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Poker professionals and celebrities competed in the Ante up for Africa charity event Friday, which was held as part of the first day of the World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas. Alex Bolotin won the $177,730 first prize and donated half of it to charity, as did most of the players who participated in the tourney. Some 138 players participated in total in the event, which was co-hosted by Don Cheadle and Annie Duke and which raised funds for humanitarian organizations ENOUGH and the International Rescue Committee, and more specifically for their activities in the war-torn Sudanese province of Darfur. Dozens of celebrities played, including Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Nelly, Jason Alexandar, Brad Garrett, Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett, Sarah Silverman and Dean Cain. Mike Tyson, Charles Barkley, former Australian cricket legend Shane Warne and several others were there to represent the world of sport. The rest of the field was made up of poker professionals, many of whom are participating in the Main Event.
A recent study has shown a dramatic rise in online gambling in South Africa, despite the fact that online gambling is still provided only by off-shore providers."A quarter million gamblers online"The study, conducted by the National Responsible Gambling Programme, found that the South African gambling industry is home to around six million gamblers, and that the industry generates around R20 billion each year, of which around seven percent comes specifically from online gambling.NRGP executive director Peter Collins said it was difficult to calculate exactly how many people participate in online gambling."In South Africa it is currently estimated that about a quarter of a million people regularly gamble online," South African media quoted him as saying.The lawThe South African government last year passed a law allowing operators to provide online gambling if they adhere to regulations, but given that the regulations are still under review, online gambling is still essentially illegal.The NGRP has long been in favor of the regulation of remote gambling, and Collins used the study to once again point out the arguments in favor."It is much easier playing poker, which is a very popular form of Internet gambling, online than organizing a poker evening in person," Collins said."If you however ban something like this completely it will just drive it underground into the arms of organized crime."
Imagine an online casino offering: single line slots, multiline slots, video poker and keno, bonus games, progressive slots, video slots, table games, card games and even arcade games? This is exactly what's being provided to players at City Club Casino. In for a treatAll the heat and excitement of your typical Vegas-style casino is brought home to Africa's powerhouse and premiere worldwide destination. Players can expect the following: • Generous welcome bonus• Regular ongoing bonuses• Friend referral bonus• Comp points• VIP Club New at City Club CasinoCity Club Casino has recently released 12 live games as well as video slots. Online players will be itching to try out these entertaining options. They include: • 2 live games in Roulette and Blackjack• 9 Video slots games• Keno That's 12 games right there. The casino games have real dealers and they also allow for real-time chat. It's just like being at Sun City or The Carousel - except that now South Africans can game from home. Features of the new gamesSome exciting slots games include Captain's Treasure and Gladiator. Both are 5-reel games. The former is a 20 payline game while Gladiator is a 25 payline game. Both these games offer realistic sounds, crisp animation graphics and big payouts. City Club Casino is a responsible gaming operator licensed by the Curacao government. They utilize industry respected software gaming giant Playtech to power their exciting gaming platform.
There are few games which can attest to such a considerable turnaround in popularity as online bingo.This exciting online game has managed to draw in players, both young and old, in increasing numbers recently, and these are the reasons why:• Bingo is at heart a simple game - people love it.• Bingo has universal appeal.• Bingo has a fantastic social component - it's where friends come to meet.• Bingo offers generous bonuses.• Bingo rooms run regular promotions.• Bingo is moving with the times and folks love it.Growth of player numbersThe United Kingdom is home to many of the world's bingo players. It is there that online bingo records most of its activity. Some 50-65% of all online players reside in the UK.With millions of people - estimates put the figure at close to 60 million people - enjoying online bingo today, the sky is the limit.Players are drawn to the ease of play with online bingo. It's the technical features, the interactive environment, the chat rooms and of course the fantastic prizes.Land-based bingo rooms may be feeling the squeeze in recent times, but the popularity of online bingo is anything but stifled.Players particularly enjoy dabbling with multiple cards and online tournaments.If the UK market is anything to go by - and it is - then future forecasts in bingo room popularity are going to hit the stratosphere.
Online casino gaming maestro - Casino Tropez - is at it again. This time the famed gaming operator is running a freeroll tournament and all players making their first deposits from September 10 thru 13 are eligible for big money prizes.What's on offer?For a really low initial deposit of $20 players can get to enjoy all the sizzling action at Casino Tropez. In fact they are so confident their players are going to feel at home, that they are permitting wagers on any of the 110 casino games.Gaming varietyPlayers certainly won't go wanting at this online casino. There are plenty of great quality games to enjoy. Casino Tropez is powered by market-leading Playtech software.Among others there are card games, table games, slots, progressives, video poker, arcade games and live-dealer games (blackjack and roulette).Bet big, Win bigThe Elite Tournament 9 players who bet the most will share the spoils. And there is a deep prize pool of $3,000 to enjoy, about 22,000 Rand!• Winner takes home $1,000 cash bonus• The next 8 players win $250 eachPlayers are advised to consult the wagering requirements before withdrawals are requested.
Online gambling giant 888 is set to expand into the lucrative South African market after finalizing a deal with the country's Tsogo Sun Gaming Group. The deal was signed last week between Tsogo and 888's business-to-business division, Dragonfish. Under the deal, Tsogo Sun - with operates land-based casinos and resorts in South Africa - will now begin to offer online sports betting under its own brand, and will also introduce 888's brand in its online services if the country implements the necessary gambling regulations at a later stage. Dragonfish CEO Gabi Campos praised the deal, saying: "This partnership is the first of many targeted at regulated markets, where Dragonfish's partners operate under local licenses and enjoy the benefits of such regulatory arrangement." The deal caps off a huge month for Dragonfish, which signed a new deal earlier in September with Harrah's Interactive Entertainment to supply support to Harrah's online casinos and poker sites. Former South African President Thabo Mbeki signed the National Gambling Amendment Bill in July 2008, but implementation of the legislation has been slow. For the time being, online casinos such as 888 are entering the local market by making deals with locally licensed operators, allowing them to stay on the side of the law at the same time in the lucrative market, which is home to almost 50 million people.
Online poker room PokerStars has smashed its own world record for most players hosted in an online poker room on one day, an ominous sign for its rival poker sites. The record, which has been verified by the Guinness Book of World Records, was broken on September 6 when 307,016 players took place in tournaments and other games on almost 43 thousand tables on the PokerStars site, beating the poker room's old mark by more than 100,000 players. The record is a major boost for PokerStars in its long-running battle with Full Tilt Poker. The two online poker giants faced off in July to break the world record for biggest ever online poker tournament. Full Tilt thought it had it won after 50,000 players joined its tournament to break its previous record of 35,000 but PokerStars later overtook that mark and won a place in the Guinness Book of Records after hosting 65,000 players in its own mega-tournament by offering a $1 buy-in tournament with prize money of $130,000.
South Africans love the thrill of the bet and although the gambling laws may be in a state of flux, local punters have never had so much casino choice. Like punters around the globe, South Africans have embraced the chase of the bet at online casinos; taking part in online poker, sports betting and other exciting exploits. More Payment Choices Online casinos are increasingly chasing international customers and the range of currencies used, as well as payment options is getting wider all the time. Whilst there are a range of sites that deal with the Rand, South African customers need not limit themselves to these sites only. Most major online casinos make it easy to make foreign deposits, to the extent that the currency used almost becomes insignificant. The Best Games and Offers Whilst gamblers can surf the net independently to find out all the biggest casinos and best deals on offer, many are letting a range of bettor directories do the hard work for them. Sites such as Online Casino Reports are a useful tool to help signpost punters to top class, trusted sites. They are even able to provide a list of online casinos using the Rand. South Africans have never had so much choice in placing a bet from the comfort of their own homes.
Victor Chandler, a Gibraltar-based bookmaker, has announced that the Western Cape Gambling and Betting Board has approved its application for a license to operate a new online sportsbook in South Africa. This means that Victor Chandler's plans are on track to launch a full range of sports betting services before the World Cup in 2010 which will be held in Cape Town. Victor Chandler will also establish its new South African operations in Cape Town and in doing so create numerous employment opportunities for the local community. Michael Carlton, CEO of Victor Chandler, is reported to be very excited about the opportunity, commenting that, "he Victor Chandler brand fits perfectly with the South African market". Victor Chandler is currently developing a new site specifically dedicated to the World Cup so that its customers have access to the most up-to-date news about the teams and the tournament. The site will also offer updated tables and fixtures. The license approval for Victor Chandler can been seen as the latest move by the South African government to relax its gambling laws and introduce online gambling to the country. Prior to 1996, there was an outright prohibition against gambling but since then various forms of gambling have been legalized.
South Africa is a punters paradise and indeed a long-known gambling stronghold. From events like the annual Durban July Horserace to hosting the Rugby World Cup in 95, the Cricket World Cup in 2003 and now the FIFA World Cup in 2010 - this is truly Africa's powerhouse. Some top performers in South Africa during the course of 2009 include: Europa Casino is firmly entrenched as a South African favourite. This Playtech powered online casino giant has made many an SA player a winner. Europa subscribes to all the safe and secure gambling codes and provides a dazzling array of quality online games. Titan Poker is the preferred online poker room of South Africans. This fully supported poker den provides multiple card rooms. They are powered by leading software giant Playtech and they place tremendous emphasis on their relationships with their patrons. Bingo has long been a home favourite for SA. And PartyBingo is the bingo room of choice. Here players can enjoy lots of prizes, fun and social gaming. Everything from American-style 75-ball Bingo to the blitz of instant Bingo and the traditional 90-ball Bingo variety is here. Record Jackpots Rosemair E played A Night Out on April 17th and won ZAR330,000.00 Business News In a big development for South Africa, 888 has expanded into the country via their Dragonfish division of online casinos. It has signed deals to partner with a major South African gambling operator to bring Internet gaming deeper into SA. Great New Products Casino King launched the new iPhone and android casino which brings hi-tech innovation and fun-playing ever closer to the players who frequent this popular online casino. Sports Betting The biggest event ever to grace South Africa is set for 2010. The FIFA World Cup is but months away and the South African government has passed regulations permitting for unhindered sports betting. Regulation/Legality In 2008 the South African government passed amendments to the National Gambling Act which allow for the implementation of a regulatory and licensing regime for interactive gambling. During 2009 a further review was requested so that the government could study the issue in more depth. Looking ahead to 2010 The National Gambling Board (NGB) plans to issue 10 interactive gambling licences on a national level to casino operators that can prove they have a physical presence locally with all their financial transactions being conducted in South Africa.
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