Posts Tagged ‘slot machines’

American Online Casinos

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

I do not understand why the Republican party is so opposed to the regulation of online gambling in this country.  They have made it a part of their official party platform once again.  I totally agree with them that gambling is not necessarily a healthy thing for American families, but not everyone in the United States has a family or any interest in having a family.  Also there are a lot of things that are accepted in this country like drinking and smoking that I find unhealthy for American families but one has any interest in banning them.  As a matter of fact the last time the country tried to ban alcohol because it was not the best thing for American families the alcohol industry developed into a business so violent that it left American streets running with blood — gang shootings are terrible for American families.

Regulating online gambling goes well beyond one parties ideal for the American family and is more about taking responsibility for protecting Americans.  No one is asking the United States to develop an online gambling industry, there is already a multibillion dollar online gambling industry that involves companies from many different countries.  The cry is for the state or federal government to acknowledge that this industry exists and to establish some guidelines under which these companies might operate that will keep the American consumer safe. Regulation of online casinos does not force anyone to take up gambling, but it does protect the people that choose to participate from theft and dishonesty.

Zynga Online Gambling

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Whenever I look at modern legislation against online gambling I cannot help but think of the United States during the prohibition era.  There are just certain things that legislators do not have a choice about.  After a certain point, once demand becomes big enough for a certain service, there is no point in outlawing it.  Banning a certain practice or service does not actually make the problem go away.  If anything it increases the presence of the service and causes the figures that run that particular industry to become a lot more shadowy and a lot less trustworthy.  That is exactly what is currently happening with online casinos.  The service definitely exists in the country, it is just that the companies that offer the service are not the most trustworthy in the world.

If this country really wanted to have a firm handle on online gambling they would know that the only way to go about it is to regulate the industry.  People deserve the opportunity to make their own decisions about online gambling.  If people find it amoral, it is on them to abstain from the service, it is not the job of the government, state or federal, to make a moral decision for the people.  It would be much better for the company if companies like Zynga were involved in the online gambling industry than for some unheard of country on some distant island to offer a multibillion dollar service with absolutely no regulatory guidelines.  Regulation means consumer protection.

Gambling Wire Act

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

For a long time the main problem that I have had with the Republican party is that it seems totally out of touch with the needs of the average American.  I can assure you that having a silver spoon candidate like Mitt Romney as the party representative does not help the party in my eyes what so ever.  However, beyond Mitt Romney, there are a few more issues that I have with the party.  That latest words is that the official party platform still maintains a stance against online gambling.  As a matter of fact the party calls for a reconsideration of the United States Justice Department ruling that there is no federal law that prevents states from regulating gambling on an individual basis.

The Wire Act, the law long held by conservatives as an anti-online gambling law was written back in the 1960s.  While there were a lot of advancements made in the 1960, seeing the future was not one of them.  The idea of online gambling was not even something people considered so it seems absurd to me that anyone could point to this law as a federal opinion about online gambling.  However, this does seem right in line with the type of manipulative behavior that I have come to expect from the conservative party.  We are at a point in our history were almost everything has an online option and people are coming to expect the same for their gambling options.  Even if the state does not do it, the service and industry will develop.

New Jersey Gambling Hypo-Christy

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

It is so easy to hate politicians.  As a person who considers himself fluent in body language, the amount of times that you see a politician willingly lie to his base makes me deeply disturbed.  It is very rare that you get a politician that stands for anything anymore, the flop back and forth depending on the way that the wind blows.  Both sides are guilty of saying anything that will get the vote.  We also have a government that is established around elections.  Instead legislating on their conscience or the desires of the people they are paid to represent, you have politicians that are just making decision that will likely insure they keep their jobs.  This is not the kind of person we need in charge of our government on a state or federal level.  I believe political ambition of New Jersey state governor will prevent the state from regulating online gambling.

The New Jersey legislature has been a fan of regulating online gambling in the state for some time now.  It does not look like Chris Christie is willing to do it.   I find it hard to believe that a Governor of a state like New Jersey, where one of the most popular gambling sites in the country stands proudly, would have a problem with gambling expansion.  I am almost certain that he is resisting the online gaming measure, because the Republican Party official separated themselves from any ambition to online regulate gaming. He has been busy hobnobbing with the leaders of the party.

Christie Online Gambling

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

When the United States Justice Department ruled that the Wire Act did not prevent states from regulating online gambling, big surprise since “online” as a term did not even exist when the Federal law was written, it seemed that there was race among a handful of states to be the first to regulate online gaming.  The winner of that race was Delaware.  It was absolutely no surprise to me that the first state to regulate online gaming would be from the northeast.  Gambling competition is especially stiff in this region of the country.  It all comes from states taking a bite out of market that once belonged exclusively to New Jersey.  Those days seem long over, but the more shocking development is that it seems that the days where New Jersey would compete to maintains something of its standing at the top of the food chain are long over as well.

At one point in time New Jersey pledged it would be the first state to regulate online gambling, though that did not happen I expected them to quickly follow in the footsteps of Delaware.  Apparently it does not seem that New Jersey is even going to make a go at online casinos in the near future, at least not while Governor Chris Christie is in office.  Christie is dedicated to saving what is left of Atlantic City and feels that online gambling would further take business away from the casinos.  It is likely that online casinos could be used to bring more business to the casino online.

Rams Head Casino Music Venue

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

I guess a venue has to start with something.  As a music fan and a musician I will never quite get why people go so crazy over cover bands, but they certainly do.  There is no secret in the music business that if you want to make some serious money on the side, then start a cover band.  When Maryland Live! finally opens the doors to their Rams Head music venue, cover bands will be the main item on the menu.  Every tuesday night, ladies night, there will be a cover band featured at the 500 seat venue.  On Thursday nights there will be somewhat bigger retro acts taking the stage.  The venue is just not big enough for big marquee names.  However, at least the people of Anne Arundel county will finally be getting a venue that offers them professional entertainment.

When there is not live music playing on the mainstage, Rams Head Center Stage will also host other events that are sure to draw people.  On Monday nights they will have free admission NFL viewing parties.  There will no doubt be a large high definition screen in the venue and that sounds like a pretty awesome way to enjoy a game.  I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of the venue.  In the future I expect that the venue will be able to attract bigger and better acts.  A venue of that size is perfect for a successful stand up comic.  It is also the perfect size for a lesser known independent rock band with a decent following.

Anne Arundel County Gambling

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Anne Arundel County just got that much cooler.  Since the summer there has been non-stop buzz about the Maryland Live! Casino venue.  The casino only just finished their first phase of opening, it is not yet as large as it is designed to be, but already it has more slot machines than any other venue in the United States.  If all goes well at the voting polls the venue will also bring table games to the area as well.  However, with a casino resort like Maryland Live! I feel like casino gambling is only a small part of the things that it can offer the people of the community.  The reason casino resort end up making so much money is because they are often the only source of entertainment and nightlife that locals can enjoy.

The Rams Head Center Stage will be a wonderful addition to the gaming venue.  It is not a big theatre by any means, but it will more than suffice as a music venue.  It seats about 500 people.  With such limited seating you are not likely to ever see the Spice Girls reunion tour, but it is more than enough to attract independent rock acts.  For the most part it looks like the venue will be home to some top of the line cover bands.  While I do not expect people to shell out a whole bunch of money just to see a cover band, it is likely that people will come out on a regular basis just to be entertained.  Consistency of consumption goes a long way in the business world.

Gambling Entertainment

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

When you live in a town where there is very limited entertainment, almost anything new will do.  I suppose I am spoiled living in New York City where just walking out on the street you run the risk of having a life altering experience.  There are performers everywhere.  From the best of the best at Lincoln Center to the most bizarre and unique street and subway performers.  I have often said that your rent in New York City is the price of admission to the greatest show on earth.  However, not every town in the United States is lucky enough to be bombarded with entertaining experiences.  That is the reason when a casino comes to town so many people get excited.  And better than a casino is that casino resort.

I am never a big fan of a casino alone opening in a town.  I always feel that the people in the area could use a lot more than just a place to gamble.  That is the main reason that I was none too keen on the opening of the Sugar House Casino in Philadelphia.  Now when a casino resort opens its doors, that is a completely different story.  Casino resorts have become massive entertainment complex.  Not only is there a gaming floor but they often come with places to eat, places to shop, and places to catch a live show.  When a town becomes the host of a casino the deserve more than just a place to spend their money, they also deserve a place where their money can buy them access to a memorable experience.

Maryland Live! Casino

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

It is no surprise to me that Penn National Gaming wanted to do everything in its legal power, and some powers that danced on the line of illegal, to stop the development of the Maryland Live! casino venue.  It became very apparent to Penn National Gaming that this casino venue was soon to develop into one of the most important entertainment spots in all of Maryland.  Penn National Gaming has a casino venue in Maryland, but it is much smaller in size and vision.  Maryland Live!, since it open in June, has slowly been developing into a major source of entertainment for the people in the area around Anne Arundel County.  The venue offers much more than just slot machines even though it offers just more slot machines than any venue currently operating in Maryland.

The latest addition being made to the Maryland Live! venue is a top of the line music venue.  The Rams Head Group has opened a mid-sized concert hall at the casino and it is expected to add a completely different dynamic to the casino experience.  It is not a massive concert venue but, it is big enough to draw acts with names and that alone will be a treat that the area did not have until now.  It looks like to start of with the venue will mostly be the home to the countries top cover bands, which is not a flavor that I readily get excited about, but in some areas people are simply starving for any sort of entertainment.

Downtown Casinos

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

It is amazing to me how the right casino project can create an instant downtown area in a city.  That is what people tend to forget when a state considers developing casinos.  Unfortunately, many people are convinced that a casino means the area that hosts the venue is doomed to financial decline and increase in crime.  That is not necessarily the case and that tends to happen to areas that already have developmental issues.  The problem is that casino developers tend to build their casinos in areas that already have economic problem in hopes of turning that place around.  Sometimes it actually works.  Other times it only seems to exacerbate the problems of the area.  However, towns have a legitimate reason to be excited when casinos make an appearance.

Casinos are not just gaming floors anymore.  There are some companies that will just through a venue together knowing that locals will show up and spend money.  But major casino developers have moved far beyond just offering a gambling venue.  Casinos are now all in one nightlife sports.  Most casinos now come with bars, restaurants, and even music venues.  You can legitimately get a full night of entertainment at most casinos now without ever actually setting foot on the gaming floor.  Of course casinos still make most of their revenue on slot machines, the companies now offer a wide variety of entertainment.  These massive casinos generate a lot of business in an area and the also create a lot of job opportunities for people that live in the area surrounding the casino.