The Magazine for the Gaming Enthusiasts

Net Watch

WHAT'S COOL
AnteUp Gambling Links
One of the more popular concepts in gaming web sites has been that of the "search sites." Online surfers looking for the right gambling site for them can cut through the clutter of the traditional search engines simply by logging on to one of these specialty sites. And if you've visited many gaming sites, you've probably seen the icon of one of the most popular search sites÷AnteUp Gambling Links.

By using AnteUp's links menu, visitors can search the Web for sites that offer just about anything related to gambling. If a general search won't cut it, users can take advantage of AnteUp's exclusive PowerSearch, which filters out all entries not meeting the complex criteria selected by the user.

In addition to the search features, AnteUp has free message board forums for its users. And AnteUp went the extra mile for its users by password protecting the forums to keep out bulk e-mail spiders (registration is free, of course). AnteUp's message board forums also notify the user via e-mail when someone has responded to a post he or she has made. And in what should be considered a must for any gaming site these days, AnteUp has a legal and news section that provides the user with quick and concise updates on all that is happening with online gambling across the Net.

Check Your E-Mail ...
From Anywhere!
(www.mailstart.com)
Every once in a while we stumble across a non-gaming site that is so cool, so useful, it deserves a mention here. Mailstart definitely satisfies these criteria. Suppose you're on a business trip or on vacation out of state and cannot access your regular Internet Service Provider to check your e-mail. If you're a Net fanatic like me, this dilemma could be considered a mild form of torture. But thanks to Mailstart, Internet users with access to the Web can check their e-mail from anywhere in the world. Simply log on to the site, enter your e-mail address and password, and Mailstart will access your e-mail from your particular server. And like most cool sites on the Net, the service provided is free. 

CYBER NEWS
Kyl Bill: The Bashing Continues
As we reported last month, the U.S. Department of Justice in late May submitted a report in which, among other things, it questioned whether or not some components of the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act (The Kyl Bill) were enforceable and constitutional.  And since the release of that report, the department has stated further concerns, which have prompted the bill's sponsors to modify the legislation further. For one, the department expressed its opposition to wording in the legislation that would put "mere bettors" at risk of prosecution. Also questioned was the notion that the United States will be able to indict online gaming companies operating legally in other countries.   

It should be noted that the Justice Department is not against the bill per se.  They have simply been expressing their concerns over the enforcement difficulties they will be facing should the bill pass in its current form.

Senate Will Consider Kyl Bill
With Congress' session winding down in this election year,  Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott has listed The Internet Gambling Prohibition Act on his "to do" list for this current session, according to D.C. lobbyist Geoff Bacino. Bacino was quick to point out, however, that the legislation will still need to be ironed out in the House of Representatives, a scenario Bacino believes will be a tough task given the small number of legislative days left in this session.               

Exemption for Fantasy Sports?
For the last few months, we've been documenting how fantasy sports leagues÷in which participants draft and manage imaginary teams consisting of real sports players for a nominal entry fee÷have been lobbying for an exemption in the Kyl Bill. And according to an article published in the Congressional quarterly, CQ Daily Monitor, the industry's efforts have made an impact. The article reported that a proposal has been made by the bill's sponsors that would permit fantasy sports leagues to continue to operate on the Internet, assuming the leagues charged "reasonable administration fees" to earn a profit÷albeit probably a minuscule one.   

The conflict the fantasy sports industry has with the Kyl Bill's proponents is centered on its contention that fantasy sports is not gambling, but rather a game of skill. As of this writing, it's unknown whether or not the proposal will be accepted by the various fantasy sports companies whose lobbying efforts have slowed the progress of the bill. But the fact that the industry is getting consideration is a good sign for the nation's fantasy sports companies.  

Commonwealth of Dominica
Getting in on the Act
While the United States government continues its attempt to ban online gaming Web sites, the small Commonwealth of Dominica÷located in the West Indies÷is taking a different approach: They're buying one. According to a news release published by Interactive Gaming News, Global Games Corp. has received a signed letter of acceptance from the commonwealth to design and build a virtual casino to be owned by the government of Dominica. According to the news release, the new site will be called Virtual World Casino and Sportsbook of Dominica, West Indies. Both Global Games Corp. and the government of Dominica are working in earnest to get the site up by the start of the NFL football season.

Similar to those used in most conventional slot machines, this is a program within the host computer's microprocessor that determines the randomness or "chance" factor of a game, from the spin of a slot machine's reels to the cards dealt in a hand of blackjack. If you're an online gamer, it would be most prudent for you to check with your online casino and find out if their RNG is independently certified.

WHAT'S NEW
The following are some of the latest gaming Web site launches

Casino Inn
www.casinoinn.com
Casino Inn features five casino games including blackjack, Caribbean poker, roulette, four slot machines with up to 95 percent payouts and up to $10,000 jackpots and four video poker machines.

Aces Casino
www.acescasino.net
In addition to promoting their online gaming experience, this site gives extensive overviews on its government license, fairness, security and confidentiality.  Once a user is comfortable with the site, 20 casino games await them.     

NEWSGROUP NOISE

"Despite my loss of over $100, I consider my last trip to Las Vegas to be a success. Why? Because I was barred for the first time!"
Posted, rec.gambling.blackjack        

"Can the shooter's attitude have an effect? Maybe all the cosmic energy from a positive attitude can affect the dice."
Posted, rec.gambling.craps

"On my recent trip to Philadelphia, I went on a bus trip to Atlantic City for the day. I loved the poker room, met some newsgroup posters and had an overall lovely afternoon. Hey, did someone say there was a Boardwalk there?"
Posted, rec.gambling.poker

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