MGM Mirage that owns 20 casinos in areas such as China, Mississippi and Michigan, continues to see profits fall dramatically. From April through to June the company lost a massive $212.6m and it is feared that the near future only sees matters getting worse.

Not only is the company feeling the affect from the recession, the gambling empire is being reviewed by regulators in New Jersey over its partner Pansy Ho that is located in Macau. For a while there have been suspicions that her father has previously been involved in organised crime but these rumours have never been turned into facts due to lack of proof.

It seems that the industry are quite surprised by the decision to review the current state of the company as in former years the father of Pansy Ho, Stanley Ho, dominated the gaming industry in the Portuguese colony, until Beijing allowed foreign casinos to compete for business.

If the review comes back negative, it will mean that the 50-50 joint venture will come to an end as the Chinese company will be forced to sell their share.

NetPlay who’s biggest brands are the likes of ChallengeJackpot.com and SuperCasino.com have just signed a contract with broadcaster STV Group allowing them to implement Scotland’s first TV casino.

NetPlay who have had an overwhelming success due to their dedication of offering customers popular interactive games that they can play on their mobile, online and through TV will now attempt to release this success in Scotland. Whilst some operators feel threatened by this in Scotland, others disagree with the locality that gambling has adopted, making it available to everyone and anytime.

Netplay’s profits have been on the rise and the company have little concerns for the impact and dispute regarding their product. Chief executive of NetPlay released a statement explaining, “The demand from terrestrial broadcasters is continuing to grow and will continue to grow with the increase in terrestrial broadcasting time”.

The release of the interactive casino can be expected in August and will be aired Thursday’s, Fridays and Saturdays. It seems that any concerns by operators and the public will be put on hold and dealt with at a later date!

For the third time CryptoLogic and Marvel have extended their very successful license agreement and won’t be up for renewal until 2013.

The association has previously provided uk casinos with great online comic book based branded games that include: Spider man, the Hulk, X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Blade, Sub-Mariner, the Punisher and more.

“CryptoLogic’s exclusive partnership with Marvel has been daringly different for our industry – as together we have brought some of the world’s favourite characters to the world’s top Internet casinos,” said Brian Hadfield, CryptoLogic’s President and CEO. “It’s exciting to extend a deal that has been mutually successful and profitable, and to strengthen CryptoLogic’s competitive advantage in the branded gaming space. We look forward to working with Marvel to deliver an even more compelling experience for every player, every day.”

In 2009, for the fourth successive year, CryptoLogic received Gambling Online Magazine’s Top Casino Software award.

Online Gambling in the US is under such strict regulation that its very difficult for operators to provide gaming products or services to customers. Financial transactions are not allowed to be made between banks and sites, therefore its very difficult for users to deposit money.

This has resulted in several illegal sites entering the market, as well some players opting to take part in games at foreign operators.

Online Gambling is at the center of an ongoing debate in the US, and many believe the government are closer than ever, to introducing a legal framework allowing internet gaming.

This potential tax revenue which could be generated is huge and currently the government are losing out on billions of much need money.

The argument for and against are clear. Those in favour believe it is a citizen’s right to decided if they want to play games online. A regulated system would stop illegal sites and provide a safe market place for online gambling.

Those against it claim that gambling addictions will rise and that it is against major religious beliefs.

Online Casinos have been growing rapidly in numbers since internet gambling first began. However the gambling act of 2007 brought in by the US federal government resulted in hundreds of site being forced to close. The act stated that it would be illegal for players the transfer money through online payment systems to operators.

The ruling has been debated since it was brought in, and organization such as the PPA (Poker Players Association) have been fighting for the right to play online for several years now.

Operators such as 32 Red Casino in Europe and the UK however have benefited, with thousands of US players deciding to play at foreign sites.

The US government have been considering amending the laws as they are losing out on billions in taxes. In the current economic turmoil, President Obama may find online casinos coming to his rescue.

UK online casinos are packed out with exciting games, which will entertain you for hours! Casino games offer you the chance to win some huge Jackpots as well and enjoy the games you take part in. Whether its Blackjack, Video Poker, Roulette, Craps or Slots its a great place to play.

888 is a favourite amongst several casino players because of its secure service and honest, trustworthy reputation. New players will be met with an excellent 100% match up on first deposits up to $200! This means you can double your account balance instantly!

Here’s a quick video or someone playing at the 888 online casino:

The number and range of slots is incredible! My personal favourites include Blonde legend and Clover Roll over! Other great sites include 32 Red Casino and Intercasino. See you in there!

The idea of a new casino at Killington, Vermont has been met with a cold reception.

An Auditor from Killington was hoping that downhill might turn into high rollers, saying “the state should consider putting a casino at Killington to raise money to repair the state’s crumbling roads and bridges.”

The idea while in some stature a good one, the current economic climate would lend to the feeling the timing of such an idea is all wrong. Especially with more and more casino making cutbacks in terms of staff as well as productions.

To add to the cold reception was the state shared that is was looking at £millions in budget gaps for 2009 and 2010, plus lawmakers have now warned that drastic cuts to state spending are in the offing.

The idea however is not the spawn of the Auditor the idea was put forward before back in 1995 in order to improve the states finanacies.

According to attorney General William Sorrell though, if lawmakers wanted, they could approve casino gambling with an act of the Legislature, but it is said lawmakers are leery.

Two casino players have been charged for cheating at the Foxwoods Resort casino. Local players Richard S. Taylor, 42 and Mattie E. Tarlton, also 42, were arrsted by police and charged with first-degree larceny, cheating during gambling and conspiracy. The cheating took place when dealers would take late bets at blackjack tables. The dealers would then receive payments at a later date in a different location.

Cheating in casino’s is now a rarity however some still takes place. Its extremely difficult for modern day casino’s to monitor dealers and players, however increased technological security has helped this problem. Before CCTV several security and section managers would be needed to overlook the games. Now most modern casino’s have a security room and dedicated team to identify possible cheaters. Several techniques can be used one of the most famous being the ‘Roulette Mix Up’. This involves several players and a great deal of skill and timing. Much of casino cheating is to do with psychological alteration. Their are often split seconds when the dealer looks away form the board or table.

These are the periods when cheats make their move. The classic Poker light move has been being used for several years. Some cheats have worn contact lenses or glasses which help identify cards. Richard Marcus spent several years of his life as a professional casino cheat and has his own internet blog explaining the moves in detail!

Jason Kidd, an NBA superstar who currently plays for the Dallas Mavericks, is giving up his recently won gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing to the people at Wynn casino in Las Vegas.

It’s not that Kidd has some gambling debt he’s settling up, he’s just coming through on a promise he made to Elaine Wynn while he was staying in the casino for multiple weeks straight.

“Last summer, we stayed at the Wynn for a lifetime, close to three weeks,” Kidd said. “We met at a banquet, we got to talking, and she really understands the game.”

Kidd promised Elaine he would give her his gold medal if he won one at the Olympics in Beijing because of the way he was treated during his lengthy stay at the casino.

“I told her I’d make a deal with her, that if we won the gold medal, I’d give it to her,” Kidd said. “She thought I was kidding. But I told her I had one already, and the way they treated us at the Wynn, it was the least I could do.”

Kidd had already won a gold medal previously and wanted to do something special for the Wynn casino. Most people will find this act hard to believe because I know if I had a gold medal, I’d keep it for myself.

Yes thats right, Nottingham Trent University are now offering an online gambling degree for postgraduates. The course will be part of the social Sciences school and will be divided up into several units. Students will learn topics regarding social networking, cybercrime, artificial intelligence and online relationships and sexuality. This will help them understand how to design online gambling sites or work for an online gambling business.

“As well as being academically challenging with the possibility of students going on to do a PhD, the course has been designed with the needs of industry firmly in mind,” said Dr Monica Whitty, the professor behind the course. “It will also be ideal for the self-employed who want to use information and communications technology in their business or those attempting to integrate it into employment or education,” said Whitty.

This course represents the huge growth of the online gambling market. Nottingham Trent is one of the most popular new Universities in Britain and accommodates for over 15,000 students. The most popular subjects at the university include, social sciences, performing arts along with business, social and legal courses.

So if you fancy a degree in gambling you can apply through the University entry site UCAS.co.uk.