Mention online casinos and gambling to most people and the reaction will undoubtedly be one of fear, scepticism and utter revulsion slot gacor. The media have impacted on us all the negative side of gambling and the devastating effect it has on addicted online gamblers who have frittered away massive amounts of cash, always chasing the money they have lost with yet another bet.
What the media never seem to report on is the growing numbers of people, quietly earning a comfortable living from gambling. My first insight into this world was while driving through London, listening to a late night talk show about the negative effects of online casinos and how they wreck the lives of innocent people. The show began with the host outlining statistics about how many people use online casinos and how much money is spent online each day. An interview followed with a caller who told us all how easy it was to get an account at any of the casinos and how he had lost his house, his wife and eventually his job.
As i drove, my own thoughts were that this was what happens when you give an idiot a credit card. OK not very nice, but being a pretty typical Scot, I constantly recite my own favourite saying. “A fool and his money, are easily parted. ” I hold on to that notion so that every time I need to spend some money, I try and make the best possible decision on the purchase and make sure I get the best value.
Anyway, back to the radio show and the next caller came on and I was pleasantly surprised to hear a chap who echoed my own sentiments. He was halfway through his rant explaining that some people are just doomed into losing money when our host interrupted and started attacking this man for being unsympathetic. The caller calmly explained that the world can only try and protect people, but if someone really wants to spend their money then there is not much that can be done to stop them. He then went on to reveal that he makes his living from online gambling and has done for the last two years.
This seemed to confuse and astound the radio host who retorted quite arrogantly to this man, something about expecting us all to believe that you could actually turn a profit from online gambling. Our caller then went on to confirm that he was sitting at his desk with the casino open placing bets right now and yes it is perfectly possible to earn a very good living from online casinos.
As the caller left, our host made a few comments about what we had all heard and went to the switchboards to retrieve another call. The next caller was again keen to repeat the claim from the man before and assured us all that he to was earning a regular income from betting online. Following the earthquake’s destruction in a country already struggling under the weight of crushing poverty, organizations have been scrambling to raise money, medicine, food and volunteers to help Haiti begin its long road to recovery. So far, help has come pouring in from an unexpectedly diverse group of people and organizations from around the world. So, it should hardly come as a surprise that the online gaming community is getting involved in the relief effort as well.
One of the online gaming sites trying to raise the much needed money is Millionaire Casino. They have offered to help raise money for much needed repairs and medical supplies need in Haiti by donating to the Red Cross relief fund. The money is being donated from their VIP rewards fund and users can choose to donate more of their VIP points if they wish.
Seeing the potential for online gambling to make a contribution Bodog founder Calvin Eyre posted pleas on his blog for more companies and individuals in the online gambling industry to contribute to the relief effort. So far, he has personally donated 10, 000 pounds to UK charity Oxfam and in an effort to get others to make donations has promised that his foundation will match any and all donations from people within the industry up to $1, 000, 000.
Heeding the call the popular Casinomeister site managed to collect $20, 000 before closing their donations due to difficulties in paying through PayPal. Since Casinomeister hadn’t registered the charity collection with PayPal (this process can take weeks and this was an emergency relief collection) the site forced them to stop collecting money using the service.
However, it’s not only the online casinos that are busy collecting money though as the poker industry is hosting a number of tournaments and charity drives as well. The popular PokerStars site has set up a relief fund which will match all the donations players make and then donate it to the Red Cross fund. So far, the site has raised about $475, 000 for the relief effort thanks to the generous contributions of its players. PokerStars will make a matching donation to the Red Cross effectively doubling the amount raised.