• Interactive Gambling - 2004 And Beyond

What a year it was for the interactive gambling industry. This is the sixth edition of IGN's "Year in Review" feature, and I can't remember the last time the outlook for I-gaming was so positive. It was a year of many very significant developments--both positive and negative--but all accounts of 2004 begin and end with poker. The Internet poker explosion in '04 (carrying over from '03) was nothing short of extraordinary. The booming poker sector is to I-gaming as I-gaming was to gambling in general seven or eight years ago. The ongoing arrivals of new revenue channels like mobile gambling, betting exchanges and interactive TV games have enabled the I-gaming industry to escape stagnation and continue to grow, but not since the arrival and proliferation of the first online gambling sites in the mid '90s has the industry experience such a jolt. But poker wasn't the only boon for online gambling in '04. If an industry is to be defined by the stature of its companies, then 2004 was an overwhelming success. Virgin Group and PBL have reentered the fray. World Poker Tour is breaking through with an online poker room, and Harrah's is expected to launch a World Series of Poker site. Further, Gambling brands are partnering with major entertainment brands, greatly increasing the visibility of the online gambling industry. [...]

> Read the full story here Source : IGamingNews.com

• RealTime Gaming Goes Wireless!

Atlanta, GA – Online casino software developer RealTime Gaming announced the release of their wireless gaming platform on December 18, 2004. Industry analysts estimate that by 2008, the worldwide mobile device market will total more than 800 million units, 250 million of them smartphones, and 540 million of them feature and voice phones. “As mobile devices expand to become total entertainment devices, today’s wireless platform helps meet the demands of tomorrow’s customers,” says Michael Staw, President of RealTime Gaming. RealTime Gaming now offers a suite of mobile games on the Palm and PocketPC, with Java games and a Symbian suite to follow in the first quarter of 2005. “We will also be adding other mobile platforms such as RIM Blackberry and Microsoft’s Smartphone,” adds Staw.

> Read the full story here Source : RealTimeGaming.com

• Vegas Partner Lounge Assists With Tsunami Crisis

(PRWEB) January 6, 2005 -- In light of the devastating tragedy to hit South East Asia and other parts of the world, the Vegas Partner Lounge Online Casino Group is once again leading the way by donating funds to UNICEF. In this time of disaster and humanitarian crisis, Vegas Partner Lounge believes in helping those in need and contributes to recent international generosity by donating 25% of online casino profits on 2 of their most popular games to help the stricken areas. For one week (00:01 EST on the 04/01/2005 until 23:59 EST 11/01/2005) all seven Vegas Partner Lounge Online Casinos (Crazy Vegas, Sun Vegas, Cinema, 777 Dragon, Maple, Casino US and Arthurian Casinos) will donate 25% of online casino profits on two of their games: Double Magic and Hi Five, to UNICEF to assist with the Tsunami Humanitarian Crisis. UNICEF has already targeted the worst hit areas and distributed planeloads of supplies to affected families. UNICEF is reportedly aiming to raise $81 million to cover the cost of basic care and Vegas Partner Lounge is proud to offer assistance. On behalf of the Vegas Partner Lounge Online Casinos, Sun Vegas Casino Manager Austin Green issued the challenge for everyone to do their part: "A disaster of this nature affects all of us, so it is necessary for everyone to do what they can...no matter how small. That is why Vegas Partner Lounge is donating 25% of profits on two of our most popular games to help with the devastation is South East Asia. We are a global community and we all need to help each other in times of need." To donate money to the Red Cross log onto https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp or for more information log onto www.redcross.org.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

• Danish Player Wins $198,292 On Online Slot Machine

January 6, 2005 (London, UK) - InterCasino player, known by his username ‘Sture’, conquered online slot machine Rags to Riches with Viking-like celerity after just $21 of play. Sture, 38 year-old from Denmark, was playing the generous progressive early yesterday morning after his girlfriend left for work. Sture planned on playing through around $20 and then calling it quits; but luckily for him, he played an extra spin and on the 21st dollar Sture hit the jackpot for a staggering $198,292. “I have been a player at InterCasino for about six months, and I have always liked InterCasino. I play slots and European Roulette – just a little Roulette, five dollars on black or red once and a while - but Roulette never paid out $198,292!” said an excited Sture. Sture isn’t what most casinos consider a high roller, Sture bets for entertainment and makes each bet last. In fact, Sture says he has only wagered about two thousand dollars since joining InterCasino, and by his accounting he was already up one thousand before hitting his MEGA-Jackpot. “I knew I could win a jackpot but I never expected to. Of course, each spin I make, I want to win it – and this time I did. I was stunned, I just sat in front of my computer for a minute or two without moving or saying anything,” confesses Sture. InterCasino manager Ryan Hartley wasn’t stunned by Sture’s big win: “Rags to Riches was at nearly $200,000 when Sture won, and the game has a history of paying out around that number.” Hartley commented. He also offered this tip… “Our Millionaires Club’s progressive jackpot is currently at about $425,000, and we are keeping our eye out for a big winner at Millionaires Club very, very soon.” What will the lucky Danish jackpot winner be doing with his winnings? “I don’t plan any big changes in my life. I will invest most of the money that I’ve won, but I think I’ll be taking some of it to buy a new black and chrome Harley Davidson this coming summer.

> Read the full story here Source : Press Release

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