DinersClub Canada: Depositors guide for the discerning iGamer.
In the shallow pool of credit card issuing companies, Visa and
MasterCard drown the competition so thoroughly that most of us
don’t even consider the possibility of using an alternative credit
card online. Truth be told, those cards are the most common because
they are so readily available to any and all applicants. For the most
discerning credit card holders, a DinersClub Card can
be much more valuable.
DinersClub International is known for issuing cards to the world’s
more affluent members of society. In turn, prestigious rewards are
distributed to users for making purchases with their card. They are
the types of rewards today’s business professionals are more likely
to appreciate; things like frequent flyer miles, car rental, and
hotel discounts.
The company describes its card services as “the smart payment
choice for mid-to-large corporations, individual business people and
professionals.” In short, DinersClub appeals to the wealthy, not
the average Joe.
DinersClub Canada for High-Rolling iGamers
In the last fifteen years or so, the number of online casinos
advertising DinersClub acceptance has fallen dramatically. It’s not
that Canadians don’t use the card as much, nor is it a reduction in
Canadian-facing online casinos that accept it. The problem lies below
the 49th parallel.
In that time, the United States government has altered the legal
opinion of online gambling more times than I’d like to recall. At
one point, the penalty for any illegal online gambling activity was
laid at the feet of payment facilitators. Credit card companies
recoiled, setting up a special transaction code to specifically
identify online gambling. Any such code that comes through an
American transmission will be rejected. Even if the player is in
Canada, if the card company is based in the US, rejection is likely.
Fortunately, DinersClub International is a part of the Bank
of Montreal (BMO), with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. The
only online gambling payments they reject are those initiated by US
players. So long as an online casino accepts Canadian players and
DinersClub deposits, you should have no trouble taking advantage.
DinersClub Online Casinos of Canada
As I mentioned above, DinersClub is a card best reserved for the
discerning iGamer. It is not a cheap card to possess, but for
professionals, the rewards are easily worth the annual fees. Card
holders aren’t the only ones who pay to use these cards, though.
Commercial businesses that want to accept DinersClub payments pay to
host such transaction, and again, it’s not cheap. Therefore the
online casinos that accept DinersClub are among the industry’s
largest and most respected operators.
They include companies like William Hill, 888 Casino, PartyPoker,
Royal Vegas and Foxy Bingo. Some smaller operators also hail
themselves as DinersClub Canada promoters, but be careful where you
play. Look for major operators licensed in the UK and/or Malta. These
are the most secure and responsible in terms of player protections.
Rogue casinos are well aware that DinerClub card holders have lofty
bank accounts. If they can sucker an unsuspecting iGamer into
depositing at an unsafe, improperly regulated gambling site, they’ll
have a hay-day with your identity! Be smart and stick to the safety
of distinguished operators.
Top live dealers casino websites for Canadians in 2020.
We’re kicking
off the New Year with a fresh list of top-tier live casino operations
welcoming Canadian players. Live dealer games are preferred for their
realistic experience, closely mimicking that of a land-based casino –
as close as you can possibly get on a computer or mobile device.
There are real live dealers, operating real table games, with
multiple real players joining in the action.
Here in Canada,
we are limited in the number of online casinos we can play at. Some
provinces are privy to locally-regulated gambling websites, but only
two of them have live casino games. There are many more highly
reputable and strictly regulated international offerings, but only so
many have a good live dealer presentation.
Top Live Dealers Casino Sites for Canadians
Normally, a “top” list of anything has 3, 5, 10, or maybe 20 of the best whatever you’re listing. I’m going out of the box with this list and giving you the “Top 4”. Yes, four of Canada’s best live casinos in 2020. Why four? Because I couldn’t possibly cut this list down to three, and there really isn’t a fifth worthy of inclusion.
I’m also not
giving the operators a number ranking. I don’t feel that any one is
better than another. They all have differentiating qualities that
earned them a spot on this list. For instance, the first two, PlayNow
and PlayOLG, are both home-grown operations. Then
again, they’re ring-fenced to their local provinces, limiting who
can access them. The second two, LeoVegas and Royal
Vegas, are open to all Canadians, but present very different
live gaming options. With that being said, let’s get right to it…
PlayNow Live Casino – BC and Manitoba Only
PlayNow is a
great iGaming operation built, maintained and regulated by the
provincial government of British Columbia. Through a player sharing
contract with the BCLC, Manitoba residents are also able to partake
in PlayNow’s internet gambling activities. For residents of these
jurisdictions, the degree of security and player protections can’t
be beat.
The PlayNow Live
Casino is powered by the industry’s #1 Live Casino brand, Evolution
Gaming, and includes live blackjack, infinite blackjack,
baccarat, eSqueeze baccarat, roulette, auto roulette and ultimate
Texas holdem. That’s not a bad assortment, but it doesn’t include
any of Evolution’s immensely popular game show-style productions.
EspaceJeux Live Casino – Quebec Only
Similarly,
Espacejeux is the online gambling operation of Loto-Quebec – home
grown and locally regulated by that provincial government. As such,
security and safety are unquestionable, but only residents of Quebec
can sign up an account and place wagers. That’s good for Quebecois,
as is the implementation of Evolution Gaming’s world class live
dealer software. On the negative side, the only live games are
standard blackjack and roulette, baccarat, and Control Squeeze
baccarat.
LeoVegas Live Casino – All Canadians Accepted
LeoVegas is an
internationally operated casino brand, regulated in multiple
jurisdictions. LeoVegas is licensed in its home country of Sweden,
and also holds gaming licenses from Denmark and Malta. It is powered
by more software brands than I’d care to count; somewhere in the
neighborhood of 50. Several of those software studios offer live
casino games. As such, this website presents, by far, the largest
live gaming menu of any competitor.
There are – and
bear in mind, some of these numbers will appear as duplicates due to
multi-categorization – 48 live roulette games, 31 live blackjack
games, 18 types of “card games”, 16 private Chambre Séparée
(high roller) tables, 16 “VIP” tables, 11 live baccarat
tables, 7 live “game show” style options, and 5 live poker
variants; 23 of which are ‘Fast Play’ titles.
Royal Vegas Live Casino – All Canadians Accepted
There are some
who would argue that “less is more”. By this, I mean having so
many options – as many as LeoVegas presents – can make it harder
to actually pick one. It’s not just a theory, but a scientific
fact. Studies have shown that being offered chocolate, vanilla or
strawberry ice cream makes it easy to pick one, whereas 30+ flavors
can actually cause stress, anxiety, and an accelerated heart rate.
Why such difficulty? People tend to fear that they won’t (or
didn’t) choose the best option, and it leaves a bad taste in their
mouth – pardon the pun.
If you prescribe
to this ideal, then I present to you Royal Vegas Canada. Licensed in
Malta, this operator only employs one live casino supplier, but it’s
the world’s best – also proven by statistical data – Evolution
Gaming.
Evolution has won
the eGR Live Casino Supplier of the Year Award for the last 10
years straight. It’s almost as if they’ve figured out the perfect
formula for live dealers casino games, and they’ve kept it as
confidential as Mr. Krab’s secret formula for the “Krabby Patty”.
Royal Vegas
accepts players from all over Canada. It’s also one of the few
international sites that is approved to process payments via Interact
eTransfer. Live casino games include blackjack, roulette,
double ball roulette, baccarat, casino holdem, 3 card poker,
Caribbean stud poker, private tables, game show tables, and their
signature “Party” tables.
EziPay Online Casinos: The right choice when quality and security
are more important than convenience.
When most people
search for the best way to deposit money into an online casino, their
priorities include things like easy, fast, cheap, and secure. I’m
all for saving money, and securing private details is paramount, but
sometimes, convenience has to take a back seat to the more important
qualities.
There are plenty
of “easy” deposit options out there. You can easily input your
credit or debit card details. You can easily write an eCheck,
divulging your bank account information. It’s almost as easy to set
up a typical eWallet account, or purchase a prepaid gift card. But
keep in mind, the more effort you put into securing your personal and
sensitive information, the more secure it’s going to be. It’s
that simple, and that’s the whole concept behind EziPay casino
deposits.
EziPay Online Casinos for Discerning iGamers
EziPay is an
eWallet payment system, similar in some ways to brands like Neteller,
Skrill and ecoPayz. However, EziPay goes several steps above and
beyond the assurances of those common web wallets. You can’t go to
the EziPay website, sign up an account, and start moving cash in less
time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee.
This payment
group is more like an exclusive country club. You don’t visit the
website and sign up an account. You must be invited to join. And the
only way to receive an invite is to request membership through an
existing partner. The group’s partners include all online casinos
that accept EziPay deposits.
What’s So Special About EziPay?
EziPay is owned
by a company called CSC24Seven. Founded in 2003, CSC24Seven is
a private company registered in the Republic of Cyprus, a small
island country in the Mediterranean and member of the European Union.
That piece of information is important because the European Union
demands strict compliance in all financial matters, including those
related to gambling, from all companies licensed within all its
member states.
Any EU country affiliated with iGaming adheres to some of the strictest laws on the planet. The security of their systems must be of the highest standard, or they don’t get licensed. Suffice it to say, after 16 years in the EU market, EziPay is a brand you can trust to keep your information safe and secure.
While its offices are located in Cyprus, CSC24Seven makes its payment services available to regions all over the world, but only in countries where iGaming is not prohibited, including right here in Canada.
How to Set Up an EziPay Account
To set up an account, you must receive an invitation. You can request an invite through any online casino that accept EziPay or PaySparkdeposits. PaySpark is the sister-eWallet of EziPay; both owned by CSC24Seven. They are extensions of one another, really, so where you see one logo, its sibling is also accepted.
From the online
casino’s banking page, you can choose to make a deposit, then
select either EziPay or PaySpark from the menu. If you haven’t
deposited with this method before, the casino will ask if you want an
account request sent on your behalf. Respond affirmatively, and soon
enough you’ll receive an email from EziPay with all the details you
need to complete your new account registration. The information will
include a temporary password to login with. You can change the
password once your account is set up.
You’ll be able
to start moving money at this point, but with very strict limitations
at first. These restrictions, including a $2,500 transaction limit
per calendar year, will be lifted once you verify your identity.
How to Verify Your Identity with EziPay
Yes, this seems
like another hoop to jump through, but again, this is how the payment
system ensures the highest degree of responsibility and security.
Would you give your financial information to someone just because
they say they are trustworthy? No. EziPay feels the same way.
Due to the
exclusivity of their product, most of their online casino members are
high rollers. They are not willing to get tangled up in a potential
money laundering scandal. The company needs to know that each member
is who they say they are, and that the transactions they make are on
the up-and-up, before they will grant full account privileges. As I
said, EU member states hold their financial services to very high
standards. Identity verification means it’s safer for you, and
safer for them.
Fortunately,
verification isn’t difficult. In fact, it’s the same process
you’ll undergo with your online casino before a withdrawal can be
made. It requires the submission of two forms of identifying
documentation. At least one of them must be a government issued ID,
such as a driver’s license, passport or photo ID card. The second
can be something as simple as a bank statement or utility bill, so
long as it’s in your name, and displays your address – the same
name and address you registered your account with.
The Silver Lining – EziPay Casino Deposits &
Withdrawals
If this all
sounds like too much hassle to ensure the utmost safety and security
of your online casino deposits, just know that you only have to go
through this one time. It may take more than the five minutes you
were hoping to spend moving cash into your casino account before
playing the games, but if personal security is your number one
priority, it’s hardly too much to ask.
Once you complete
registration and ID verification, you’ll be able to use this
payment method quickly and easily at any and all EziPay online
casinos. Deposits take less than a minute to appear in your casino
account. As with all payment methods, withdrawals take longer,
averaging 3-6 days. From there, you can send them to your bank, or,
as an added perk of membership, you’ll be issued a free PaySpark
ATM card. With this, you can withdrawal your funds as cash the moment
they hit your EziPay account.
1-2-Done! How to find an Interac casino Canada can trust.
Have you ever had to do a task you
really didn’t feel up to? Did you wish there was an easier way? Some
way to skip through all the hard work and get straight to the reward
at the end? Rarely do such shortcuts exist in life. If you do find
one, chances are it could either get you fired or locked up. But
sometimes, often when you least expect it, something comes along to
make your life a whole lot easier.
I’ve mentioned this little tip in other publications, but I feel it’s so important, it deserves its own section on this website. It is going to be the easiest casino-seeking tutorial you’ve ever read – and I’ve ever written. If you live in Canada, enjoy online gambling, and trust Interac, keep reading…
How to find an Interac Casino Canada can Trust
This is a simple two step process.
Ready? Here goes…
Step #1 Find
an online casino that accepts Interac.
Step #2 Join
the casino.
1 – 2 – Done! Was that easy
enough? You probably think I’m crazy. I can just imagine the thoughts
racing through your brain right now…
You can’t just go trusting the
first Interac casino you come across. It’s never been that easy
before! Why would it be so easy now?They can’t all be trustworthy.
Maybe they were trustworthy at one point, but what if a new one
launched since this was written – are they to be trusted, too?
Yes, as a matter of fact, they are.
All of them are. If it’s promoting Interac, you can trust it, and you
can join it from Canada. It’s that simple.
How do I know Canadian players are accepted?
They just are. If Interac is on the
banking menu, Canadians are accepted. You see, Interac is a
Canadian-made monetary transfer service that only serves customers in
Canada. The transfer can come from or go to any bank, domestic or
international, but either the sender or recipient account must be a
Canadian financial institution.
Simply put, if Interac is accepted,
Canadians are accepted, as they are the only players who can use it.
How do I know the casino operator can be trusted?
The beauty of Interac is that it is
powered by Canada’s largest banks. Those banks have no desire to get
ripped off or caught up in any scandals. They insure their user
accounts, and like any insurance company, they do not want to pay out
any claims if they don’t have to. To that end, they have hired
commerce investigators that look closely at the business practices of
every international company that requests the use of their services
for Canadian customers.
Suffice it to say, if the online
casino wasn’t entirely on the up and up, boasting a proven track
record for best practices and customer satisfaction, Interac wouldn’t
do business with them in the first place.
How do I find an Interac casino?
This is the only difficult part of
the task. Then again, it’s the only task, so you’ll just have to suck
it up, buttercup! It’s not that difficult, but less than 2% of the
world’s online casinos take Interac. That shouldn’t be too
surprising, considering how strict Interac is in investigating
businesses.
To make things a little easier, I’ll
suggest LeoVegas Casino, accepting Interac
Online (instant EFT) and Interac E-Transfer (via
email or mobile) deposits and withdrawals.
Canadians don’t need Neteller
casinos anyway. Try one of these great alternatives instead.
In case you’ve
been out of the loop for awhile, you may not realize that Neteller
is no longer the biggest name in iGaming deposits and withdrawals.
Back in the day – and by that, I mean the first decade of the
millennium – Neteller payments were all the rage. Now days, that
company has secluded itself, primarily to the European market. That’s
okay, though. We Canadians don’t need them anyway!
While Neteller was
busy washing its hands of North America, other payment options were
being developed; options that are faster, easier, and far more secure
than that e-money transfer service ever hoped to be.
If you’d like to
hear a bit of why Neteller left the Canadian market, read the next
section. Or, to get straight to the alternative casino payments in
Canada, skip to that section below.
Extinguishment of Neteller Casinos in Canada
Neteller first
appeared in 1999 as a rival to Confinity, which changed its
name to PayPal the same year. PayPal took off like a
rocket, while Neteller struggled. That is, until it discovered the
online gambling sector. While PayPal steered clear of this
controversial and unregulated market, Neteller embraced it like a
wealthy, long-lost brother.
For years,
Neteller ruled the roost in iGaming payments, serving every player in
every country, and making billions of dollars in the process. Then
one day, the US said it was illegal. Neteller’s owners laughed until
2008, when they were arrested at an airport in Florida and charged
with laundering billions of dollars in illegal gambling proceeds.
Neteller was unceremoniously booted from the US market at that point,
and soon after, pulled its services from Canada, just for good
measure.
It’s worth noting
that Neteller is owned by the Paysafe Group, which also owns
Skrill (formerly Moneybookers). That payment method was
pulled from Canada shortly after Neteller, so don’t expect to find
any Skill casinos on the list below either.
Alternative Casino Payments to Neteller in Canada
So Neteller and
Skrill are out. No biggie. Here’s a list of excellent alternatives we
Canadians can still use to process quick, safe, and secure deposits
and withdrawals at online casinos.
eChecks / Instant eChecks
A long-time favorite, eCheck deposits are available to pretty much anyone with a bank account. Sending an eCheck is just like writing out a paper cheque, except that it is performed electronically, and accepted instantly. Just about every online casino in existence advertises this alternative payment method, found under the title eCheck or Instant eCheck.
Interac is
a nifty little service cooked up by the 5 biggest Canadian banks, and
subsequently available only to Canadians. Interac eTransfers are
facilitated as an online banking service that is impenetrably secure
and 100% free. So long as you’re a member of one of the 250+ banks
that support Interac eTransfers, you can use the service.
Finding Interac casinos, however, isn’t so easy, since those banks
only do business with the world’s most reputable operators like Royal
Vegas Canada.
EcoPayz eWallet
If you really like
the whole web wallet service plan, EcoPayz (formerly EcoCard)
is the way to go. This online payment process has been around since
2000, but didn’t become a major player in the iGaming payments sector
until the loss of Skrill and Neteller casinos in Canada. Suddenly,
EcoPayz became the number one web wallet this side of the North
Atlantic. Users can link a bank account or fund their digital wallet
through an abundance of payment methods. Withdrawals are quick, and
can be directed back to the user’s bank with ease. The fees are
nominal, and there’s a convenient EcoPayz mobile app for iOSand Android.
Review: InstaDebit or iDebit for Online Casino Deposits?
If you intend to play online casino games for real money, there are
a lot of questions that should be going through your mind. “Which
game(s) should I play?” is a common one, but there are some much
more important questions to be answered first – namely, which
casinos are safe, and how do I securely transfer money in and out of
my account?
We’ve covered the first section at length, detailing how to find
legitimate
online casinos that accept Canadian players. Today, we’re
going to talk about two long-time favorites in the Canadian iGaming
payments market, how they compare and contrast, and which one works
best for financing an internet gambling account – iDebit or
InstaDebit?
“Wait… aren’t iGaming payments iDebit and InstaDebit the same thing?”
No, they are not the same thing. Don’t feel bad if you were thought
they were. It’s a very common misconception. A lot of people have
just assumed over the years that iDebit is an abridged nickname for
InstaDebit. They are, in fact, two very different banking methods,
with two distinct logos, and three antithetical properties worthy of
note.
#1 Supported Banks: InstaDebit works with any and all
Canadian banks, whereas iDebit only serves the nation’s seven
largest banks (see complete list of iDebit
supported banks).
#2 Cost to Deposit: iDebit charges a smaller, flat fee of
$1.50 to transfer funds from a bank account to a merchant site
(i.e. online casino), whereas iDebit charges a $1.95 fee per
bank-to-merchant transaction.
#3 Accepted Currencies: iDebit will facilitate payments in any
major currency, giving iGamers a wider variety of international
online casinos to choose from. InstaDebit facilitates transfers in
CAD and USD only; thus CAD/USD deposits and withdrawals must
be supported. Either way, players will be subject to the same-day
currency exchange rate.
Otherwise, these two payment methods are virtually mirrors of one
another.
Similarities: Both require the user to register a free account
and link it to their bank account. Both are available only in Canada,
drawing funds directly from the linked bank account for the purpose
of making a purchase/deposit. All withdrawals/refunds are sent to the
user’s iDebit/InstaDebit account. When this account has funds in it,
any purchases up to the available amount will automatically be drawn
from this account. Any purchases exceeded the available amount will
come entirely from the bank account; split payments are not
permitted. Funds in the user’s iDebit or InstaDebit account can be
transferred back to the user’s bank for a flat fee of $2.00.
iDebit for Online Casino Deposits
Making an iDebit deposit at online casinos is a simple process. You
must first register an iDebit account, link your bank account to it,
then verify that the account is yours. This can take anywhere from a
minute to a full business day, depending on the speed and efficiency
of your bank, but once it’s done, you’ll have instant access
24/7/365.
To make a deposit, visit any reputable online casino that accepts
Canadian players and lists iDebit as an eligible payment option.
Register an account if you don’t already have one. Next, head to the
banking section, select Deposit, choose iDebit, and enter the amount
you wish to transfer.
You’ll be directed to the iDebit website to log in and confirm the
purchase. Assuming you have sufficient funds in your iDebit or bank
account (+$1.50 to cover cost of transfer from bank, if applicable),
the funds will appear in your online casino account within moments.
Making a withdrawal is just as easy, but takes up to 3-5 days (after
the casino’s 24-48 hour pending period) to appear in your iDebit.
InstaDebit for Online Gambling Payments
The instructions for making an InstaDebit deposit at online casinos
are almost exactly the same. First, you’ll need an InstaDebit
account; registration is free. Link that to your bank account and
verify that it’s yours by following the instructions on the screen.
Choose any distinguished online casino where Canadian players and
InstaDebit payments are accepted. Sign up an account if needed, then
head over to the Cashier page and choose to Deposit with InstaDebit.
Enter the amount you wish to deposit and press continue.
You’ll be directed to the InstaDebit website. Login and confirm the
transfer. If enough funds are in your InstaDebit account, they will
immediately be moved to your casino account, free of charge.
Otherwise, a $1.95 fee will be applied to transfer the funds directly
from your bank account (if sufficient), and credited to your online
casino balance within moments.
CWS launches original casino games with
cryptocurrency gambling theme.
CasinoWebScripts (CWS) isn’t what I
would call a prominent name in the iGaming industry. It hasn’t gained
the universal recognition of major players like Microgaming,
NetEnt or Playtech. But for the last nine years, the
company has been developing innovative digital gaming content,
optionally available as a complete package – a turnkey backend
solution that can have a brand new online casino up and running in 24
hours.
CWS is unlike many of its competitors because
its primary focus lies within a niche market, as a cryptocurrency
gambling solution. Over those nine years, the group has built an
impressive portfolio of nearly 200 games. This month, their lab
published three new titles, two of which revolve around the same
company-centric cryptocurrency theme.
Three Original Casino Games from CWS
Originality was the key for CWS when developing
its latest games. Two of them, Crypto Persian Prince
and Crypto Dice O Meter, both feature digital currency
as their thematic model. The third, Rock Paper Scissors,
is a tile game with a progressive payout for consecutive winning
picks. Let’s take a closer look.
Crypto Dice O Meter
This is a simple game wherein 5 dice are
rolled. The minimum and maximum sum of all dice ranges from 5 to 30.
The player will use a sliding scale to wager on a range of up to 16
numbers. For example, you could bet on 9 to 24, and if the result of
the dice falls anywhere in that range, you would win a very small
amount of money – 10% of your total bet. Or, you can make the scale
smaller, choosing as few as just 1 number for a huge payout if
correct.
To make it a little easier to choose your
range, the game will show you your probability of winning based on
your selection. For instance, choosing just 1 number has a very low
2.63% chance of winning, while betting on 15-20 (6 numbers) has a
55.7% chance.
Crypto Persian Prince – Tiles Adventure
Another simple game in which the player makes a bet, then selects one of three tiles on a 10-high ladder diagram. Each rung of tiles includes two golden lamps and one bearded villain.
Choosing a lamp awards the prize shown on the current row of tiles, while picking a villain steals your bet and all current winnings.
The payouts for climbing the prize ladder are progressive. The first win pays 1.4 for 1. So if you bet $1, the first win awards your $1 bet back, plus $0.40. You can either collect the winnings, or choose a tile from the second rung, worth 2.2 for 1 ($2.20 on a $1 bet). The prizes grow exponentially larger, up to 55 for 1 on a 10-win streak.
Rock Paper Scissors Tiles
This game was a bit confusing at first, but
once you get going, it makes more sense. My advice – play in Demo
until you get the hang of it.
In the middle is your betting diagram. Tap on a
tile to the right – rock, paper or scissors – then choose your
bet size at the bottom and press start. You’ll need to pick one of
three tiles at the bottom of the prize ladder.
If the tile is beaten by your original
selection (i.e. rock beats scissors), you win. You can collect your
winnings or continue by selecting a tile from the next rung. If the
chosen tile beats your selection, you lose. If it’s a tie, nothing
happens, and the game continues.
By climbing the ladder and winning consecutive
bets, rather than collecting, you can win progressively larger
amounts of money. Don’t get too greedy though, or you could lose it
all!
Are jurisdiction-free sports betting sites the future of online bookies?
Every year, we ask the same question. What’s the next big thing in iGaming technology? What does the future hold for this exponentially growing industry? The answer this year is mundanely similar to previous years. More virtual reality and blockchain technologies to come…
But wait – there’s another item on the agenda, and it could blow the lid right off two decades worth of regulatory structuring. Now, there’s talk of jurisdiction-free online betting. Technology is finally advanced enough that, via satellite and the enigmatic “Cloud”, bookmakers will no longer need to base their operations upon terrestrial ground.
It’s being hailed by some as the best thing since sliced bread, giving bookies more freedom and punters better deals. No laws, no wagering restrictions, no taxes, no costly overhead. What could possibly go wrong?
Jurisdiction-Free Sports Betting Sites – How it Would Work
If a ship were to set sail for the open waters, it would no longer be subject to land-based laws. Even if betting on sports were illegal in the jurisdiction in which the vessel was previously harbored, once that ship sails into the open ocean, such laws no longer apply. Passengers aboard could legally place all the bets they wish, collecting winnings without a care, or drowning the sorrow of their losses in whatever beverage they deem appropriate.
The exact same rules—or lack thereof—apply to “The Cloud”. The Cloud does not exist on terrestrial land. It does not even exist in the air above us. It’s an impalpable, intangible, unsubstantial thing. It exists, and yet it has no location. Therefore it cannot be regulated by any jurisdiction on the planet.
With today’s technology, it is no longer necessary to house any website operation on a physical, land-based server. It is possible to upload all amenities of an online sports betting website onto this enigmatic cloud, bouncing information and monetary bets and payments off satellites.
A website that resides wholly within the Cloud would be obligated to no terrestrial authority. It would be bound by no betting restrictions or limitations. It would be required to pay no taxes or licensing fees.
The benefits for players could be enormous. Their privacy could be 100% maintained. They would get the best deals, the best odds, the greatest promotions, because all of the operator’s savings could be passed on to the customers, creating a surreal gambling vertical in which no traditionally licensed and regulated online sportsbook, and certainly no land-based bookie, could possibly hope to compete.
Betting On the Cloud – Pure Genius or Devil’s Playground?
It all sounds so wonderful, but let’s consider the consequences for a moment. Think back about two decades ago when the internet first played host to online casinos, poker sites and sportsbooks. There were no terrestrial regulations to cover internet gambling. It was a free for all! Some websites were on the up and up, and some weren’t. Unfortunately, those that weren’t had no one to answer to, creating a dangerous game of trial and error for players.
Wouldn’t a lawless cloud-based gambling market be just as dangerous? Only the most reputable names in the iGaming industry could be trusted, and even then, there’s nothing to stop them from going rogue or spending players’ accounts. If jurisdiction-free sports betting sites are the future, who’s to keep the Cloud from becoming the Devil’s playground?
Malta developing framework for cryptocurrency online casinos.
Malta is one of the premier regulatory bodies for the online gambling industry, second only to the UK in terms of strictness. However, they’re jumping out ahead of their jurisdictional neighbors this month with the launch of a Sandbox Framework aimed at setting up regulatory guidelines for digital currency online casino licenses.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) published details for the Sandbox Framework in early October. The goal is to create regulations “for the acceptance of Virtual Financial Assets and Virtual Tokens and the use of Innovative Technology Arrangements (ITAs) within the gaming industry.”
Maltese Framework for Cryptocurrency Online Casinos
According to the press release, Malta’s new framework will be delivered in two phases. The first will begin in January 2019, when the MGA will begin accepting applications for the use of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) for remote gambling payments. DLTs include Virtual Financial Assets (VFAs) and Virtual Tokens (VTs); all of which fall under the broader category of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin.
The second phase will see the MGA accepting applications for the use of ITAs as technical equipment for remote gaming licensees. A time frame for phase two has not yet been decided, but will coincide with future developments to be launched by the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA).
MGA Framework to Address Risks of Digital Currencies
In its initial report, the MGA notes various risks associated with the utilization of cryptocurrencies. The regulator is taking a “prudent approach” to the situation in hopes of addressing and eliminating those risks. Their goal is to ensure proper safeguards are in position to:
Protect players
Prevent crime, money laundering, and/or the funding of terrorist activities
Protect Malta’s reputation as a premier and upright regulator of online gambling
Heathcliff Farrugia, CEO of the Malta Gaming Authority, comments:
“By consolidating perspectives of fellow stakeholders, the gaming industry, financial services operators and key experts in these type of technologies, the MGA is issuing this sandbox regulatory framework for VFA adoption and the leveraging of innovative technology arrangements, such as DLT, within the gaming sector.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank all stakeholders who helped us reach this important juncture. Innovation is at the forefront of our strategy, coupled with a regulatory ethos which is designed to ensure a gaming ecosystem that enables economic development and innovation but most importantly building the necessary safeguards to prevent societal and criminal risks.”
Preparing for the Future of Malta iGaming
Farrugia told attendees of the Delta Summit that his vision for MGA is to “be at the forefront of gaming regulation while embracing innovation”. The use of digital currencies at online casinos is an area of rapid growth, prompting the jurisdiction to initiate a Sandbox Framework that will allow such technology to exist in a “controlled regulatory environment”.
He notes that the framework is a “live document”, thus open to feedback and potential updating as technology and corresponding regulations develop. The MGA is predicting the framework to run for 12 full months, ending October 2019. However, an extension may be granted as the situation revolving around DLTs, VFAs, ITAs and cryptocurrency online casino payments continuously evolves.
Underage online casino cheat & parents face criminal charges.
Generally speaking, today’s most reputable online gambling sites are extremely secure. They employ the same, strict safety protocols as government banks. Their financial systems are locked up tighter than a maximum-security prison.
Every once in a while, though, things go awry. A pin-hole sized glitch in a system upgrade that goes undetected by programmers can become a wide open door for a computer whiz with the right knowledge and keen skills of observation. Such was the case recently when one young man was caught successfully cheating online casinos out of a quarter of a million euros.
Online Casino Cheat in Hot Water in Finland
The hacker’s name has not been revealed, and for good reason. He was a minor at the time. To protect his identity, his parents’ names have not been revealed either. But all three of them are facing criminal charges following the boy’s duplicitous online activities.
According to last week’s report in Finland’s Yle News, the minor is being charged with aggravated fraud, while his parents face allegations of aggravated money laundering.
The young man, hailing from the southern municipality of Forssa, has admitted to scamming an online casino out of approximately €250k. He told Finnish authorities he signed up an account with the Maltese-registered gambling website using a false date of birth, thereby granting him legal-age access to the site. No identity checks are performed until a new player makes a deposit, thus his faulty ID was never investigated by the operator.
He was then able to identify a glitch in the operation’s banking system which allowed him to reverse other members’ withdraws back to the casino, and direct them into the bank account of his choice. He chose to send it to his own bank account, of course, as well as the bank accounts of his parents, who clearly failed to report anything amiss when miscellaneous funds came pouring into their accounts last year.
Documents show that the young man utilized the IT glitch to steal money from the online casino 417 times between April and May of 2017. All told, he took the online casino for about €252,000. In July 2017, an employ of the online casino discovered the discrepancy. That’s when an investigation into the matter, and the security glitch, got underway.
Parents Face Charges of Money Laundering
In the modern age of technology, not all parents realize what their children are doing online these days. According to prosecutors, the parents of the young hacker were by no means blind to his actions. They knew full well that an inappropriate sum of money was present, and apparently had no issue using it for their own purposes.
His father was in possession of more than €14,000 of the stolen money, held in his personal bank account. His mother had another €2,300 of it in her personal account, and had used approximately €5,000 more to purchase a motorcycle.
For all of their parts in the online casino cheating scandal, prosecutors are calling for a 20-month prison sentence for the young culprit (who is now 18 years of age), a 5-month suspended sentence for the boy’s father, and a more lenient suspended sentence for his mother.
The case went before the Central Häme District Court last Monday. A judgment is expected to be delivered on Monday, September 3.
Every year, we ask the same question. What’s the next big thing in iGaming technology? What does the future hold for this exponentially growing industry? The answer this year is mundanely similar to previous years. More virtual reality and blockchain technologies to come…
Malta is one of the premier regulatory bodies for the online gambling industry, second only to the UK in terms of strictness. However, they’re jumping out ahead of their jurisdictional neighbors this month with the launch of a 
Generally speaking, today’s most reputable online gambling sites are extremely secure. They employ the same, strict safety protocols as government banks. Their financial systems are locked up tighter than a maximum-security prison.