Online Gambling and Smartphones

Online Gambling and Smartphones
The day is rapidly approaching when you could be sitting in a boring staff meeting or waiting on a train platform for your sweetheart to arrive, and win a few bucks in real money playing in an online casino on your iPhone or other "smartphone." The mobile gaming industry is pushing hard for the day to get here as soon as possible, and it is rapidly becoming reality.
A recent study by Juniper Research estimates that mobile online gambling will be a $48 billion industry by the year 2015, with players enjoying lotteries, parimutuel betting, and the standard casino games like slots and blackjack. The smartphone is the perfect device for online betting, though in the US, users must use various work-arounds to use them successfully while legislation clarifying the legality of online betting churns its way through Congress.
One possibly enormous player in the world of mobile web gaming could be state lotteries in the US. Selling lottery tickets over the counter is not always easy, and many people are embarrassed to buy them. But buying them online is a more private transaction that more people find appealing. Adding apps for buying lottery tickets to phones is likely to draw millions of customers. The technology already exists, and is in wide use in the UK and other countries. For example, China's VODone Lottery has nine million users, and these apps have proven extremely popular in countries in Africa and Latin America.
Some internet casinos are choosing to concentrate on smart phone users more than on other online gamblers. Surveys have shown that online bettors use their mobile phones in large numbers, and those numbers are only expected to rise over the next few years. If legal issues in the US are resolved, they will likely rise even more dramatically as people go online with their phones to play slots, poker, and other games. Adapting online gaming for mobile devices involves fitting the entire site onto the screen so that players can see the entire page at one time while they are playing.
Internet gambling is, as expected, the most popular on the best selling mobile devices, such as the iPhone, the iPad, and the iPhone Touch. Nokia has recently come out with four new models that make it easy for players to visit web casinos or place online sports wagers. These devices run on the Symbian operating system, which has a reputation for fast connections, making them potentially more appealing to online gamblers.
The worlds of smart mobile devices and web-based casinos are merging as more people choose to access the web with their smart phones when they don't have their computer or netbook handy (or don't have a WiFi signal). Web casinos are reaching out to these devices in hopes of making the experience as entertaining as possible for these users.

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Things to Check Out When Joining a Gambling Site

Things to Check Out When Joining a Gambling Site
Checking out a few things is important when you are about to sign up on an online gambling site First, you must engage in improving your involvement in gaming so as to experience the fun but you should also watch out for your expenditure and seek the appropriate customer support service whenever you need to.
You could be baffled at the many online sites that are currently available but you must take your time going over these sites before deciding to join one that is appropriate for you. You would notice that the best and reputable online gaming sites use the most advanced computer technology and software so that subscribers have the best thrill and experience. Playtech software, RGT and Microgaming are some of the latest programs used by reputable popular gaming sites
The aim of all gaming sites is to attract more players and keep them on the site by intensifying the online fun and thrill so they could experience what land based casino players actually feel With quality software and state of the art technology, the sound, audio and graphics would be top drawer
When you hear true casino sounds and effects flashing on the computer monitor, you feel as though you are in the real environment and your motivation increases With the advanced computer technology and software you are sure to feel the real entertainment right away.
Check out free support and free practice
You can practice some of your favored games like poker, craps, bingo, keno, slots, roulette, blackjack, and many other versions of them at several sites There are newer games that are loaded up frequently to keep your gaming interest up and running
However, this is not to tire you whilst you are engrossed with the real casino experience Be familiar with the games you prefer by checking out on them and utilizing practice facilities and by spending some time honing your skills to master your techniques
To ensure the safety of your personal data whilst registered on the site, casinos make use of the encryption technology and put up computer firewalls to keep your transactions as private as necessary Nevertheless, it pays off to check out user reviews to be familiar about how well customers are satisfied with the support service.

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Selecting a Trusted Online Casino

Selecting a Trusted Online Casino
The online gambling industry is one that is rapidly expanding. More and more people are playing in online casinos, preferring them for the ease and convenience they provide. But selecting one is not like choosing a new dress or a new microwave oven. There are several things that you have to consider before you trust the site with your money. Make sure that you ask these questions before you give an online casino any of your private information.
How Long has the Casino been in Operation?
One of the ways by which you can see how reliable a casino is by knowing how long it has been in operation. Rogue casinos are generally put out of businesses as soon as they are discovered, and usually, they cannot afford to stay online for long. But those casinos that have been around for a long time are sure to be reliable. For one thing, if a casino isn't managed well, it may go bankrupt and might have to go out of business. However, if a casino is managed properly in such a way that the users continue to support it, then it will survive and continue to be in operation for a long time.
Where does it Hold its Gambling License?
Another important factor is the location where the online casino is based and where it holds its gambling license. This is important because a casino can only be held accountable by the standards of its gambling license. So, basically, even if the casino has 'wronged' you, if its gambling license declares that it has not, then there is really nothing you can do. Laws become convoluted when in the face of issues regarding the internet. So, make sure that the place where it holds its gambling license is of good repute, or you might just find yourself on the wrong side of the deal.
Are its Payout Percentages Verified by External Auditors?
You will also want to research whether or not its payout percentages are verified by objective external auditors. Of course, when a casino is asked about its payout percentages, it will want to put itself in the best light possible. Some online casinos even lie about their payout percentages. Software can be manipulated, so online casinos can change the odds of winning for the players. So, before you decide to choose an online casino, look at the data that external auditors have to offer. They give accurate information about the payout percentages, which will help you get an idea of whether or not a site is trustworthy.
The bottom line, however, is that you have to read some user testimonials in order to truly gauge whether or not an online casino is trustworthy. The users are the most objective judges of all, and since you're going to be one of them, then it is only logical that you seek advice from them. There are many testimonials available on the web, so be sure to review them and to compare the information about the online casinos.

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Three Questions Every Gambler Should Ask Before Filing Their Income Tax Return

Three Questions Every Gambler Should Ask Before Filing Their Income Tax Return
If you take home casino winnings, or money from private card games, federal tax laws require you to report it as income. For the majority of gamblers this is considered hobby income, which means that not all gambling expenses can be deducted. But, when you qualify as a professional gambler you get to deduct all of your gambling expenses and losses, just like other business professionals. Here's what you need to know:
1 - Are My Winnings Business Income?
One or two winning pots taken home from the casino or poker games with your friends does not make you a professional gambler. A professional gambler is operating a business, not just out to win a game or two. In an audit, the professional gambler will be required to prove that his or her gambling activities qualify as a business.
The IRS has classified gambling as a hobby because most people gamble for fun. This is why gambling winnings are generally included along with other miscellaneous income. This is bad because even though every penny of gambling income must be claimed, the hobby gambler does not get to deduct all of the expenses involved in producing that income. A professional gambler, however, can take full advantage of business tax laws which permit self-employed people to deduct all qualifying losses and expenses.
Tracking wins, losses and expenses is the same for both the hobby and professional gambler, and it must be done according to IRS rules if you want to survive a tax audit. Fail to do so and those expenses and losses could be disqualified. To escape the hobby classification a gambler must be prepared to prove that they are engaged in making "actual and honest" efforts to produce a profit. The desire to win big is not enough.
2 - Can I Prove That Gambling is My Business?
Documenting your gambling in a business-like manner is a critical part of proving to the IRS that you are not a recreational gambler. Professional gamblers need to keep a log of all gambling activities. This should include the date and location of every event, your starting bank, closing bank, and net win or loss.
All expenses involved in getting to each gambling event, along with hotel costs, entry fees, meals, tips and private coaching must also be documented if you want to survive an audit. If the casino "comps" your expenses they are not deductible; only expenses paid by you personally are deductible.
3 - Do I Have To Pay Self-Employment Tax on My Winnings?
There is no self-employment tax on hobby gambling income; however there is self-employment tax on most business profits.
Self-employment taxes fund your personal Medicare and Social Security accounts. When you are employed by someone else, your employer pays half of those taxes and you pay the other half. The self-employed person pays it all. However, many times the bulk of this tax can be avoided by funding a private retirement account set up for your business.
In other words, whether or not you pay self-employment taxes actually depends on how much you know about current small business tax laws. Working with a qualified tax accountant, one recommended by other gamblers, is the best way to reduce your self-employment tax.
If you think you qualify as a professional gambler you should not be preparing your own tax return. Because an audit is highly possible in this industry, you will want the guidance of a qualified tax accountant when dealing with the IRS.

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How to Go From an Amateur Gambler to a Full Time Gambler

How to Go From an Amateur Gambler to a Full Time Gambler
First, you must ask yourself this very serious question. Can you seriously handle the fact that some days you may go to "work" for eight hours and lose money? If you can cope with that fact, then you may be able to make it to the next level of making a full time living gambling.
Let's assume that you've gambled before in some fashion and came out a winner. If you've come out a winner then you more than likely have also come out a loser. The first step in turning "pro" is to accept the fact that both instances will in fact happen. You will win, and you will lose. The key is winning a lot more than losing. Period. The math never lies when it comes to gambling. Just remember to keep your head on straight when you get stuck in a losing rut and most importantly don't allow it to affect the way you feel on the day to day. This brings me to my second point of "betting for the long run".
Once you enter the world of gambling you know how much everyone likes to boast about their winnings, and rag on the losers. These are usually the short term winners, you know the guys who drive Cadillacs, but live in a one bedroom apartment by the train tracks. Flashy, but no substance. My point is anybody can pick a big winner every once in awhile and brag about it, but it takes a special breed (and strategy) to make a living gambling. Always stick to a disciplined preplanned strategy. Without it you are purely betting on emotion, and remember: EMOTION doesn't win money, LOGIC does. Bet for the long term and you'll be much better off and much more profitable. This brings me to my third point in taking the amateur to the professional.
Educate yourself, and if your sports betting then outsource your picks. Educating yourself by trying new systems of gambling will only allow you to broaden your horizons, and give you a pre set disciplined strategy to make money. This plays in with previous point that you must have a pre set action for all gambling situations no matter what your game. Let's take blackjack for example: you better know basic strategy like the back of your hand and you better have a betting system better than: 1unit lose: bet 2unit lose bet 4unit lose bet 8unit lose. The only way you are going to win money is by having a preset winning strategy, and you better leave that to the experts who have run the 1 million trials. So my point is EDUCATE yourself. Invest in your future gambling self before you go wagering on a whim. This comes to the second part of my point: Outsource your picks if you are a sports bettor. Some people may be surprised by this, but when handicappers are offering such quality guaranteed picks now a days. There really isn't any reason to do it on your own. The research is done for you; by the experts. So save yourself the time, but always remember; double check your handicappers picks with your own research.
Follow these three points and you'll be well on your way to becoming a professional gambler.

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