This old topic was about the Online Gambling Bill which was passed in US back in 2006. Let's look at those old posts by that time. You will still find them quite astonishing from today's point of view!

Post 1:

"The Washington Post is reporting that the House passed a measure that makes it illegal for banks in the US to handle online gambling transactions." There's still no such move in the Senate, but it's a step towards banning online gambling nonetheless. Since this bill isn't expected to affect the usual, legal ways of gambling domestically, one wonders if such legislation would be sought after, were online gambling to be headquartered here in the states, rather than overseas.

Post 2:

1. The bill is a joke. Here is why:
- It makes a clear difference between ONLINE gambling & gambling, without realizing that the first has way more safety nets to deal with the two main problems - underage gambling & gambling addicts.
- It makes a difference between sports gambling, poker & "wagering on horses", which is of course fine.
- It is a protectionist bill, against current WTO decisions that banning an activity is OK ONLY if you apply the same rules to domestic & foreign operators.
- It forbids US citizens an activity under a moral pretext(which fails on the 2 points above) or on the grounds of "money is getting out of the country". If US people feel OK being forbidden doing something because of that, I suggest next time you want to visit another country you hold on it. I'm sure postponing my next US visit for unforeseeable future.

2. This bill will NOT work. Here is why:
- Unfortunately for the US, it has NOT power whatsoever. Bookies will find many new ways of moving the money around.
- The Bill has an exempt on banning transactions to e-wallet companies, ergo, this is a HUUUUGE loophole as you'll still have no problem using your funds trough an intermediate.
- There is no possible way for ISP's to block access to gambling sites, not with the current development of technology.

3. What will happen?
- It will get SLIGHTLY more difficult for the after dinner poker mums to enjoy the game they like, but they'd still be able to do it.
- We'd get AT LEAST on case of a high profile offshore player being sued under the RICO act OR by the IRS(much more likely), however it'll be presented as a victory for the new legislation.

Post 3:

US card networks can block gaming category code

All of the major card networks (VISA, Mastercard, AMEX, etc.) in every region now have a strict policy that online gaming sites require a valid gaming/casino licence from the jurisdiction they are based in, and must specify the gaming merchant category code 7995 in every authorization request. Merchant banks that do not enforce this rule with their gaming merchants risk losing their card membership. No bank wants to loss its VISA or Mastercard membership. Card networks are also banning the use of quasi-cash merchants from being used to hide gaming transactions.

If the US wants to stop its population from using online gaming sites, all that they have to do is dictate that the issuing banks in their country simply decline all authorization attempts which contain the 7995 category code. The US banks can also look at the merchant country codes, so that it can allow US based gaming sites like horse betting (which is legal in American but illegal in many countries) to be authorized, while still declining the overseas gaming sites.

Problem solved, since the vast majority of people using any type of Internet commerce, including online gaming, pay directly or indirectly with their credit cards.

I am sick and tired of politicians in one country expecting to regulate Internet activity of other countries, using broad extra-territorial legislation. This is impossible for online merchants and banks to enforce, especially since many countries have laws that contradict each other. Should we ban online sales of electronics globally, because they are illegal in North Korea? What about alcohol that is illegal in some Islamic countries? What about mediciations, mod chip, etc.? Even non-physical online software and services, including proxy agents, news & political websites, adult entertainment, etc. are banned in many countries.

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Understanding Online Roulette Playing Rules Better

Roulette itself is a relatively easy game to play but if you are a newcomer to the game then it pays to understand a bit about online Roulette rules.

European vs American roulette

One of the first things you need to appreciate is the difference between European and American Roulette games. The European Roulette wheel has only 37 slots in comparison to the American version that has an extra 00 slot bringing its total number of slots to 38.

How to play

The Roulette game itself is quite short, as each spin of the wheel constitutes a single game. To play you simply place your bets on a Roulette board that allows you to bet on single numbers, groups of numbers or either black or red, or odd or even numbers. When the spin is completed the croupier pays out the money you have won, but if you leave your winnings where they are the croupier will automatically assume you are letting your bet "ride" which means it will carry over to the next spin of the wheel.

Orphans and High Prison

Two terms you should be familiar with if you are playing by online Roulette rules are "orphans" and "en prison". An orphan indicates placing a bet on three numbers that are in a row on the Roulette wheel, but not placed side by side on the betting board. "En prison" refers to the practice of allowing the player to leave the table with part of his/her wager intact.

High Bet and Low Bet

You may also come across the terms "high bet" and "low bet" as you are playing by online Roulette rules. A high bet is where you place your money on any number between 19 and 36, while a low bet is where money is placed on any number between 1 and 18. Both of these types of bets pay out even money if you win.

Called bets
Some online Roulette rules allow for what is known as "called" bets. These are bets that are based on the distribution of numbers on the wheel rather than the layout of the betting board. We have already mentioned the term "orphans" above which is a form of called bet; a few of the others you should know are the "Neighbors of Zero", "The Third" and "xx and the Neighbors". The Neighbors of Zero relates to the numbers that sit between numbers 22 and 25 on the wheel with the punter placing 9 chips (or multiples of 9 chips) on the different numbers in the series to receive an optimum return.

The Third relates to the numbers that are on the opposite side of the wheel to the Neighbors of Zero (above) and include the numbers 27 and 33 and all numbers on the wheel between those two scores. Punters usually bet in multiples of 6 chips for this run, placing single chips on the splits 5/8, 10/11, 13/16, 23/24, 27/30, and 33/36. If you are feeling really lucky you can increase the chip count to ten by placing an additional chip on numbers 5, 8, 10 and 11.

If playing the xx and Neighbors you are placing a bet on any number on the wheel as well as the two numbers on either side of that number. Remember this is the numbers on the wheel, not the betting board. You would generally use 5 chips for this layout, placing one chip on each of the numbers specified.

The key thing to remember about online Roulette rules is that they will differ slightly depending on the site you are playing on. It is really important that you take the time to read over the terms and conditions when you sign up for a new site, and that you familiarize yourself with the game by playing for free wherever possible. For more information about online Roulette rules and other games of chance.

Use this roulette system software to play European roulette wheel.

The History Of Reno’s Mapes Hotel

by Ross Everett

On January 31, 2000, the historic Mapes Hotel in Reno was imploded by 75 pounds of explosives tucked into the art-deco structures support columns. The destruction of the Mapes put an end to years of efforts to preserve the building via lawsuits, redevelopment proposals, and grass roots action. The National Trust for Historic Preservation took up the cause of the Mapes, and challenged the destruction in a suit that eventually reached the Nevada Supreme Court.

While the efficacy and justification of demolishing the Mapes is debatable, one thing that is not is the glorious history of the hotel. It was built in 1947, and signaled the start of the modern era of casino gambling. Despite the notoriety of Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo in Las Vegas, it was the Mapes that became the first building in the nation to have a hotel, casino and live entertainment under one roof. It also became the hotel of choice for celebrities staying in Northern Nevada. Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe stayed at The Mapes during the filming of ‘The Misfits’. Joseph McCarthy, America’s famed anti-Communist crusader, admitted to a reporter over cocktails in the Mapes Lounge that he really didn’t have a list of Communists in the US despite his frequent and vitriolic insistence to the contrary.

In the 50s and 60s it became, along with Lake Tahoes Cal-Neva Lodge the place to be seen in Northern Nevada. The top floor, window-walled Sky Room showcased performances by the legends: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason, Louis Prima, Mae West, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Marx Brothers among others. Subsequent years were not kind to downtown Reno but the Mapes continued to do well during the 60’s and 70’s. The hotel finally closed in 1982, due more to financial difficulties experienced by the Mapes family caused by one of their other Northern Nevada gaming properties than anything else.

Reno has yet to experience the sort of growth that has been seen in Southern Nevada, and for that reason the destruction of the Mapes is more open to debate than the hotel demolitions to the south. Even the demolition of The Sands”perhaps the most historically significant casino in the state”is hard to argue against given the inability of such a small property to compete in the current Las Vegas marketplace and in light of the value of the mid-strip real estate.

That’s not the case in Reno, where vacant land and/or buildings ripe for redevelopment are abundant downtown and in the other casino areas of the city. The official reason that the Mapes had to come down was that the city needed the land to expand its vision for downtown redevelopment. While this is certainly a much needed effort, to suggest that the existence of the Mapes was a barrier is absurd. In fact, many of the proposals rejected by the city would have gone a long way to enhance the revitalization of downtown Reno and included artists lofts, office space and other mixed used properties. Despite receiving a number of viable concepts for the Mapes Building, the City Redevelopment Authority rejected all of them and the Mapes was destined for demolition.

The role of the City Redevelopment Authority was questioned throughout the process. Overlooking the Truckee River, the hotel was on a prime location between the downtown casino area and the riverfront district. A number of sound financial proposals were presented that would preserve the integrity of the structure including condominiums, office space, and perhaps most viable, upscale senior apartments. Oddly, all of these proposals were turned down by the citys Redevelopment Agency which continued to maintain that demolition was the only viable option despite copious evidence to the contrary.

Following the 2000 demolition, the lot remained vacant for over a year until a temporary ice skating rink was hastily constructed the following winter. The site now houses a permanent ice skating rink which, while not a bad use for the land, isn’t the sort of game changing improvement suggested by the City Redevelopment Agency and their adamant insistence that the building be demolished. To the contrary, it appears they had no specific plan or even general idea of what to do with the land but for some reason wanted to see the hotel come down. This has led to all manner of speculation, ranging from financial self interest to a rumor that the structure was ‘haunted’ and needed to be destroyed to forestall future paranormal activity in Washoe County. Whatever the reason, the city of Reno lost a valuable landmark that played a significant part in the economic growth of the entire state.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a free lance writer specializing in entertainment history as well as an expert on Internet sports betting. He has served as an advisory handicapper for many online sports books as well as Las Vegas casinos. In addition, he’s written and lectured on Nevada history, falconry and Wall Street investment strategy.