Showing posts with label gamblers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gamblers. Show all posts

Thursday, 11 November 2010

Poland threatens to prosecute online gamblers

As the world moves forward with global trading, technology which can put you in touch with people on the other side of the world in real time and open borders across Europe, Poland wants to step back into the dark ages and prosecute online gamblers for betting offshore. Not even America tries that ridiculous tactic....



An act passed in October 2009 banned online gambling and related advertising, but the ban has clearly not been effective. In early 2010 the government even proposed an internet filter system to take control of internet gambling by blocking foreign-hosted gambling sites, but after petitions were sent to President Lech KaczyƄski criticizing the plan, the idea was eventually abandoned.

....

The new laws, according to the Warsaw Business Journal, would allow individual gamblers to be prosecuted for using foreign-hosted gambling sites. It would also severely restrict the rules surrounding advertising, bringing foreign gambling adverts under the control of Polish law. Whether or not such radical gambling laws would be approved by the European Court of Justice remains to be seen.

Madness.Posted byScott Fergusonat15:46

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Games Gamblers Play: Casino Gambling 101


Casino gambling. The first thing that enters our mind is Vegas, slot machines, bright lights and chips. If you’re not a gambling person and you don’t know a lot about casino gambling, then read on...

According to the Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia, a casino is a building that accommodates casino gambling. Customers may gamble by playing slot machines or other games of chance and some skill. Casino gambling games usually have mathematically determined odds built in that ensure the house retains an advantage over the players. This advantage is called the “edge”. “Payout” is the percentage given to players. Some statistically even games may take a commission or tax, a "rake" on bets customers make against each other.

There are a lot of casino gambling games which can get you hooked in no time. First of all, you have the classic slot machine. A slot machine is a coin-operated casino gambling machine with three or more reels that rotate when a lever on the side of the machine is pulled. It includes a currency detector that validates the coin or money inserted to play. The machine typically pays off based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when it stops.

Sadly, casino gambling games often offer the player the illusion of control in which the player is given choices, but these choices do not eliminate the player's long-term disadvantage. This disadvantage is caused by the casino not paying the full amount that would be expected for the odds wagered. For example, if one game was played by betting what number a roll of a die would give, instead of paying 6 times the amount bet for winning, the casino only pays 5 times the amount bet.

This system is often found in famous casino gambling games like Poker, Craps, Roulette or Blackjack.

Poker is a very popular casino gambling card game. The players, with fully or partially concealed cards make wagers into a central pot, after which the pot is awarded to the remaining player or players with the best combination of cards.

Like Poker, Blackjack is also a very popular casino gambling card game. Much of its popularity is due to the mix of chance with elements of skill and decision making, and a practice called card counting. It is a skill in which players can turn the odds of the game in their favor by making betting and strategy decisions based on the cards that have been dealt. Players suspected of card counting are usually banned and blacklisted by casinos.

Craps is a famous casino gambling game using dice. Players wager money against the casino on the outcome of one roll, or of a series of rolls of two dice. The rules vary slightly from one casino to another, but the expected value of most bets is only slightly negative. All bets have a negative expectation, except the "free odds" bet with an expectation of 0, that the player is allowed to make after a point is established on a flat bet. Unlike in Blackjack, there is no possible winning strategy over any given period of time.

Roulette is a signature casino gambling game. A croupier turns a round roulette wheel which has 37 or 38 separately numbered pockets in which a ball must land. The main pockets are numbered from 1 to 36 and change between red and black, with number 1 being red. In addition there is a pocket numbered 0 of green color. In most roulette wheels in the United States but not in Europe, there is a second zero compartment marked 00, also colored green. If a player bets on a single number and wins, the payout is 35 to 1. The bet itself is returned, so in total it is multiplied by 36.

Be very wary though, these casino gambling games are highly addictive (as they are intended to be). A lot of lives have been ruined by casino gambling and although it might be fun, please do try to regulate yourself.

Wednesday, 8 September 2010

Help just a call away for female problem gamblers - Karter

Greyhound news  TOP STORIES Keightley's Sheffield Mission off to good start Rotar Wing aims for Magners SprintCiti too Slick for Rotar Wing at NottinghamStunning victories for Big Mike and ZafonicChampion Stakes at Romford still wide-openRead Full News Service Search News Archive

Sunday, 28 March 2010

FOBT machines

What are FOBT machines?

FOBT (Fixed Odds Betting Terminals) are computerised machines found in betting shops and some land-based casinos. They serve a vaariety of games with fixed odds outcomes. The most popular is FOBT roulette.

Who makes FOBT machines?

There are many makers of FOBT machines. The majority of machines in the UK are created by Inspired Gaming, Global Draw and Cyberview.

Where can I find FOBT machines?

The majority of UK bookmakers now have FOBT terminals on their premises. They were introduced in the UK in 2002 and their instant popularity led to a widespread growth in useage throughout Britain. Cyberview count,, amongst others, Boyle Sports, Coral, Ladbrokes, PaddyPower and William Hill as customers.

How much can I win on FOBT roulette?

The minimum bet for roulette games is 25p a spin and the maximum bet is £100. The maximum amount one can win on any given spin is £500.

How do FOBT machines work?

As is evident by the name, fixed-odds-betting-terminals offer games of fixed-odds. The result is determined by a random number generator. The money returned is based around the odds of this random number. All games, in a similar fashion to casinos, have a house edge. This is between 2.5% and 5% depending on the manufacturer.

Is FOBT roulette fixed?

Many roulette customers have complained about FOBT roulette being fixed. As with all players in the UK casino and gambling market, FOBT manufacturers are strictly regulated. More information about this regulation can be obtained from the Gambling Commission.

Can I beat FOBT roulette?

This is what this site is all about! Try Forcing the Zero, or play the dozens online roulette system!

Saturday, 20 March 2010

fixed Odds Betting Terminals

News
Exploring Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

9 September 2004

In the last week Bookmakers have announced increased profits for the first half of this year. They attribute much of this increase to the rising popularity of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs). In light of this, and a steady growth in the number of callers to the GamCare Helpline and those attending for face to face counselling mentioning FOBTs as their primary form of gambling, we thought it timely to take a look at these relatively new machines and the way they appear to have changed the face of gambling on the high street.

These pages aim to explore the background of FOBTs, how they are regulated and how to stay safe if you use them. We hope you find this section of our website useful and using the form below we would welcome any feedback or comments you may have on the subject.

All gambling involves risks. With gambling we need to be responsible and know when to stop. If you feel you, or someone you know is having difficulty with gambling contact our confidential telephone helpline on 0845 6000 133.

What are FOBTs?
Introduced less than three years ago FOBTs offer the betting shop visitor a very new experience. These ‘touch-screen’ terminals, similar in look to quiz machines familiar in pubs and clubs, offer a number of games, roulette being the most popular. Never before has a machine in a betting shop offered the opportunity to play casino table games. With maximum prizes of £500 with each spin of the roulette wheel payouts far exceed that of traditional fruit machines. Many bookmakers claim that revenue generated from FOBTs now exceeds traditional over-the-counter gambling.

In March 2004 a Code of Practice was introduced by the Association of British Bookmakers governing the supply and use of FOBTs in licensed betting offices. Produced with the intention of being implemented alongside the Good Practice and Social Responsibility Code for Betting Offices agreed with GamCare, the code limits the number of terminals in any betting office to four machines. As well as limiting stake and payout amounts it regulates the time taken between each transaction or bet. The code also demands that every terminal has a ‘help’ page providing details of the GamCare helpline and that appropriate GamCare posters and leaflets should be visible.

The FOBT experience
As mentioned above, there are several fixed odds games available, but many machines are now limited to roulette, which is by far the most popular. The experience of playing an FOBT is a little like combining the experience of a fruit machine with traditional casino games, teaming the relatively rapid speed of play found on a fruit machine with the higher payouts and more flexible stakes of roulette.

Money is inserted either as notes or coins in the machine itself or using your debit card over the counter. Initial deposits could be over £100. To place a bet you choose the size of your initial stake and touch the screen on the relevant numbers or other selections (such as red/black or odd/even) to place the bet on the table. Once you have placed your bets you touch the screen again to set the roulette wheel spinning. Excitement and anticipation can build up as you wait for about 15 seconds for the wheel to spin and hope that it lands on your selection. One game can go pretty quickly so it’s always important to be aware of how much money you are spending.

One significant difference to fruit machines is that if you want to stop playing and cash in you do not collect money directly from the machine. Instead a ticket is printed displaying the remaining credit (plus or minus any winnings or losses), which you then take to the shop counter to exchange. It is possible that this increases the likelihood that you will gamble until all your money has been lost.

Use these links to learn about why we gamble, facts and figures and the impact of gambling addiction

Being responsible and staying safe when playing FOBTs
Remember! GamCare does not wish to restrict the choices or opportunities for anyone to operate, or take part in, gambling activities that are legally available in the UK. But, we ask that you keep the following simple messages in mind when you gamble. We want people to enjoy their recreation and spare time, but do not forget that being responsible is key to staying safe, out of trouble and making sure things remain fun.

>You’re buying fun, not investing your money

>Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you’re going to spend

>Quit while you’re ahead

>Only gamble with money you can afford to lose

>Don’t spend more money on gambling with the hope to win back money that you have lost

>Keep up other interests and hobbies - don’t let gambling take over your life

>Don’t gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom