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Indiana is one of the newest states to partake in the riverboat gaming trend. As of 2010, the state of Indiana only allows riverboat gaming, racetrack wagering and the Hoosier lottery. Although new, the structure of the gaming commission is consistent with other neighboring states.

As a result, a limited number of gaming licenses are issued each year. The state permits up to 11 gaming licenses to be issued only to counties along the Ohio River, Patoka Lake and Lake Michigan. All other areas of the state that contain a body of water cannot acquire a license.

The Indiana Gaming Commission reports directly into the Governor and is a segment of the executive branch. The commission board consists of seven total members appointed by the Governor. The requirements of the board members include:

• One member must have a background in law enforcement
• One member must be a CPA
• One member must be a lawyer in Indiana
• Three members must be from a county on the Ohio River
• Three members must be from a country on Lake Michigan
• The final member can be from any other county

The seven members of the board serve a three-year staggered term. Also, to keep balance within the commission, no more than three board members can be of the same political party. Although separate from the Indiana Gaming Commission, the State Police are also involved by conducting background checks and investigations for those applying for a gaming license.

The commission also controls racetrack wagering, the Hoosier lottery and charitable gaming. The riverboat gaming companies must pay the commission $3 per person admission tax from each vessel on a daily basis. Additionally, adjusted gross revenues are taxed at a 20 percent state tax rate.

One interesting rule implemented by the commission in 2003 is the Voluntary Exclusion Program. This allows citizens to be excluded from any gaming-related activities, mailers and hand-outs from a casino. The individual can sign-up in person at any Indiana casino or an Indiana Gaming Commission office. The terms are for one-year, five-years or a lifetime.

The Indiana Gaming Commission follows a similar structure to other riverboat gaming states. Although limited, the commission has a tight hold with strong regulations to ensure compliance. Due to the newness of the gaming concept to Indiana, perhaps in the future they will expand their authority to permit land-based casinos into the state.

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Contrary to popular belief, the problem gambler doss not typically look like a reckless young hustler or the long-time loser viewers would often see in films. According to the Problem Gambler Help Network of West Virginia, the most common profile for a compulsive gambler is a middle-aged woman in a high-stress service industry such as social work or health care. Many of them work in casinos themselves.

Since 2000, the non-profit group has compiled data on callers to its gambling help line and has created a profile from those statistics. Their reports show that an “average” problem gambler plays the slot machines, rather than games that require decisions such as blackjack and poker. They play these simple games to escape the stress of their jobs, families and life changes such as a loss of a loved one.

These women frequently carry debts as high as US$25,000 to finance their slot habit. They get the money to play by either borrowing it from family and friends, or forgoing paying necessary bills such as rent, mortgage, and utilities. Most of them play at neighborhood slot halls and taverns, while much fewer of them try their luck at the state’s horse tracks that house slot machines.

In Connecticut, with its numerous and opulent casinos, the profile of the problem gambler resembles an educated, middle-aged Caucasian male who lives near one of the major gambling centers in the state. However, according to data compiled by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, female callers reported a dangerous addiction to slot machines at a rate nearly three times higher than that by male callers.

Most of the callers reported being unemployed, at a rate of nearly three times that of the population at large. Among those who reported that they were currently employed, most of them were in professional occupations or in middle management. In both cases, callers reported that they used gambling to relieve stress. Instead, they usually experience feelings of depression, fatigue, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Many communities offer free counseling and advice for those players who may not know when to walk away from the games, whether it is poker, blackjack, craps or slot machines. Experts advise that players who have these issues should seek help for their problems from these and other available resources.

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Louisiana allows many different types of gaming. Therefore state government agencies must keep a watchful eye over the numerous operations. Due to these choices, the government initially created several gambling regulatory agencies. The types of gaming allowed in Louisiana include:

• Horse racing
• State lottery
• Video poker machines
• Riverboat gambling
• Land-based casinos

In the early 1990’s, the Louisiana government created the Indian Gaming Commission. Shortly after, a law was ratified allowing one land-based casino to open in New Orleans. Since these laws were passed, only one land-based casino has opened for business. Casinos can legally offer most games that can be played for money with the exception of bingo, video bingo, television bingo, raffles, charity games, lottery, pull tabs, dog race wagering and sports books.

Louisiana began with a multitude of gambling regulation agencies. The Gaming Enforcement Division of the Office of State Police (a section of the Riverboat Gaming Commission) controlled video poker and riverboat gaming. The Louisiana Economic Development and Gaming Commission regulated the land-based casinos.

In 1996, the state government revamped the agencies. The Gaming Control Board managed riverboat, video poker, casino and Indian gaming operations. The Governor appoints the nine member board with recommendations from different universities within the state due to the diversity in criteria such as professional, educational and geographic.

One of Louisiana’s gaming attractions is riverboats. Legally, there are only 15 riverboat gaming licenses in the state of Louisiana that exist. The licenses are issued with a five year expiration date and then must be renewed each year thereafter. Also, on each vessel, a maximum of 30,000 square feet can be allocated to gaming. Furthermore, riverboat gambling may only occur on designated waterways throughout the state.

The only land-based casino in Louisiana is located in downtown New Orleans at the Rivergate Convention Center. The single license was awarded to Harrah’s. All card, mechanical, electronic and dice games are permitted with the addition of wagering on horse races.

The single land-based casino must pay 18.5% of gaming revenues or $100 million to the state each year, whichever is greater. There’s a 3.5% license fee of gaming revenue for vessels and a 15% annual franchise fee. Also a $50,000 flat fee, per vessel for the first year and $100,000 per vessel thereafter has been enacted. Many local governments also enforce a $2.50 per person charge on the riverboats.

Due to the number of gaming operations, Louisiana must have a high tax structure with strict gaming rules. Perhaps in the future, the Gaming Commission will vote to allow more than one land-based casino operate within the state boundaries.

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The Cryptologic Network is best known for its online gaming creation; InterCasino. Registered in Malta, InterCasino is owned and operated by Online Interactive Gaming Entertainment. The Cryptologic platform was the first online casino in which players could log in, place bets and win real money. 15 years later, they’re still releasing original gaming software and have added hundreds of new games.

The History

The Cryptologic Network was founded back in a year where online gaming was just a sparkle in the eye of software developers: 1995. It became publicly traded on the Canadian Dealer Network in 1996. That same year, the infamous InterCasino was released to the public which became an instant hit. Cryptologic Inc. has become of the five largest gaming software developers in the industry.

Innovative Features

Since its inception, the Cryptologic Network has redefined online gaming with various software advances and innovations. Over the years, they have introduced features such as live chat, multi-player games, custom browser windows and casino interfaces that support 3D graphics.

They have also been a leader in internet security to ensure their customer’s money is safe at all times. One example is their E-cash system where players receive a pin number via regular mail prior to them withdrawing funds from their account.

Customer Service

Another top feature the Cryptologic Network offers is their toll-free numbers that offer 24/7 support. Their customer service is the envy of the industry and has a high satisfaction rate among customers across the globe.

Cryptologic Software Uses

Cryptologic Inc. has a diverse portfolio of clients. Online Interactive Gaming was the first company to purchase their software. Since then they’ve added many online casinos and poker rooms. One notable client is William Hill plc which is a well-known bookmaking company based out of the United Kingdom. They were the first land-based casino to add operations online.

Also, Cryptologic Inc. created software for the Playboygaming.com casino. Additionally the company has begun offering online bingo software either utilizing Java or by a downloadable application.

Cryptologic Inc. was one of the first major online casino software developers which have transformed them into one of the largest available to date. With innovative thinking, years of experience and many high-profile clients, they know how to develop casino software for the customer. As internet gaming technology becomes more interactive with the consumer, Cryptologic Inc. will remain at the forefront in the gaming industry.

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