Say Hello to the Newest Craze – TV Casino!

TV casino is another format that’s changing the ever-dynamic online casino industry. Smart TVs have opened another way for people to connect with casino playing in a more integrated manner. TV casino games aren’t exactly new, they’ve been around for a decade now, but Live Casino has made playing TV casino even more relevant. We predict this is a trend that will gain even more traction in 2018 and beyond.

TV Casinos—How do they Work?

In theory, TV casino works similarly to live dealer games. But these games are broadcast live over a TV network, meaning they’ll reach a wider audience. Live dealer games are broadcast directly through online casino sites too much smaller audiences.

Originally, TV casino games were shown over large channels, but now they can be broadcast on internet channels or even from the casinos themselves. Playing casino internet channels can allow players to play shift multiple games.

TV table games lend to that glamorous, real-casino feel with entertaining croupiers in exciting surroundings. These games can be broadcast from purpose-built casino studios or even from actual land-based casinos making the games even more authentic for players.

Games available on TV

Much like live casino, TV casino games tend to be table games. Games like roulette and blackjack are easy to broadcast with one croupier running the entire game but the games can be played by multiple players across many channels. TV casinos also give players the opportunity to experience the action without playing the actual game; they can even place bets on the players.

The Social aspect of both TV Casino and Live Casino

TV casinos make for an even more interactive experience; players feel like they’re part of something bigger and not just playing a game against a computer. Communicating with both the dealer and other players via Live Chat makes casino games much more exciting. This growing trend of interactive gaming is predicted to capture the imaginations of younger players who are more predisposed to video games.

Twitch

The growing popularity of online broadcasting platforms like Twitch.tv are opening up even more popular online casino games to fans. There are plenty of games players can access—the platform primarily focuses on live streaming video games, as well as eSports competitions but there’s a growing market for people viewing online slot games. It’s a visual way to learn how to play a game and also to see what features a particular slot game has. The site’s content can either be viewed live or via video on demand.

Choosing a Smart TV

The TV you choose to play casino on makes a big difference to your Live TV playing experience. It has an impact on the look and feel of the game. We’ve taken a look at some of the best Smart TVs that you can play Live Casino on. We like the Panasonic VT50 (Plasma), the Sharp Elite PRO (LED) and the Sony XBR (LED-LCD). If you want to play blackjack or live dealer roulette on your TV, it’s a good idea to invest in a piece of hardware that will showcase the software and games at their best. You can easily connect your TV to your casino account using any of the TVs we’ve recommended.

The Nation of Canada Proves the Leader of Online Casino

Over the past few years, there have been some big deals and huge growth in the online casino industry worldwide. The Canadian market is no exception. The latest figures from the Canadian Gaming Association show that the yearly purchased services total over $14 billion and gross output is sitting at around $31 billion, with the figures expected to soar in the future.
There’s little doubt that mobile gaming has contributed greatly to this upswing, what with the popularity of online mobile casinos in the country, which allow you access your favourite casinos on the go. In fact, Canucks are as eager as ever to play online games like slots, video poker and roulette.

Canada and Regulations Within the Online Casino Industry

The Canadian government follows a decentralised approach when it comes to iGaming regulations. This allows each territory and province to determine their own regulations at state level rather than federal level.
Quebec, for instance, is home to one of the longest-established hubs in the country’s online gaming industry, called Loto-Quebec. Quebec was also the first to allow the issuing of gaming licenses to online operators. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation was then established and today brings in an annual income of more than $7 billion.
In Manitoba and British Columbia, Canucks can legally play at online casinos due to a regulated site called PlayNow. The net revenues that the activities on the site generate are returned to the Canadian government and put towards important services such as health care, community groups and education across both BC and Manitoba.
What’s more, the territories of Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba are all interested in sharing the success of the country’s online casino industry and are hard at work to moderate the legislation that would allow foreign operators to trade within their territories.
Reports suggest that due to the continuing ambiguity around the legality of online iGaming in the country, things could quickly become an issue for Canadian gamers. For example, since there is hazy legislation combined with non-centralised licensing, players could unwittingly find themselves on the adverse side of the law with no protection, and things could go horribly wrong.
It’s for this reason that Canadian states and territories alike are working together to offer more government-approved online casinos for Canadian citizens.

Popular Casinos in Canada

Canada has a prestigious online gaming development history that’s led to some of the most iconic franchises and therefore some of the best casino games online. One of the oldest establishments in the industry is Cryptologic, which was founded in 1995. The company is located in Toronto and launched its first licensee way back in 1996. After that launch, the company went on to close several big deals with online casinos and online poker rooms.
The company also launched online bingo software that was acquired by the Amaya Gaming Group in 2012 for a staggering $35.8 million.
It’s just the tip of the gaming iceberg. Canada continues to be a major player in the online casino industry with large deals done regularly.

April 2018’s New Slots from Pragmatic Play Bring Magic & Mystery to the Reels

April 2018’s New Slots have another addition to the fold from award-winning casino game developer, Pragmatic Play. Fairytale Fortune is a slot game which welcomes players to a fantasy world of magic, towering castles and adventurous gameplay. This charming release is perfect for spring time with its immersive gameplay and magical prizes.

Fairytale Fortune Packed with Features

The 3×5, 15-line video slot is inspired by folklore, a princess and her prince encountering mythical beasts, ancient dragons and even unicorns. The reels are packed with colour and music and players will find stacked wilds on every reel.

April 2018’s New Slots – Fairytale Fortune

There are four bonus games to be found in Fairytale Fortune and the fairground-style tombola unleashes either the Wheel of Fortune, Super Wild, Raining Wilds or Progressive Free Spins when you see a combination of three or more diamond symbols.

How to Play

Players can either wager or choose to collect their winnings after any of the bonus games. Players can either choose a 2x wager offering them equal odds of doubling or losing their winnings or else winnings from the big bonus game can be wagered up to 5x if you happen to be feeling lucky. The Wheel of Fortune is another exciting feature which can offer extreme wins of up to 5x your wager.

Chief Commercial Officer of Pragmatic Play, Melissa Summerfield said: “Fairytale Fortune slot is an exciting addition to our games portfolio, combining high concept gameplay with high fantasy that’s sure to make players happy.

“We aim to deliver the most entertaining and diverse suite of high-quality products to our award-winning partners. We like to think Fairytale Fortune is yet more quality content because of our signature bonus content and vivid graphics.”

New Aztec Gems Slot

April 2018’s New Slots also includes the release of Aztec Gems. Yet another exciting video slot which features Pragmatic Play’s signature win multiplier reel. This simple slot game lets you hunt for Aztec treasure in a lost jungle civilisation. This 4-reel, 5-payline slot doesn’t have as much in the way of features as Fairytale Fortune but it’s nice and simple if that’s your thing.

The golden totem wild will offer you 5 times your stake in its own right and the multiplier reel can increase your winnings spin soaring by up to 15x. The minimum stake is 5p and you can wager up to £25 per spin. The multiplier reel becomes active every time you land a winner.

Pragmatic Play – Aztec Gems

Pragmatic Play have committed to releasing two new games per month and their portfolio is growing. All slot games are HTML5 and they’ve partnered with a growing number of reputable online casinos like Leo Vegas and Betsson.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play are becoming a well-respected games developer in the industry, while not as well-known as NetEnt, Quickspin, Microgaming or NextGen, they’re growing fast and they’ve got a great collection of slot games for both mobile and desktop platforms. They support 23 languages and most major currencies.

Virtual Reality Casino Gaming

Will Virtual Reality Casino Gaming really take off in 2018? The international online casino industry has been revolutionised since its inception almost a quarter of a century ago due to continuous technological advances worldwide. From basic slots, live dealer casino games and now virtual reality gaming, will the latest trend take hold this year? Let’s see if VR gaming is fully poised to take the baton from live dealer games and be players’ new game of choice in 2018.

Evolution of Online Casino Gaming

The scepticism online casino received from many gamblers in the past has since been allayed by the accelerated technological developments in the past three decades. The glamour and excitement offered by land-based casinos can now be matched with seamless live dealer games. We’ve come a long way from glitchy online slot games.

A natural progression from Live Dealer Games, Virtual Reality casino gaming could be the cornerstone that brings all the elements of a Vegas casino experience to online players.

The best way of enjoying these casino games is through the Virtual Reality devices. These devices have been used in video games for many years, and their inclusion to the online gambling scene was long overdue. The VR casinos have become so popular over the past few years. What are the reasons behind this rising popularity?

VR Casinos Are Offering a Greater Variety of Games

The technology to bring VR Casinos to the average home casino player has around for a while, but its rollout has been slow. Although there are a number of table games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat, video poker, poker and exciting slot titles in existence, the price drop in virtual reality headsets is only just making this form of gaming accessible to the general population. This was signalled at the 2018 ICE iGaming Expo when NetEnt unveiled their most popular slot game, Gonzo’s Quest in a fully operational VR format. Additionally, the launch of the world’s only 3D virtual reality online casino, SlotsMillion, and its UK-facing brand LadyLucks is another sign that this is the direction online casino is heading in.

Realistic and Exciting Experience

Virtual Reality Casino Gaming is now a reality with widely available devices which provide a realistic casino experience that’s incomparable to other formats. VR’s success in other sectors has been phenomenal and we’re starting to see the same growth in casino. VR casinos now surpass Live Dealer games in their ability to be interactive. You can walk around the virtual casino, be a spectator, interact with other players, choose a game, interact with the dealer, just like you would at any Las Vegas institution. The social element to this experience is key to its success.

Conclusion

Virtual reality is one of the greatest technological advances of the past decade and looks set to revolutionise online casino in much the same way. We can see from developments in the casino industry that it’s becoming more widely available. It looks like 2018 might just be the year for this trend to really take off. You can now get yourself a VR headset from anywhere between £60 to £500. When you do try this amazing casino experience for the first time, we guarantee, you won’t be disappointed.

Playing the Best Live Casino Developers

The Best Live Casino Developers are without a doubt, NetEnt and Evolution Gaming but which live casino software providers offer players the best experience? There’s no easy answer to that question as Live Casino fans look for different features in their games of choice. We’ll take you through some of the best features from the two most innovative Live Dealer gaming solutions on the market right now.

Evolution Gaming

Established in 2006, Evolution promised the live casino market that they’d revolutionise European Live Dealer Casino Games, a promise which they’ve more than lived up to. They’ve partnered with some of the biggest online casino brands on the market and were the first developer to set up live studios, specially designed to resemble the look and feel of any real Vegas casino.

Best Live Casino Developers

Live Games on Offer

Evolution Gaming offers all popular live dealer games, including live Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat plus Three Card Poker, Casino Hold’em, Mini Roulette, and much more. Players can experience an online interactive game that’s as immersive an entertaining as any land-based casino experience. What’s more, you can play at up to 4 different tables in a single window. The live Blackjack table even offers side bets like Perfect Pairs and 21+3.

Mobile Live Games

No app is required to play Evolution Gaming live games on mobile. They have fully optimized versions of live Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Casino Hold’em for mobile devices and iPad.

Deposit Safely

Evolution us the same high-level encryption tool as any major payment provider on all their financial transactions. They partner with well-respected online casino brands to ensure that your online security is taken seriously.

Pros
• Largest selection of live casino games
• Great atmosphere in Live Casino studio

Cons
• Slightly less high-quality streaming than NetEnt

NetEnt Live Casinos

In the past 20 years, NetEnt have consistently come out on top as one of the most innovative online casino software providers in the industry. NetEnt Live Casino was launched in 2013 and only came in two games, Blackjack and Roulette. Since then, they’ve invested millions in making their live casino games, top performers in the industry.

Game Developers – NetEnt

Live Games on Offer

NetEnt only offer several variations of Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and their NetEnt Live Common Draw Blackjack, which offers players a lower limit experience while still having access to NetEnt’s high-quality experience. What they lack in game availability, they make up for in game quality. The streaming is high-definition, the platform is smooth and lag-free, and the game themes are customisable.

Mobile Live Games

Their Mobile Live Games are where NetEnt really come into their stride. They offer an Easy-to-use interface, portrait and landscape mode, seamless graphics and sound and an overall great mobile live game experience.

Deposit Safely

NetEnt always have always offered tight security measures and protocols on financial transactions on all their games. Their Live casino games are no exception. All deposits are safeguarded with the same encryption methods as used by financial institutions. You can deposit and withdraw safely using debit or credit cards, your bank account, an e-wallet or prepaid cards etc.

Pros
• Tables open 24/7
• Support for 27 currencies/24 languages
• Great Mobile Experience
• Ability to offer cross game promotions like free spins on slots

Cons
• Lack of Games

Marvel Slot Games Disappear as Playtech Contract Ends

Marvel slot games disappear this month as the contract Playtech had with Marvel came to an end on April 1. To fill this super-hero sized hole, Playtech has launched their Age of Gods series which contains all the exciting features and gameplay of their Marvel slots, but with a focus on immortal gods instead of super-heroes. It’s probably fair to say that both super-heroes and immortal gods would face many of the same issues.

It’s been known for some time in online casino industry circles that Playtech would be removing the slot games from their collection, but every day fans of the games may be surprised at the move. Hopefully, online casino operators have been directing Marvel slot fans to similar games they might enjoy.

Marvel slot games disappear

A few days ago, Playtech announced some news that created quite a commotion in the online gambling community, especially with those who didn’t see it coming. Namely, the company stated that they’d be removing all of their Marvel-themed games after April 1st, and despite the somewhat unfortunate date, this announcement is no joke.

New Marvel Owners Distance Themselves from Gambling

Disney purchased the Marvel franchise in 2009 and made it clear from the outset that they wanted to distance themselves from online gambling. They decided to sever their relationship with casino games developer, Playtech, as soon as their current contract had run out. The contact ran until April 1, 2018, hence the cessation date of all Marvel slot games. Canadian online casino brand, Amaya, were the first brand to remove Marvel games from their portfolio about two years ago.

New Games from Playtech

The Marvel slot series was a massive hit with both online casino fans and fans of the popular franchise. Cryptologic produced the original slot games and were bought out by Playtech who took the products from strength to strength. Players could become further immersed in the adventures of their favourite characters like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Incredible Hulk. As the movie franchise goes from strength to strength with more Marvel characters getting their own movies and TV shows, it’s a missed opportunity for more exciting gaming content. Great design and immersive gameplay have been hallmarks of Playtech’s brand for years and their Marvel slots were no exception.

With the hole left by the Marvel slot games, Playtech looked to new, similar products to fill the vacuum. Their Age of Gods slot series looks set to do this, fans can look forward to similar superhuman stories and exciting gameplay from ancient Gods and Goddesses as opposed to contemporary superheroes.
The company remains positive that fans will respond well to their new output, banking on the games being a massive success. However, it remains to be seen whether this new cast of characters will capture players’ imaginations the way the beloved Marvel characters did. Age of Gods will need superhuman strength to take over from the popular franchise.

Online casino had a great week last week. There was lots of exciting news. There have been plenty of big wins, new online slots, and lots of new casino deals. We’re going to give you a rundown of the some of the biggest online casino news of the past week.

Newest Spring Slots

After a cold winter, Spring is finally here to lift our spirits. And so are some amazing new slot games just in time for the vibrant new season, we’ve listed the Top 5 Spring Slots so that you can pick a new game for a new season.

NetEnt’s Hall of Gods Slot Pays Out €6.7m to a Lucky Player: A €6m payout sounds pretty good right now, doesn’t it? That’s a life-changing amount of money, and what’s more, it was picked up on mobile by a NetEnt casino gamer.

The Latest Spring Slots and Online Casino News – Hall of the Gods

Play’n GO Nominated for Seven Awards by Women in Gaming: A diverse workforce is a dynamic workforce, and the Women in Gaming awards seeks to promote diversity in the online casino industry. Play’n GO are leading the charge with an almost equal number of male and female staff which is why they’ve been shortlisted for seven awards in 2018.

New Casinos

MyChance Casino: MyChance casino has a great selection of games—all your favourites like video slots, table games and live dealer games. They’ve got plenty of NetEnt and Microgaming titles and a stellar collection of over 500 games.

Boom Bang Casino: Boom Bang has a stellar collection of games from lots of great software developers Betsoft, NetEnt and Rabcat. This online casino is fully optimised to play on mobile, so it’s great on the go casino.

New Slots

Legend of Loki: iSoftBet bring you another great online slot inspired by Norse mythology. If you’re a fan of the Thor TV series, the Legend of Loki will appeal to you. The story takes place in the mythical city of Asgard. There are plenty of wilds, multipliers, scatters and lots of bonus features.

Siren’s Kingdom: The new Siren’s Kingdom slot game from Iron Dog studios is very reminiscent of The Little Mermaid. The reels on this slot game are transparent because the story happens underwater. This online slot has a great aesthetic, and the gameplay is quite exciting as well.

Fire 88: Pragmatic Play has a new Chinese-themed slot, and it’s hot as hell. Fire 88 is a simple 3×3 slot game that combines the thrill of a classic slot machine with advanced bonus features! All the fiery symbols like single, double and triple firecracker bars, coins and diamonds add up to some pretty big wins. It’s a really exciting game and another success for Pragmatic Play’s development team.

Lates Spring Slots from Pragmatic Play – 888

Conclusion

That’s our round-up of last week’s biggest news in online casino. Big wins, brand new slot games and some excellent new casinos for you to try out.

Online Casino Games vs. Sports Betting – Comparing the Thrills

It’s pretty hard to beat the thrill of playing online casino games. What with life-changing jackpots, easy banking options and all the immersive sounds and visuals, it’s perfectly understandable. That characteristic thrill of knowing Lady Luck might just be on your side, along with the joy of seeing your winnings flash before you just can’t be surpassed.

Can Online Casino Games Compare to Sports Betting?

Sports betting has enjoyed a noticeable rise in popularity over the last decade along with similar chances to outwit bookies and walk away with substantial winnings. The exhilaration of landing a 10-fold accumulator offers incredible satisfaction, but does it really compare to the delight of playing online slots and casino games?

Some of the well-known football team fans are surely familiar with pre-match nerves and great anticipation ahead of a big match or derby. Most supporters aren’t likely to forget their favourite team’s big wins in a hurry.

Well, that brief rush is something many online casino customers enjoy when rolling the slot reels or taking part in a game of poker or blackjack. The sense of potentially winning a life-changing amount is difficult to describe, but it certainly gives winners a momentary buzz. Seeing those paylines flash before you or seeing the cards drawn in your favour that day might just last seconds, but you’re not going to forget the moment anytime soon.

Casino Games vs. Sports Betting

Sports betting can also hinge on a single important moment. Players can flip from joy to utter despair with one kick of the ball. The knowledge that you could be hundreds or even thousands of Euros richer by the end of the weekend offers a great surge of adrenalin and stimulates several senses in the brain.

That tiny second of optimism followed by sheer jubilation can, indeed, be very similar to the high you get playing slots and online card games.

With so many incredible slots now available, most online casino operators have noticed a cross-over between players who like to best on the Premier League before spinning the slot reels at the end of a match.

In fact, we’ve noticed plenty of sports-themed slots cropping up over the years, too. Sports fanatics can now enjoy slots like Cricket Star, Shoot and Soccer Start. There are also games based on golf, tennis and snooker. Best of all, new players can look forward to welcome bonuses and free spins when they open a new player account at an online casino.

Conclusion

We can make a number of comparisons between online casino games and sports betting, with both offering an exhilarating rush of adrenaline. Many online casino operators also offer both games and sports betting for players who like to indulge in both. The satisfaction of winning is definitely similar to making a big withdrawal from an online casino, and it’s a rush that’s hard to beat in the daily grind called life.

Microgaming Mega Moolah Makes Player CAD 7.5 Million Richer

One very lucky Canuck has landed the second Microgaming Mega Moolah progressive jackpot of the year, adding a staggering CAD 7.5 million to their bank account.

According to information released by the online operator, Royal Vegas Casino, a veteran Canadian player has, this month, landed the massive progressive slot jackpot. It’s the second time in 2018 (and we’re only three months into the year) that Microgaming’s most popular online slot has awarded a very lucky player its massive pool of cash.

Microgaming Mega Moolah Strikes Again

For several years now, Mega Moolah has been one of the most popular slots by far at online casinos across the globe. The game attributes most of its popularity to massive seven and, at times, eight-figure jackpots amassed across a wide network of online casinos that feature the slot.

The latest windfall comes at Royal Vegas Casino. However, it’s not the largest jackpot in Mega Moolah’s history. Interestingly, it is bigger than the average payout which currently stands at about $5.1 million. As for the biggest Mega Moolah jackpot ever won? That title belongs to Jon Heywood. Mr Heywood scooped a whopping CAD $23.55 million back in October 2015.

An Online Slot That’s Still Going Strong

Even after a decade, Mega Moolah continues to be a favourite amongst Canadian online casino players. First introduced back in 2009, Mega Moolah quickly soared in popularity as the very first large-scale progressive jackpot slot on the internet. It quickly captured the attention of players around the world, and it continues to grow from strength to strength – and jackpot to jackpot. Over the years, software developer and gaming mega-giant, Microgaming, has introduced several other progressive slots that share the very same jackpot, including Mega Moolah Isis.

The original game, though, sports an African safari theme and some seriously cool graphics (especially when we realise it was created nearly a decade ago). To get a chance to hit one of the four jackpots, you need to enter the jackpot round, which is usually triggered at random, and then spin the wheel. There is a range of fields on the wheel, but just one of them will award you that life-changing Mega Jackpot. The jackpot seeds at $1,000,000.

Where Can Canadians Play Mega Moolah?

Royal Vegas is merely one of the many Microgaming-powered online casino operators that host the Mega Moolah slot. Essentially, the jackpot accumulates across a network of all casinos that host the game, which is exactly why there have been so many hits over the years.

All you have to do is pick an online casino, create a new player account and start playing. Don’t forget to take advantage of welcome bonuses and free spins to boost your bankroll and stand an even bigger chance of hitting the big time. While you’re at it, don’t forget to try your hand at other popular online casino games like video poker and roulette. Or, pull up a virtual chair with a live dealer and have some serious fun.