Reasons Why an Online Casino Might Block Your Account

Suspicious Activity

Online casinos are always on high alert for suspicious activity that might indicate cheating or fraud. They use sophisticated algorithms to monitor betting patterns and behaviors. If the system flags your account for any reason, it could lead to a temporary or permanent block.

Multiple Accounts

Most online casinos have strict terms and conditions that usually prohibit users from having more than one account. If you’ve been trying to game the system by having multiple accounts, you’re likely to get caught. This leads to a block on all of your accounts.

Account Verification Issues

Sometimes the information you provide during sign-up doesn’t match with the details on your payment method or ID. Basically, these discrepancies can flag your account for further review and possible blocking.

Jurisdictional Restrictions

Online casinos have to adhere to jurisdictional and international laws. If you’re playing from a location where online gambling is illegal, your online casino account will be blocked as soon as this is detected.

Payment Issues

Failed payments, chargebacks, or using unauthorized payment methods could all be reasons why your account has been blocked. Casinos understandably take financial irregularities very seriously.

Immediate Steps to Take

Don’t Panic

First and foremost, stay calm. Losing your cool won’t unblock your account and can make it harder to navigate the situation effectively.

Check Your Email

The casino usually sends an email to explain why your account was blocked. This email usually includes steps for how to resolve the issue.

Consult the Terms and Conditions

It might be a bit tedious, but combing through the terms and conditions can offer insights into why your online casino account was blocked. You might find that you unknowingly violated a rule.

Contact Customer Support

Once you have a reasonable idea of the reasons for your blocked casino account, it’s time to get in touch with customer support. Prepare all the necessary documentation and be ready to answer some security questions. Customer support can often clear up misunderstandings and may be able to unblock your account.

Legal Avenues

Local Gaming Authority

If talking to customer support doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to take legal steps. The first avenue to explore is the local gaming authority that regulates the online casino. They can provide information on how to lodge a formal complaint and what steps they can take on your behalf.

Consumer Rights Groups

Various consumer rights groups may be willing to help you navigate the situation. These organizations can offer advice and may even intervene on your behalf if they believe your consumer rights have been violated.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

It’s crucial to know what steps to take if a casino blocks your online casino account. But preventing such an occurrence is even better. Here are some tips:

Read and Understand Terms

Before signing up and depositing money, make sure you read and understand the casino’s terms and conditions. Ignorance is not bliss in this scenario; it could cost you money and stress.

Keep Documentation

Always keep records of your transactions, bet history, and any correspondence with the casino. This evidence is invaluable if you ever need to make a case for yourself.

Use Verified Payment Methods

Stick to using verified payment methods that are in your name. This can prevent a lot of issues related to payments and account verification, reducing the likelihood of a casino blocking your account.

Conclusion

Having a blocked online casino account is a frustrating experience, but it’s not the end of the world. Understanding why account blocks occur can help you take immediate steps to resolve the issue. Whether it’s contacting customer support or taking legal action, you have options.

Always remember that prevention is your best strategy. Knowing and following the casino’s terms and conditions, keeping records, and using verified payment methods can go a long way in ensuring a smooth online gambling experience.

The post What to Do if an Online Casino Blocks Your Account appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Coindraw is giving away $100,000 in tournament prizes, exclusively at Planet 7.

The Coindraw team will deliver missions for you to complete. Complete the mission and earn more points and get added to the leaderboard! Send an email to [email protected] and make sure you never miss one. Additionally, all subscribers get 100 extra points for free!

Lucky #7 Slot Tournament

The Lucky #7 tournament is open to all players from now until May 4. Simply log in and make a quick deposit to be entered to win daily cash prizes and luxury vacations to Paris, Tokyo, Las Vegas, St. Tropez, and more! Each day of the tournament you’ll get to spin the reels of a selection of specially chosen slot games including but not limited to Fortunate Buddha and Tarot Destiny. 

We’ve made things as easy as possible so all you have to focus on is spinning the reels.? Wins and points are automatically calculated and winners will be displayed on the leaderboard in reel time. Every day, the first-place player will be the winner of the Daily Draw and at the end of the tournament, top contestants will have the chance to walk away with multiple exciting prizes as mentioned above.

Start Spinning and Winning!

All you need to do is sign up and start spinning those reels. At Planet 7 Casino, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways to reward our players. Lucky 7 is our way of giving everyone the chance to win big without having to risk any of their own money. And if you’re lucky enough to make it to the top of the leaderboard, you could be the one to take home the top prize. So what are you waiting for? Sign up to Planet 7 and take your chance to become the big winner. Good luck!

The post Lucky # 7 Slot Tournament appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Chances are, you watch these shows anyway. So why not use them as an opportunity to make a little money and increase the excitement while watching?

Our Planet 7 experts give you all the inside scoop on what bets you can make, how to make sure the site is legitimate, and how to get the most out of your TV and film experiences. 

Entertainment Betting Options

Reality TV and Game Shows

Reality TV is one of America’s favorite guilty pleasures — and so is gambling. Can you believe the two can actually be combined?! Here are some of the most popular Reality TV shows to bet on and the bets you can place online. 

Competition Shows: With shows like Dancing with the Stars, Big Brother, Master Chef, and the Bachelor, you can always place bets on who you think will win the entire competition. But if you are an avid fan and watch weekly, you can also place weekly bets on who you think will go home/be voted off. 

With a show like The Voice, where the judges are also somewhat competing with each other. This means you can even place bets on which judge you think will win, whether that be weekly or the big winner in the end. 

Game Shows: While you might not have enough info ahead of time with most game shows, there is a popular betting theme going around right now — who will replace Alex Trebek on Jeopardy? Trebek was the beloved host of this popular game show for 36 years until his unfortunate passing in 2020. Ken Jennings is a temporary replacement but visit your favorite betting site now to place your bets on who you think will permanently take the coveted position. 

Major Award Shows 

Award shows such as the Emmys, Oscars, Grammys, etc., are the perfect opportunity to place several entertainment-based bets at once. As you probably could guess, you can wager on who you think will win Best Actor/Actress, Best Picture, Entertainer of the Year, etc., but you can also spice things up and make various over/under and prop bets, such as: 

• How many acceptance speeches will go over the time limit
• Will a presenter say the wrong name 
• Will Jennifer Lawrence trip on the red carpet
• Will Brad Pitt bring a date
• Will the longest speech be over/under two minutes
• Will politics be mentioned over/under x amount of times

Whether you use an online gambling site, or simply wager against your friends, betting on major award shows is a great way to add a little more fun to these long ceremonies. So, do a little research and prepare for the next big show!

Scripted TV and Films

Competition and reality shows are obvious choices for betting. But scripted TV and film is probably something you never considered placing a bet on. Game of Thrones was one of the most bet on television shows in history, with the most popular prop bet being “Who will claim the iron throne?” Other favorites are Better Call Saul and Stranger Things. Pretty much any popular, record-breaking show can be wagered on.

It was recently announced that a new season of Dexter will be made. And we are most excited about the bets that are up in the air after a seven-year hiatus. Will Dexter die? Where will the new season be set? Will Debra Morgan make an appearance? You can place all of these prop bets right now!

With films, under/over box office sales are a popular bet, as well as “who will be the next James Bond/Spiderman/etc.”

Miscellaneous Options 

There are lots of forms of entertainment that you can bet on — it’s not just limited to television and film. Below, we have listed several alternative options (past and present) to give you some ideas on how you can consistently up the ante. 

• Social Media Options: How many times will Kanye endorse Trump on Twitter in the week before the election; how many times will Patrick Mahomes’ girlfriend post on Instagram on the day of the Super Bowl?
• WWE
• Political Betting
• Miss Universe and Various Pageants

Tips for Entertainment Betting

Watch the Shows

This goes without saying, but we’re saying it. You can’t expect to have a winning chance with these types of bets if you don’t watch the content in the first place. Tune in to your favorite game shows, reality shows, and series every week in order to place more educated bets and predictions. 

Check Twitter and Tabloids for More Info 

Another great way to ensure you walk away victorious (and a little richer) is to check social media sites like Twitter for all the latest gossip and theories. Bounce your ideas off other fans of the show — they might have some good recommendations that can boost your winnings! And as trashy as they are, tabloids are also a great source for entertainment education. Peek inside the personal lives of the contestants on reality shows to see if you’re placing the best wager possible. 

Price Shop

Evaluate your bankroll and deciding what is an appropriate amount for you to wager. Don’t just settle for the first online gambling site or bookie that you come across. We have found there to be huge discrepancies between sites like these. You could end up getting more bang for your buck (and better luck) if you shop around a little for the perfect site for you. 

Use Legitimate Sites

If you choose to take things to the next level and not simply place your bets within your friend circles, make sure that you are betting at a legitimate website. Firstly, always check that they have a proper license. Then, read popular gambling blogs, read user reviews, and check all the wagering and withdrawal requirements before wagering your hard-earned money.

The post Entertainment Betting: How to Bet on Your Favorite TV Shows appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

The No-Hole-Card Rule in the US

When you play blackjack in the U.S., the no-hole-card rule dictates that the dealer cannot reveal their second card until all the other players have acted on their hands. Many gamblers mistakenly assume this gives the house a bigger advantage because the odds of the dealer busting their hand are lower when the cards are dealt consecutively. Statistically, the odds don’t change whether the dealer does or doesn’t take their second card after all of the other players have completed their hands.

The No-Hole-Card Rule in Europe

What does impact your playing strategy and the odds in no-hole-card games is when a player loses to splitting and doubling down on their hand when the dealer’s second card gives him/her a blackjack. This is a very possible scenario with the European no hole card rule. It increases the house edge by approximately 0.11% depending on the specific rule. 

The following reveals the strategic moves you can take using the European no hole card rule in a multi-deck game. For example, when the dealer hits soft 17 and you can double after splitting a pair. Also, how they compare with the same moves in an American game. The strategy would change according to when the dealer reveals a 10 or Ace, and the game is subject to:

• Hitting a hard 11 against a dealer’s 10
• Hitting a pair of Aces against the dealer’s Ace 
• Hitting a pair of eights against a dealer’s 10 and Ace

AMERICAN RULES

EUROPEAN NO HOLE CARD

Please note that the strategy for the European rule in blackjack is based on there being no surrender option in the game. 

For those who may not know what surrender means: once you’ve compared your first two cards against the dealer’s up-card, you can choose to forfeit half of your wager if your hand is weak to begin with. This means you won’t finish the round empty-handed. The option is much rarer in online games of blackjack. But most brick-and-mortar casinos require you to verbally alert the other players and the dealer if you want to surrender. There are two different types of surrender in blackjack: 

Late Surrender

A late surrender gives you the opportunity to surrender your hand if the dealer’s face-up card is an Ace or a ten. But this happens only after the dealer has already checked their hole card to determine if they have blackjack. If the dealer does have blackjack, the surrender option is voided and you lose your entire bet. Unless of course, you too have a blackjack.

In most U.S. casinos playing multi-deck blackjack, the two strategic rules below apply to a late surrender when the dealer stands on soft 17:

• Surrender hard 16 (not soft; 8-8) against a dealer’s 9, 10, or Ace face-up card.
• Surrender hard 15 (only 8-7 if using 8+ decks) against the dealer’s 10 face-up card.

When used correctly, a late surrender will bring the house edge down by about 0.07% in multi-deck blackjack games. It may not seem like a lot on the surface, but any reduction in the house edge is advantageous, even if it’s just a little bit. 

Early Surrender

Now, early surrender is what you’d expect and it’s an option that’s more common in casinos outside of the U.S., namely in Europe and Asia. As mentioned earlier, dealers do not reveal a hole card until all players have completed their hands in these blackjack games. Hence the “European no-hole-card” rule. 

An early surrender gives the player the option to surrender their hand to a dealer’s Ace card or ten-value up-card before the dealer has checked to see if their hand has a blackjack. The early surrender option is usually more favorable for players than the late surrender rule. The player gains an edge of 0.39% in games played with six decks where the dealer has an Ace and 24% if the face-up card is a ten.

In European multi-deck blackjack games, the basic strategy for playing an early surrender is slightly different from the late surrender strategy. You should surrender the following hands if early surrender is an option:

• Surrender hard 5, 6, and 7 (as well as 3s), and 12 to 17 (including 6s, 7s, and 8s) against a dealer’s Ace.  
• Surrender hard 14, 15, and 16, including 7s and 8s against a dealer’s ten.
• Surrender hard 10-6 and 9-7 (not 8s) against a dealer’s 9. 

It’s worth knowing that you can only surrender against a dealer’s ten face-up card in most European and Asian casinos. Aces is not an option. 

In addition to what surrender can do to reduce the house edge, if you’re a math whizz and have ever tried counting cards — the surrender option is definitely worth adopting into your strategy. It can be a great stabilizer for your bankroll and help you rebalance your losses if you know you’ve got no chance against the dealer’s hold card.

The Takeaway 

Hole cards and the option to surrender are the two rules that differentiate most blackjack games around the world. Every individual one of them, however, is still immensely fun to play. They also give gamblers an easy and practical way to win some cash without overly complex rules or gameplay. 

Compared to games where the option isn’t offered, playing blackjack with surrender is the best way to prevent too many fluctuations in your bankroll. If you plan to play blackjack in casinos abroad, definitely try these rules out for yourself and see if your luck changes!

If you want to learn more about blackjack and start winning big you should check out our comprehensive guide 3 Basic Blackjack Strategies You Should Always Keep in Mind.

The post Playing Blackjack Around the World appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Gambling in itself was hugely popular in the days of the Old West, but it was far from legal in most states. As a result, gamblers and casino operators needed to find new ways in which they could continue to offer games without the harsh regulations and legal issues that came with operating on land. Then came the birth of the first-ever riverboat casinos.?

But at what point did boat gambling become so popular in the states and why is it that after many states legalized gambling there are so many still in existence today? Let’s rewind and find out!

Gambling In The Old West

In the eyes of the law, gambling is a pastime with a varied scope of acceptability. Even though it is legal throughout most of the world, in some parts, it is entirely forbidden and can result in a hefty fine or even prosecution if you get caught.

As gambling is a form of entertainment, these consequences may sound harsh. But just over 100 years ago, they were much worse. Gambling in the states was a massively controversial topic back in the late 1800s and 1900s, particularly in the Old West. As it was illegal in most states, gamblers found innovative and creative ways to cheat the system if they wanted to play poker or blackjack. This is around the same time when the loophole of riverboat gambling was first discovered.?There are the most famous wild west gamblers.

Initially, riverboats operated solely for transportation purposes because of how quickly and reliably they could move goods and make deliveries. However, new routes for railroads began to pop up around the country. This enabled people to get from one destination to another much faster. As a result, the use for and popularity of riverboat casinos declined.??

This was also the time when the American Civil War started, a time where many of the Southern States were at loggerheads with the North. The chaos that erupted from the war contributed heavily to the stagnation of riverboat entertainment at the time.

The Solution

Though gambling wasn’t legal on land, a few cunning individuals took the law into their own hands and decided it could be legal if gambling on water. Very soon, riverboat gambling set sail and gained immense popularity in the years that followed.?

Riverboat casinos were technically not legal still. However, they opened up a loophole in the law that regulators and governments couldn’t do much about. The riverboat gambling trend was growing, and more importantly, succeeding at bringing in high rolling clientele from various states.

River Boat Legalisation

As governments became increasingly aware of these shady operations, and tightened gambling laws. Afterward, the popularity of riverboats eventually began to fade. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, however, riverboat casinos made a huge comeback. This is when Louisiana and Iowa became the first states to legalize riverboat casino gambling.?

In 1989, the first fully recognized riverboat casino legally operated in Iowa. Witnessing the success and unprecedented demand for this new style of gaming, more states began to follow suit. A few months later, Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi passed riverboat casino laws.?

Working Out the Kinks

Legislators in Louisiana passed a new bill that made riverboat gambling legal, with a couple of stipulations. Gambling needed to take place on docked ships that are a minimum of 120 feet long and resemble the look and feel of a nineteenth-century paddle boat.?

They also needed to accommodate at least 600 passengers and make scheduled runs to the mainland regularly. Any vessels that did not meet the legal requirements at the time were could not operate as a gambling venue or offer any class of casino games.?

Riverboat Gambling Today

These days, hundreds of riverboat casinos operate throughout the U.S., with each one employing several hundred staff. This small section of the gambling industry is responsible for generating billions of dollars in gaming revenue each year. And the popularity of riverboat casinos continues to increase.??

In Louisiana, legislators have capped the number of riverboat casinos to 15. But in places like New Orleans, there are exceptions in place that permit a limited number of riverboat casinos to operate.?

Any passengers looking to play casino games on riverboats in Indiana should prepare themselves for being out on the water a long time — as should the staff. All riverboats operating gambling activities are legally required to cruise for a minimum of four hours before they can re-dock. The legislation allows gamblers to partake in games thirty minutes before the cruise and for another thirty minutes afterward. 

Unlike the state of Louisiana, for riverboat casinos in Indiana, it doesn’t matter whether the vessels are modern or historic. As long as the vessel can accommodate at least 500 passengers and has a length of 150 feet or more, they’re good to go. Slot machines, table games, and all other types of class II casino games are permitted onboard.?

A Luxurious Experience

Riverboat casinos are now more popular than ever. Even though there were stringent policies that these vessels had to comply with in the beginning, the rules are much more relaxed these days. Gamblers can set sail and have the opportunity to play all of their favorite casino games while enjoying the decadence of a cruise ship experience or visiting a Caribbean destination.?

Most riverboat casinos now operate 24/7. And they feature everything from a spa, gym, restaurants, bars, cinemas, and other onboard amenities in addition to a fully-fledged casino. Most of them also feature rooms and deluxe suites where passengers can recharge their batteries, and wake up to another day of full-on gambling and fun.

The post A Brief History of Riverboat Gambling appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Rugby is already an exciting and unpredictable sport, so adding gambling to the mix takes it to another level. As one of the most popular and rapidly growing sports in the world, rugby is a great game to follow throughout the season and place some bets for a chance to win money and have a little fun.

New to rugby and not sure where to start? You’re in luck! Our sports betting experts at Planet 7 Casino have put together this handy guide to teach you everything you need to know to get started placing your bets on this fantastic team sport. 

Rugby Basics — How to Play

Rugby is an aggressive, contact sport played between two teams on a field with an oval ball. The object of the game is to score more points than the other team in the allotted 80 minutes of gameplay. 

The ball moves up the field in “phases of play”. Players must never throw the ball forward, instead, passing it backward and advancing forward on foot with the ball in hand. Players can also kick the ball forward and chase it down. The opposing team will attempt to gain back possession of the ball by tackling the team on offense. 

There are multiple ways to score points in rugby, and each way has a different point value:

• A try is when a player holding the ball reaches the opponent’s “dead ball area” behind the goal and touches the ball to the ground. Five points are awarded.
• A conversion is a free kick that a team is awarded after scoring a try. A conversion is worth two points, and in order to receive those points, the ball must be successfully kicked between the bars of the goal post.  
• A penalty kick will award a team with three points when the opposing team causes an infringement. 
• A drop goal will earn a team three points. This happens when a player drops the ball quickly on the ground and kicks it through the goal post.?

Variations of Rugby

Rugby was created as far back as 1823 by a student at Rugby School named William Webb Ellis. Today, there are two variations of this team sport — rugby league, and rugby union. Rugby union, played with 15 players on the field, is the most traditional version and is more closely reminiscent of the original. This is the version that is most popular in the United States, and played in most colleges. It is also more popular in the south of England and is commonly played throughout much of the world.?

The second variation of rugby is called rugby league, which is also more than a century old. League is extremely popular in northern England and Australia. This version pits 13 players from each team against each other. Fans love it for its faster gameplay, which allows for more tackling and excitement from the audience.?

Types of Rugby Bets

Rugby betting, no matter which variation, can be divided into two categories: match betting, and tournament betting. Like in other sports, this means you can make short-term bets on each individual match, or you can choose to make long-term bets to see how the team will play out over the season and see who will be the champion of certain tournaments. 

Below is a list of the different types of match bets you can make in rugby.

Match Result

This is a fairly straightforward bet — you simply bet on a team to win, lose, or draw. At the international level, there is usually a limited value in placing these bets because there are very rarely big upsets.

Handicap Bets

These are similar to match results, but have higher values because of a point margin. For example, if you place a bet on your team -9 to win, you are essentially betting that your team will win by 10 points or more.?

Winning Margin

This is similar to a handicap in that you are betting that one team will win by a certain number of points. The key difference is that if you bet a margin of 2 goals, the team you have bet on must win by a margin of 2 goals — 2-0, 5-3, 12-10, for example. Winning margin bets often have a higher reward due to the preciseness of the bet. But with higher rewards comes higher risk!?

First Scoring Play

There are four ways the first points can be scored. This is an interesting bet to place. You bet on which type of how the first points will be scored: try, penalty try, drop kick, or penalty. Penalty obviously has the smallest odds, so it is probably in your best interest to not place that particular bet. Depending on the style of gameplay that each team prefers, it is often wise to wait to see who will have first possession before placing your bet.?

First Try Scorer

With this best, you are placing a wager on who will be the first player to score a try, no matter at what point in the game it occurs. There are a few variations of this bet including, first try scorer from each team, first try scorer in each half, and the position of the first try scorer.?

Now, take a look at the different types of bets you can make during a tournament or series. A tournament is that such as the Six Nations, World Cup, Olympic Games, etc. A series is a number of matches with the same teams playing against each other. 

Tournament of Series Winner

This is simply a bet on which team you think will win the tournament or series. It is the most basic version in this category of bets and does not come with a lot of risk, so the payout is often low.?

Margin of Victory in a Series

With this bet, you will wager on who you think will win the series, and by home much. For example, you might pick Australia to win a three-match series against Ireland 2-1.?

Top Points Scorer in a Tournament or Series

As the name suggests, with this bet you bet on who will score the most points in a tournament or series, regardless of how they occur. You can bet on a player from each team, or simply the top scorer between them both.?

Top Try Scorer in a Tournament or Series

This is similar to the previous bet, but instead you are betting on who will score the most tries. Points scored any other way to not apply to this bet.?

Strategies for Successful Rugby Betting

Know Who You Are Betting On– Each team has a different playing style. Before placing any bets you should do a bit of research and get to know each team, their players, and their stats. 

Some teams are more aggressive and score a lot of tries, while other teams prefer to play back a little and rely on drop kicks and other methods of scoring. This is important information to know when placing many of the bets we listed above.

Check the Weather– Checking the weather of the location of the game is a good idea. If it rains, the ball will be slippery and there will probably result in a lower number of points than usual. Also factor in the climate differences for each team and what they are used to playing in at home.?

Stay Updated– Check the news on the days leading up to the match. If there are any recent injuries or conflicts between teammates, coaches replaced, etc., they may influence the result of the game.?

Know the Players and Positions– This is an obvious one but we can’t leave it off the list. Certain positions just score more than others; it’s the nature of the game. Before placing a top scorer bet on a certain player, make sure that they are even in the position to score in the first place. This goes along with doing your homework and knowing the game and sport that you are betting on. 

Go With Your Gut– At the end of the day, we all have instincts telling us what to do. Often this intuition and these feelings are correct. If you feel confidently about something (within reason, go for it! It could result in a big pay day and satisfying victory for your favorite team. 

Time to Place Your Bets!

Now that you have a clear understanding of the types of bets you can make in rugby, it’s time to check the schedule and stats of your favorite team. Prepare to have a lot of fun watching this energetic and passionate sport, and hopefully win some real money along the way. 

Good luck!

The post Rugby Betting Explained appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Sure, soccer players could just be addicted to the fun aspect of gambling. But more often than not, it’s just a counterweight for their excessive spending. Here are a few names in the soccer world that have suffered at the hand of gambling over the years.?

George Best

George Best was one of the most looked up to sports personalities in the world during the 80s. However, he also faced a tough battle when it came to gambling, sex, and drinking. For years he was a well-known force to be reckoned with on the pitch. As his health began to deteriorate, however, his flourishing career came to an abrupt end along with his own life when he died from alcohol abuse in 2005.?

Joey Barton

There are many football players partial to a bit of poker and blackjack in casinos. But one of the biggest taboos in the sporting world is betting on your own matches. This is exactly what the former Man City left fielder, Joey Barton did. He eventually got caught in 2016, after he placed more than 1,250 illegal bets over the course of a decade. He received an 18-month ban and is now “essentially” retired.?

Matthew Etherington

Matthew Etherington is another player who has fallen through the ranks after struggling with a gambling addiction over the years. The star racked up close to ￡1.5m in debts since he joined West Ham. The club even loaned him ￡800,000 just so he could settle his debts. But it was only when he made the move over to Stoke City that he was finally able to combat his gambling habit and balance his finances again.?

Paul Merson

Paul Merson is one of the prime examples of how celebrity life can get out of control when the individual isn’t investing their cash wisely. The former midfielder was notorious for gambling, blowing over ￡7m in bets throughout his career. At one point, he even broke his own fingers to stop himself from calling the bookmakers and wagering on an Aston Villa game. 

Michael Chopra

At just 17, Michael Chopra was just one of the many young players in football to develop a gambling problem when they started their careers. The Newcastle United striker had threats fired at him and his family on a regular basis, after borrowing thousands from loan sharks. Chopra says he lost close to ￡2million from card-playing sessions on the team bus. The buy-ins for each hand were around ￡30,000 each time.?

Dominic Matteo

Dominic Matteo touches on his severe gambling addiction in his book In My Defense. His excessive tendency to place six-figure bets on various horse races is what eventually led to him to ruin. He bet his daughter’s inheritance, and consequently went bankrupt in 2015. On one particular race, he placed a single bet of ￡200,000 on a horse and won the bet. Matteo retired and has a much better handle on his gambling problem. But the same can’t be said for alcohol.

Keith Gillespie

On October 1, 2010, Keith Gillespie was completely bankrupt according to Belfast High Court after he accumulated over ￡7million in gambling losses and debts. He was already an apprentice with Manchester United at 16 but was already splashing his ￡46 a week at the bookies. By the time he was playing for Newcastle at 19, he was losing over 50 grand a week. He continued this habitual pattern until he eventually went bankrupt in 2010.?

David Bentley

Bentley began his career with Arsenal. But instead of waking up every morning thinking about football, he was thinking about what bets he was going to place that day instead. As he started to earn more money from his glamorous career, he was placing between 50-100 bets a day which ranged anywhere from ￡100 to hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time. Fortunately, he managed to beat his addiction. Bentley embraced his love for football instead.?

Eidur Gusjohnsen

Professional forward player for Iceland and Chelsea striker, Eidur Gusjohnsen, admitted to becoming addicted to casino gambling when he lost ￡400,000 in 5 months. Though he may not have been placing five-figure bets like his team counterparts, he dropped ￡2,000 worth of chips at a time on the roulette wheel.? Like others, he eventually managed to get a handle on his problem and now provides support and advice to warn others about the dangers.?

Tom Williams

Last but not least, Tom Williams was almost abandoned by his family when they discovered his secret gambling addiction that almost cost them their home. He incurred debts of over ￡1million by the time the bailiff knocked on the door. His supermodel wife, Nicole McLean gave him the ultimatum of seeking help or her leaving with the kids. He finally stepped up to the mark and put his addiction to bed.

Conclusion  

We might scowl at the fact that soccer players earn more money than we could ever dream of. But they’re still just as susceptible if not more to the effects of money. Not all of them throw it away on gambling, expensive cars, houses, and other material gains either. Most professional football players are highly charitable philanthropists. Many of them have done more than we could ever think for our healthcare systems, the education sector, and the overall economy. In a world driven by greed, filthy rich people with this kind of attitude are certainly hard to come by…?

The post Soccer Players Who Suffered Gambling Problems appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Classes of Games

When you access an internet casino, you’ll immediately notice the vast selection of casino games they offer. This includes the less traditional varieties such as keno, Sic Bo, bingo, or exotic versions of poker. A sportsbook or sports betting site, on the other hand, would only be likely to host a small selection of casino games. That’s because the primary market is sports matches, tournaments, and races. Sportsbooks such as William Hill and Bet365 have been granted the ability to offer games like online slots in recent years (even a few scratch cards). But you’re highly unlikely to come across a roulette wheel or blackjack table with a sportsbook.??

Betting Options

Again, because the classes of games are very different between the two gambling formats, this also means that the betting markets are different too. At online casinos, you would place bets according to the rules of each game. And rules can vary substantially from one game to another. In sports, the bets tend to be quite similar for each game i.e. parlays, over/under lines, total goals, etc. In addition, you’ll often find that the betting requirements can be different for internet casino games. You might pump $1 bets into slots, but the minimum requirements for some sports bets can be as much as 100 bucks.?

Odds and House Edge

The house edge is usually depicted in percentages in casino gambling. In sports betting, the odds tend to be displayed in either decimal, fractional or American (also known as the moneylines). There are no differences in how payouts are calculated in these formats. It is simply how they are presented and traditionally used in different countries/cultures. In casino gambling, the odds for each game are pretty much the same across the board. The same goes for the different moves and possible outcomes in casino games. These moves can have a significant impact on the house edge.?

Skillset

You don’t need to be a mastermind to find success in betting at online casinos or sportsbooks. Many of the betting options come down to chance. If, however, we’re talking about skill-based casino games such as poker or baccarat –? knowledge and practice go a long way in comparison to placing a basic prop bet on a soccer game. Don’t let this fool you into thinking that placing strategic bets in sports betting is easy though! Most successful bettors have extensive knowledge of the sport itself, team performance, match history, main opposition, players’ strengths and weaknesses, and more. This confidence and knowledge can take years to build up!?

Rewards and Bonuses

Both online casinos and sportsbooks offer great welcome bonuses to newly registered players. For online casinos, this could come in the form of a no deposit bonus, free spins to use on selected online slot games, comp points, and other incentives. Sportsbooks and betting sites will normally offer free bets to use on specific tournaments, additional bonus credits to use when the bettor puts down a minimum deposit, or up to a certain percentage amount on their first few deposits.?

Timing and Availability

Both sides of the gambling industry turnover a lot of money through the games and betting options they provide. But there is a big difference between the availability of sportsbooks. This is because, unlike online casinos that operate 24 hours a day, you’re only able to place bets on your favorite teams and players when they are playing a game.

This is why many bettors end up opting for smaller league games. Often this is because their chosen chalks didn’t qualify, incurred an injury, or come faced with other affairs which prevented them from taking part. Internet casino games don’t have these problems. The worst-case scenarios for these establishments would be if a game gets pulled for containing bugs/errors or the servers crashed.??

Player Demographic

There are millions of sports fans worldwide. However, not all demographics place bets on these games due to state laws and age restrictions. What is known is that sports betting in the US is evidently more tailored towards younger males. The American Gaming Association carried out a survey last year to determine the average age of core bettors in the states. The results showed that 45% were males aged 23-34. The demographic driving the most revenue and demand in internet casino gaming is the players in the 36-41 age group. This doesn’t mean internet casino games aren’t catching the attention of millennials though. Particularly when you look at the surge in mobile gaming and live dealer casinos the last few years.?

Conclusion

As you can see, online casinos and sportsbooks carry similar properties. But there are many differentiations when it comes to the betting options, game selection, as well as availability and level of support. What really sets them apart the most is how easy it is to start. Internet casino games are forgiving in the sense you really don’t need much knowledge to get accustomed to how they work. Sports betting, on the other hand, is something that requires extensive knowledge of the games, rules, players, plus some high levels of commitment in order to keep up with the latest trends and last-minute game alterations.?

The post Sports Betting vs Online Casinos: Differences appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

Gaming just got a whole lot better for those looking to gamble at mobile casinos in 2020 as well — now you’re able to play your way to the ultimate payouts and experience the same fluid gameplay through your smartphone. Here’s what you need to know about getting started with mobile gambling, along with some great recommendations for mobile casino games to test your touchscreen skills. 

How to Sign Up to a Mobile Casino

Before you start looking for real money games and top apps to play on your device, you’ll first need to find a reputable casino or gambling site with a top welcome bonus offer for new players. And here’s how:

• Select & Register – Sign up to an online casino offering mobile gaming and create an account by entering a few personal details. Sites like Planet 7 have a straightforward sign-up process that lets you create an account quickly and easily. 
• Login and Make a Deposit – Once you’ve created your account, login with your unique username and password. From there, you can navigate to the cashier, select your preferred banking method and deposit any funds into the account. Don’t forget to use a fantastic mobile casino bonus to play with!
• Pick a Game and Begin! – Now you will be able to select a game from the lobby to play in practice mode and for real money. Simply swipe left and right to access things like the rules and settings of the game. You can also return to your account, view the casino’s promotions and other information at any time. 

Selecting the Best Real Money Casino Games to Play

There are plenty of different and exciting games you can access via your mobile, including mobile slots, bingo, keno, and scratchcards, plus table games such as baccarat, roulette, blackjack, craps, and poker. It really does come down to your own preference as to which type of game you want to invest your pennies in. However, all of these are a great place to start if you’re not sure what kind of theme, playing style or betting options you want to try out on your iPhone, Android or tablet first. 

Mobile Payment Methods and Banking Options

Like online casinos, most mobile gambling operators tend to offer the same deposit and withdrawal methods, along with different options for receiving your winnings when you play in this format. You’ll usually be able to pick from money transfer services and ewallets like Netella and Skrill, Bitcoin, plus most debit and credit cards. 

Safety and Security at Mobile Casinos

Online casinos and mobile casinos are the same when it comes to player safety taking precedence over everything else at the casino. You can rest assured your details and personal information is kept fully secure thanks to the use of sophisticated SSL encryption technology. Mobile casinos have a responsibility when it comes to looking out for their players, just like online and land-based casinos do.  

Take Advantage of Free Play

Just as you can with the majority of online casinos, you’re also able to practice mobile-based casino games for free. This can be a major benefit to players just getting into the world of mobile gambling, as it means you don’t have to risk any of your own cash to begin with. Once you’re feeling more confident with the games and your bets, you can up the excitement and transition to playing for real money.

Look for the Best Mobile Casino Bonuses

Players can expect the same degree of rewards and incentives when they play mobile casino games, just as they can when they play through a desktop gambling site. Keep an eye out for top welcome bonus offers before signing up to a casino, as well as their regular offers and promotions that can provide you with everything from no deposit bonus codes, free spins, and jackpot bonuses. The screen may get smaller, but the bonuses certainly don’t in mobile gambling! 

Payouts at Mobile Casinos

Another advantage of playing at mobile casinos is the fact that the processing and withdrawal times are typically the same as you would expect when gambling through a PC or Mac. However, the waiting times can fluctuate based on the payment methods you have chosen, and whether you choose to receive your winnings in the same way as you made your deposit.

Terms and Conditions of Mobile Casino Games

Terms and conditions apply to all areas of the casino, including the games, bonuses, and even player criteria. Always be sure to check the small print and requirements with these kinds of things to prevent any surprises or issues. Bonuses will commonly be attached to some kind of playthrough requirements, while many games will have minimum deposit and wagering requirements.  

Conclusion

The mobile casino world is constantly advancing and it’s only going to get better with the introduction of live dealer games, VR and augmented reality casino gaming. The best part about playing games on your mobile is the fact you’re able to experience the same level of enjoyment without needing to be chained to your desk. You get the freedom to gamble on the move, wherever you are, and still acquire equally big wins – what’s not to love? 

The post How to Play Mobile Casino Games appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.

What is a Gambling Regulator?

First of all, there are multiple different gambling regulators across the globe; particularly when it comes to the U.S. Some countries have multiple gaming authorities which are non-departmental public bodies to their own government. These can include everything from generalized control boards or commissions, racing and Parimutuel commissions, lottery corporations, divisions of consumer affairs or a gaming board of advisors. Each one serves its own purpose in regulating and supervising the gambling laws for that particular country, region or state.

How Did They First Come About?

The first federally recognized gaming commission dates back to around 1988, when the Native Americans established the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Native American tribes have authority over the federal lands granted to them. Tribes may even operate casinos inside states which prohibit gambling. Which is why they require such a close relationship with the state governments. It’s also why they have so much jurisdiction when it comes to operating certain classes of games as well. These “Tribal-State Compacts” means that the state receive a large chunk of revenue from the tribal-owned casinos. In exchange, the tribe maintains exclusive rights to offer games, and territorial advantages over other casino operators.

As more and more countries adopted new gambling laws and lowered the restrictions in the years that followed, this naturally attracted a wider base of players. But, as with anything that grows in popularity, so do the problems associated with it. This meant that casinos both online and offline would now have to address challenges such as underage gambling, addictions, theft, fraud, and a string of other problems which would be very difficult to manage if it weren’t for the gaming authorities. When these issues became more and more apparent, other countries began setting up their own gaming control boards.

UK Gambling Regulators

The UK jumped on the bandwagon in 2005, when they established the Gambling Act and assumed full power. This isn’t surprising considering it was the British colonies which were the ones to first implement national lotteries for raising extra sources of revenue in the 18th and 19th centuries. The legislation was set to regulate everything from arcade games, slots, bingo and lotteries to remote gaming online.

Other countries such as China and Japan have only legalized certain forms of gambling in the last few years, but most are actually banned. Macau is considered the “gambling capital of the world” and China were the first to invent playing cards. But their laws are still heavily regulated when it comes to both online casinos and land-based venues, primarily due to illegal gambling in the country. The same laws still apply to Hong Kong. But because it’s still part of English common law, the approach to certain forms of gambling is more liberal.

In Australia, gambling is a major health issue. Almost 80,000-160,000 experience some kind of gambling problem. There are regulatory bodies under the Commonwealth for each continent. These include the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission, Independent Gaming Authority, Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor etc.

Pokies are the biggest attraction for Australian gamblers, and they are also big fans of lotteries too. All of which are owned by state government and private sector companies.

What Are Gaming Commissions Responsible For?

We’ve established what they are and some of the countries which have them. So let’s talk about what they actually do. First and foremost, the objective for these authorities is to eliminate illegal gambling operations and crime, on top of providing protection for the vulnerable. This doesn’t just include individual players and consumers, but also shielding the casinos themselves.

Gaming commissions are responsible for issuing licenses to vendors. They also advise the governments on gambling-related issues, and liaise with police to combat suspicious and illegal gambling activities. Their remit covers practically everything to do with gambling in that area of the world. They implement new laws and practices, issue fines and penalties, and provide services and anonymous disclosure for problem gamblers. In addition, they also conduct surveys and research on gambling-related topics, and investigate suspicious licensees. They even dictate the types of and classes of games which each establishment is permitted to operate.

What Happens When An Operator Displays Unlawful Behavior?

Gambling Commissions carry out assessments of every gambling operator, bookmaker, or betting service each year. If it comes to light that the company has not been following standard practices or has done something unlawful, it’s not just a slap on the wrist they can expect. They will either face some kind of financial punishment, dismissal, or be instructed to raise their standards.

There are several things that casinos can do wrong. These include failing to prevent money laundering, producing misleading advertisements, delaying a player from withdrawing their winnings, or simply offering a game which is otherwise not permitted. This results in some serious consequences from the gaming authorities, including heavy fines and possible jail time for those responsible. One of the best examples of the gaming commission’s wrath towards unlawful operators was in the case of 32Red. The player received a ￡2million fine on the spot for failing to acknowledge and support a problem gambler. He had deposited ￡758,000 with the company over the course of 2 years. But the casino failed to check whether he could afford the bets he was placing, despite several previous regulatory rulings.

Employee Misconduct

Another more recent example is the Steve Wynn sexual misconduct case. Offenses like this usually fall to the higher courts regardless of the industry. But the former CEO’s received over $50m in fines collectively within the last 2 months. And all of these fines were issued by the relevant gaming commissions. If it weren’t for the fact that Wynn Resorts is one of the world’s largest casino operators in the world who provide a mammoth chunk of revenue to the states each year – they no doubt would have lost every single one of their gaming licenses.

The thing is… for a company of that scale, we are pretty much talking pocket change. However, for smaller online casinos and betting shops, a fine for even a fraction of the size above could have detrimental effects on that business’s future operations, prospects, and of course their reputation.

What About When the Commissions Themselves Face Criticism?

Believe it or not, the commissions and boards have also had their fair share of controversy in the past. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation had to review their practices a few times over the course of the last decade. This was mainly due to incidents involving stolen lottery tickets from convenience store clerks, and the circulation of fraudulent tickets. The OLGC supposedly turned a blind eye to these incidents.

Nobody knows what kind of fine they paid for allowing such events to take place. But they have since mandated new security measures to protect lottery participants and winning customers. This year, the UK Gambling Commission voided all open ante-post bets placed on BetBright’s horse racing games, as well as wagers placed months in advance for the Cheltenham Festival and football season to start in August. The reason was due to BetBright selling their technology to 888.com shortly after the races were due to be held. The takeover company confirmed they would honor the outstanding bets placed by punters prior to the sale. But nothing ever came to fruition from their side.

In Chile, the head of the Chilean Gaming Control Board (SJC) was forced to resign from his position by Chile’s president in 2016, after controversy arose over licensing a random casino. The incident followed a brutal 2-year bidding process by another eligible operator. According to sources, the casino group’s proposal for the license (for which they were more than a suitable fit) had been rejected on 3 separate occasions. The media turmoil caused the license to be later awarded to the novice operator elsewhere in Marina Del Sol.

Final Thoughts

Many people are quick to badmouth regulatory commissions. But the truth of the matter is: we would be far worse off if they didn’t exist at all. Without them, it would pave the way for illegal casinos to target innocent patrons and dupe them out of their hard earned cash. Because all legit casinos online and offline must be officially licensed by a regulator, it makes these rogue casinos much easier to spot. Gamblers and consumers have reached a point where they will no longer tolerate any sort of dodgy behavior. It’s mainly thanks to the gambling commissions and boards that we can protect ourselves from these sites. So, next time you go to play your favorite casino games online for real money, remember it’s because of these guys that you’re able to do it safely and have fun in the first place!

The post Gambling Regulators: Who Are They and Why Do We Need Them? appeared first on Planet 7 Casino.