe.

“The Asian Poker Classic is not just the biggest poker event scheduled for India in 2007 – it’s one of the biggest events anywhere in the world. With big names ready to take part and Goa the perfect setting, it’s the most exciting new poker tournament of the year,” said Kremser.

A number of Bollywood and Hollywood celebs will attend to play, watch and have a good time. Names and details will be released in the weeks leading up to the event – watch this space!

Sachin Pawa, CEO of tournament sponsors Maharajah Club, said: “We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious event. The APC will promote poker in India and we look forward to the APC becoming a fixture on the poker circuit.”

IntertopsPoker.com Celebrates Winner in the Billionth Hand Promotion

Lady Luck Hits at Intertops.com for one Lucky Poker Player

The Intertops.com Lady Luck was well and truly on the side of a 27 year old Finnish poker enthusiast, Petteri S. as he sat playing Texas Hold 'em on IntertopsPoker.com, when his table was handed the honor of receiving the 1,000,000,000th played hand on the network.

Petteri S. instantly won a cash prize and free entries to all guaranteed tournaments for a whole day. And if that wasn’t enough, he also received free entry to a $250,000 guaranteed tournament.

Using his alias "T-Bone-Pete", Petteri S is a new comer to the world of poker and started playing at IntertopsPoker.com just two days previously.

Petteri S said “I have only been playing poker for six months. I never imagined that I could win so big, so quickly. I started playing with Intertops.com because of recommendations online. It’s a ´big house´ with a long history online, so I thought it must be reliable. I think the poker software is also one of the best online.”

The Billionth Hand promotion was yet another Player initiative from IntertopsPoker.com, the site offering the most satellites to land-based tournaments online. IntertopsPoker.com is part of the Microgaming Poker Network, which is the fastest growing poker network on the internet.

MaharajahClub.com Brings Online Gambling to India

MaharajahClub.com is set to widen its reach when play-for-fun only gaming site MaharajahClub.net goes live in India on November 1.

As the first online gaming site to specifically target the Asian market in the UK, Europe and South East Asia, Maharajah Club is ideally placed to make an impact in the up-and-coming market in India. The new US law making online gambling illegal is set to have an impact on the industry worldwide and as the focus switches to new markets, Maharajah Club will use its strong cultural relevancy and team of experts to make its mark in Asia.

India boasts one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world with highly educated affluent communities expanding at astronomical rates, a familiar environment for the gaming community. Poker is a very new recreation among India’s middle-classes and could follow other pop culture trends as an example of the way Indians strongly embrace western pastimes and passions.

As the first online gaming site to aim its launch towards the Asian market, MaharajahClub.net brings the fun side of gaming to India. Their new play-for-fun site will help grow the game on the continent by teaching first-timers how to play and increase poker’s widespread appeal among beginners and seasoned players alike.

Maharajah Club has already underpinned its commitment to India with its involvement in a Bollywood-based TV show and support for MahaCricket.com, a cricket website carrying news stories, latest stats and community news. This follows the news that Maharajah Club will be sponsoring the Asian Poker Classic (APC), which will be held at The Grand Resort in Goa, India from March 1-4 2007. The APC is the first major professional poker tournament to be held in India and will include players who have won $7,500 prize packages via satellite tournaments held at MaharajahClub.com.

Sachin Pawa, CEO of Maharajah Gaming, says, “This is the first time an online gaming company has targeted an audience based on ethnicity. It happens in land-based casino around the world. By targeting ethnically, we can cater to the culturally specific needs of our clients in a way that no other casino on the net can.”

Household Slots Tournament Adds Excitement

Husband and wife compete against each other on WebTV & computer

Logged on side-by-side – one on the household computer and the other using WebTV – a husband and wife team at Slotland.com has created their own household slots tournament. When players TOOTY and REENY34 go head to head, the jackpot prize -- picking a chore for the loser to do -- is better than cash they say.

“My wife and I have been pulling slots at Slotland.com for over seven years now,” said TOOTY, “But this month was special because we purchased a new computer and now we play in the same room, at the same time. I’m on WebTV because the TV screen is bigger and my wife is on the computer because she says it’s faster.”

The pair starts out with $100 each and they can choose whatever games they like. Every three hours, whoever has the most money picks one chore from a list of chores for the other to complete during their break.

In a recent after-dinner tournament, they each won $250 within twenty-five minutes hitting four of a kind at Jacks or Better – TOOTY twice on $5 bets and REENY34 just once but with a $10 bet. TOOTY later changed strategy when REENY34 took the lead and switched to placing max bets playing the Treasure Box slot machine.

“After three hours of competition, my wife had $900 in total wins and I had $700. I did the chore that night!”

“Many other online casinos don’t allow two members of the same household to open separate accounts,” said Hannah Morante of Slotland.com. “Which means Slotland.com is about the only place where you can enjoy head-to-head competitions.”

“Actually, they could have as many friends join them as they can fit in their living room,” reminds Slotland.com Mobile Gambling Manager, Martin Smith. “You can play our most popular slots on any mobile phone or PDA!”

America -- Intertops is Open for Business

Pioneering Online Gaming Site will Allow Americans to Play

Intertops announced today that they remain open for business and will accept all bets and process all payments from American citizens.

Developments in Washington, DC earlier this month compelled publicly-traded gaming sites such as 888.com and PartyPoker to cease all US services. All services at Intertops.com will seamlessly continue, offering sports betting, casino, poker and games.

Intertops commented, “We consider online gaming to be legal in most U.S. states and sanctioned by the World Trade Organization.”

“We are licensed and regulated in both Canada and Antigua and comply with every law within the jurisdictions in which we operate. We are dedicated to offering our worldwide customers a efficient and enjoyable service via our online sportsbook, casino, poker room and games. As a privately owned and independent company we have arranged to fully accept and disperse payments for US-based gamblers.”

After offering the world’s first online betting platform in 1996 and an online casino in 1997 Intertops.com started its poker room and games in 2003. Intertops will not only continue to serve its own customers but has made arrangements to accommodate an considerable amount of new customers that have lost their betting accounts due to the shut-down of many online gaming sites earlier this month.

Intertops added “Intertops has been in business for 23 years, 10 of them online. Our reputation as a responsible and trustworthy gaming site stands alone. We will continue to ensure that deposits and payouts are as quick and safe as they have always been.”

There IS Something You Can Do About New U.S. Anti-Gaming legislation

Pass around videos that show Frist and gang for what they really are, send emails to the Senators and Congressmen, write to the media!!!


Poker Patriots provides players, operators and affiliates of the online gambling industry with the tools, training, resources and support needed to fight the Internet Gambling Prohibition Bill. They believe Americans should have the freedom to play, bet, wager, or gamble on their favourite games of skill and chance, be it poker, blackjack, bingo or backgammon. Join the revolution!

The APCW (Association of Professional Casino Webmasters) is asking for the help of players, webmasters, and online casinos to fight the hypocritical, lying, corrupt American political machine. Please watch their videos, download them, and send them to your friends and family! www.APCW.com also has phone numbers and addresses for US Senators, Congressmen and media.

These APCW videos would be funny if your freedom wasn't at stake:

How the US Congress Betrayed the US People

The Truth About the Corrupt Politicians who Passed the Gambling Ban

Sen. Frist and the Online Gambling Ban (A.K.A. Mr. Bill Goes to Washington)

I-Gaming Industry Unites at EiG in Barcelona

Over 1,050 i-gaming professionals from 42 countries converged last week in Barcelona for the European i-gaming Congress and Expo (EiG). At this, the biggest EiG to date, the general feeling was that there has never been a more important time for the i-gaming industry to come together and speak with one voice.

EiG opened with a message that both surprised and touched the packed conference room. David Carruthers, former CEO of BetonSports, spoke via video from his residence in St Louis, USA. Carruthers couldn’t speak about his upcoming legal battle but said he was "strong, fit and in high spirits" and is "preparing for the final outcome of his nightmare." He thanked the industry for its support.

EiG, produced by ATE and River City Group which are divisions of Clarion Events, is the first major i-gaming gathering since the arrests which have rocked the industry and sent i-gaming share prices plummeting.

After the video, Norbett Teufelberger, co-CEO of Bwin spoke rousingly about his experience of being held by the French authorities. "We have been treated as criminals," he stated. He called on the industry to put aside their usual competitive stance to unite and fight together to defend the besieged industry.

The conference programme spanned three days, featuring many more of the biggest names in the industry. Sessions of particular interest included the Monopoly Debate, which brought together state and private operators, including the CEOs of Norsk Tipping and Ladbrokes Nordic, in a frank discussion. The session attendees were also very interested in the news that the European Commission had that day decided to question France, Italy and Austria about their cross-border gambling legislation. The session on USA concerns also drew much interest, with worrying information on the ease with which UK nationals can be extradited to the US.

Running alongside the conference was a 46-stand exhibition showcasing numerous new products and services for the i-gaming industry. Feedback from the exhibitors was extremely positive, with several reporting multiple deals being signed over the three days.

On Friday the 13th, the last day of the Congress, President Bush signed and passed into law the “Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act 2006” which criminalises online gambling firms operating in the US. The general consensus was that this was a sad day for US consumer choice.

The conference sessions closed with a flourish, with a CEO panel that included Mitch Garber of PartyGaming and John Anderson of 888.com. Considering the events of the last couple of weeks, all were impressed by their commitment to sharing their thoughts with the industry.

Whilst all being positive about the future of the industry, the panel warned against the smaller private operators not taking the new law seriously, with Garber concluding “I think it's very brave of private company operators to think that they're not going to be next to be indicted, arrested and pursued.”

Interesting times indeed for an industry that includes some of the most entrepreneurial minds in the business world.

America Has Been Fristed

Black Friday the 13th for Online Gambling in the U.S.

I don’t often write editorial comment specifically for my blog. If you received this story by RSS, sorry for sending you a rant instead of online casino news. Most of the stories here are from news releases and interesting stories that I’ve found surfing online gambling news. But events that have rocked the online gambling business over the last two weeks move me to come out of the cyber-woodwork and comment on how furious I am about the new anti-gambling laws that have been passed in the United States.

The way this backhanded legislation was pushed through in the middle of the night of the last night of a session, and tacked on to some other bill that everyone was automatically voting for, is disgusting. America has been Fristed. I can’t wait for the backlash from online poker players and sports bettors when they realize that they are no longer allowed to choose those kinds of entertainment! Pleeeeease tell me that right-wing fundamentalist control-freeks are not the majority in America.

I had the pleasure of coordinating Aces.com’s movie sponsorship publicity this summer and have run lots of stories about that here and on my other blog. Aces was part of Sportingbet Plc and has just been purchased by another group. We may not hear much from them for a little while…

There’s also lots of Slotland.com stories here. Slotland.com’s players are mostly European, so that softens the blow of the new US legislation. Watch for ongoing stories, especially about mobile gambling.

MaharajahClub.com is a casino for Indians outside India that’s doing a million dollar poker tournament in Goa, India next year. I’ll be following that. I’ll also be publishing stories from Intertops, WireCard and Orbis.

I hope that Americans that enjoy online gambling – and there are millions and millions of you – will be very vocal and protest what is happening. I hope you continue to play just as long as Neteller and your credit card company will allow you to. (As I understand it, unless Neteller stands up to the U.S. and refuses to comply with that “foreign” legislation, that’s till next summer.) But what I really hope is that this Bill that infringes so blatantly on your right to choose your own entertainment will be overturned somehow.

Don’t worry. When you’re allowed to play poker and casino games again, they’ll still be there. Europeans, Asians and South Americans will keep them busy till you come back. Until then, maybe learn to knit… Go for a walk… ;)

New European Roulette Improves Players’ Odds

No 00 in French version of Aces.com’s new instant-play casino game

Aces.com ’s newest game – European Roulette – improves players’ odds by eliminating the extra zero added to the American version of “The Game of Kings”. The game is one of the popular online casino’s new instant play Flash games that require no downloading or installation.

“Why would we add a game that pays more winnings than the one we had?!” laughed Rene Quesada, Manager of Aces.com. “Because if they play it in Vegas, we’ve got it at Aces.com. Simple as that. European Roulette is increasingly popular on the Strip these days so we’ve got to have it at Aces.”

The first form of Roulette, invented in the seventeenth century by mathematician Blasé Pascal, had no zeros. Early Monte Carlo casino operators added the zero to improve the house odds. When the game arrived in the U.S., Americans added the double-zero to give the ball one more place to land and thus improve the house’s chances even further.

There are two other differences between the European and American games. In American Roulette, each player has their own color of chips, all worth the same value. Standard casino chips of differing values are used in the European game. Also, the European table is much larger than the American version, so the European croupier uses a rake to clear chips while their American counterpart does this by hand. Of course, Aces.com’s cyber-croupier just clears the board with a click.

Aces.com offers online gamblers all the betting opportunities they have in Las Vegas: casino games, poker, sports betting and horse racing. Later this month, the Vegas-style online casino will be adding three more games to its comprehensive suite of table and card games.

MaharajahClub.com Launches Cricket Focused Sportsbook

New Online Sportsbook for South East Asian Players

MaharajahClub.com has launched the first online sportsbook for South East Asian gamblers. MaharajahClub.com is the only online gaming site aimed at South East Asians living in the UK, Europe and South East Asia. The sportsbook – with a special focus on cricket – is live and will include online betting for football, horse racing/ante post, greyhound racing/ante post, American football, basketball, boxing, bowls, darts, golf, ice hockey, motor sport, rugby union and snooker.

Maharajah Club has entered into a marketing agreement with online sports betting and casino operator Interactive Gaming Holdings (IGH). The new deal will substantially increase the variety of experiences open to members of MaharajahClub.com and enable Maharajah Club to offer a full-service package to its members. With a focus on cricket, Maharajah Club is bound to prove the best location for South East Asian gamblers.

Sachin Pawa, CEO of MaharajahClub.com, said, “Launching a sportsbook was always part of our plan, so we are extremely excited to have it live, adding to our poker and casino offerings. Additionally, since cricket is adored by millions worldwide, and is an especially important sport in South East Asia, we are thrilled to be the specialists in the sport. We are certain our sportsbook will prove to be a very important addition to our portfolio.”

John Heaton, Chief Executive of IGH, said, “We are quite excited about our alliance with Maharajah Club. It will give us access to the Asian gaming market at an elementary stage of its development with a partner who understands the culture. We believe that this gaming market will be of great significance in terms of our future success.”

Slotland.com Honoured at eGaming Review Awards on Monday

First mobile slot machine provider nominated in “Best Mobile Operator of the Year” Category

The first company to launch real-money slot machines for mobile phones and PDAs is once again being recognized for its pioneering efforts in the new and rapidly developing mobile gambling arena. Slotland.com, best known for it’s large and frequently hit jackpots and attentive customer service, has been nominated in the “Best Mobile Operator of the Year” category of the prestigious annual eGaming Review Awards.

Slotland.com, which celebrated its eighth anniversary online this summer, launched its first mobile phone game a year ago and has been adding original new slot machines to its mobile gambling suite ever since. With thirteen unique slot machines on their web site and three available on mobile phones and PDAs, Slotland.com is one of the world’s most innovative and trustworthy online casinos.

“Eight years of experience in providing online entertainment has taught us that players like new, original games,” said Slotland.com Mobile Gambling Manager Martin Smith. “We develop our own games – you won’t see our slot machines anywhere but Slotland.”

At a gala ceremony in London on October 9th, eGaming Review Magazine will present awards in sixteen categories, recognising achievements from all corners of the egaming industry. Each award will be judged by an impartial panel of industry experts.

The “Best Mobile Operator of the Year” award will be presented to a company that excelled in the mobile sector, including casino, poker, sports betting and soft game operators. It will assess only the mobile service offered and will not take into consideration online support.

Slotland.com was recently voted “Most Unique Slot Site” and “Best Progressive Jackpot Site” by Strictly Slots Magazine readers and was named “Best Web TV” in a Gambling Online Magazine poll. The company was a finalist in the “Mobile Gambling Company” category of the ME Awards presented last month in London.

Celebrity TV Poker Tournament Host Brandi Williams to MC Aces.com's Star-studded Movie Gala

Aces.com & Alex Quinn Presents Attract A-List Crowd to ‘Aces the Movie’ DVD Release Party at the Beverly Hills Friars Club

TV poker tournament host Brandi Williams will MC Aces.com’s star-studded Hollywood gala celebrating Warner Brothers’ release of Aces the Movie, the sexy new poker movie sponsored by the popular online casino. The event, organized by celebrity party planners Alex Quinn Presents, will be held at The Friars of Beverly Hills on October 6th. Jazz/hip hop fusion artists 2Deep will entertain at the casino-themed extravaganza. Hundreds of Aces.com players have received special invitations and five Aces.com tournament champions are being flown in to attend the gala.

Aces the Movie director and producer Daniel Zirilli and Christina Morris, star of the film, will be special guests.

“This party is the culmination of our sponsorship of Aces the Movie,” explained Aces.com Manager Rene Quesada. “We’re sending DVDs to our members, we’ve had the director and cast hosting online tournaments, and we partied at the WSOP with Christina Morris and Sheena Chou, two of the stars of the movie.”

MC Brandi Williams has been called the ‘Queen of Hearts,’ and the ‘Princess of Poker’ by every gambling magazine on newsstands and over 7 million viewers worldwide watch her every week as host of the hugely popular show ‘The Ultimate Poker Challenge.’ The 24 year old who was named ‘One of the 50 Sexiest Women of 2005’ by Femme Fatales Magazine has worked alongside American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest, and has shared the stage with other celebrities such as Alan Thicke and Donny Osmond. The former Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader just shot a pilot for the producers of Extra for a teenage version of their highly rated show.

“Brandi will keep the evening moving all right,” said Francine Marseille of event coordinators Alex Quinn Presents. “It’s going to be a casino night – Brandi will be introducing winners when she’s not schmoozing the red carpet crowd or playing a few casino games herself.”

2Deep -- saxophonist Vondell Henderson & vocalist Mike J (Michael Kurt Jackson) -- will keep the crowd swaying to their unique fusion of Contemporary and Classic R&B, Hip Hop, Jazz and Soul. 2Deep appeared last month at the Vanguard Hollywood and BB Kings, and have just released a new single, “Somebody”.

Other celebrity guests include:

- Cher Tenbush, 2006 winner of the CW hit reality series ‘Beauty and the Geek’

- Eric Schiffer, socialite, film actor and best selling author of “Emotionally Charged Learning”

- Al Bandiero, star of "Desire", a new nighttime drama on Fox's My Network TV

- Anthony Ghannam, Disney voice actor who most recently played "Ronno" in Bambi 2 and "Huayna" in Kronk's New Groove

- Burke Bryant, star of the 2006 hit show “Alive!” currently in three-picture deal with Paramount Pictures including soon-to-be-released “Sins”.

Bowmans Launches First Ever Hockey Handicapping Competition

Players predict NHL results to win over $22,000 CAD
The first ever ‘Pick’em to Win’ hockey handicapping competition has been launched by Bowmans.com, the name to trust in wagering since 1985. The completely free-to-enter competition starts today October 2nd and gives players the chance to win $800 (CAD) every week of the 2006/2007NHL season.

Easy to enter and to play, this game involves players picking the teams they think will win the 10 NHL games, which are posted by Bowmans.com every Wednesday from the weekend’s schedule. That’s it – no lines, no point spreads, it’s just a case of ‘pick’em to win’. The prize is divided between the top handicappers every week who get 28 chances to win as much as they can from the overall prize fund of $22,400.

To take part in the competition, all players need a valid Bowmans.com account (no deposit required) and a PIN number. Again, this is easy, just log on to the Bowmans.com website and register a user name and password. Players can then choose the 10 teams they think will win and submit their free entry by 6:00pm EST on the Friday before each weekend’s games. Results are posted on the website at 12:00 noon the following Monday. Lasting for the entire NHL season, the contest runs from 2nd October 2006 to the end of the last game, likely to be on 8th April 2007.

Sara Waller of Bowmans.com said: “We are absolutely delighted to be running this unmissable handicapping competition. Not only will people have loads of fun seeing if their predictions are correct but they will also get the chance to win a lot of money – which isn’t bad for a competition that’s completely free-to-enter!”

To Register, Play and see full Contest Rules and Terms and Conditions just Click Here.

GameAccount Re-invents Blackjack

Multiplayer Blackjack Tournaments for the Poker Generation

GameAccount, the world’s largest provider of person-to-person (P2P) games this week introduced Multiplayer Blackjack, a unique skill-based version of the casino classic. Players rely on their card-counting skills and mastery of strategic play to outwit their opponents in real-time multiplayer tournaments.

GameAccount, short-listed for two 2006 eGaming Review Awards, has rolled out next-generation tournaments for all multiplayer games including Gin Rummy, Backgammon and Multiplayer Blackjack, a world first for any P2P games service provider. Players in the GameAccount Network can now compete online in professional tournament formats popularised by online poker operators.

GameAccount’s browser-based Multiplayer Blackjack allows players to play live and in real-time against up to five online opponents simultaneously, never directly against the ‘House’. Starting with an imaginary chip stack of $1,000 the objective is to build a larger chip stack than your opponent over ten rounds of cards dealt to both players and the automated in-game dealer. Using a 4-deck shoe of cards and no auto-shuffler, Multiplayer Blackjack openly encourages optimal strategic play and card-counting unlike conventional casino blackjack. This demonstrates GameAccount’s philosophy to empower players with a serious alternative to existing forms of casino blackjack where over time players can never defeat the traditional ‘House’ edge.

Kevin Dale, CEO of GameAccount commented, “Multiplayer Blackjack marks another leap forward in adapting recognisable casino products to encourage skilful game play without losing the aura or excitement of the original. We also provide the industry-standard guaranteed prize money tournaments that make Poker such an exciting offering. We see this as the future of Skill Gaming: Skill, with a bit of luck.”

As the leading provider of person-to-person games to sportsbook, casino and poker operators GameAccount offers a real solution to operators looking to generate incremental extra revenues from new, existing and lapsed customers. The suite of game products have been bolstered by next generation tournament technology: Cash Games; Non-stop ‘Sit and Go’ tournaments, money-added scheduled tournaments; guaranteed prize money tournaments; feeder tournaments and regular scheduled Freeroll tournaments. Millions of dollars, pounds and euros are paid out to players within the GameAccount Network each and every month.

“Our exciting new lobby-based tournaments go hand-in-hand with our expanding product portfolio – one simply can’t exist without the other. Scheduled tournaments are a must-have for both us and our blue-chip partners, allowing branded tailor-made tournaments exclusive to certain operators as well as offline tournaments fed by online satellites. We see serious potential for both Gin Rummy, Backgammon and Blackjack tournaments in the near future. Our Backgammon product is already being featured on TV in the UK on the PokerZone channel.”, added Mr. Dale.

Hollywood Loves Poker

Top Ten Poker Movies of All Time
Hollywood has long known a high stakes poker table is a powder keg of dramatic potential. Aces.com’s sexy new poker flick, Aces the Movie, is the latest in a long line of poker classics. The popular online casino is celebrating the DVD release of Aces the Movie -- dubbed “the Charlie’s Angels of Poker” at the WSOP this summer -- with a gala star-studded event in Beverly Hills next week. Hundreds of L.A.-area Aces.com players will attend the event – five of them flown in from all over the U.S. on VIP tournament prize packages.

The recently re-designed Aces.com site features a tribute to Hollywood’s love for poker. The Top Ten Poker Movies of All Time has concise reviews of the poker classics.

Matt Damon revived the poker movie genre in Rounders (1998), but Hollywood has been fascinated by poker and poker culture since Hopalong Cassidy saved the day by posing as a newbie poker player in Sunset Trail (1939),and Gene Autry starred in the classic poker murder mystery, Loaded Pistols (1948). In Maverick (1994), Mel Gibson and Jody Foster needed $3000 dollars to enter a winner takes all poker tournament. California Split (1974) directed by Robert Altman (M*A*S*H) and starring George Segal & Elliot Gould, showed the day-to-day life of card-playing, sports-betting, sleep-till-noon gamblers. Like the main character in Aces the Movie, the heroine in Big Hand for a Little Lady (1966) had never played poker before she sat down to the big table. Steve McQueen manages to get into the highest stakes game of his life in what most consider to be the ultimate poker classic, The Cincinnati Kid (1965).

“Poker isn’t just about rules and strategy,” said Aces.com Manager Rene Quesada. “It’s a culture. With so many people playing poker online now, it’s a lifestyle that millions dream about.”

The retro Vegas-style online gambling site has sponsored and promoted ‘Aces the Movie’ all summer. Thousands of free DVDs have been given to new players and awarded as contest and tournament prizes.

Aces.com’s Top Ten Poker Movies
Aces the Movie (2006)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Rounders (1998)
Big Hand for a Little Lady (1966)
Kaleidoscope (1966), Maverick (1994)
The Gambler (1980), California Split (1974)
The Sting (1973)
High Roller - The Stu Ungar Story (2003).

The complete Top Ten Poker Movie list is at: http://www.aces.com/contest/movies-poker.php.

As they say in the movies…

"If we shoot him, we won't have anyone to play with."
Wyatt Earp in Cheyenne Autumn

"A deck of cards is like a woman -- usually when you pick one up, you wish you hadn't."
Flame of the Barbary Coast

"When your opponent is holding all the aces, there's only one thing to do. Kick over the table."
Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)

"Is this a game of chance?" "Not the way I play it, no."
W.C. Fields in My Little Chickadee

Free Roll Champ Latest to Win Hollywood Movie Premiere Trip

Texas Hold ‘Em Free Roll Winner to Attend Gala ‘Aces the Movie’ DVD Release Party

Last week’s Wednesday night Texas Hold’Em Free Roll winner is just the latest Aces.com free poker tournament champion to win a VIP trip to Los Angeles to attend the Vegas-style site’s Hollywood Movie Premiere Party. Terry W. of Alabama won the tournament and the all-expense paid trip last Wednesday joining four previous VIP prize package winners.

“I’ve played in the Wednesday free roll a few times before,” said Terry. “They usually have some sort of special prize. But it was well into the tournament that I even realized that there was a big trip up for grabs this time!”

The prize package includes airfare and hotel accommodation for the tournament winner and a guest. They’ll be flown to Los Angeles for the Aces.com star-studded gala celebrating the DVD release of the movie they’ve sponsored and promoted this summer. “Aces the Movie” is a sexy new poker movie about three beautiful but cunning college students that devise a high tech scheme for winning on the underground card room circuit of Las Vegas. When they’re caught by a ruthless high roller, they find themselves in Rio de Janeiro playing the game of their lives.

Christina Morris, star of “Aces the Movie”, will attend the Aces.com Hollywood party as will director/producer Daniel Zirilli.

“The last time I partied with Daniel was in Las Vegas this summer when Aces.com took us all there for the WSOP,” said Morris. “This DVD release party has been a long time in coming. I hope he’s recharged his batteries since Vegas ‘cause I sure have!”

VIP Hollywood Movie Premiere prize packages have also been awarded to four other Aces.com free tournament winners.
Steve M. of San Ramon, California won his trip in a Free Roll Tournament in July. Russell D. of Pennsylvania won the same tournament in August, as did Brian B. of Miami in September. Brad K. of California won Aces.com’s weeklong Three Card Poker Tournament earlier this month

“Brad will get his VIP Movie Premiere Party pass all right,” said Aces.com Manager Rene Quesada. “But for his all expense paid trip from Orange County to Hollywood I think we’ll get him a limo rather than a plane ticket!”

Free tournament winners aren’t the only Aces.com players attending the gala event on October 7th. Hundreds of Los Angeles area Aces.com players have received invitations to the soiree.

“We’re not flying them all in and putting them up at a fancy hotel like the tournament winners,” said Quesada, “But we’ve got celebrity party planner Alex Quinn organizing the event for us. Everyone’s going to feel like a movie star!”

Known more and more for celebrity events and free tournaments, Aces.com offers gamblers everything they enjoy in Las Vegas: casino games, sports betting, poker and horse racing.

Three Card Poker Champ Wins Trip to Poker Movie Premiere

Aces.com Player Will Attend Hollywood Party for ‘Aces the Movie’

The winner of last week’s Three Card Poker Tournament at Aces.com will be one of the most excited VIP guests at the Vegas-style site’s Hollywood Premiere next month. Brad K. won the free poker tournament and will receive airfare and hotel accommodation to attend the celebrity event in Los Angeles October 7th.

Brad won the VIP Hollywood Party Package by having the highest chip count at the end of the weeklong online tournament. Like many Three Card Poker players, Brad just plays the easier game as a break from Texas Hold’Em.

“Three Card is popular in Vegas and I tried it last time I was there,” says the free tournament winner. “I mostly play Hold’Em buy when it’s time for something a little less intense, I often play a few hands of Three Card. But believe me, the final hours of this tournament – with that prize in reach – that was definitely intense!”

The tournament champion will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the Aces.com Hollywood Movie Premiere, a celebration of the release of the DVD of the movie Aces.com has sponsored and promoted all summer. Organized by celebrity party planner Alex Quinn, son of Academy Award winning actor Anthony Quinn, the Aces.com party is expected to attract an A-list crowd.

“There’s a few of our players that have won all-expense-paid trips to the party,” said Aces.com Manager Rene Quesada, “But we’ve also sent invitations to hundreds of our players in the Los Angeles area.”

‘Aces the Movie’ is a sexy new poker movie about three gorgeous college students that devise a high tech scheme for cheating their way through the underground card rooms of Las Vegas. The stars of the movie have hosted weekly free roll tournaments at Aces.com through the summer, and Aces.com Manager Quesada took them to Las Vegas for the WSOP. (See their blog for stories and photos from that trip: www.acesmovie.blogspot.com.)

While supplies last, new players registering at Aces.com will receive a free copy of the ACES the Movie DVD. And an invitation to attend the star-studded gala on October 7th!

Asian Poker Classic Brings Poker to Continental Asia

India’s first ever professional poker tournament with guaranteed $1million prize pool

Asian Poker Classic is bringing poker to India with title sponsor, MaharajahClub.com -- the first major professional poker tournament in the country. With a $1million prize pool guaranteed by Maharajah Club, APC will be held in Goa, India from March 1-4, 2007 at the breathtaking InterContinental, The Grand Resort Goa.

Based on No Limit Texas Hold’em, APC is certain to attract people from all over the world who hope to win the prestigious tournament and their share of $1m, including celebrities as well as professional and online players. Over two hundred players are expected to attend the ground-breaking event so MaharajahClub.com is offering satellite tournaments for chances to win $7,500 packages to join them in Goa. Starting from as little as $4, daily online satellites are available on the MaharajahClub.com website. One in 10 players has a chance to win a seat to the weekly satellite and 1 in 25 will win a $7,500 satellite package.

India boasts one of the most rapidly growing economies in the world with highly educated, affluent communities expanding at astronomical rates, a familiar environment for the gaming community. Goa is located on the west coast of India and is known as ‘the pearl of the Orient’. It has magnificent scenery, incredible temples and fabulous beaches. With an 880m-long exclusive beachfront, the five-star Intercontinental Resort overlooks the largest golf course in Goa as well as the Arabian Sea. So, in addition to taking part in this landmark tournament, players and guests will attend a series of incredibly lavish parties and affairs in the stunning region, including a celebrity golf match. Numerous Bollywood celebrities are slated to attend, led by Maharajah Club ambassador, Gulshan Grover.

Tournament director Thomas Kremser, MD of TK Poker Events International says: “There’s been nothing like this before in India – it’s going to be absolutely amazing. With the stunning beauty of Goa, superb hotel and the totally unique nature of the tournament itself as a back drop, this will be the poker tournament of the year!”

Sachin Pawa, CEO of Maharaja Gaming adds: “We are very proud to sponsor the first Asian Poker Classic, there is just a natural synergy for us with APC. People will be clamouring to be at the Asian Poker Classic and, someone is going to be the first ever winner of a tournament that is already ranking among the best in the world. APC will provide a poker experience which has never been created before and an experience that will bring people back year after year.”

Slotland.com Honoured at Mobile Entertainment Awards in London Tonight

Pioneering web site – the first to launch real-money slots for mobile phones – finalist in Best Gambling Company category

At a gala awards banquet in London tomorrow night, one of the world’s oldest gambling websites is being honoured as one of the first to offer real-money gambling for mobile phones and PDAs. Slotland.com, which just celebrated its eighth anniversary online, launched its first mobile phone game a year ago and has been adding original new slot machines to its mobile gambling suite ever since. The company is one of five finalists in the “Best Gambling Company” category of the inaugural ME Awards.

Slotland.com has committed itself to developing innovative, original games – no small feat for the relatively small company. It is also dedicated to providing customer service with a human touch.

“One thing we know from eight years online is that players like to try new games,” said Martin Smith, Slotland.com’s Mobile Games Manager, “And that they don’t want to see the same games they’ve seen at a dozen other sites.”

“We are excited to be one of the pioneers of mobile gambling and strive to emerge as one of the leaders in mobile games in terms of quality and uniqueness of our games, customer service, security and banking, as opposed to sheer quantity of games and services,” continued Smith. “This has always been our goal in the web-based gaming and we are sticking to it in the mobile games arena as well.”

“Some online casinos just think about being as cost-effective as possible and forget that their players are people – humans,” said Hannah Morante of Slotland.com. “We think communication with our members should be personal, not fulfilled by some external customer service that doesn’t care.”

The first annual Mobile Entertainment (ME) Awards are produced by Mobile Entertainment Magazine to honour excellence among those that provide content for mobile devices. The award for Best Gambling Company will be given to a company that has created a downloadable gambling game or set up a server platform for handling billing and player registrations – or both. Other categories, such as Best Adult Services Company, Best Music Label, and Best Video & TV Service Provider show that on the new mobile entertainment platform content is king. However, the list of awards also includes Best Handset Company and Best Payment/Billing Provider.

Slotland.com was voted “Most Unique Slot Site” and “Best Progressive Jackpot Site” by Strictly Slots Magazine readers and was named “Best Web TV” in a Gambling Online Magazine poll.

Juniper Research estimates the current mobile gambling market to be worth approximately $315 million worldwide and forecasts that the mobile gambling sector will be worth up to $16.6 billion by 2008. Experts predict that by then more than 450 million wireless subscribers will be playing some form of mobile games and that four out of five mobile users – 200 million people in Western Europe and the U.S. -- will be playing internet games on their phones. The Asia-Pacific region currently hosts 70 million mobile gamers with wireless gaming revenues totalling $1.1 billion.